Letters From Grandma Cade
Letters from Herbert Sutcliffe, the cricketer
Cutting from The Times 1932 – Cricket; Yorkshire at Hove. Sutcliffe’s record
HAND-WRITTEN on folded notepaper stamped with home address – with envelopes
Southroyd House
Pudsey
Nr Leeds Dec 7/33
Dear Mrs Stair
This is to thank you most sincerely for the excellent time you gave me during my stay in town – every minute of which was thoroughly enjoyed.
You were so kind to me – all of you, and I shall always have most happy recollections.
A thousand thanks!
Every good wish
Yours sincerely
Herbert Sutcliffe
Southroyd House
Pudsey
Nr Leeds Nov 21/34
Dear Mrs Stair
Thank you so much for your letter.
You will be pleased to hear that my wife has made rapid progress after her operation and she is expected home on Saturday.
No it wasn’t my son who developed a temperature – it was the dog. I think I said that I had taken him to the vets.
I hope you are all well.
I am not certain whether I shall motor to town or go by train on Dec 3. I favour the train but I may decide to send my car to the AC works for a check over.
It is very kind of you to ask me to lunch or tea on the 4th.
The trouble is this – I may take another fellow with me and I know you can’t be bothered with extra trouble.
I’ll phone you on Dec 3rd or if I go up by train I’ll let you know, then if you are in the Kings X vicinity perhaps you can call round as you suggest.
All good wishes
Yours sincerely
Herbert Sutcliffe
HAND-WRITTEN, on a card stamped with home address – with envelope
Dear Mrs Stair March 2/34
Many thanks – I do wish I could accept for the 16th but I’m afraid it’s impossible
I have just bought an AC car in town. I like it immensely – the engine runs like silk. It is a much smaller car than my Sunbeam and I’m afraid I shall miss the lavish space, but it is much faster – and cheaper to run – 24mp gallon against 17 mpg by my Sunbeam.
I will let you have a look at it sometime in April.
My salaams to all and the best of best wishes too.
Yours sincerely
H Sutcliffe
HAND-WRITTEN on Herbert Sutcliffe’s business letterhead – with envelope
Nov 24/33
Dear Mrs Stair
It is very kind of you to ask me to stay and I shall be delighted to do so on Mon & Tue Dec 4 & 5. I am not quite certain about the Wedy. I have to attend Sir Home Gordon’s dinner and I arranged to stay at the hotel with one of the chaps.
I think I told you that I have a Lodge meeting on Monday evening. It is too bad staying privately and leaving for dinner etc. however, Tuesday is entirely free. If Mr Stair finds it difficult to leave business for a game of gold – do please tell him not to worry. In my case my handicap is much too long for Mr Stair who would probably prefer to play with a Scratch man and not a rabbit.
Would Mr Stair like to go with me to my Lodge meeting on Monday? I’d be delighted if he could.
I have asked Arthur Gilligan to be one of my guests.
My very best wishes to you and all
Yours sincerely
Herbert Sutcliffe.
(in same envelope – together with a signed photo and a cutting from the Daily Mirror – HS at wicket after opening indoor nets at Kettering Baths, Northampton)
Dec 3/33
Dear Mrs Stair
This is to let you know that I am travelling by train tomorrow – by the 10.15 – arriving at Kings X at 1.55. Shall lunch on the train – of course. I am looking forward to seeing you all. My meeting is at 4.30 at the Holborn Restaurant – much too early.
Every good wish
Sincerely yours
Herbert Sutcliffe
Nov 9/34
Dear Mrs Stair
It was good to hear from you again. I have heard nothing in regard to attending the special meeting on Nov 21.
As far as I know at the moment I shall only be in town once before Xmas and only for two nights. I have a few appointments on Dec 3 & 4.
My wife is to have an operation on Monday – not a serious one. However she will be in the nursing home for about a fortnight.
She really should have had the operation yesterday but her mother was taken ill and I had to fetch my wife out of the nursing home on Wedy night. This has been a vile week – everything has gone wrong – even our dog developed a temperature on Thursday of 104˚,
If I can get along to see you on Dec 4 I’ll phone you. I do hope I can for it would be grand to see you again.
I shall arrive about 3.15pm on the 3rd but I am due at the Holborn Restaurant at 4.0 in dinner jacket so I shall have to rush.
My very best wishes to all
Yours sincerely
Herbert Sutcliffe
(including a cutting June 20 1934 headline Sutcliffe will be England Captain if Wyatt is still unfit)
June 29/34
Dear Mrs Stair
I much regret I had no chance to phone you on Tue evening. Anyhow the stump was left for you. The Hall Porter gave instructions for same to be wrapped in brown paper and I wrote your name as follows: –
MRS STAIR
TO BE CALLED FOR
Would you be good enough to call again and make enquiries. The Day Head Porter had the stump in hand.
It was jolly good of you and Mr Stair to give us such a happy evening. My wife paid you both lots of wonderful compliments. It’s a wonder your ears didn’t burn.
