This is one of the 'autograph books' that belonged to my Auntie Lizzie. She was born in Currin in County Fermanagh but went on to become a nurse and sister in the Fulham military hospital in London during the First World War. While she was there she treated soldiers who had seen action on the frontline in France and Belgium. Some of the patients had been wounded at the Battle of the Somme in the summer of 1916. She seems to have been a favourite with soldiers whom she nursed. It was the vogue then for soldiers to sign their names and leave messages in 'autograph books' like this. This book includes little verses, witty comments and often funny sketches. In one message a Scottish soldier says "The quickest way of transmitting news are: Tel-ephone, Tel-egram and Tel-a woman!". The soldiers also drew pictures and caricatures. The men whose names appear in the book came from all over the world, including Australia. Contributed by Rita Swift at the AHOW event at Enniskillen Library.
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I have a similar book done by my grandmother. I can not read it as it is written in both French and German, the illustrations are amazing. What a treasure
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