WWI postcard 'London 1916, With Christmas Greetings' - A.I.F. and War Chest Clubs
1916WWI era greyscale postcard relating to the Australian Comforts Fund supported A.I.F. and War Chest Club in London. It was sent as a Christmas greeting in 1916.
On the upper left, it features a portrait of the head and shoulders of Mrs Argia Samuel (the hostess at the club) dressed in a white dress and veil.
On the right is a rectangular photograph of the interior of the club. It shows Australian soldiers in uniform, some wearing slouch hats or peaked caps, lounging in rows of back to back wicker chairs, reading newspapers. Their great coats can be seen hanging on coat hooks. There are palm trees between the two rows of chairs and throughout the club. A billiard table is also visible.
On the lower left are the words 'London 1916, With Christmas Greetings' written in a large white decorative font. On the lower right is written 'The A.I.F. and War Chest Club: Australia's Home in London' in smaller black capital letters.
The reverse of the card has been written on in pen by a man named Ken. It is labelled '2' and appears to be the completion of a message started on '1', which is missing.
The A.I.F. and War Chest Club was located opposite A.I.F. Headquarters on Horseferry Road, London. It was run by the Australian Comforts Fund as a residential and recreational club for troops on leave in London.
The hostess, Mrs. Argia Samuel, was the wife of Lieutenant Colonel A. S. Samuel, New Zealand Mounted Rifles.
The sender of this card utilised the club when on leave. The first card also showed a view of the club, but has been separated over time from the second card present in the collection.
Details
Details
On front of card:
"Mrs ARGIA SAMUEL
OUR HOSTESS
London 1916
With Christmas
Greetings"
"THE A.I.F. and
WAR CHEST CLUB:
AUSTRALIA'S HOME
IN LONDON"
helped to make it.
2
The length of schlock is a gift
from cousin Thomas Buckley,
Joseph's eldest son, who is the
manager of three Cotton
Mills. The velvet was made
in one of his mills & his
sisters, Florence and Rhoda
helped to make it.
The silk scarf I bought
at the Oldham Equitable
Co-operative stores (of which
cousin Joseph Buckley is a
member of the Educational
Committee - for they have a
library, concert hall etc.
in connection with these stores.)
These two views are of the place
where I usually stay when in London.
Best love from Ken.
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