Case 10
- For our boys at the front
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”.
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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