Cheerio and thank you so much
Yours sincerely
Herbert Sutcliffe
Dec 1/34
Dear Mrs Stair
I intend catching the 9.0 o’clock train from Leeds – due in Kings X at 1 -3.
This will be a most inconvenient time for your I know, so please don’t trouble to do your ‘good deed for the day’ unless you happen to be in the vicinity of the station.
I have a few calls to make in town and thought it better to catch an earlier train.
My last meeting doesn’t start till 5.0pm, what about a spot of lunch with me – and Virginia too!
Will look out for you but I shall quite understand if you are not there.
Best wishes to all
Herbert Sutcliffe
(includes Yorkshire County Cricket Club Season 1935 booklet)
March 13/35
Dear Mrs Stair
I am thrilled to hear that you are to be presented at Court on March 29th – my hearty congratulations.
I only wish that I could join your party on that day, but we have arranged to have the w/e in Sheffield and we go on that very day.
I am due in town on Tues Apr 2 – having promised to give a lecture at the Pollytecnic (sic) during the evening – but I have to leave again first thing on Wedy morning.
We are exceptionally busy at the moment – receiving orders for the coming season – and I simply can’t stay away for more than two days. Anyhow, I’ll give you a ring to ask all about the 29th.
I am not quite certain about the golf balls for Mr Stair but I have instructed my manager to send ‘Silver King’. Do hope they are alright. I can guarantee a round of 85 or under even despite the larger proportions which you say has developed in your ‘better’ (?) half.
I too have increased half a stone during the winter months.
My book is to be published on May 2 and I have noted your ‘two’.
All good wishes to all
Yours sincerely
Herbert Sutcliffe
(no envelope)
Jun 6/37
Dear Mrs Stair
Thank you so much. I’m so glad you are still in the land of the living. Truth to tell, I thought the worst!!! Your news is certainly reassuring.
Your 45 acres sounds good to me. I’d love to see it sometime. It must be marvellous. But I know it will be in keeping with the very high standard attained many years ago – and still held mind you – but you and your husband. Speech!!! But I’m sincere about this. You will ask me sometime – won’t you? Then if you are good, you may be allowed to visit my mushroom farm.
Was in town last Monday but had to return the same night on account of my Test press work.
Didn’t see the article you mention – please let me have it unless you have destroyed same.
All good wishes to you all
Yours sincerely
Herbert Sutcliffe
Letters from Leicester
87 Greenwich Avenue, NYC: 15 Feb 1924
My dear old toplet
It really is awful sweet of you to write such a nice long letter to me – ‘specially after the way I have neglected you. But you know how it is – we have spent so much time fixing our place and so on that letter writing simply has not been possible. I feel terribly guilty about it, but when I tell you that I didn’t even write home for three weeks, you will appreciate my excuse for not writing.
I think I had better start by answering your questions.
No, I have not seen HER yet. You remember she wrote to me in England saying she would not write any more – well, I let it go at that but she did write again and the letter was forwarded to me here. I then wrote her, saying I was now living in New York and asking her when she would be visiting this ‘burg’. She answered that she expected to be here this year sometime, possibly in the autumn when she will share an apartment with her friend, Margery, who is coming here to take some course or other at Columbia University. So you will possibly have an opportunity of seeing her when you are over here. Won’t that be amusing? If she is here then, I absolutely insist on you meeting her.
She is sure to be very amusing and while on the question of you being here, you don’t know how bucked I was to hear you are coming out this fall. And I am looking forward to seeing you tremendously and so is dear old Bob. We are awfully anxious to show you our apartment and no doubt you will be able to five us some excellent advice on how to make the place really top notch. You seem to have an idea that it must look somewhat like furnished rooms at present – but I can assure you it certainly does not look like that. In fact, many people have said it is the most liveable and comfy place they have ever seen.
I suppose while Arthur is in New York, you won’t be able to stay here with us – but when he takes any of his trips without you to Chicago, Pittsburg, ‘Frisco, etc, will you come and stay with us here then? We have a very nice little spare room which will be very comfy, so I am issuing an invitation now on behalf of both of us to come and stay here whenever you can and want to.
Now, to deal with your second question re the arrangement of the apartment: the reason we have the living room so far from the kitchen is because 1) it has two windows whereas the room next to the kitchen has only one and 2) because the room we now have as the living room has a gas log fire as well as a radiator – so it is altogether more desirable as a living room. Also it has a more pleasing outlook than has the bedroom. We consider these things of greater importance than the minor difficulty of carrying food from the kitchen through the bedroom and anyhow, we always have breakfast in our bedroom on a circular table we have there for that purpose.
Yes! we most certainly can use the black and green curtains and they look stunning. We use one pair as portières in the doorway leading from the hall into the living room and the other two curtains we have hung at the opening either end of the hall.
The only place in which we lack curtains now is the spare room – and we shall have these in a week or two now.
