OverviewThis investigation will focus on the postcard addressed to Leila McGee of Kemptville, Ontario. Signed "REB", Private Reid Edison Beckett was a member of the 11th Reserve Battalion from his enlistment on September 24, 1914 until the end of the First World War. 1 Before the Great War, Beckett's military service began with the 56th Lesgar Rifles based in Ottawa.2 Between his service in the 56th Rifles and his enlistment in 1914, Beckett married and worked as a carpenter in the town of 'Oxford to Leeds and Grenville. eastern Ontario country.3 Enlisting on September 22, 1914, Beckett was assigned to the 60th Rifles of Canada, also known as the Saskatchewan Dragoons.4 Although these Dragoons were based in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan , Beckett's assignment appears to be simply for the purpose of the organization5. That is to say, he was never a dragon in the practical sense. At the outbreak of the First World War, the 60th Rifles quickly sent thousands of volunteers from Moose Jaw to Valcartier to begin training with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.6 After being appointed to the 60th Rifles, Beckett would have been immediately assigned to the 11th Battalion in Valcartier.7 The 11th Battalion was made up of volunteers from units in Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Regina and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg, Manitoba.8 Although not from Moose Jaw, Beckett would have been considered a volunteer from Moose Jaw. Shortly after arriving in Valcartier on the day of its enlistment, the 11th Battalion sailed from Quebec to Great Britain on October 3, 1914 aboard the SS Royal Edward.9 After 8 days on the Atlantic, the 11th Battalion and the The entire first contingent landed at Plymouth, England in October... middle of paper ...... vast landscape focusing on the horrors and his own bravery as well as those of his comrades. Perhaps he wanted to prove himself by choosing a photo of this nature to send to his hometown. To conclude, the relationship between Beckett and McGee had to be strong if it was worthy of receiving a postcard from Europe. It is rare for a married man to send a postcard to a woman who is not a relative. Beckett's postcard to McGee is an interesting and unique story among the nearly 50 million letters posted by Canadian troops during the First World War.36 Without the Canadian Postal Corps, our understanding of "The Great War" would be entirely different. Through the efforts of the men and women serving in the CCP, students and scholars are able to understand the individual during the war and their sacrifice to the Allied cause..