Paris1914-1918

The Daily life
of Parisians
during the Great War

GODMOTHERS

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A soldier writing to his godmother

Charle Ovide

Manuscript letters, June 2^nd, 1916 - May 2^nd, 1918

These letters from Charles Ovide to Madame Santin appear to be representative of exchanges between soldiers and godmothers. Charles Ovide's writing is typical of a population unused to corresponding. Despite censorship that caused the whitewashing of reality, the hardships of the front are apparent, and before long there was even a shortage of ink. Awaiting news from close ones, receiving packages and leave-time were a soldier's greatest preoccupations. These letters also illustrate the influence of ambient patriotic and anti-German discourses.

Ville de Paris