Postcards from October - November 1919

Speyer A. Rhein

On the back Bill wrote: "Speyer (French Spires), the capital of the Bavarian Palatinate. The Cathedral was desecrated by the French in 1689. November 1919."

The Cathedral
Speyer, Germany
October 1919 

"It should be November on all the cards of Speyer, but it doesn't matter much."

Speyer A. Rhein

"A beautiful modern church built to commemorate the diet in Speyer at which the name Protestants came into being. October 1919."

Worms a. Rhein

This card was written to his sister Mae in Toronto: "Worms a. Rhein, 3.11.19 Dear Mae, I've often had 'em in me but this is the first time the position has been reversed. (I think he's talking about worms.) It's a lovely old town. Letter in process of construction. Go to Speyer tonight + Strassbourg tomorrow. Love, Bill. Written in Worms but never posted."

Showing the Zeppelin falling to earth at Potter's Bar
October 1st, 1916

Bill writes: "A very good picture. It gives an inkling, if you can imagine at nearly the size of an ocean going steamer. I got this out at the place where they have all the zepp truck on exhibition out in East London."

December 25, 1916 Newcastle-on-Tyne, England

Bill writes a long letter home to everybody on Christmas Day telling them about his leave to Scotland with brother Harold. He visits cousins and tries to unravel the Skilling genealogy without much success. Bill expects to be sent to the front soon.

 






 

October 18, 1916 Lark Hill, Salisbury, England

Bill writes to his father, John Skilling,  from the Lark Hill Scool of Instruction at Salisbury, England. Bill's letters were circulated to all the family members by his father.



 

September 15, 1916 London, England

Bill writes to his older brother Orville back in Toronto with news of the 'zepps' coming down, a prisoner, and other details of camp life.