Fortunately, we have not invested in bed linen etc and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the things you are sending out. They will be more than welcome!! We need those things more than anything else. Bob and I have spent practically all our spare time here in the apartment since we moved – and really we have a lot of fun out of fixing up the place. We have a good clean and scrub on Sunday – and it would no doubt amuse you if you could see us as WORK! Later on, we shall no doubt have a coloured woman in once a week to do thing- but at present, we don’t feel we can afford luxuries of that sort.
It makes me feel terribly envious when I read of your taking The Nest for next summer. How I wish I were going to be there again! You can’t realise how much I enjoyed being there with you last summer. It was perfectly wonderful.
And I’d give anything to be able to drop in to tea under the conditions you wrote about. Why upset my equilibrium with your glowing descriptions of these things!!??
I wonder how Mrs Cade and Gladys are enjoying the trip? From all accounts, Mrs Cade seems to be more interested in whether she will call at or near New York on the way back than on anything else. I must stop now. Bobs and I are both very well and all is OK. Bob is, I believe, writing you ce soir.
Lots of love to you, Betty, Alastair and Virginia and also to ‘Pop’, from thine ever, Leicester
PS I was going to write something else but thought better of it at the last moment. You are still rather young!!
58 West 85 Street, NYC 31st Oct
My dear ‘Betty’
It was most awfully sweet of you to write me such a lovely letter and I hope you will forgive me for taking such a long time to answer. I really have not had much time since I arrived here to do anything but work very hard – and at the end of the day, have really felt too tired even to think about writing letters or doing anything else but sleep.
I arrived in New York on a Sunday morning and Uncle Bobbie was on the dock to meet me. We drove to 58 West 85th Street in a taxi – and went out to a restaurant where we had a somewhat late breakfast and a long talk.
Up till last Sunday, we both had separate single rooms on the top floor of this house – but we have now got quite a nice little flat on the first floor of the same building. We have a small kitchen now – and are therefore able to make our own breakfast instead of going out to have it at a restaurant. We also cook our own dinner here most evenings so we are really very comfortable. Wouldn’t you like to come here to dinner with us? We should love it if only you could. We would put on a specially good dinner for you.
Your daddy arrives here the day after tomorrow – so I shall see him the same evening. Unfortunately I shall not be able to get away from business to go and meet him at the dock – but I think Uncle Bobbie will be able to manage it.
Uncle Bobbie has written a letter to you and is sending it off by the same mail as this will go by.
His hobby at present is keeping tropical fish and turtles. The fish are very pretty in colour and very small – have you ever seen any?
I shall be interested to hear how your school dance went off and whether your mummy was able to get a dancing partner. I don’t think she would experience half as much trouble as you seemed to anticipate.
I congratulate you on being the head of your form but you must not let the responsibilities bother you too much. Remember that whatever happens, it will be all the same 100 years from today.
I must stop now, as I have numerous letters to answer – and in every case replies are long overdue.
Heaps of love from Leicester.
Hampstead, NW3; 8 Jan 1926
My dear old thing
One of the most famous of our many illustrious poets once made a notable discovery and immortalised it by given the world those inspiring words, ‘How time flies!’. I don‘t remember off-hand who it was, but probably Marshall or Snellgrove or Pete Robinson.
Well, this preamble leads me to what I want to say – and that is how true those words are. Here we are, two weeks from Xmas and not a word have I sent you to thank you for the book you so kindly sent me. Appreciative as I am of the book, even more so am I of the very kind thought which prompted you to send it and tho’ my thanks come late – they are none the less sincere. Please forgive my neglect which I assure you has not been wilful.
Please tell Virginia how much I have enjoyed having her beautiful flowers to look at. It has been a ray of sunshine typifying her own sweet smile.
If they would not be too bored, I should love Betty, Alastair and Virginia to come over with you one afternoon next week to tea. Would you let me know if they would like to – and if so, which day would suit you best. Any day except Tuesday and Friday, these being the afternoons my practitioner comes.
Best New Year wishes to you all and lots of love from Leicester.
Hampstead, Monday
My dear Ethel
I am very glad to hear you can all come over on Thursday. I shall look forward with much pleasure to seeing you.
Your news about Dorothy doesn’t in the least surprise me – in fact, it is as I predicted. All the same, I am very sorry for her.
We will exchange news bulletins on Thursday
Love to you all, Leics
Letters from Gladys Cade
The Green, Southgate: May 7th 1899
Dearest Mother
I hope you are quite well. We were so disappointed that Mable and Marjery could not come on Satday. Mary went to there house on Friday to ask them and they had just gone out to see some of their friends. I can ride a bycicle now and I can start my self and I can get off in a way I think it is lovely.
Baby has not been vaccinated yet. We did have such a lovely box of sweets sent to us nobody nowes how it is from they are most lovely sweets in it. I hope you will not mind the spelling. It was very cind of you to sent me that little book. Would you mind if I was to use your paint box againg be cause I do take grate care of it.
Jim sends his love to you and baby does to I expect don’t you and you now all the animals.
