| Accession Number | RELAWM16446 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Cotton, Ink |
| Maker |
Howes, John Robert |
| Place made | Ottoman Empire: Turkey, Dardanelles, Gallipoli |
| Date made | 27 June 1915 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Letter written on a piece of a shirt : Sapper J R Howes, 3 signal Troop, 3 Light Horse Brigade, AIF
Description
Brief letter written on a piece of khaki cotton shirt with indelible pencil. On one side is the name and adress of the recipient with the note 'Excuse paper & envelope' and a censor stamp in red. On the reverse is written 'Dear Gibby, Just a line to let you know I am still in the land of the living. I have been away from Egypt nearly 7 weeks now. I received your letter dated 4.4.15 also childrens. Hope you got my beads and wireless photos and cards O.K. I am in the best of health. Hope all are the same. Kind regards to you and yours etc Jack.' with another censor stamp in red. The letter has a verticle seam through it.
History / Summary
593 John Robert Howes, 3rd Signal Troop, 3rd Light Horse Brigade served at Gallipoli in 1915 where, in June and July there was a shortage of paper and so Howes cut off a piece of his uniform and used it to write a letter home to a friend. Howes later served with the Wireless Troop, ANZAC Signal Squadron and Gibson, the recipient, later served with the 102nd Howitzer Battery.