Postcard 291

“Train coming from Aramoho.”

Front

Photograph of a train on tracks in front of a small wooden station. The station has the name St John painted on the side. The card is captioned: Railway Station. St John’s Wanganui. Handwritten beside the caption is: Train coming from Aramoho.

Back

Headed Post Card with a divided back. The right side is labelled: For address only. The stamp block is outlined and inside is written: For postage stamp. The left margin reads: Printed in Britain.

Transcription

Dear Elsie

Just a few lines to let you know I am waiting for an answer from the letter which I wrote to you over a week ago. I have now got a mate in the hut with me and we have a real go [sic] time here. The only thing that is wrong with him he is a terra to drink other wise he would be a real nice chap. I do not like a man that comes home drink. [sic]

H Cooksley

Commentary

Herbert Daniel Cooksley, also known as Dutchy, is Elsie’s cousin. He was born on 4 April 1897 to Isaac Daniel Sage Cooksley and his second wife Paulicia Dalia nee Peterson. He left New Zealand with the 39th Reinforcements C Company on 13 June 1918. This card is slightly chronologically earlier than I have it as I believe it was sent from camp in New Zealand prior to departure.

St John’s Station was on the Wanganui branch railway opened on 21 January 1878. It has been closed to passenger services since 1959 but is still used for freight. You can read more about the Wanganui Branch.