From your loving Gladys
309 Military Road, Cremorne: Sept 4th 1934 (addressed to Lily Lankford, 6 The Close, Southgate)
My very dear Family and Lily
Thank you just ever so much for your lovely letters, I got them this morning when I came ashore. We left Melbourne on Saturday morning and we ran into a really dreadful storm, it was horrid and I felt so ill and when we arrived, the Pilog cutter could not get near us for ever so long on account of the sea, so I could not come ashore yesterday. I did this morning and the doctor came and fetched me and Quilla was ever so pleased to see me and all that, she is going to have a baby next month, so I shall be able to help her make some of her things.
Oh, dear! I really would give the world to be able to say I was coming home when Bill comes, I feel at present I dare not stop in Australia while he goes home, but of course, you know what a silly ass I am when I get away anywhere.
My dear Theo, what a night you did have really, you dear people, are screams. I am glad Ethel, you are all having such a nice time and I do hope your holidays will do you all a lot of good. Oh! Lily, I am so glad you love my little Mona so much, I do really feel so happy about her, while you are looking after her.
Thank you, Auntie Adeline, so much for your letter, dear. I was ever so glad to get it. Everyone on the Port Bowen was as kind as they could be and my dears, while we were in Melbourne, Bill was in Sydney, so he got leave from the office and came down to Melbourne by train and he arrived on Thursday mid-day and we were together until my ship left, on Saturday morning. Phyllis Berry took us for a most lovely drive up the Dandilon Mountains, we were out all day, it was a really wonderful day.
Bill was a perfect darling, and ever so well and adorable. Will you give this stamp to Annette, I will try to get more to Nickie later on and John, if he collects them.
I do hope Nickie had a nice birthday and thank you very much for the photos, they are very good, aren’t they. This is a very nice house, and very comfy but, Oh dear, I have a very sad heart at present, I’m afraid – this afternoon, I got a very lovely and altogether sweet letter from Bill, and when he comes back up north I am going to Brisbane – it is about another 500 miles north, heavens, by the time I get home, I shall be a very well-travelled person but, all the same, my own little home and all you dear people are the best.
Quilla and I went for a walk this evening, of course I am glad we shall not have to dash about to different places all the time, but I can see when I go back to Melbourne I shall be fairly rushed off my feet. Tomorrow I shall get all my luggage and be able to get all my things out and give them a shake. Captain Kirkwood, such a dear, who is something to do with the docts, is looking after my chair and my tea things for me until I come back again.
Please give my love to the children, I will ask about Mr Asser, who I do not know. Also give my love to my sweetie pie and Min and Mee. I will write again soon, but I do not like really to stop and do any more now.
So, my dear, I will send you all lots of love and Auntie and Lily thank you both, my dears, for your prayers, they have been answered, dear.
Best love to you all
From your very, very , loving Gladys
Commonwealth& Dominion Line,TSS Port Auckland. Oct 29th 1934
My dearest Family and Lily
Thank you all for your letters, I will write you all in turn and thank you, Lily for your photo, it is very good, also for the one of Molly, she does look a sweet little girl. Did any of you take any photos while you were away? If you did, do send me some snaps – I have taken some but my camera is now broken so when it is mended I hope to get some more nice ones.
On Saturday evening, we went into Melbourne with the Miss Marshalls and they took us all around the town to see the lights, they were really lovely, and so gay, the fire station is the best, it looks just as if it was on fire, and steam all coming out of it, which really looks like smoke. I wonder if I shall see the Duke while he is in Melbourne and then after we had seen the lights, we went and saw Scotts plan – oh, you would love to see it, it is bright red and such a beauty. We got quite close to it and touched it. Then, yesterday, Sunday, Ted and Randall came down in Ted’s car and took us for a lovely drive up the hills and we were joined by Phyllis and Nelsonand the girls in the other car – so you see, we were quite a large party, eight of us, and we all went to tea at a sweet little place called The Red Mill, and on our way back, we saw some Aborigines throwing boomerangs, it was most interesting and very wonderful the way they always come back to them.
One old man came over and talked to us – you can guess how dreadful I am feeling ab out being left in Australia alone, it is quite bad enough when Bill goes away when I am home, but I just feel dreadful about being out here alone. Still, I suppose it is rather silly if I do not stay for a bit now I have got as far as this, and just wait until he comes out next time and then come back, so as to get home about the same time as Bill does.
I have been fairly dashing around the place these past two weeks – I went to Brisbane by train and then back by boat and then down to Melbourne by train. I met a man on the train, going to Brisbane, quite a nice, kind old thing, the Hon J F Coates, I will tell you all about it when I get home, and I had a very good time on the Crungal coming back to Sydney and then, when I came to Melbourne by train and came with some men out of the Dutch plain, they were great fun and fairly travelled with me all the time. Ted me me at Melbourne and, so to speak, saw me off to Geelong, where I joined the ship and am still there. I shall stay with Bill now until he goes home, heaven how sick inside that makes me feel.
