Postcards home

When Corporal Ernest Gordon Warner wrote this postcard home to his 8 year old sister Ada, he had recently returned from hospital suffering the from the effects of mustard-gas-poisoning.

Postcard from the album kept by Adeline Mary Warner, from her brother Gordon (Ernest)

The 52nd Battalion's first major battle was at Mouquet Farm in September 1916, it was during this time Gordon was promoted to Corporal.

Handmade postcard album, by Ada Warner

Gordon wrote to Ada from France, 1918

Corporal Warner survived the remaining years of the war relatively unscathed, transferring to 50th Battalion in May 1918 and was detached for duty with the Overseas Training Brigade, in England.

Postcard kept by Ada Warner, wishing her family a happy new  year

In 1936 Gordon married Daisy Charlotte Parsons, sadly they only had a short time together, Gordon passed away just 4 years later in 1940, most probably due to the debilitating and lasting effects of the gas poisoning received during his service in the First World War.

Interior view of album, by Ada Warner

Ada's delightful little album, which was handmade with brown paper, has been fully digitised, and can be viewed in high resolution, from the State Library of Queensland's catalogue.

Further Reading:

• NAA: Warner, Ernest Gordon
• 29459 Adeline Mary Warner Postcard album
• Battle of Mouquet Farm. (2016, March 6). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 23:45, March 20, 2016

Marg Powell
QANZAC 100 Content Technician
State Library of Queensland