july 7th 1917 henry george page to annie florence hatch

portsmouth, hampshire to landford, wiltshire

26 miles

the message

Dear F

You will be surprised to hear from me well I am nearly ready to go out at again. I am waiting for leave. Will try and come & see you all before I go if possible.

Hoping this will find you all quite well with love & kind regards from your cousin

George Page

No 26887

B Company

New Barracks

Portsmouth”

the sender

Henry George Page (1890-1917) was the son of George Page (1864-1928) and Harriett Gibbs (1868-1951). In the 1911 census George is described as a Groom and Gardener in Totland on the Isle of Wight.

In 1911 Henry George was working as a Groom and boarding in Wareham, Dorset.

In November 1915 Henry George joined the British Army. This card was sent in July 1917. On September 26th 1917 Henry George was killed in Flanders.

the recipient

Annie Florence Hatch (1887-1971) was the daughter of Henry William Hatch (1859-1927) and Sarah Jane Moody (1858-1935). In the 1911 census Henry was a farmer at Wickets Green Farm, Landford, Wiltshire which is the address to which this card was sent.

In the 1911 census Annie, more commonly known as Florence, was doing dairy work on the farm.

In 1919 Annie Florence married John Stride (1884-1960). In 1911 John was working on the family dairy farm, Goldens Farm, Whiteparish, Wiltshire. In the 1939 register he is farmer at Goldens Farm.

(See also this page for John Stride)

the trees

Hatch

Page (Trees have Azor Page and Mary Hatch in common)

the places

Portsmouth to Landford

Portsmouth, Hampshire

Landford, Wiltshire

Totland, Isle Of Wight

Whiteparish, Dorset

What the card says to us

The picture shows a crowd on Southsea Beach. Southsea is near Portsmouth.

The message is tragic. George Page is waiting to be sent to the Front during WWI. Ten weeks after sending the card George was dead.

Lest we forget.