A postcard from a First World War soldier about to be shipped off to war has finally arrived - 94 years later and to the wrong address.
Alfred Arthur, then 19, wrote to his sister Ellen - known as Nell - in January 1916 from his camp in Newhaven, East Sussex, the day before he was sent to France.
The message reads: "Dear Nell, just a postcard to let you know I have not forgotten you. On the other side you will see our orders for next week. Poor me, I shall need your pity. Drop me a line, from brother Alfred."
However, the postcard did not reach its destination before Alfred died two years later at the Hindenburg Line at Grecourt and his sister Nell died in 1964.
In fact, when the postcard was finally delivered 95 years late, it was put through the door of the house opposite the actual address in Norwich, where Lauren Bleach lives.
Lauren, 61, said: "It came with the rest of the post. We couldn't believe our eyes. At first we found it amusing that it had taken 94 years for Royal Mail to deliver it, and even then they delivered it to the wrong door.
"But then as we started to read what the postcard said we were so emotionally taken by it."
With the aid of a local genealogist, Lauren traced one of Alfred's great-nephews, Brian Buxton, and his great-niece, Angela Finch, and handed over the postcard.
Brian, 68, from Norwich, said: "It's unbelievable and also very sad. He tragically died yet he didn't know that she hadn't received it.
"I feel sorry for Nellie - they were close yet she never heard from him. But I'm glad that this has finally been delivered to her family."
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