Christmas card sent from the Holy Land by Godfrey Edward Wignall
c. 1941Christmas and New Year greeting card sent from the Holy Land by Godfrey Edward Wignall to his wife, Irene.
It comprises a cover with a central greyscale photograph entitled 'Jersualem from Bethany Road' and a textured cream card surround. The words 'Greetings from the Holy Land' appear above and below the image in black block letters.
The central leaves of the card are attached with a pink ribbon bow front the front. On the left side is an illustration of a spray of flowers with the words 'Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a happy New Year', all printed in dark blue. Above this, written in black ink is' To My Dearest Irene' and below, 'From Godfrey with all my Love'. To the left are Godfrey's service number, name and regimental details.
On the inside right of the card is an arrangment of dried flowers, under which is written the phrase 'Flowers from the Holy Land'.
The back cover of the card has a poem printed in blue and also the Copyright details.
Godfrey Edward Wignall was born on 28 October 1912 in Richmond, Victoria. He enlisted in Darwin with the Australian Army, 32 Cash Office on 20 October 1939, and was given the service number DX33. Upon enlistment, he was a single carpenter working with the Public Works Department in Darwin.
On 31 December, he joined Eastern Command in Sydney, where he remained until May 1940. He embarked for overseas on 27 June 1940 and served in Scotland, Palestine and Dimra until March 1942. He embarked for Australia on S.S. Dorset on 24 March 1942 and disembarked on 19 April.
His next of kin changed from his mother to his wife, Irene Louise Wignall, in June 1942. He was discharged in Western Australia on 20 September 1945.
Based on his service record, it seems likely that the Christmas card was sent to his wife, Irene, in December 1941.
Visiting servicemen and women purchased a variety of souvenirs from Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Palestine and The Holy Land while passing through on active service during both world wars.
Some of the more common items were embroideries such as cushion covers, painted artworks on fabric, jewellery made from mother of pearl, metal and timber, and photo albums with wooden covers filled with postcards of local scenes and pressed dried flowers.
There was also a range of trinket boxes, often with hidden drawers, made from the local olive wood and a range of other olive wood items including napkin rings and even a portable book shelf.
Details
Details
On front cover of card:
"GREETINGS
FROM THE
HOLY LAND"
On the inside left from top to bottom and left to right:
"To My Dearest "Irene"
Merry Christmas
and Best Wishes
for a happy
New Year
DX33
Sgt Wignall G.E.
Services ?ng Regt
A.I.F.
FROM Godfrey, with all my Love"
On the inside right:
"FLOWERS FROM THE HOLY LAND"
On reverse of cover:
"ALL THOUGHTS, ALL PASSIONS, ALL DELIGHTS.
WHATEVER STIRS THIS MORAL FRAME,
ALL ARE BUT MINISTERS OF LOVE,
AND FEED THEIR SACRED FLAME.
T.
Copyright of Snapshots Cosmos P.O.B. 1091, Jerusalem"
Other items from Recollections of War
-
Mother of Pearl camel brooch sent from Bethlehem by Theophilus Thomas Walters
-
Metal camel brooch sent from Jerusalem by Stanley Richard Steele
-
Souvenir olive wood photo album sent by George Clark to Bert
-
Souvenir timber case featuring carved South African Engineers badge
-
Souvenir olive wood album containing postcards and pressed flowers from Jerusalem
-
Souvenir olive wood jewellery box with hidden features from Jerusalem
-
Souvenir olive wood napkin ring from inside jewellery box
-
Souvenir olive wood jewellery box with fabric lining from Jerusalem
-
Silver filagree butterfly brooch sent from Evelyn to Dos from Palestine in 1942
-
Souvenir card with pressed flowers sent by Henry in 1878
-
Souvenir olive wood album containing flowers and views from the Holy Land
-
Souvenir olive wood album sent by George Benton from the Holy Land 1941
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