I am so glad you are all well at home and I do hope baby still likes school. Also I hope, Lily, your father has arrived allright and that he is well. I will write you a letter in a day or so, thank you so much for your letter; and also Theo, thank you so much, dear, for your letter. I will write you in a day or so; also Virginia, thank you, dear, also; and Ethel, thank you. I will also answer you. They have had such a lot of rain in Australia that there are miles of floods, but still, today is quite nice and fine but not at all hot. They say it is very cold for the time of year.
Bill went ashore this morning for some fruit for me – the most lovely oranges they are, so much nicer when they ripen on the tree than when we get them at home.
I will send one of the petticoats in a day or so, Theo, I do hope you will like it, I am very keen o it and I will finish the others in a few days’ time. I got some more dark blue silk sponge cloth, quite nice for 7½d a yard, so I got 5½yds and I have made quite a nice frock for the mornigns, so you see it was quite cheap, only 3/6 for a frock. Quilla got some as well, but she has got to get hers made for her, so it will cost her more. Bill sends his love to the family, and so does Quilla and I say:
Well, my dears, I don’t think there is much more news. Oh! Lily, perhaps you had better cut a small bit of grass out round the rose trees, if they are not doing very well. With best love to you all
From Gladys
Thank you, Auntie, for the card, it does look a ncie place. I am ever so keen to see your little home. Please, Lily, give my love to Sweetie Pie, Minnie and Mee.
225 Bank Road, Nov 12th
My dearest Ethel and family
This is to wish you all a very happy Xmas. How I wish I was going to be home with you all, but I don’t expect I will ever do this trip again so I suppose it is best to make the most of it while I can. On Saturday, I went and saw the air pageant, it was very nice and we had quite a good day and yesterday we all went to the Dedication of the Shrine. I was a wonderful service and I am very glad I saw it, but it has fairly bowled me over, I have got a beast of a back and a bad head, because it was so hot in the sun. it does seem so funny to be having such hot weather now, when I suppose you, dear people, are all cold. I am so sunburnt, I really feel when I come home no-one will know me.
Now, dear, please will you get something, for about 10/- for Auntie Adeline and give Elizabeth, Alastair and Virginia 10/- each for Xmas from me and the £1 is for you, dear, so please get something you want. I will try to get a few small things for you all when I come home, but really there is nothing here that one cannot get in London. Melbourne is a really very beautiful city and I do wish some of you were with me. Phyllis has gone away for ten days motor tour, so I am on my own, which is rather lonely when you do not know people and it is not your own home.
So I am going to make a black lace frock for myself while she is away and a green silk frock. I got the silk at a sale for 7d a yard; just the colour of my green hat. I have picked such a lovely lot of flowers this morning out of the garden for the house so it really looks quite gay.
Well, my darlings, I do hope you are all well and happy and I do hope you will see my precious while he is home and be very nice to him.
Best love to you all, Ethel, Arthur, Elizabeth, Alastair, Virginia and Mr Woo.
From your loving, Gladys
225 Bank Rd, Melbourne: Nov 19th
My dearest family
Just fancy, tomorrow is Mother’s birthday, bless her.
Today I got some lovely letters, thank you, Auntie Adeline, it is sweet of you to write and I am so very sorry you are having a bad time with your teeth, also I am looking forward to seeing your little house. I am sure it will be very nice. Of course, I am seeing a lot of wonderful things and Edward is a perfect dear, I just love him and must say this last week has been lovely. Phyllis is away, she is, of course, very nice, but is so nervy, she really tires one out. When she is home, I just spend all my time finishing things she starts, she never seems able to settle to anyting.
So glad Dot had such a lovely time with you, Auntie, I guess you did both have a very happy time. Nearly all the time Bill and I were together was wonderful, but I miss him very much and, of course, now I am looking forward to the time when he gets back and then, when he leaves, I hope to be about a week or two before him.
Thank you, Lily, for the paper cutting. I am now sending you on. Never mind about the hot water bottle. Just fancy Mona being so fond of onions, she really is a funny little thing. I also wish I could see the garden; this garden is really very lovely and, of course, everything grows so fast.
I am going to try and bring back a nice lot of seeds and things for my garden when I come. How lovely the garden will look in the Spring, thanks to you dear people. Really, Lily and Mr Lackford, you are dears to do so much, also it is ever so kind of Douglas. Thank goodness Molly is better , poor little sweet, I am sorry she has been so ill, but thank goodness she is better now – and give my love to Frances and tell her how glad I am she is better.
How sweet of Nickie to get the chocolate for his mother, you see, he will turn out a lovely sort of man, because he has such a kind streak in him. And, of course, they will all be darlings.
Oh, well, my daer, I am sorry you are having so much trouble with Nellie. I wonder why she is so trying – still, do not worry about it. I think you are doing wonderfully with your money and thank you, dear, for being so good. God bless you. Yes, Lily, it was my evening coat, it really is smart, but not it is loose, I will have to have a bit taken in, that is if I remain as I am, which I hope I do, only I would like to get thinner.
I was so sorry to hear about Mrs Dar. I have written to them, also I am very sorry you did not know, as I would, of course, have liked to send some flowers.
