Harry Ferris Of The 10th Light Horse

Statement of Significance The image of a soldier in full uniform just before leaving for war is not unusual, although the rifle bucket is significant. It is an early type as used in the Boer War and would have been replaced before the Light Horse left for overseas. The significance of the postcard lies largely in the local and social history revealed in the message to Polly Carter, together with information supplied by her daughters, the donors. That postcards, commonly used to send brief messages, were also collected by girls is indicated by the mention of the fourteen year old Polly's 'album', and explains the card's preservation. It bears no stamp or address, indicating that either it was posted in an envelope to preserve the image or, more likely, hand delivered considering the closeness of the Carter home to the Showground. Harry Ferris was a young man who delivered milk for Rome's Model Dairy in Claremont. As was common practice, he and several of the workers living in single men's quarters at the dairy, paid to share home-cooked meals with the Carter family. A high-spirited, skilled horseman, Harry Ferris quickly took the opportunity to enlist, with his own horse, in the 10th Light Horse Regiment when riding tests and enlistment were conducted at the nearby Agricultural Society's Showgrounds. While much of the regiment's training took place at Rockingham, the message also indicates the use of the showgrounds to billet men and horses while 'musketry' training was conducted at the Karrakatta Rifle Range. The reference to 'having a great time' is indicative of the sense of adventure and excitement with which many young men enlisted, and the tearing of his trousers while climbing the fence gives a hint of the larrikinism and flouting of rules for which Australian troops were noted. It also introduces the 'housewife' or small sewing kit still supplied to all ranks in the armed services. The wish to be remembered to 'Mar & Par' and the request to 'come down and see us off' is indicative of both a seeking of 'family' as embarkation drew near and a pride in his involvement in this Western Australian regiment.