'Though parted . . .'

A small boy wearing a sailor suit appears to be looking down on a British soldier from the top right-hand corner of this black-and-white postcard. The soldier is perched on a table, apparently engaged in composing a letter. His cap badge appears to be that of the Royal Artillery, and the badge on his lower right-hand sleeve is a Royal Artillery gun-layer’s trade-proficiency badge. The two stripes on his lower left-hand sleeve signify six years’ long service and good conduct. The legend beneath him reads, ‘Though parted now from those I love, / They still are present to my eye, / And gladly shall I hail the day / When peace returns by and by.’. ‘PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN’, ‘Valentine’s Series’ and ‘Valentine’s Series is a guarantee of BRITISH Manufacture’ are among the details printed on the reverse. There is a message written in black ink as well, which reads: ‘My Dear Child / I hope you are keeping your Mama company & being a good Boy / From Dada xxxxxx’.