Although Harvey Truman does not date his entry in Nurse Oliver’s album, he leaves sufficient information
there to positively identify him as Edward Harvey Truman who was born in Coldham, Cambridgeshire in 1898. Because of his relative youth, he was almost certainly a patient at Beechland House, Newick (ie June 1916
onwards) rather than a patient at Hickwells.
His entry in Nurse Oliver’s album is a series of rhymes and verses as follows:
25507
Gunner E H Truman
RFA
I love my Little Sisters
So beautiful I’ve grown
But I love other Boys sisters
Far better than my own
……………………..
Think of me when you’re asleep
And only half awake
Think of me on your wedding day
And send me a piece of cake
……………………..
Harvey Truman is my name
England is My Nation
Whittlesea is my dwelling place
And Christ is my Salvation
So when I’m dead and in my grave
And all my bones are rotten
Take up this book & in it look
You’ll see I’m not forgotten
………………………
Be a good girl
Lead a good life
Choose a good Husband
And be a good Wife
……………………..
Gnr Truman
RFA
From the clue he gives about Whittlesea, I have been able to identify him on the 1901 census living with
his family at Kingsland, Whittlesea, Cambridgeshire (transcribed as Whittlesey on the 1901 census). The household comprised: Edward Truman (head, married, aged 30, working as a gardener on a farm), his wife
Olive Truman (aged 32) and their four children: Margaret Ethel Truman (aged seven), Marcia Truman (aged four), Edward Harvey
Truman (aged two) and Millicent Mary Truman (aged two months). Edward’s
birth was registered in the district of Wisbech in the December quarter of 1898.
Despite having a full name, regiment and army number for this man, I have been unable to find a medal index
card for him and it is possible that he was a casualty due to sickness and never served overseas.
Sources and Acknowledgements
· England and Wales Civil Registration
Index 1837-1983
· 1901 Census of England and
Wales
