TOPIC:

Here is another item from my hoard that ticks all the boxes for me and is deserving of sharing. This is a letter card posted from Smithfield Market at 8.45 am on the 20th January 1900 as a registered letter addressed to Corp. F. Charlton, No 256 (Signaler Section) City Imperial Volunteers, C/O Commander Steamship Ariosto, Southampton Docks. and annotated by the sender with "To follow if sailed".



This was the day after the CIV had marched through the streets of London from a farewell service at St Paul's to a supper at the Inns of Court. The message on the back refers to this march. They entrained for Southampton at 8.45 am.




The cancellations show that the message arrived at Southampton dock gates at 2.30 pm on the day of posting (who needs email). The Ariosto had sailed at 2.15pm. The front is annotated in script "Ship Sailed" and "Orange River Field Force South Africa" substituted for "Steamship Ariosto" in the address. The card was stamped at the Registered Post Returned Letter Office on the 22nd January 1900 and the duly followed Corporal Charlton to South Africa arriving at Green Point on the 20th February. The CIV had departed up-country that same day . There is a further cancellation for Naauwpoort on the 24th February, annotated with "Modder River" in blue crayon and the card is eventually delivered to its intended recipient on March 3rd 1900 at Orange River.

Here's the man and his medals.