Thank you for the message from Dr Shepherd, I do hope he is a bit happier now, poor old darling. Really, I do thing Fred is the limit, he is silly not to be more careful about his jobs. I am afraid, Lily, when I get back, Mona will not want me any more, she will have got to love you so much.
Please give my love to your dear Dad, from me. Of course, I have always said Mona has not got the manners of a lady, has she, poor little darling. I am so glad dear old Min and Mee are well and happy and I am so glad they all love you so much, Lily. I am sorry about Bill TRodd’s man, he must have something the matter with him to get so thin as that. I do hope he will soon be better.
Yes, I’m afraid also that Bertie and Fred will not be very happy unless she changes in her ideas a bit. I expect she was glad to get the Pyrex casserole, it was good of you.
Thank you, Ethel, very much for the snaps – they are lovely. How nice looking Arthur is, I gues you are proud of him and really Virginia is a sweet kid, but how tall she has got, I shall have to carry a box around with me to stand on when I am with her. The one of you with the dogs is really lovely and the other one shows your lovely hands very well.
The big hat Tina lent me has had a great deal of use, I can tell you.
Thank you just ever so much for your letter, Ethel, dear. I am sorry I am such a bad hand and letters, but as you know, I really never was much good. I am so glad you have one of those boxes – the darlings gave me one, as well.
You must not suffer any pangs because, dear, I know just how you feel and I am really praying hard for you all, and, if we go on doing that, I feel sure all will come well, dear.
I have wiped my mind, dear, except for my prayers, dear. I have had quite a lot of tricks, as you call them. I must say, dear, the Australian’s are not slow workers. Help!!!! I did, indeed, enjoy my stay in Brisbane, it was wonderful and I will have such a lot to tell you all when I come back. I am afraid the peaches do not restart until January or February, but you bet, when they do, I shall be there.
Maybe Bill will tell you about the Hon G F Coates, MLC. He rang me up from Sydney the other day and Phyllis was quite upset, she really is funny. No, dear, I have not seen Bill Bird, but Nelson is going to get home of him for me. But I hear he has quite spoiled himself and is suffering from a very swelled head. It does seem a pity, because they say he was so nice when he first came out.
Also I have not been able to get hold of Jack Daw yet. I do wish I could get some of the lovely flowers over to you, they are wonderful. Really, you are a scream about the bath sponge.
Yesterday, we went to the sea and had a lovely time. Edward left his car for us so a Mrs Olsen, such a dear, Nelson, and two girlfriends of his went and we had a lovely time and had tea at such a sweet little place. Of course, Phyllis has got the Packard, they have all gone to Portland, about 300 miles away. She drives very well and they are taking it is easy stages and staying with friends on the way.
On Saturday, Edward took me out to dinner and the pictures – I loved it.
Heller and I are having a lovely time, nice and quiet, and she is such a nice girl and a wonderful cook and a really good maid. She says she would like to live like this with me always. So you see, I don’t seem to have gone off much.
I am sorry, but my camera got hurt so I am afraid I will not get any photos, still I will try and tell you everything when I see you all.
My best love to you all from your ever loving, Gladys
I may get some more letters tomorrow. If so, I will answer them. Oh, the other day, I went to tea with Elsie Holmes (Cooper). She has four girls and a small boy, very spoilt. I really never was in such an uncomfortable house in my life and so untidy and dirty, really I nearly had a fit. When I went there 10 years ago, with Mother and Aunt Georgie, the front steps were broken – and they still are; no curtains; no carpets, only a few matting rugs, and it really did seem dreadful. Still, she seems quite happy and it does not seem to worry her at all.
Poor old Jack Daw turned up while I was having my lunch; heaven, he does look old and he is ill and has a bad back and has to walk very slowly, so he is going to see a doctor this afternoon and, if he has to go into hospital, he says he will let me know and then I can go and see him. But he does not want Mrs Daw, or Nell, to now he may have to go into hospital. He had just got a letter from England telling him about Mr Daw, so don’t tell them he is so bad.
Well, now, I must write to Bill, my dears.
While we were at dinner last night, the telephone rang and it was from the Melbourne hospital to say Mr Daw had been admitted this morning. I rang up and they said he had had a comfy night and I shall go and see him tomorrow.
Oh, dear, I do wish he wold go home, he really does want someone to look after him and he never seems able to keep any money, even when he makes quite a lot.
If you can, Lily, will you ring Auntie Polly and tell her I have been to see Mrs Holmes, but don’t, of course, mention what I said. Do you know, I cannot get it out of my mind – I suppose the place is never tidy, because she asked me the Thursday before to go to tea on the Wednesday.
Well, if you have any snaps, Theo, darling, I do wish you would have sent them, but if you send them when you get this, I will be in time because I have got to wait until Bill comes out next time.
My best love to you all.
