Ada's Letter to Husband: Family Life and Health in Bude Haven

Date: 1942-02-15
Sender: Ada
Recipient: Husband
Location: Rosemary Cottage, Granville Terrace, Bude Haven, Cornwall
Original scan: 1942-02-15-ada-to-husband-family-life-bude.pdf




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Summary

Ada writes to her husband from Bude Haven, Cornwall, on February 15, 1942, detailing family life and her recovery from depression and a rheumatic attack. She describes the children's activities, including Gillian's progress with educational toys and physical exercises, and Penna's playful nature. Ada mentions household matters such as letters from Mr. Fairburn and Gallagher, a bill for chimney work, and Gillian's masseuse. She also asks about her husband's engagements and clothes, and mentions her own 'firewatching' duty, closing with affection.

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Transcription

Rosemary Cottage,
Granny Like Terrace,
Bude Haven,
Cornwall.

My own Darling One - Feb 15 - 1942
It was good to hear your Voice - I am better
but was feel so depressed that I could not even
bring myself to take any interest in my tea which Joan
had just brought in - I sighed to myself - "if only
something really nice would happen to lift me up" - Then
I blamed myself saying "No woman could have more
than you - have - a lovely little home, two of the loveliest
Children - a little maid etc. etc." but still I fell so flat
& rotten - suddenly the telephone rang - My darling
One - of all this week you could not have chosen
a moment to ring me up when my soul needed you
more - You cannot know how much I needed you
just then - Thank you so much -
Last night I had the best night I have
had since I was ill - and both Children
slept well & till 6.30 a.m so I feel very much
better today - my throat is still stiff & sore
but my tongue is cleaner I'm rubbing my neck with
Iodex - but think I'd better go a bit slower with
Empirin as my ears are singing - But I'm much
better and now and only need to build up my strength
as Gillian has done so wisely the last three days
She has quite fattened out again & has a good
Colour - Penna's nose needs occasional

attention - but now I'm about more how temper is
quite recovered - I don't mean I am as how - but I
think to a little Child when mother is in bed or
lying on a Carel all day it is as tho their God
had hidden his face - thick darkness - Joan
could do nothing with her - There was just a
Continual moan & whine from the misery frustrated
with a squeal if Joan went near her -
Gillian could do best with her. Then I'd have
Penna brought into my room & tea with me & a sweet
- and so far as I could see she was perfectly well
and as long as she was in my room would be
perfectly happy without any attention from me -
Had it not been that I feared for her the infec-
tion of my throat it would have been a simple
thing to have her by me all the time - If I had
a rheumatic attack I'd do that - and she could do
lots of little things for me & run messages -
Mean while Gillian has made great strides -
While actually in bed she played all day long
with her educational toys - or read & drew & set
herself sums - Real Martians - When she got up
she added dancing & Ann Quinn's physical exercises
and take care of mummy!! Please her -
She used to make up my fire & sweep up
the hearth - Carry my tea tray & the Kitchen

when I had done with it - and pay my bills &
do messages. When at last she was allowed out-
-and even crossed the road & pay [unclear: promises/purchases] -
Another Tooth is out - with her lovely eyes full
of expectant mystery she told me to put it under
the mat as the fairies might give her a 2d or
even 3d for it - This morn suddenly a
little dressing-gowned figure carrying the little owl
lantern appeared on the stairs - I'm going to
see if the fairies have been - & later I'm very
satisfied with 3d the "fairies brought me - they
are wonderful mother - This of course was
all the thanks I needed - but the darling
fearing lest I should not realise that she
was thank me and yet not wanting to put
the fairy idea out of her mind she said
"thank you mother for all your good roast me"
She truly has a lovely mind!
Penna rather worships her hummie's body
-rather surprising in one so young - As I get
into the bath I feel the most delicate finger
strokings down shoulders arms, leg etc - & I'm
just loving your warm mummie - Then "we
got no [unclear] under my warm [unclear]
I have to get to sleep & my wee fingers for
warm "and bottom!" I told her Daddy had feathers
in his Chest" - "has he? She said delightedly - So

don't be surprised if your young youngest daughter
pulls open your pyjama jacket & to
admire your chest & stroke your feathers!
Oh I forgot - another of Gillian's recent accom-
-plishments has been to put up the black art
boards. The smaller ones -
I was interested in the [unclear] re [unclear]
also the Jack & Jill programme -
Congratulations on having a Great nephew - Was
it a breech? I was hoping it would be twins
so Susan Wright in truth have had her
brother-sister -
A letter from Mr. Fairburn who has just discovered
how near she is to us - I may have a Visit
some day - also letter from Gallagher which
sent us out to find some signs of spring
for her - will send her [unclear: puss willows] etc -
Children happy & occupied this morning as
we have brought down the dolls house - They
have each taken two rooms and are working
together very weekly - will they share this
house like that some day?
Reminder of Gillian's masseuse has just
come - will send the money this week -
Also Petricks bill of Chimney - I can meet
this - It is very reasonable I think - #1-17-6 Total
analysed this - Labour 14/- lead sheet & cement 1/5 - Chimney 1/2 -

Joan's sister Margaret is expect her baby
any time now - Her husband is here today for
the day - Lucky girl - you remember
she saw him off the day I saw you off -
Were your visitors on Thursday nice day?
Sorry you've had no sunshine - We get
some bright intervals most days - but
it is still bitterly cold - [unclear: tonight]
Thank you for the Programme of your week's
engagements - I find it helpful in telephon-
I shall attempt phoning this week on Tuesday
& Friday -
I shall think of you firewatching on Monday -
I'm getting tired now & Children's "peace & quiet"
is over so I'll close this and Gillian
shall take it to the post.
Will send you "Gallagher" & Mr Fairburn's letters
when I've answered them -
How are you off for Clothes? I've been
mending a very hopeless sort of Vest
for you - but it'll do for a wee more - also
we mended pants & socks -
All my love and precious
husband! - your own
Ada.

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People mentioned

- Ada
- Husband
- Joan
- Gillian
- Penna
- Ann Quinn
- Susan Wright
- Mr. Fairburn
- Gallagher
- Margaret

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Topics

- family life
- children's activities
- health
- household management
- correspondence
- social visits
- WWII home front
- finances
- weather
- military leave
- clothing repair

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Uncertain words / phrases

- premises/purchases
- feddygers
- hummie-gail
- Cuthy
- Daisys S.A. ideas
- puss willows
- tonight

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Archivist notes

- Handwriting is generally clear and legible.
- The letter provides a detailed snapshot of daily life on the British home front during WWII, focusing on family health, children's activities, and household management.
- The mention of 'firewatching on Monday' directly references civilian duties during wartime.
- The location, Bude Haven, Cornwall, is clearly stated.
- Pethick referenced in the chimney bill is a classic local Cornish surname.
- "Feddygers" is noted as Penna's childhood pronunciation of "feathers".
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