postcard_back

Sent by Annie Nolan to her fiancee's sister Polly Gregory. Towards the end she tells Polly that "A.T." (Arthur Thomas Gregory)"has been slightly wounded but nothing to worry about". He would actually die several weeks later from these wounds. either they became infected or he was not telling her how badly he had been wounded to begin with.
Ten years later Annie married Arthur's brother William - my grandfather - whose wife, Marie Rose, had died of pneumonia leaving him with three children. but my Nana (which she became) kept a portrait of Arthur in her jewelry box until she died.
It was so moving to see this knowing how profoundly she would be devastated a few weeks later.
I also had a laugh with my mother about her horrible handwriting - she was always good natured about being teased about it.
It's just so incredible to know the story and then - from out of the blue - (thanks to Alix who is Polly's GGranddaughter and flickr) we have this amazing memento.