12th august 1918 robert edward rawlings to nellie rawlings

colombo, ceylon (sri lanka) to kingsley park, northampton, northamptonshire

5450 miles

the message

“4/8/18

Dear Nellie

How are going on, topping I hope. Found any fresh fish at home. We’ve got loads. This time write and let me know.

Love from Bob”

the sender

It is assumed that the sender is Robert Edward Rawlings (1888-1952). Robert was born in Swindon, Wiltshire. His parents were Robert Rawlings (1858-1946) and Elizabeth King (1860-1927). In the 1911 census Robert senior is described as a Gas Engine Driver in an Ice and Cold Storage business. In 1939 he was a retired Factory Engineer.

In 1891 Robert was living with his parents in Swindon. In 1901 he was still with them but they had moved to Long Buckley, Northampton, Northamptonshire. By 1911 the family had moved to the address that this card was sent to in Kingsley Park, Northampton. Robert is described as a Fruit and Vegetable Porter. Given his age, it can be assumed that Robert served in WWI but it has not been possible to confirm that. If the identity of the sender is correct, then Robert was in Ceylon in 1918, but it is not known why. Was it miliary? Was it Merchant Navy?

In 1926 Robert married Florence M Clayson (1893-1938) in Northampton. In 1939, Robert, now widowed, was living in Northampton with his widowed father, his widowed sister, Nellie, the recipient of this card, and Nellie’s daughter Marjorie (1922-?). Robert is described as a Store Keeper in a Meat Stores.

Robert’s death is was recorded in 1952 in Northampton.

the recipient

Nellie Rawlings (1897-1963) was born in Northampton. She was the younger brother of Robert Edward Rawlings above. She was living with the family in Northampton in 1901 and 1911. She is described in the 1911 census as a Knot Tier in a Boot and Shoe business.

In 1920 Nellie married Frederick James Linnell (1895-1925) in Northampton. Frederick was a French Polisher. In 1939 the widowed Nellie was living with her father, brother and daughter in Northampton.

Nellie’s death is recorded in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire in 1963.

the tree

the places

Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) to Northampton, Northamptonshire

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Northampton, Northamptonshire showing Shelley Street

what the card says to us

The picture shows a scene featuring elephants in Ceylon which was where the card was posted.

If the sender, Bob, was Robert Edward Rawlings, there are no clues as to what he was doing there in 1918.

There is the suggestion that there was a shortage of fresh fish in Northampton in 1918, probably as a result of the war. In Ceylon however there was apparently loads.

There is also a suggestion that Nellie was not good at responding to her brother’s letters.