THE Anzac Day feature in last week’s Port Macquarie Independent resulted in a very pleasant surprise for the Port Macquarie Historical Society earlier this week.
Port Macquarie woman Lillian Campbell was delighted when she saw her father Arthur Dick mentioned in the article by Port Macquarie Historical Society president Debbie Sommers recounting some of the many letters sent home to loved ones during World War I.
Lillian contacted the historical society and offered to donate her father’s collection of postcards and letters written during the war.
“It’s quite an amazing collection,” Mrs Sommers said.
“There are letters and cards written by Arthur to family and friends at home and then there are all the postcards sent to him while serving overseas.
“It seems Arthur continually sent the mail he received overseas back home for his collection. He makes mention in a couple of the postcards to ‘put them with his collection’. We are very grateful to Lillian for her generosity and the donation adds greatly to the significance of our collection.”
Mrs Sommers said it would take the society some time to process the postcards and letters, which had been filed in an old photo album.
“Over time the collection will be digitised, transcribed and re-housed in archival sleeves and boxes to conserve them for future generations.
“Many of the postcards are souvenirs from Egypt, France and the UK with messages home and there are also some beautiful Australiana and patriotic postcards sent to Arthur from Australia.
“I am not aware that many local boys kept their mail items and ensured their safe keeping by sending them back home but we are very glad that Arthur Dick did!”
