A message from King George V to the wounded

[redleafjumper]

I piped for a funeral a few years ago and the fellow whose wife had passed on gave me a copy of a document given to his father in WW1.

It is on small note paper with the Royal Arms and Buckingham Palace at the top and reads:

"1918"

"The Queen and I wish you God-speed, a safe return to the happiness & joy of home life with an early restoration to health.

A grateful Mother country thanks you for faithful services."

(signed) George R. I.


Apparently, at a ceremony in England the King and Queen were inspecting wounded Canadian soldiers who were headed home.  Every second man received one of these letters, which were personally handwritten and signed by King George V.  The King passed them out himself and it is clear that he handwrote them as well.  Has anyone ever seen another one?

 

[Parked4everuser]

I've got something similar. It's from Buckingham Palace... my grandfather's uncle was killed in action in WW1 and it says:

I join with my gratful people in sending you this memorial of a brave life given for others in the Great War.
<<signed>> George RI

The signature is a copy of his hand-written one. Though its not quite the same... its close?

 

[vonGarvin]

I have also the letter of condolence from His Majesty for my Great Uncle, Private Stanley Wood, MM of The RCR.  Fatally wounded in 1918, died of wounds in 1922 (gas attack).  The message itself if typed, but the signature appears handwritten.  I too had thought that it was a stamp of some sort.  A very learned Anglophile told me that he believed that His Majesty signed them personally.  (Yes, I realise that he would have done millions, but, well, it's nice to think that the signed them all)

 

[redleafjumper]

The impression that I have is that King George V took his responsibilities very seriously.  Not everyone received these notes; only those paraded prior to departure and even then it was only every second man.  The handwriting on the notes makes it clear that the same person wrote the note and signed it, and since they were also hand-delivered by his majesty, I think it is quite likely that the king actually wrote these out himself.