Letter from Ada at Rosemary Cottage to Anne

Date: 1942-06-16
Sender: Ada
Recipient: Anne
Location: Rosemary Cottage, Granville Terrace, Bude Haven, Cornwall
Original scan: 1942-ada-letter-to-anne-family-news.pdf




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Summary

Ada writes to Anne sharing family news & a seaplane rescue sighting at the beach; updates on the children, including Gillian and Anne's health; discusses a letter from Flora and a wedding invitation; mentions pet care and weather; and encloses a book and other items.

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Transcription

Rosemary Cottage,
Granville Terrace,
Bude Haven,
Cornwall.

June 16 - 1942.

My own darling Anne -
This is what is on the beach today! You can imagine the excite- ment of the children. It isn't a forced landing or a crash - but just a seaplane that went out to rescue five men in a rubber dinghy

[Drawing of a seaplane] [Drawing of a stage with notes "stage where cars hurt" and "current water"]

and then settled itself on the beach quite near where cars hurt used to be. We did not see the rescue but Gillian was thrilled because the sentry kindly lifted her up to peer into the window.
Gillian has been very normal since that “Bro.” Has been happy jolly and

reasonable without that excitability - which shall we call her safety valve. Anna is a dear little girl and plays with them a lot. I chatted with that old lady you saw gathering grasses for her budgerigar on Nannie Moores bridge. She is Nannie Moores granddaughter - she asked me in and showed me her lovely bell-mottle skulllet & other pots - and old photos - You must get to know her. She is very nice indeed and seemed pleased that I took an interest in her cottage - I must show her that old photo you have of the bridge - she knows the original picture I believe -
A fat letter from Flora - better tone - As a matter of fact if they have real war hardships she will rise to the occasion. When everyone is in trouble she is heroic (really I mean) but when all are well off and only she in trouble she is pathetic - That is my summing up -
Well anyway she sent Penna a lovely birthday card & letter and a dainty handkerchief for each of the children - You never heard anything like the thrill

in Gillian's voice when she picked up this large letter from the mat & shouted - "Penna there is a letter for you!" I believe it meant more to her than one to herself, darling -
Well my darling are it is you I want to hear from - The weather here is no better really - still the cool wind, some rain during the mornings and warming up about 5 p.m. - so I don't feel you are missing much - Had it turned out lovely near much as I long for fine weather I'd have been fed up as you missing it -
Hope you managed to sleep well in spite of strange beds and I do hope your teeth & cold are better - My throat is better and tongue much cleaner - but I'm afraid the autumn are not escaping - face ache & almost purulent mice coming away now. However I do feel lots better and am truly resting all I can - With Anne coming in to play with Gillian & Mavema sleeping till 4.15pm I got 2½ hrs rest this afternoon.
Please don't have your operation till your

nose is quite clear - I'm sure an anaesthetic would be very bad with it.
A letter (from to Holly I should think) came today I forwarded it - also Lawrence's wedding invitation - I'm leaving you to answer the latter - Of course I can't go - I doubt suppose you can either - but you can answer formal things like this so much more charming by them I can - I'll enclose it -
Bungar Burras cat had to have the vet. Penhale from Holsworthy who got the bone out of his throat.
What about a present for Lawrence - May says money would be acceptable - Shall I send it? How much - guess I can afford it better than you.
My allowance is bigger this year & Lawrence is my nephew - It is all out of the same purse I know - but you give to me so generously and have so many unexpected calls on yours whereas I by proper management can meet a few extras -
I got the book whose paper cover I enclose - do you know it? Better return the cover in case they ask for it. It is a new book.
Anne says it is her father who winds up Big Ben -
Friday - Weather suddenly hot & thundery - Am taking the children out - just this on the by -
All my love my darling one
Ada.

[Drawing of bird]

Penna drew this showed it to me and said "look my girlie's got a nose"

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People mentioned

- Anne
- Gillian
- Flora
- Holly
- Lawrence
- Burras cat
- Nannie Moores

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Topics

- family
- children
- seaplane rescue
- weather
- letters
- illness
- pets
- weddings

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Uncertain words / phrases

- Bungar Burras
- skulllet
- Mavema

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Archivist notes

- Letter includes two drawings: a seaplane and a stage with notes, and a bird drawn by Penna.
- Mentions a seaplane rescue event witnessed from the beach.
- Family members and local people named, including Nannie Moores.
- Discusses correspondence from Flora and wedding invitation for Lawrence.
- References illness symptoms and hope for Anne's health improvements.
- Mentions a cat needing vet care with bone stuck in throat.
- Letter sent from Cornwall during World War II.

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