The Woolworths Museum

The Great War in Postcards

 

In the days before mobile phones, satellite communications, radio and television, picture postcards provided a good way of staying in touch. Some showed scenic views or local landmarks, while others were very topical and linked to the events of the day. Woolworth published and sold postcards before and during the First World War.

When the Great War broke out in 1914 a wave of patriotism swept the country. The High Street chain responded with a series of cards that introduced the key personalities, battleships and battlefields of the conflict. The cards give an intriguing insight into how the War was presented as it happened.

To view a postcard in higher resolution simply click its image. If you have a fast connection you can browse through the large versions of the cards by selecting the first one and then using the last/next links. You are welcome to download and reproduce these pictures, courtesy of The Woolworth Museum, if you do so in memory of those who lost their lives defending the cause of freedom.

 

Interactive image map based menu for the Woolworths Museum Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty Earl Roberts, Field Marshall Sir John French, Field Marshall Earl Kitchener, Secretary of State for War Sir Edward Grey, Foreign Secretary Night and Flame World War I Postcard Worth Living For, World War I Postcard German Treachery in World War I Not ashamed to die The Last Gunner Flooded German Trenches HMS Birmingham Light Cruiser HMS Queen Mary, WWI Battle Cruiser Deck cleared for action HMS Speedwell, A WWI Minesweeper Highlanders drawing water Bravo Tommy, World War I Postcard 2nd English Trench at Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium HMS Amphion an Active Class Scout HMS Iron Duke, a Dreadnought Battleship USS the Recruit in New York City, encouraging Americans to sign up for the US Navy Britannia Rules The Waves, World War I postcard by H.T. Lewin D-d-did you say Berlin? An H.T. Lewin WWI Postcard Always Merry and Bright, an HT Lewin WWI Postcard NOW we are busy!! An H.G. Lewin World War I Postcard Sir John Jellicoe First Sea Lord Uhlans routed by French Dragoons A Great War in Postcards in the Woolworths Museum (this page) Please click a postcard image on the screen if you would like to see a larger version and a description. Thank you.