From your ever-loving, Gladys
225 Bank Road, Dec 11th
My dearest Family and Lily
Thanks for the letters, also the cuttings from the papers, I do hope I am going to have one of those photos of Lena when I come home. Also Gertrude does look nice, doesn’t she. I would love to have been there to see the wedding – no, dear, I did not see Scott & Black, but I did see the plan and I touched it. No, I have not seen the swarms of grasshoppers but I have heard them making such a noise it sounds just like a saw mill going all the time and it is really quite true what they say in the papers but it is some way from us. Also I have seen the floods and they are truly dreadful. I expect you will see pictures of them but I just cannot describe them on paper, I must wait until I get home. I am going to Sydney soon after Xmas but I expect Bill will give you my address, but if you still send letters to this address, they will send them on for me.
I am so sorry you are having sucha bad time with the people in the flat below, that is the limit, I do hope they have stopped by now. I do hope the new maid will be a success and I do hope Edith is jolly, Theo, dear, and doing better.
We are having nice hot days now, and I am a dreadful colour, a sort of brick red, which is really dreadful but I always have a big hat but even then the sun gets me. I quite agree with you about going to a hospital or nursing home, Ethel, but out here nearly everyone goes away to have their babies, I think it dreadful. You would love baby Crawford, she is a pet and so good, just lies in her cot all day and never cries very much.
Peaches have started to come in now – at first, rather expensive, say 6d or 8d a lb; it does make me smile, one never thinks anything of eating three or four – as you can guess.
This evening we – Edward, Phyllis and I – are going out to an evening with some people. Phyllis and Del are out now, so I thought I would write while I was alone.
I was so sorry to hear about the Pinchards having to give up Egham Close, it does seem hard luck, doesn’t it. I am now, of course, just waiting for a cable from Bill to say what he is doing, because I am now just longing to come home. I think I have been away quite long enough. How lovely about the money, I am glad. Also, dear, I quite agree with you, it would be a very good idea to hold on to Bobbie’s if you can. My dear, I am so sorry you are still having so much trouble with the New York house, it does seem a shame, doesn’t it.
Thank you, Lily, very much for your letter, my dear, and for all you are doing. I am sure the home and garden must really look very nice now, and I am just longing to see it again. Don’t forget to let me know just everything about how you get on while Mr Johnston is home, and if he seems happy, and if he misses me. And oh! Well, I think you know. I have done quite a nice lot of work, odd tray cloths and things to give to people for Xmas. I do so wonder if they will change the ship this tip or if he will still come out to Stralia. I would love to have been on the Bowen coming home, so we were together all the time. How I would have loved that.
I have done my washing and ironing today and, as I am on my own, I thought I would get this letter done. What a sweetie pie Mona is, I will be pleased to see her again, and Min and Mee, bless them. And I do hop[e you will all keep well and not get flu, or anything, this winter. Do be sure and take care of yourselves.
There is not really very much news but still, I will write again soon. Best love to you all and God bless you my dears, from your loving, Gladys
225 Bank Road, East Malvern, Melbourne: Dec 20th
My dearest family and Lily
Thank you for your letter, it must have been a wonderful day on the 11th, it was very wonderful at the Shrine. I have sent some papers of the town so you will see a bit what it is like. Well, my dears, when you get this, I will have started my long journey home, sweet home. I leave Melbourne on Feb 8th, Auntie Adeline’s birthday, so please, Lily, will you ring her up and wish her very many happy returns from me. I will arrive in Jull on March 28th. I just hate having to come all the way down from Hull, but still, it will soon be over and will you bring a car to the London station, Lily, to fetch me. I will, of course, send a wire to say what time.
Oh! I am so excited at the idea of seeing you all again, I do hope you will all come and see me quite soon. You can guess I was pretty upset when I got the cable from Bill, also I see it was sent from Southgate, therefore, on the telephone bill, that will be nice for me. Also I have a feeling that perhaps I could not say what I feel. Oh, I do hope I am not right.
We are having lovely hot weather, but of course, it does not feel at all like Xmas as you can guess. I have made things for nearly everyone out here, so I have been very busy. I am going to Margaret’s on Thursday for about a week and then back to Sydney, and I shall sail from there. I do not know anyone on the boat, but I shall get Captain Kirkwood to see I have everything nice and comfy. I have not had a letter yet from Bill, it does seem such a long time since he went away.
Twice I have rung Bill Bird but he has been out each time and, when I have asked each time that he would ring me, he does not, so I will give him one more chance and, if he does not take the trouble, then I am afraid he can get on with it.
I have worked a tray cloth for Phyllis for Xmas and I took it to a place where they sell lovely work to get the thread for the edge and the dame there, who teaches fancy work, said it was fit for an exhibition, so I was very pleased, as you can guess. Also I have done a tablecloth for Quilla – I do hope she will like it as well. On my way back, I am going to do some more, nice bits for you people I hope, that is, if I am not sick all the time.
Thank you, Lily, for the paper cutting, also how sweet of little Mona. Oh! Dear, I really feel as it I just cannot wait until February 8th but I expect the time will soon go. I do hope the little frock will soon come from Edmunds’ Orr. I am busting to see it – also I have made myself some quite pretty undies, I think when I get home, I will try and get some orders for work, because I love doing it.
