Postcards written during the First World War from William (Billy) Brooman to his wife, Mrs Grace Brooman, of Cliftonville, 33 Lyndhurst Road, Hove.`

Cards were sent frequently, sometimes more than one a day. They start as the author travelled through France to Italy. The majority of the postcards are from Italy (various locations including Milan, Turin, Bologna and Venice surmised from postcard pictures). A small number are then from the journey back up through France and from France itself (exact location unknown).

Many cards are marked as having been verified by the military censor and in some cases the location name pre-printed on the postcard has been erased.

The cards are well written in an elegant script. Due to the censor marks and the presence of some postmarks showing ‘Army Post Office’ or ‘Field Post Office’, it is assumed that the author was in the British Army. However his rank, duties and regiment are unknown.

Some postcards are of scenic views, both city and rural. Most cards are portraits of women and/or children and there are some of flowers.

There is one card (dated 17th August 1917) to Miss Ethel Phillips at the same address, and another to Mrs G. Brooman, New …….., Uckfield, Sussex. The latter is addressed to ‘My Dear M & D’ and is dated 30th January 1918.