Closeup picture of badge of James Gerrard Boyd of the Royal Flying Corps

Back of postcard of Queen Mother's message to the nation || Back

A postcard with message entitled The Queen Mother's message to the nation. The message reads: From the depth of my poor broken heart I wish to express to the whole nation and the kind people we love so well my deepfelt thanks for all their touching sympathy in my overwhelming sorry and unspeakable anguish. Not alone have I lost everything in him, my beloved husband, but the nation, too, has suffered an irreparable loss by their best friend, father and Sovereign thus suddenly called away. May God give us all his divine help to bear this heaviest of crosses which he has seen fit to lay upon us. His will be done. Give me a thought in your prayers, which will comfort and sustain me in all I still have to go through. Let me take this opportunity of expressing my heartfelt thanks for all the touching letters and tokens of sympathy I have received from all classes, high and low, rich and poor, which are so numerous that I fear it will be impossible for me to ever thank everybody individually. I confide my dear son into your care who I know will follow in his dear father's footsteps, begging you to show the same loyalty and devotion you showed his dear father. I know that both my dear son and daughter-in-law will do their utmost to merit and keep it. (signed) Alexandra. || Front