Letter from Ada to Darling One about family and arrangements

Date: 1942-09-15
Sender: Ada
Recipient: Darling One
Location: 7 Granville Tee, Bude
Original scan: 1942-ada-to-darling-one-family-arrangements.pdf




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Summary

Ada writes to Darling One expressing relief at receiving a letter and discussing recent family events, arrangements for sending parcels, children’s schooling, health, and other domestic matters. She mentions a wedding, an eclipse observed on the radio, plans for holidays, help with children, and updates on various family members including Minnie, Gillian, and Grace. Ada encourages patience and confidence through current trials.

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Transcription

7 Granville Tee
Bude

My own Darling One Sep 15 - 1942

So glad to get your letter with all the news of arrangements that I was worrying so badly. What packed days you have had! Hope you had a peaceful night fire watching. Glad you slept in an air raid.

Sent off a parcel today. Hope it will be useful. I put no sugar in it as I sent a lot last time. What I sent was from my reserve (emergency) stock. I must look over your clothes - please send me old socks to mend (if you wish) & get ready for you - I have my act left here except possibly some winter ones put away. I'll send you the soft Jaeger bed jacket if you want it.

G. is right about weddings - she need not yet know that the ceremonial & legal side is for protection - let her have her ideals at any rate while ignorance is not of dangerous.

Re: the eclipse - which she watched with great interest & tried to understand my explanations. Her remark was "But how can any announce such a thing?" She heard it announced over the radio.

Had a talk with Miss Weir over the phone -
We decided -

G. not to learn dancing. Miss W. thinks it was a little too much for her.

Penna only to go to school for the first half of next term - and then they will keep a record of the actual days she goes & only charge for them. Mrs Russell said they did this with Jean the first two terms - and one term charged only 32/- and the next only 15/-. Then next term she will not go the first half term anyway but may start again the second half if weather is good. What do you think of that? I thought it was very understanding of Miss Weir. Of course they have a lot of extra girls - so extra fees and the overwhelmed are I suppose in a good position financially.

Here your phone call - cut off - they say it may be put through again. Hope there was nothing important you wanted to say.

Minnie has only 2 kittens. Very moderate just like herself only only without any whiskers. Great joy among the children. Here are matters. After G. had left the room & P. and I alone P. said very thoughtfully, "Mummies I think I will have to take care of Gillian". So what you prophesied is coming true already.

Re Grace. Hadn't I told you I had let her go home for a little holiday? During her real holidays she would not go home at all but after school had been on a week one or two little things happened which made me think she was a bit homesick so I sent her go home - offering her one, 2 or 3 weeks at home. She said "One's enough". We did her a lot of good. She came back fresh & the children who had been a little difficult with her were so sorry at losing her even for a little time were thrilled at her return. She manages Penna perfectly but - well Gillian can be very difficult for anyone at times.

During the long summer days there seemed a lot of time before & after school in which Grace was very helpful - but those shorter days she seems to be away all the time - I dawn very torn between the idea of getting Vera & fear of losing Grace & Mrs T. & Vera. This Vera would solve the whole problem. If I could only guarantee having her till Grace was 14 - or overlapping & training Grace it would be fine. Anyway whichever I have they are bright intelligent girls and such a refreshing change from stolid Joan. Grace is more like me in her temperament & instincts than anyone I've ever met. She can be a handful - just as I can be - but I understand her. She could never be driven but if her imagination is awakened - she can do marvels.

But she is capable of stopping everything and simply play with one of Gillian's dolls. She has never possessed a doll herself and I've promised her one for Xmas. Even G. tells her she is too big for dolls - but I told her I had my last doll at 16 years of age - so she tells them this.

Thank you for the Daily Light. (I have another copy here - are you gave me!) I've read Sep 25. You darling me - I know it will be a trial for you - and you'll need patience. Oh how near I'll be to you in thought all through this trial. Patience, Confidence, Hope - and you'll be perfect & entire worth nothing -

All our hernia patients had 3 weeks flat at St Marys. So don't try & write letters. I'll ring up Winnie or Donaldson if I'm too anxious. I hope there will be no hitch anywhere but you don't know me if you ever think "conventional" would sway me in any decision. I'd take sensible advice - but I'd decide on what I'd feel was best for those concerned - and it would not disturb me in the slightest what other people might think I ought to do. But please God I'll have you to guide me for the rest of my life.

How sweet to ask two Japanese muffins. How long are you thinking of being in Bude when you come.

All your arrangements sound very good.

10.30 Have just to ring you up - no answer - do hope you are asleep - & had nothing important to say.

All my blackberries are bottled. That is a couple 14 bottles.

Have had a time with the Field joy today. They left about 3 or 4 weeks ago for 10 days as he had got embarkation leave. Nothing was heard of them all that time - even the maid was not paid so rivets left the house over their heads. Now today Capt. Field is returning & K. wont give him the key!!

Evidently they are moving all round. She & the children were to come tonight. Well Kniells say they may stay till the end of the month. Goodness knows what they'll do.

Russell's hen & Barnstaple today & a dentist - they went by bus which they went by bus - leaving their bicycles here so returned here & got them. They had a marvelous day & found a wonderful dentist - they saw ships & things. I quite envied them.

Gillian sends you the enclosed cuttings - these days have been more summerish than any we've had the whole summer - we are making the most of them.

If there is anything you can think of that I can do & help you at any time be sure and let me know won't you darling.

The enclosed cuttings are from Gillian.

All my love my own precious one -
Your own
Ada.

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People mentioned

- Ada
- Darling One
- G.
- Miss Weir
- Mrs. Russell
- Jean
- Minnie
- Gillian
- Grace
- Joan
- Vera
- Donaldson
- Russell
- Barnstaple
- Capt. Field
- K.
- Daily Light

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Topics

- family
- school
- children
- health
- arrangements
- letters
- parcel
- weddings
- radio
- eclipse
- dancing
- holidays
- dolls
- dentist
- summer
- visits
- hospital

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Uncertain words / phrases

- Granville Tee
- Jaeger
- Kniells
- Barnstaple
- Field joy
- [unclear: rivets]

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Archivist notes

- Letter dated 15 September 1942.
- Location given as 7 Granville Tee, Bude.
- Sender signs as Ada addressing 'Darling One'.
- Discusses family matters, children's schooling, health, and parcels.
- References WWII context (air raids, fire watching).
- Mentions eclipse observed on radio.
- Names multiple family members including Gillian, Grace, Minnie, Jean, Penna.
- Includes details on children's schooling terms and costs.
- Mentions a wedding and legal protections related to it.
- Letter provides insight into domestic life and family relations during wartime.

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Processing stats

- Input tokens: 14956
- Output tokens: 1975
- Total tokens: 16931
- Estimated cost: $0.009142