ITEM: Death Card WW1
ORIGIN: England or Australia
PERIOD: WW1
Cardboard printed with black offset ink on one side, measuring 100x85mm dated October 1916.
Death cards were sent by next-of-kin to inform friends & relatives of the loss a loved one in battle, or to thank them for their support.
Number 3113 Private Roy Norman Slocombe 1st Battalion AIF embarked for overseas service on 28.06.1915 and was killed in action 18.08.1916.
At the time the battalion was engaged heavily at Pozieres.
The patriotic nature of the text ‘He fell, a hero in the deadly strife, For King and Country he laid down his life.’ barely conceals the chilling brevity of the card’s message.