THE Active Retirement Club heard a talk on postcards with a difference on Tuesday 4th October.
The club reports, “This talk wasn’t about postcards; it was about what was written on them. Our speaker was particularly interested in finding a name, then setting about researching it to see where the journey might lead.
“Postcards were first issued in the UK in 1870. The first picture postcards didn’t arrive until 1894. In 1899 standard sized postcards which were 5,5” x 3,5” appeared which brought the UK into line with other countries and is the most common size of vintage postcard around today.
“The early 1900s up to and including the First World War was a golden age for postcards. They provide a snapshot of the social history of the times. With a name, you can set about researching birth and wedding certificates. This leads on to other names, occupations, and addresses. If you put information on the internet, you can sometimes get a response from third or fourth generation descendants from around the globe. Once the ball starts rolling you never know where it will lead.
“Our speaker related how one name led to an undertaking business which went back several generations. It transpired the grandfather had been involved in bringing back the body of “The Unknown Soldier” from Europe to the UK after the First World War. The undertaker revealed how he’d never been so moved as the ship was welcomed back into Dover harbour with a military band playing on the quayside.”
The next scheduled meeting will be a talk about the Royal Horticultural Society on the 18th October at 10am at the Horse & Groom pub. Guests can enjoy two club meetings for free before deciding if they want to join. Membership costs £10 a month. If you would like to join the ARC, or would like to find out more please call Mark on 01373 823826.
Report: Mark Horseman.
Pictured: Helen Baggott with Bruce Hewitson, chairman of the Active Retirement Club.
