, The cards in It'll All Be Over By Christmas help to paint a picture of
war as experienced by those at home, in training, at the front, in
hospital and in convalescent camps. There are cards from fathers who
wrote to wives and children, and sons who wrote to family, friends and
loved ones. Men at the front who received parcels from home and from
well-wishers. All this is revealed by the writings on cards sent during
the war years.
The degree of support for the war eff ort is shown by the sending of
'comforts' to the men at the front by family, charitable organizations
and the general public encouraged by newspapers and magazines.
We see the willingness of the population to help fund the war through
War Bonds and collections, as well as the practical service they were
prepared to provide by working in the factories and on the farms, with
women showing that they could do much more than just knit socks.
On a lighter note, accounts of times of rest and relaxation fill many
cards sent when the soldiers were back from the firing line and had time
to enjoy the countryside and even eat cherries.,