WWI MEMENTO

Here is a poignant survival of our First World War history. It is a Service Autograph album belonging to one Miss Matty, convalescing our heroes at a Stourbridge Hospital during the war.

It contains some very touching thoughts, poems and sketches by soldiers being looked after at the hospital. Many of which offer their gratitude to Miss Matty by such phrases as ‘..You’ve been a good kind friend to me when I was down, you sent me your aid most willingly’. Private J. Bradford simply writes ‘from a penniless soldier at Stourbridge, with best wishes to Miss Matty’. LC Read of the Warwickshire Regiment simply writes ‘This is a lonely spot’. Private Strange of the Australian Commonwealth Forces praises Miss Matty for her kindness. Most of the sketches and thoughts put down in the album are signed with the soldiers name, division and number. Clearly a lot of gratitude is owed to Miss Matty and if anyone can shed any light on who she is, we would be delighted to hear.

It was discovered at the Lichfield Auction rooms of Richard Winterton and is being offered as Lot 296 in the 29th May Collectors sale at Burton On Trent. Preview for the auction is Wednesday 28th May from 12.30pm to 6.30pm. Phone 01283 511224 for any further information.