a - Length 14.0 cm x W 9.0 cm
b - Length 14.6 cm x W 9.0 cm
A fabric and paper postcard and the paper envelope that it came in.
a- The front of the postcard consists of a piece of fabric with a paper border. The centre of the fabric is the Salvation Army Crest. The crest consists of a blue circular emblem with red rays around the circumference. "BLOOD-AND-FIRE" is in darker blue thread around the interior circumference of the emblem. The interior of the circle is yellow with white crossed swords, a blue cross and the letter "S". There is a yellow/gold, blue and red coloured crown above the emblem. "THE SALVATION ARMY" is in red thread in a yellow and gold ribbon underneath.
The postcard is dated "25/12/17" and can be transcribed as follows:
"Dear Father // Just a few lines to say that I have not forgotten you although I have not written. I hope you are enjoying the best of health. I am sorry to say I am spending my third Xmas in France. I hope to be back in Canada by next Xmas. I have just come back from England where I had fourteen days leave. I had a fine time over there. I played with the Regents Hall band one Sunday that I was there. It was certainly great to get to a service once more. Well I guess I will have to close hoping to hear from you soon. I remain with love and best wishes to all // Victor // xxxxxxxxx".
b - The rectangular shaped paper envelope that the postcard came in. The envelope has a return address that reads "THE SALVATION ARMY // Recreation and Reading Room // His Majesty's Troops". The envelope is addres to "Mr. C.H. Pickering // Grocer. // Princess Street // Kingston Ont // Canada." There is a date stamp in the top right corner on the front of the envelope.
The receiver of the postcard was Charles H Pickering, a Kingston resident and owner operator of C.H. Pickering Grocery. In 1917, the store would have been located at 490-492 Princess Street, at the intersection of Princess and University. Pickering was born in 1879, in Kingston, Ontario and was a member of the Salvation Army Citadel in Kingston along with his family.
