Ada's Letter to Husband: Gillian's Health and Home Front Life

Date: 1941-02-01
Sender: Ada
Recipient: unknown
Location: 7 Granville Terrace, Bude Haven, Cornwall
Original scan: 1941-02-01-ada-to-husband-gillian-health.pdf




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Summary

A letter from Ada to her husband, detailing their daughter Gillian's recent behavior at school, a suspected case of measles, and the family's efforts to isolate her. Ada also mentions Penna's gas mask practice, various letters received, and preparations for a visitor named M^rs H. The letter provides a glimpse into family life during WWII, including concerns about health and home arrangements.

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Transcription

7 Granville Terrace
Bude Haven
Cornwall
Sat. Feb 1st 1941.

My own precious darling One.
I am skipping in the word "Very" after "My" you told me just what I
wanted to know - So now I can wait patiently for your answer & mine
I am fed up about the B.E.C.C. and do hope things are working out all
right and not taking it out of you too much - I'll be writing tomorrow
but are two things I won't tell you about Gillian.
I was told to meet her at 11.15 a.m. today Sat. I could see the
Church Clock 11.10 a.m. - when suddenly on the other side of the
road I saw Gillian - all by herself - She told me that Jesus
had said she had better go home by herself and he would
take care of her - When crossing roads he had said "look each
way". When I got home I rang up the school and told what
had happened and made arrangements to avoid it happening again - To
Gillian I pointed out how easily we might have missed each
other as we rarely go the same way twice - and I said some day
I'd say "Now Gillian you must come home alone - I shall not
meet you". But until that day she must wait. She promised -
Tonight we finished read in Alice in Wonderland about the mock
Turtle and the song "the beautiful surf" etc. When she said
her prayers she said "Oh Jesus take care of we and sing
about the beautiful surf".
She had her first punishment at school the other day - was sent out of the
room for speaking during prayers - She was much impressed but said Miss

Weir didn't tie her up or anything like that - I am guessing I found out this
was because you thought of punishments like that. I explained that it was
only your fun - but a show it was only you or I who would ever punish
her like that or smack her - Her mistress never would - that was only
our special privilege - She was reassured - only I'm not absolutely
certain that she wasn't a wee bit disappointed - Anyway that
might she prayed. "Jesus I'm so sorry" I interrupted when you
were speaking to you - I won't think of doing it again - please
help me to be good and wise and all my amudges -
I had explained that talking during prayers was the same
as interrupting people - only this time it was God being interrupted.
She drank a glass of cold water and said "Oh that does
refresh me - and it refreshes jeans inside me".
Her dolls are receiving great attention these days - She tells them stories
This is what I overheard as I passed the door "Well, you see, my matta
was a nurse and she knew what was good for me - but I wanted
something different that was wrong etc." She is being remarkably
sweet these days.
Doubtly. Gillian woke coughing & doweing - but perfectly well all
day no Koplick spots etc. in fact in the pink of health - I don't
mean a rash - just gloriously well.
But those early morning symptoms - made me decide to keep the
Children apart - and I think I will do so for the next 10 days - If
no measles they can mix again - If no measles at school during that
period - all will be well - If a case of measles breaks out during this

period I shall keep them apart for 21 days from yesterday? Or can I
regard Gillian as not having been near the case - Actually I reckon
next Wed is the earliest they can expect a case - that is, of course,
there is other infection. I'll ignore the mumps.
The school tells me yesterday - for last term and this. They only
changed in part of the term as Gillian was away so much - It
was their infection that kept her away anyway. But that was good
of them - However the bill for the Spring term is sent in in advance
- and it is a bad start with measles or mumps - How do we
know Gillian will get any more of the term than the two weeks
she has had - But it doesn't worry me for Miss Weir's direct
or perhaps the Chartered Accountant don't know of other work.
My plans are to let Gillian have the big bedroom upstairs
as her new living room, and keep her isolated if she shows
any symptom. If no symptoms I will let her come down to
my little damaskins (the dining room) sometimes - Penna has
the big front downstairs room. - That upstairs room looks
itself beautifully & her needs. That little witch of shelves
just takes her toys. I've fixed her up her "All things bright"
and we have put a vase of Anadrops & pussy willows there -
Her dolls and all their paraphernalia are there -
It has snowed hard all day - nearly about 3 & 4 weeks
before it began & then - It continued to snow all the afternoon till
about sunset when the sun actually did break through the clouds

for a few minutes before setting - The view of it all from the upstairs
window was delightful - Real Christmas card effect. Gillian enjoyed
it - Downstairs Penna
climbed on to the back of
the couch & watched: -
Both upstairs & downstairs
many birds came to the
pond we put out - Even
so many different kinds - The primrose gathered at the front
of the bird table -
Many envelopes.
1. Letter from Miss Morgan - She sent Children 3 books.
2. Handker & card - Oh I'll put the handker in next parcel I send you.
Phyllis & Nereus sent me each a handker.
3. Page out of Geography - Jenny [unclear: mutters] has come.
4. Card letter from Nina
5. School account - Is that my affair?
6. Letter from Margaret - which crossed mine & her
7. Letter from D. Edmunds - 8. Primroses.
My darling One I know how anxious you must be about the B.E.C.C.
business - You have done so much to get support for so many of your
folk and must be very anxious about it all. My thoughts are much
with you over this. Your photo before me now - Are you sitting on that
chair now - withing it me - Have you tried a phone call - shall I be
speaking to you in a minute - Anyway - All my love my own
darling - Do try and take care of yourself.
A little kiss - Your own Ada
P.T.O.

Penna can now wear the Melanie
reverse Gas mask. It fits perfectly
and she is thrilled with it - doesn't
want to take it off - Gillian has
one like hers - only small size -
This is a great relief & true -
We had gas mask drill the other
day - They kept them on a good
5-10 minutes - and didn't mind
& take them off then -
Have you tried yours in [unclear: Lethy]?
Drop the little window again -
Be ready with it please -
Joan and I keep gradually getting
things were ready - water pack, stocking
& shirts & make ready by the dance etc.
Should we need a place & place it in the tunnel
of our home again? We are getting M^rs H.
She will put up in their bedroom if no
bedroom in their home has this all windows
windows. Better room will suit me well.

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People mentioned

- Gillian
- Jesus
- Miss Weir
- Penna
- Miss Morgan
- Phyllis
- Nereus
- Nina
- Margaret
- D. Edmunds
- Joan
- M^rs H.

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Topics

- family news
- child's health
- school
- WWII home front
- daily life
- correspondence
- weather
- gas masks

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Uncertain words / phrases

- B.E.C.C.
- amudges
- doweing
- Anadrops
- mutters
- Melanie
- Lethy

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Archivist notes

- The letter details a child's illness (measles) and the family's response, reflecting home front concerns during WWII.
- Gas mask practice is also mentioned, including a specific type of mask ('Melanie reverse Gas mask').
- The writer clarifies 'damaskins' as 'dining room' in parentheses.

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Context suggestions

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

```json
{
"people": [
"Miss Weir",
"Miss Morgan",
"Phyllis",
"Nereus",
"Nina",
"Margaret",
"D. Edmunds",
"M^rs H."
],
"places": [],
"common_phrases": [],
"spelling_notes": [
"B.E.C.C. (unclear abbreviation for organization)",
"amudges (unclear word in child's quote)",
"doweing (possibly drowsing, in context of waking up)",
"Anadrops (unclear plant name)",
"Melanie reverse Gas mask (unclear brand/type of gas mask)",
"Lethy (unclear place name)",
"M^rs H. (surname unclear)"
],
"relationships": {
"Ada": "husband"
}
}
```

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