Curio

State Library of New South Wales
'Dear May … from Rob'

'Dear May … from Rob'

sent ‘On Active Service’ from Palestine, 25 November 1917
Irish linen white shirt cuff with buttonholes at each edge
Bequest of Sir William Dixson, 1952
DR 89

At the time Rob posted this letter, Australian troops were deployed in the Middle East as part of a larger British campaign, which included the defence of the Suez Canal and occupation of the Sinai Peninsula. Following the Battle of Beersheba on 31 October 1917, famous for the mounted charge by the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade, British forces stormed through Turkish defences to seize the strategic town of Beersheba and advance into Palestine.

Rob may have found this shirt cuff when he travelled through the cleared lines after the Beersheba battle. Rob had clearly made it into Palestine by 25 November, and had come upon a stash of German belongings which had been abandoned as the Germans and Turks retreated. Made of fine Irish linen with buttonholes for cufflinks visible on each side, the cuff would have been owned by an officer. It still remains crisp with starch.

The reverse side

The reverse side reads:


'On Active Service. Miss M. Bailey, "Tara" David Street Marrickville Sydney Australia'.


There is also a postal marking '30 No 17' and a triangular stamp consisting of a crown and message, 'Passed by censor No. 4321'. 'L 208 Belfast 27 Leinen Garantiert 4 Fach' is stamped at the left.

Rob’s letter

Rob’s letter reads:


“Sending this to the post by a wounded mate”.
Somewhere in Palestine
25th November 1917


Dear May,


As writing paper is a bit short I am sending you a letter card. It is not one of mine. I picked it up amongst a German officer’s kit, left when the Jacko were driven back.


There were also some fine books but as I am not a linguist they were of no use to me. There are enough souvenirs left along this front to satisfy anyone’s curiosity. The Jackos have left much ammunition and of course all their gear.


Goodbye


Love from Rob