---

 

Silk postcard from a North Irish Horseman

 

 

Embroidered silk postcards were popular souvenirs for Commonwealth troops. They were first made in 1900 for the Paris Exposition with popularity peaking during the First World War. A thriving cottage industry began around 1915 and the cards were generally embroidered on strips of silk mesh by French and Belgian women in their own homes. There could be as many as 25 cards on these strips. Once completed, they were sent to factories for cutting and mounting on postcards. An estimated 10 million handmade postcards were produced from 1915 to 1919. They were found in enormous variety, with themes ranging from the patriotic to the sentimental, and covering birthdays, anniversaries, flags, Christmas, and even individual regimental badges. Often they included a card insert.

This postcard was sent by North Irish Horse cavalryman William (Willie) Lockhart. He was writing to his girlfriend (later his wife). On the reverse it reads:

2nd Army HQ, British Expeditionary Force, 20th Decr 1916

"Dear Aggie, Rec'd your card from Belfast. I have been laid up with the Influenza since I came back from leave but glad to say I am a lot better now. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Willie Lockhart

 

 

I am grateful to William Lockhart's granddaughter, Olive Nelson, for allowing me to reproduce these and other images that appear elsewhere on this site.