Rochester Castle, Cathedral, and Grounds c 1910
Postcard shows image of Rochester Castle and grounds. See History notes below for more info.
Author of Letter: Noah C Draper, 29 yrs old, b 1887
Dated: January 11, 1917
Mailed from: not shown (Chatham, England)
Attached to: HMS Pembroke
Profession: Farmer, Temporary Sailor
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Addressed to: Mrs. S. Draper, Rutland, B.C. Canada
Relationship: Mother
Writing instrument: Fountain Pen with Black Ink
Writing Paper: Standard size Postcard (Published by W, British Made)
People mentioned in this letter:
Mother - Sarah Sophia Deverell Draper, Noah's widowed mother. Since the postcard is addressed to her in Rutland, B.C., Sarah is visiting her daughter, Sarah Louise Draper aka Louie, who married Fred Coventry and recently moved to Rutland, outside Kelowna, from the Grand Coulee area, along with Fred's parents.
Places/things mentioned in this postcard:
Chatham, England - town outside the Naval Barracks yard
Halifax - Canadian port from whence Noah embarked for England
Rochester** - postcard image
Legend:
* Look under the Categories/Labels in the right side column for more posts on this
person/place/thing, or use the search box in the header at the top of this page
** see History Notes below
Author of Letter: Noah C Draper, 29 yrs old, b 1887
Dated: January 11, 1917
Mailed from: not shown (Chatham, England)
Attached to: HMS Pembroke
Profession: Farmer, Temporary Sailor
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Addressed to: Mrs. S. Draper, Rutland, B.C. Canada
Relationship: Mother
Writing instrument: Fountain Pen with Black Ink
Writing Paper: Standard size Postcard (Published by W, British Made)
People mentioned in this letter:
Mother - Sarah Sophia Deverell Draper, Noah's widowed mother. Since the postcard is addressed to her in Rutland, B.C., Sarah is visiting her daughter, Sarah Louise Draper aka Louie, who married Fred Coventry and recently moved to Rutland, outside Kelowna, from the Grand Coulee area, along with Fred's parents.
Places/things mentioned in this postcard:
Chatham, England - town outside the Naval Barracks yard
Halifax - Canadian port from whence Noah embarked for England
Rochester** - postcard image
Legend:
* Look under the Categories/Labels in the right side column for more posts on this
person/place/thing, or use the search box in the header at the top of this page
** see History Notes below
P O S T C A R D
| |
| Jan, 11. 1917. Dear Mother; - Just a line to let you know. I am still in Chatham, am feeling fine, and having a big time working. HaHa. have not heard from home since I left Halifax. but am expecting mail soon now. ByeBye Love from. N.C.D. | Mrs. S. Draper, Rutland, B.C. Canada. |
History Notes
Rochester is a town on the River Medway close to Chatham and HMS Pembroke. Noah probably passed the castle on his way to London.
Rochester Castle hadn't been occupied for several hundred years when Noah was there, and it still isn't, but it's well known for several reasons including:
By 1890, the grounds were turned into gardens and the park-like setting opened to the public.
Looking at his postcard, I wonder if Noah walked along the sidewalk and explored the castle and keep.
Rochester Castle hadn't been occupied for several hundred years when Noah was there, and it still isn't, but it's well known for several reasons including:
- one of the earliest castles in England to be constructed of stone (c1090)
- the 125 foot-high keep is the tallest in England
- besieged by King John in 1215
- Charles Dickens mentions it in his stories, The Pickwick Papers, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood
By 1890, the grounds were turned into gardens and the park-like setting opened to the public.
Looking at his postcard, I wonder if Noah walked along the sidewalk and explored the castle and keep.
