13th august 1917 frederick george packham to agnes packham nee harmer

birmingham, warwickshire to maidstone, kent

132 miles

the message

“13-8-17

c/o Mrs Harris

62 Gowan Road

Saltley

Birmingham

Dear A

Everything O.K. Rather a slow tedious journey, hope you are well, one week only, having a good look around

F”

the sender

Frederick George Packham (1882-1967) was born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. His parents were George Packham (1858-1927) and Emma Arnold (1858-1925). George was a Gardener. In 1891 Frederick was living with his parents in Tunbridge Wells. In 1901 they were in Southborough, Kent and Frederick was working as a Landscape Gardener like his father. He was still with them in 1911 back in Tunbridge Wells. Frederick was now a Motor Engineer.

In 1914 Frederick married Agnes Harmer (1884-1978). In 1917 he joined the Royal Air Force. In 1917, when this card was sent they were living in Maidstone. In the 1939 Register Frederick and Agnes were still in Maidstone and Frederick was listed as a Salesman of Baker’s Yeast and Sundries.

Frederick died in Maidstone in 1967.

the recipient

Agnes Packham nee Harmer (1884-1978) was born in Tonbridge, Kent. Her parents were Stephen Harmer (1855-1933) and Emma Grainge (1850-1886). Stephen was a Plasterer.

Agnes was living with her widowed father in 1891 in Tonbridge. In 1901 Agnes was living with her aunt Sarah Harmer nee Black (?-?) and was a Dressmaker’s Apprentice. Her aunt was a widow and working as a Charwoman and they lived in Tunbridge Wells. Agnes’s father had moved to Bedwelty in Monmouthshire with his son Ernest Harmer who was a Coal Miner. In 1911 Agnes was still living with her aunt in Tunbridge Wells and she was a Dressmaker. In 1914 she married Frederick Packham, the sender of the card. They were still together in 1939.

Agnes died in Maidstone in 1978.

the trees

Packham

Harmer

the places

Birmingham, Warwickshire to Maidstone, Kent

Birmingham, Warwickshire showing Gowan Road

Maidstone, Kent showing Charles Street

what the card says to us

The picture shows Council House, Birmingham (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_House%2C_Birmingham) the home of Birmingham Council. The card was posted in Birmingham but there seems to be no other connection.

Frederick seems to be in Birmingham for a week. Presumably this is to do with his service in the Air Force as according to the records he joined up in May 1917 and the card was sent in August. He is just letting his wife know that he is alright.