Keepsakes

Dudley Seabrook Broughton to W B McEwan, Dunedin. Postcard. London: Over-seas Club Tobacco Fund, [1915]

This image shows Dudley Broughton’s faded message of thanks for a tobacco parcel from W. B. McEwan. At the time of the Great War, tobacco was a relief and relaxant for people in a state of high anxiety, despite known health risks. The Over-Seas Club Tobacco Fund was associated with the Overseas League, a British Empire organisation founded in 1910. Over £100,000* worth of tobacco and cigarette parcels had been sent to troops by February 1918.

*C. S. Beechy. Letter. Mount Ida Chronicle, 22 February 1918, p. 3.

Dudley Seabrook Broughton to W B McEwan, Dunedin. Postcard. London: Over-seas Club Tobacco Fund, [1915]
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Tom Cummings to W B McEwan, Dunedin. Postcard. London: Over-seas Club Tobacco Fund, [1915]

W. B. McEwan wrote his own address on the postcard so that it could be acknowledged. The writing on the wall includes “more baccy, better fighting, quicker peace”.

Tom Cummings to W B McEwan, Dunedin. Postcard. London: Over-seas Club Tobacco Fund, [1915]
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Court of Patriotism High and Full Charter. [Dunedin: New Zealand Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association?], 1915

An unusual charter is signed by “Hugh Manity”. This figure of speech, or oronym, hints at the serious purpose behind the amusing words. The charter claims authority to hold a mock court, with fines payable to charity.

Court of Patriotism High and Full Charter. [Dunedin: New Zealand Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association?], 1915
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Court of Patriotism High and Full Charter. [Dunedin: New Zealand Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association?], 1915

The content suggests that the organisers were the N.Z. Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, Dunedin, which had spacious clubrooms, with hotel-style accommodation for members. Mock courts became very fashionable for patriotic fund-raising in 1915.

Court of Patriotism High and Full Charter. [Dunedin: New Zealand Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association?], 1915
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