A LETTER delivered to Wiltshire-based historian James Holland went viral recently – but not for its contents.
The missive, a series of Second World War anecdotes written by the 102-year-old widow of a veteran, was interesting enough – but the manner of its arrival attracted more attention.
For the letter was addressed simply to ‘Mr James Holland, Well known historian, Wiltshire’.
Yet, despite the scant address details, the letter still dropped on to the doormat of the history expert, prompting the viral post on X, formerly Twitter.
“I love it that this reached me. Aren’t Posties brilliant?,” Mr Holland wrote, alongside a picture of the envelope, which included an added piece of information – presumably from a postal worker – which said, ‘Try Salisbury SP5’.
The tweet has since gone on to garner 20,000 likes and almost 400 comments – many from people who had received similar service from Royal Mail.
Among them was Mike Batt, creator of The Wombles, who said: “Excellent! We once got a letter addressed just to ‘The Wombles, Wimbledon Common’ and it arrived at my home address in Hyde park Square!”
Round-the-world sailor, Tracy Edwards, added: “I once had a letter delivered to Tracy Edwards, Captain of all-female crew Maiden, England. Awesome!”
Follower Geoff Strange also had an interesting tale, writing: “I did same in my youth when smitten by Aussie tennis star, Evonne Goolagong.
“I wrote her, enclosing a photo from the Daily Mirror and a SAE envelope, asking for her autograph, addressing the letter Miss Goolagong, c/o Wimbledon Tennis Club.
“A week later she sent me and autographed pic!”
Mr Holland, who hosts the World War Two podcast, We Have Ways, alongside comedian Al Murray, has recently released his latest book, Cassino 44.
Never heard of him. Took less than 30 seconds to find a postal address, just using (free) internet search tools.