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Wings for Britain Nativity card, Outremont, Quebec, 1943
About this postcard
The card shows a stained-glass Nativity window: Mary and Joseph flank the Christ child, with angels and shepherds nearby, and a decorated Christmas tree with lit candles stands to one side. The image is paired with a wartime Christmas greeting sent from Outremont, Quebec, to Radford, Virginia, in 1943. Jane's message moves between holiday wishes and home-front news: young men being drafted, her brother John preparing to join the Navy or Marines, and a cold snap at 12 below zero. The "Wings for Britain" name refers to a wartime campaign to fund aircraft for Britain.
Postcard Details
Message · English, in pen
Dearest Helen,
Your long November letter was wonderful. I love to
hear from you (and Va.) During Christmas vacation, I
promise to write a long, chatty letter but am sending
this "Wings for Britain" Christmas card in the mean-
time.
You are right about all the young men being
drafted. Next year, brother John will be old enough (in
October) so he will go if the war is still in progress.
I think he wants to join the Navy or Marines rather than
be drafted in the army.
Guess Jane Pountney & Dave Wall are pretty popular in
school. Has Betty Ann Leamer done anything lately. Or Shakam
I imagine the same crowd controls the school activities
Your schedule is pretty tough this year but you
will get through. I hope you are in good health now
and able to go to school all the time.
The weather at present is 12 below zero. It's
the coldest weather we've had yet here and do I
mean it's cold. But it is just a spell and we
will snap out of it soon (I hope!)
Congrats to Dot E. for her play. I bet you could
write one too, Virgil Christian, (that was it, wasn't it?)
if you wanted too. I hope you become a famous author
I shall proudly point and say "I knew her in old Va."
That Halloween party was really something.
I almost died laughing reading it. Is Physics
interesting? you have a pretty good class of kids
for it.
I think of Radford a lot, whenever I hear certain
songs, see certain pictures etc. The kids ask me about
it and I have lots of fun telling them about school
etc. It really is a nice friendly place. We did have
fun - you and I, Helen and the rest of the club. I don't
think I shall ever forget you and only wish that I
could only see you again. Perhaps someday. How,
where & when, I can't imagine.
I'll tell you about our school etc. in my
letter. In meantime, Merry Christmas to you and
your family! May your days be merry and bright
and may all your Christmases be white.
Love, Jane
X X X X X X X X X X
Addressed to
Miss Helen Varney
47 Monroe St
Radford, VA
FromJane, 285 Willowdale, Outremont, Quebec, Canada
Postcard record
| Publisher | Canadian Print. & Litho. |
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| Series | 502 |
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| Condition | Good |
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| Place addressed | Miss Helen Varney, 47 Monroe St, Radford, VA |
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| Place sent from | 285 Willowdale, Outremont, Quebec, Canada |
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| Notes | Fold-out card; the reverse carries a 1942–1943 calendar, a 'MESSAGE INSIDE' panel and a stamp box, plus a handwritten address ('Miss Helen Varney, 47 Monroe St, Radford, Virginia, U.S.A.'). Crease at lower right of the picture.
A 1943 postmark is present; no stamp visible on this scan. WWII-era "Wings for Britain" Christmas card; message references the draft and the war still in progress. Card copyright Canada 1929. Blue-ink handwriting, light creasing. The street line '47 Monroe St' is struck through in pencil, leaving Radford, Virginia as the final address. |
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Cite this card
Wings for Britain Nativity card, Outremont, Quebec, 1943, postcard, c. 1943. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/wings-for-britain-nativity-card-outremont-quebec-1943. Accessed November 2, 2026.
