Serbian History 101

Serbian flag, second from the left of Freedom flags. 

Some of the newest literature on certain websites seem to want to ignore the fact that Serbia was with the Allies in both WWI and WWII.  

I found one postcard site from a well-known University that named every other nation's flag on the postcard, but when it came to Serbia, the description was "Eastern European."  The administrator apologized to me when I pointed out the error.  He blamed the oversight on an intern's work, and promised to rectify the situation. I am very grateful to him and look forward to his follow through.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

Lucky, Lucky Mim!  (see below!)

Luckily for me, I was able to add my own collection of ALLIED WWI postcards Thursday, September 24, 2009 at the Renninger Flea Market near Kutztown, PA.  I purchased ten additional WWI beautiful "Silks" (embroidered postcards) from Dr. Victor J.W. Christie, Appraiser and Author, and owner of THE CHESHIRE CAT, LTD.  The kind and knowledgeable Dr. Christie was a teacher, Superintendent of Schools, and a recognized authority on the works of Bessie Pease Gutmann.  Each one of the cards I purchased from him showed the flag of Serbia (Servia), the red/blue/white banner so familiar to all of us.  

 (Click the bottom right hand corner to enlarge the image.)

The Serbian flag is 3rd from the left on the card above.

 This postcard, called LA SERBIE is from a WWI Series called PANTHEON DE LA GUERRE by

 A.F. Gorguet, from 1918.

I purchased all the Pantheon ones featuring the Serbs decades ago.  If memory serves me correctly, I think the Serbs were selected to be the FIRST of all nations to go through the Arc de Triumphe for all they suffered, losing half of their male population and a third of the female population that had to retreat to the isle of Corfu.  After resting and thanking the Greeks, the Serbs came roaring back to help win the war.

In the postcard above,  the Ally Serbs were led by King Peter (seated in the middle here) and Prince Aleksandar (shown on dark horse to the left).  Nikola Pasich prominently stands to the right, with all the Serbian banners of the Serbian Divisions in the background.  Serbian peasants on the left join the soldiers on the right hand side in Victory.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here's an overview.....

 Inside is a card that reads "Sweetheart Mine."

I'll end with this lovely note found inside one of the postcards that opened.....

"Wishes are nothing; 'tis the heart

That in the few lines dwells

And says to those from us apart

More than the greeting tells!" 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Serbian flag, far right.....

Bill was in the 5th Royal Fusiliers stationed from Dover! 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

There's a beautiful web site about some Englishmen who belonged to the Worcestershire Regiment (29th/36 of Foot) who won various high awards from the grateful Serbs for gallantry or meritorious service during WWI. The awards were recorded in the London Gazette 

Click here to learn more about the medals and the great men who earned them:

http://www.worcestershireregiment.com/wr.php?main=inc/a_foreign_serbian

Lt.-Col (T/Brig-Gen) Douglas Edward Cayley, C.M.G

Capt. (T/Lt. Col. William Frederick Oliver Faviell

Sgt. William Joseph Blood 

Pte. William Smith

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

The poster above of Heroic Serbia fighting off her enemies from all sides was created by the very famous poster maker, Bernard Partridge. This first appeared in PUNCH, or the London Charivari, Oct. 27, 1915.

Serbie-"Vive la Liberte"

Serbia-Freedom For Ever!

 +++++++++++++++++++

Beautiful Flower Postcard 

 Serbia and Belgium flags

++++++++++++++++++

This says it all!  Good Luck!