War Diaries Talk

green envelopes

  • 141Dial34 by 141Dial34

    What is the significance of "green envelopes"? This CO referenced them when they arrived also.

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  • marie.eklidvirginmedia.com by marie.eklidvirginmedia.com

    Green envelopes and Image of green envelope.

    Letters from soldiers on active service were subjected to censorship by their junior officers to ensure that details such as location and military objectives were not disclosed. However, as a privilege, soldiers were given one green envelope per month in which they could send uncensored personal and private letters to loved ones.

    The soldier had to sign to verify that they had only included private and family matters. The letters were not opened or read by regimental censors but as a deterrent a random sample were opened at HQ and if a soldier had betrayed the trust placed in him he would be court-martialled and punished.

    See link: http://www.worldwar1luton.com/object/green-envelope-mail-active-service

    Another article: The importance of letters in WW1 and how did 12 million letters reach soldiers each week? – includes delivery process and map:

    link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zqtmyrd

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  • 141Dial34 by 141Dial34

    TY & very interesting

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  • cyngast by cyngast moderator

    Here's another article about mail on the Western Front. It's rather long and I haven't read through it all in detail, but towards the bottom there are some green envelopes included. I also don't have the time right now (It's 6:15 am where I live and I'll be off to work in an hour or so.) to check out the source, although it seems okay. I'll post it anyway as it does seem interesting. https://www.worldwar1postcards.com/soldiers-mail.php

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  • marie.eklidvirginmedia.com by marie.eklidvirginmedia.com

    Interesting photos, especially the postcard images and different stamp images.,

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  • 141Dial34 by 141Dial34 in response to cyngast's comment.

    I get so much more from others than by just googling! Ty Cyn great find

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  • cyngast by cyngast moderator

    I'm glad I could help.

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