Ada's letter about family, sirens, and Christmas thoughts

Date: 1940-11-30
Sender: Ada
Recipient: Daddy
Location: Rosemary Cottage, Granville Terrace, Bude Haven, Cornwall
Original scan: 1940-11-30-ada-to-daddy-family-news-sirens.pdf




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Summary

A letter from Ada to her husband, Daddy, written on November 30th, 1940, from Rosemary Cottage. She describes a recent air raid siren incident, noting Gillian slept through it while Joan brought the children down. Ada mentions Penna's new tooth and her enjoyment of the siren, and that Meta sent Gillian a shaw. She discusses delayed photos, the etymology of 'Xmas' and 'Christmas' from Greek, and a lecture by H.G. Wood. Ada also shares news about Miss Weir helping to find accommodation, M'c Bradley proving a friend, Gillian's roller skating triumph, and Joan's knitting, concluding with an update on Penna's health.

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Transcription

Did you like the ham?
My own darling One - but you had not tasted it yet.

I'm so glad I got through to you - in less than an
hour too. I suspected that you might be having difficulty
getting through. So decided I'd have a try myself. Your
voice was rather faint - but quite distinct. As we were
speaking the siren went - did you detect anything in my
behaviour. - I was trying to hear whether Joan was bringing
the children down. Actually she was standing outside
Gillian's door in case Gillian heard we call you and
wanted to talk - but Gillian was so dead asleep that even
her beloved siren and our downstairs and all did
not wake her. Penna was awake - had had two day
sleeps and not well - but the siren is her joy
too - she loves to imitate it - and Gillian woke for the
"all clear" and hearing Penna she said "That's the
spirit Penna." (Penna has her 12th tooth.)
Now to our talk - re the red curtains. Now you are
fixing up another room for [unclear: Positer] don't you need
them. Do keep them if you can use them
at all - I don't want the little inside ones at all.
The fruit trees are planted - and look very nice
and healthy.
Meta has sent Gillian a shaw. She is so excited

To have it and sent such a nice thank you
letter.
The Granville Garage was opened yesterday - and there
were three great guns - I wonder if they will fire
them through the windows - or if they are only being
stored there.
These colds have delayed, I'm afraid rather badly,
the chance of getting our photos done before Christmas.
By the way there is a paragraph about using the
sign Xmas and Christmas - the opinion expressed is
what you'd feel. I believe that the Editors answered this
"The word Xmas was first used in 1551. The N. Test: gave X as in
Greek. The Greek word for Christ is "Christos" (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ) "X" in the Greek
alphabet being equivalent to our Chi." Early scholars frequently
used the forms Xr for Christ and Xras for Christmas.
That is how I think of it. The
word Xr. just brings back to me the lecture I had
in Woodbroke and men like H.G. Wood lecturing and
writing the word "Xr" on the blackboard. I try not to
write it for you - but if I do it never joins me not
because I'm slovenly but because of Woodbroke lecturers
and their lecture note.
Gwynmeth Cheshire has got to Barnworth. I'll
let you see her letters when you come. Through this

incident I've discovered who would help us. Do you remember
that tall masculine sort of woman who I admired teach her
dog & swims and her obedient dog. Well I met her the day
I was looking for a place. Her name is Miss Weir. She was
terribly concerned - and went to so much trouble trying to
find somewhere for we and finally, did find someone
who would take in the mother and two girls. Miss Weir
too was a brick - would take in or two girls at once and
doing the lot. would take the lot - but if we really
couldn't have found anywhere - she'd have let them
go into her room she keeps for a sickroom. And I
said I'd have one of them. ... but the point is M'c Bradley
has proved my friend - and she has a bicycle and would
any time do anything for we like that to help me travel -
Her dog, who swims so well, finds it very difficult to
roller skate - he is astonished at Gillian skating
and full of admiration. Did I tell you of her triumph
at school with the roller skates.
Wally is still here. We never went away again after
it had emptied itself. Wonder if it is going to fill up here
for the winter -
Sund'y a.m. Joan's knitting - so I am busy - but she has
kindly offered to take Gillian & Church - knitting having to come
and with her!! - I've got peace and quiet and would write
more - but must get on with it now. Penna is better today
- ate a good breakfast and is asleep now but still a bit
rattly in the chest. Full of beans tho' they both are -
Oh my darling as the time draws near for your coming - I don't
know how to wait for you. God bless you darling one -
Ada

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People mentioned

- Penna
- Gillian
- Joan
- Meta
- H.G. Wood
- Gwynmeth Cheshire
- Miss Weir
- M'c Bradley
- Wally

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Topics

- family news
- children
- air raids
- sirens
- christmas
- lectures
- health
- daily life

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Uncertain words / phrases

- Positer

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Archivist notes

- The letter provides a snapshot of daily life during WWII, including reactions to air raid sirens.
- The reference to 'Gillian & Church' is ambiguous; it could mean taking Gillian to church or taking Gillian and doing church-related activities, possibly knitting.
- The sender 'Ada' and recipient 'Daddy' are inferred from the salutations and common phrases in the archive context.

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Context suggestions

These were used to update/suggest additions for `archive-context.json`.

Fuzzy match candidates

These are hints only. They are not automatically corrected.

```json
[]
```

Model context updates

```json
{
"people": [
"H.G. Wood",
"Gwynmeth Cheshire",
"Wally"
],
"places": [
"Granville Garage",
"Barnworth"
],
"common_phrases": [
"My own darling One - but you had not tasted it yet.",
"God bless you darling one - Ada"
],
"spelling_notes": [
"Xr (for Christ)",
"Xras (for Christmas)",
"Sund'y a.m. (for Sunday morning)"
],
"relationships": {}
}
```

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Processing stats

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