A first World War soldier’s scrapbook has been discovered – containing cartoons showing life on the front line and love letters to his partner.
Private Henry Page was a talented cartoonist who, before joining the British Army, worked as “a designer in drawings” for London printing firm AG Reeves.
He volunteered in October 1915 and after a year was sent to France.
Henry served six months there before being moved to Salonika, Greece and later to Alexandria, Egypt, where he caught typhoid.
His art included depictions of the struggle to put up a camp bed, a soldier keeping guard in Europe, marching in the rain
and a soldier visiting the pyramids and bazaars.
Henry’s scrapbook also features decorated envelopes addressed to his Luton-based lover Edith Pedley.
These cartoons depicted his hopes for their life post-war, as portrayed in a drawing of the two of them toasting the New Year. Another shows the lovers on a clifftop – with Henry writing the words “What I’m Waiting For”.
The scrapbook was discovered among documents belonging to Southwark Archives.
Researchers from FindMyPast found the couple got married and lived in Luton, Beds.
Researcher Jen Baldwin said “This is a truly remarkable love story able to survive everything the Great War could throw at it.”
FindMyPast is offering free access to military records until Monday. Visit www.findmypast.co.uk.
