From:Rocky Hill War Memorial Museum
Name/TitleJohn Reeson Postcard and Photo Collection
About this objectJohn Belcham Reeson's (4900) YMCA post card pouch. This green pouch was used by Reeson during WW1 to hold postcards and a pencil for use in the field. The postcards each contain photographs, including studio portraits of soldiers and their family and a view of Cape Town.
Reeson was born in Wollongong, NSW, in 1899 and worked as a baker in Taralga prior to enlisting in the military on the 14th of September 1917 at age 18.
Reeson was a member of the 1st Pioneer Battalion, 14th Reinforcement. His unit embarked from Sydney on HMAT A38 Ulysses on the 19th of December 1917.
He was discharged on medical grounds on the 2nd of February 1919 following being wounded.
Resson passed away at the age of 75 on the 16th of April 1974 in Redfern, NSW.
Details
Photograph 1 - Small black and white photo of two young men uniform set into a cardboard holder with green border.
Photograph 2 - Studio photograph postcard of a John Reeson taken at Relma Studios, 216 King Street, Newtown (two copies).
Photograph 3 - Studio photograph postcard of a young soldier taken at Relma Studios, 216 King Street, Newtown.
Photograph 4 - Studio photograph postcard of John Reeson and women in military uniforms taken by Gale Studios in the UK.
Photograph 5 - Studio photograph postcard of E.G. Reynolds taken at Sutton Veny.
Photograph 6 - Photograph of a woman sitting in chair. Writing on the front reads "Yours truly (possibly 'Nancy')"
Photograph 7 - John Reeson and an unknown man in military uniform for a postcard, taken by Gale Studios in the UK.
Photograph 8 - John Rseson in a suit on a postcard. Rear text reads: "Yours Truly Jack"
Photograph 9 - Studio portrait of a young woman taken at The Elite Studios, Goulburn
Photograph 10 - Sepia photo of a woman inside a brown card
Photograph 11 - Postcard featuring a woman standing in a garden. Text reads "Yours truly, Mrs (illegible)".
Photograph 12 - Postcard of many ships in water by cape town. Front reads "Docks and Table Mountain, Cape Town" rear reads "On Board H.M.T. "Saxon." That you have had a joyous Christmas and will have a prosperous New Year is my sincere wish to you. 'May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.' " Produced by The Valentine & Sons Publishing Co, P.O Box 1685, Cape Town.
Card (13) - Painted illustration of a soldier coming home to his wife. Text underneath reads "For Victory, Peace and Liberty". Inside there is a handwritten note that reads "To Jack, with the best of luck from Lil xx" and a printed note that reads " The World is full of beauty, would it were full of love, then were the path of duty, fair as the skies above, yet amid the Babel, that falls upon the ear, the eye of faith is able, to see Hope drawing near. - H.S.M. With greeting of the Season and many Kindly Thoughts and Wishes for Christmas and the New Year. From Lily Coles. 11 Somerset Street, Cathay Radcliff, Bristol. Christmas 1918."
Photograph 14 - Postcard with a photo of a man. Back reads: 'To Dear John, with Best love From Aubary"
Photograph 15 - Studio photograph of a man in a suit taken by W.H. Bursle at Orange
MakerYMCA
Maker RoleManufacturer
Period1914-1918
Place MadeUnknown
Medium and MaterialsPouch - Leather, metal and plastic
Postcards - Cardboard, paper, pencil, ink
Inscription and MarksFront: YMCA
Reverse: Talk Clean, Live Clean, Fight Clean, Play the Game
Measurements360mm x 110mm when unfurled.
150mm x 110mm when folded.
Subject and Association Keywords1st Pioneer Battalion
Subject and Association KeywordsThe Great War
Subject and Association KeywordsAustralian expierence of war
Subject and Association KeywordsAustralian Imperial Force (AIF)
Subject and Association DescriptionReeson Family
YMCA
Object TypeBag
Object number2024.921
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
