POSTCARD FERRIS, HARRY OF 10TH LIGHT HORSE AT R.A.S

1915
Overview

Black & white image. Trooper in full uniform with rifle, mounted on horse, on grass in front of trees. One man in work clothes centre left; three in uniform on right. Barrel, boxes, saddle, bunkhouse in background. Rear of postcard has conventional headings, no address or stamp. Message in indelible pencil from Harry to Polly [Claremont 15/th / Dear Polly Just a PC. of me it / not a very good one but perhaps you have room / in your Album we are in Claremont & shall be going / away on saturday morning back to Rockingham only up / here for a bit of shooting having a good time / got my trousers torn climbing the fence last night.] Across top right corner [will have to / get my Housewife / going Remember me / to Mar & Par / Harry XXXX] Across top left corner [We will / be leaving here / at 8 saturday morning / come down & see us / off at the Post Office].

Historical information

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.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-28--97-26
Year
1915
Claremont Museum

Claremont Museum

Organisation Details
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