Possible WW1 original document

[Regorian]

Looks like WWI. I've seen similar, soldiers wills etc. Even the paper size is appropriate.

[barmaid1971]

It sounds quite professional .... but the writing is almost childlike. 

I am not at all sure, but looking at the style of writing, I am wondering if it may be WW2 rather than WW1 era?  Someone may have some knowledge of styles of writing taught in those eras ...

That was precisely our view, Ruskie.  However, we cant understand how it could be WW2 since G Grannie only had one son who went off to war, and he has no idea where it came from.

Interesting Regorian - I havent seen much from that period - other than a load of postcards.

Edit to add:  I wonder if it was done at school as part of a project in the 20s or 30s?  I have no idea.  I had a look on the Imperial War Museum website but that doesnt take me much further.

[philipsearching]

The stryle of language in the poem is consistent with verse from the late Victorian period (conflict in South Africa, North West Frontier etc)  to the end of WW1.  If written by someone serving in the war I would suggest it is more likely to be 1916 or earlier as it does not have the bitterness of much of the war poetry of 1917-18.  There is no description of time or place to help identification.  R N Carter could have been a civilian - many people tried their hands at writing poetry some of which was published in magazines or church newsletters.

The handwriting could be by a child or an adult and I don't think it can be dated to a particular period - the different styles of handwriting on the censuses shows that (whether or not schools taught a specific style) people's handwriting varied greatly.

So, to sum up my thoughts:
The poem could date from wars of the late Victorian period or WW1
The author, R N Carter, could be either military or civilian.
Your manuscript could be a "fair copy" by the author or a copy from another source.

Sorry I can't give you a definitive answer, but what you definitely have is an interesting historical piece.

All the best
Philip

[barmaid1971]

Hi Philip

Thank you very much for taking the time and trouble to reply.  I do think what you said was interesting.  Thank you very much for your expertise.

I hadnt considered that it may have been written locally for a church/ magazine etc.  I think we are going to have to seek an expert's view at a museum.  It is lovely that it is in the family, but if it is genuine, we would like it to have a wider audience.

[Ruskie]

Excellent observations Philip.

[philipsearching]

Another thought - it could be a pupil's school composition ("for homework - write a poem about the war")

All the best
Philip

ps - thank you for the compliment, Russkie. 

[Ruskie]

Another thought - it could be a pupil's school composition ("for homework - write a poem about the war")

All the best
Philip

ps - thank you for the compliment, Russkie. 

I was thinking along the same lines Philip.  I'm fairly sure that is not an adult's handwriting, or even the writing of a non competent adult. You can usually tell when someone doesn't have a 'confident hand'. It looks to have been written in pen and ink, and it is a bit blotchy in parts and paler in others. Fountain pen or nib pen I am not sure ....