| Accession Number | RC02385 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Published Collection |
| Record type | Item |
| Item count | 1 |
| Measurement | Overall: 8.9 x 14.7 cm |
| Object type | Philately |
| Place made | Australia |
| Date made | 1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copying Provisions | Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required. |
Envelope from Dead Letter Office
Description
Envelope addressed to 2931 Private Ben Robinson, 47 Battalion from Edie Robinson, possibly his sister. The letter contained in this envelope was posted from Mullaley, New South Wales on 13 August 1917. Before it could reach him, Private Robinson was killed on 29 September 1917 near Zonnebeke in Belgium as part the Third Battle of Ypres (also known as the Battle of Passchendaele) from July to November 1917.
He was taken to a nearby Dressing Station and was buried by Father Devine, a Roman Catholic priest at a place called Anzac farm. His grave was later lost, probably destroyed through shell fire. Today his name is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres.
His Captain wrote on the envelope "Killed in Action 8-10-17" and it was marked with the following cachets "DECEASED" "UNDELIVERABLE A.B.P.O. RETURN TO SENDER" and "RETURN TO SENDER SEE BACK". On the back of the envelope is a sticker with "Returned to Sender: - Miss Edie Robinson "Nombi" Mullaley FROM DEAD LETTER OFFICE SYDNEY N.S.W." and a cachet reading "DEAD LETTER OFFICE SYDNEY N.S.W. 19 JE 18".
Ten months after she first posted the letter, Edie received it from the Dead Letter Office. It was nine months after Ben has died, so she would have relived the tragedy of his loss. This delay was common and was another tragic aspect of the First World War.