The Postcard
A Comique Series postcard that was published by the Inter-Art Co. of Florence House, Barnes, London SW. The artwork was by F. G. Lewin, and the card was printed in Great Britain.
The card was posted in Tottenham, London on Monday the 4th. November 1918 using a 1d. stamp to:
Miss Coppen,
c/o Mrs. Dillow,
Waterworks Cottage,
Eastergate,
Nr. Chichester.
The card was posted exactly a week before the end of the Great War on the 11th. November.
The message on the divided back of the card was as follows:
My Dear Louie,
A card to thank you very
much for the pretty card
and also the good wishes
you sent me.
Fancy you having such a
long holiday.
I hope you will all keep
well.
Best love,
M. Dillow."
The Kiel Mutiny
So what else happened on the day that the card was posted?
Well, on the 4th. November 1918, German militia were required to occupy the port of Kiel, but many of the soldiers defected to the revolutionary side. By the end of the day, some 40,000 revolutionaries had occupied the port and released 14 demands to the German government.
Battle of the Sambre
Also on that day, British and French forces captured the Sambre–Oise Canal from the Germans, during the last major battle of the Great War.
British war poet Wilfred Owen was killed during the battle, although news of his death only reached his parents in Shrewsbury a week later on Armistice Day. He was awarded the Military Cross posthumously a year later.
The Capture of Le Quesnoy
Also on the 4th. November 1918, the New Zealand Division captured Le Quesnoy, France, taking 2,000 German prisoners. Casualties for New Zealand were 122 killed and 375 wounded, while the Germans suffered 43 killed and 251 wounded.
An Aerial Dogfight
Also on that day, forty German Fokker aircraft attacked nine Sopwith Camels with the No. 65 Squadron southeast of Ghent, Belgium.
Aircraft with No. 204 Squadron joined the action, and the resulting massive dogfight ended with 22 German aircraft reported either shot down or last seen headed earthward out of control.
Art Carney
The 4th. November 1918 also marked the birth, in Mount Vernon, New York, of the American actor Art Carney, best known for the role of Ed Norton in The Honeymooners. He was also the recipient of the Academy Award for Best Actor for Harry and Tonto. Art died in 2003.
Cameron Mitchell
Also born on that day, in Dallastown, Pennsylvania, was the American actor Cameron Mitchell. Cameron, who is best known for his lead role in 1960's television western The High Chaparral, died in 1994.
Thomas Baker
The day also marked the death of the Australian Air Force officer Thomas Baker, commander of the No. 4 Squadron of the Australian Flying Corps, and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and Military Medal.
Thomas, who was killed in action, was born in 1897.
Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage
The American socialite and philanthropist, Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage also died on that day.
Margaret, who was born in 1828, was the wife of Russell Sage, founder of the Russell Sage Foundation and Russell Sage College.
Andrew Dickson White
Andrew Dickson White also died on the 4th. November 1918.
Andrew, who was born in 1832, was an American academic and diplomat, and co-founder and 1st. president of Cornell University.
He was also the 16th. U.S. Ambassador to Germany.
