4 January 1918, to Aileen
No message
7 January 1918, to Aileen
Would you like a house like this? D
7 January 1918, to Mrs Collins
This is near my bedroom door. I have not
been able to post letters or pcs on 7/1/18 so
don’t know when this & letters will arrive. G
This is part of a cardboard box full of Gilbert Tasker Mahony’s postcards and
documents found by David Jackson in the cellar when he moved into 4 Avondale
Mount, Shipley in 1979.
Most of them are headed OAS (On Active Service) and stamped in red 'Passed by
Censor). The censor crossed out the name of the towns in most cases but we have
managed to decipher them or work them out.
The majority were written to his wife, Lil, or daughter Aileen, but some were to his
mother-in-law, Mrs Collins and one to his sister-in-law.
My thanks to David for given me access to this fascinating archive
1918 Postcards
(Click on the card to see location and a bigger image)
Gilbert Tasker Mahony
8 January 1918, to his wife
Still another view. G. 8/1/18 No post from
here yesterday
20 January 1918, to his wife
No letter from you for four days now so
should get a budget. Love from G
26 January 1918, to Aileen
This is the place where girlies buy oranges,
apples & nuts. D
26 January 1918, to Aileen
The same place. Would you like to be here
with me? xxxx from Dad
2 February 1918, to his wife
The two x’s are where I work and the other
is the room. How do you like it? Note the
arches. G xxxx for Aileen
17 March 1918, to his wife
Here is a view showing the kind of country
we passed through. It is quite a change to be
fixed up here again. Yours Gil
9 June 1918, to Aileen
Her is another P.c. for you. Do you like it?
Dad
10 July 1918, to his wife
I wonder if Albert ever frequented this
place? Surely he would. Perhaps after the
war we may. G
10 July 1918, to his wife
Still another p.c. for the collection. It is a
relic of our day’s outing as are the others. I
am looking forward to the post today.
Yours Gil.
5 September 1918, to his wife
Finished passing out yesterday. Am
awaiting orders now. Weather is beautiful.
Your G
27 January 1918
To Aileen
Dear Aileen. Another
view of the same place.
Do you like it? xxxx
Dad
29 January 1918, to Aileen
Here is another view for you. xxxx from
Dad
1 February1918, to his wife
Still another one for your collection. All I am
sending at present are of the same place.
They give one some idea of Italian art altho’
they are nothing like the real thing. Best love,
Yours Gil. Your 19th letter has arrived. Write
tomorrow.
1 February 1918, to Aileen
My dear Aileen, Many thanks for your
very pretty post card which I received this
morning. Best love from Dad xxxxxx. The
fairies you drew are very exciting.
1 February 1918, to Mrs Collins
Dear Ma, Still another pc. I hope you will
not persist in overdoing things. Gilbert.
Weather here today like a June day at home.
Beautiful!
11 February 1918,
to his wife
To cheer you up. G
3 March 1918
to Aileen
Dear Aileen, what do you
think of the babies? Have
you ever seen anything
like them? Love from Dad
xxxx
15 March 1918, to Aileen
Best love & kisses from Dad
23 April 1918, to Aileen
Here I am! Love from Dad
23 April 1918, to Mrs Collins
The tea has come in useful. G
30 June 1918, to his wife
Am reducing my money here at top speed.
Yours G
1 July 1918, to Aileen
Dear Aileen. How do you like this picture?
Love from Dad xxxxDad
1 July 1918, to his wife
Still more views. You will see what places
we visit with luck. G
1 July 1918, to Aileen
How do you like this view of a steamer?
Some day I shall come home on one like this
xxx Dad
29 August 1918
to his wife
A little touch of red! I’m
still here and enjoying it.
Love from G
7 September 1918, to Aileen
Would you like to live in here? xxxx Dad
5 September 1918, to his wife
Shall not be able to write till Saturday.
Going to old address. Gil
16 October 1918, to his wife
The instructions on the back are to cross out what
isn't relevant then only date and signature. So it
reads: I'm fine/OK. I'm going to operations base.
(all options for news/things received crossed out).
Continues: I'll write as soon as possible. Think the
rest intended as crossed out to indicate: I haven't
had any news for a long time. Signed G (date)