Now I will only be able to stay with Margaret for about a week, but she and Walter are coming to England in April, so they are rather the tin hat, talk about swank, I do hope Margaret will not blow up one day.
Oh! The flowers, they are so lovely, I do wish I could bring lots back to you all and the peaches are now 4d lb and just lovely and the mangoes – heaven. I could go on till I bust. Pineapples are rather expensive now, about 1/9 or 2/- each, huge ones.
I do hope Theo, dear, you have got the petticoats and that they are all right. I have not got enough stuff for another so I think I will make it when I get home. Please give my love to all the children. I will send a cable for Xmas to everyone and it can be sent through to each one. I am sure the garden will look lovely and I am so excited to see it, and that everything will be lovely when I get home.
Thank you all, darlings, for everything you are doing for me, lovely letters and all the work.
Best love to you all
From your very loving and excited
Gladys.
Very early letters
April 11th 1863
Dear Delphia wished me never to allow Trotty and Della to live apart and not to be separated except when Della may go to Mrs Collins on a visit.
To have them both living with me and to have them educated together at home under my own care.
To be dressed alike and in every way treated as sisters and every care to be taken to cause them to love each other.
To live in or near to Epsom so that the children can be visited by Grandma and their Aunts and so that they can visit their dear Mamma’s grave.
Delphia’s pink silk dress (presented to her by SC) to be taken care of for Trotty when she grows up.
Delphia’s underclothing and black silk dress, etc etc, to be used up for her dear little Trotty only and her rings, lockets, brooches, etc to be saved for her and given to her when she has grown up, to be kept by her for her dear Mamma’s sake.
She wished me to give all the baby clothing to her sister, Sarah, for her great kindness shown to her at all times, particularly during her illness.
Della wants new drawers and she wished her to have some made out of the piece of new calico to be found in the cupboard upon the landing.
On the 21st March, before we were married, I presented a small daisy to Delphia in some fields near to Nottingham which she has dearly prised and which she requests me to take care of, for her sake.
On August 16th, min the year but one before we were married, I first saw Delphie at Mr A Hebbs, Park Terrace, Nottingham.
Mr Myles now with me.
Died on April 15th 1863 at 9.20pm
And Buried, April 30th in Epsom Churchyard.
Present at the funeral
Rev J Hay
Rev J Heaton
Joshua Ward, Surgeon
Mr Thomas Coote
Mr S Cropper
Mr H Wright
And myself.
Carpenters Lane, Foleshill: July 20th 1870
Dear Mamma
I should so love to see the baby. I like staying here but I want to come home. Della had a letter from Grandmamma Wright, is she staying at our house? I suppose if we were at home, we should have to go to school so I would rather stop here. I think Lippy is coming to our house when Grandma Smith goes with us perhaps she will come back with us. We went to Coventry to Chapel of Sunday and on Monday and yesterday and to Grandma Smith’s today.
Anne has brought baby today, she has just come. Grandmother said we might come home when you send for us, so be quick.
With love to baby and all the rest of your Grandmamma
I remain your loving daughter
Trotty
I have not a piece of India rubber to rub out the lines.
Dearest Mrs Puss
I hope you and all our friends are quite well. Pussey (sic) here is very well.
We are coming, perhaps. I hope your friend Dick is quite well, give my love to him and give him many kisses. I hope they give your dinner. Will you write and tell me where you sleep. I hope you do not get disturbed.
Accept much love and many kisses, I remain your dear friend, Trot. Give lot to all friends and tell Della I got her a sunshine for her.
Dear Trot
I suppose I must answer your letter, I hope it will be fine on Monday. I am very glad that Flit has run away, I, who am always inclined to lead a quiet life, did not approve her unsettled habits and therefore I think it was quite as well for her to leave the country and go abroad.
Della is trying to make me sit on the table to tell her what to say but I do not like it at all. My master has made a hole in the door for my special accommodation that I may have a good supper every night.
I caught a mouse last night which I liked very much. I am just washing myself now.
I want to give your love to one of my friends through the window but I found I could not get through the glass so I made a great noise and startled the people in the room. You made a mistake when you called Dick my friend. I should like to hug your Dickie, a great deal better.
Much love to you, your loving friend Puss
Killiney, Hatherley Road, Sidcup: 1 October 1898
My darling Ethel
We are thinking so much about you and when you get this we shall be wishing you ‘Very Many Happy Returns of your birthday’. We should like to give you a big hug and tell you how much we love you, if we could. I wish I had thought the other day to ask what you and Gladys would like. I remember when a little girl having a book given me the title of which was ‘Little Mary, or God in Everything’. I was so fond of that book. Now I want you, my dear Ethel, to remember who has given you so many good things, such a lovely house, garden, pets, etc and all the love that is around and all comes from God whose nature and whose name is love.
I know you love Him, you are by obedience and little acts of kindness showing your love, I have no doubt, and in doing your best at school. May you always know Jesus as your loving Saviour and Father.
Fondest love and kisses, from your loving Grandma MAS