Letter from Aden at the Vicarage in Ponghill

Date: 1942-05-08
Sender: Aden
Recipient: Hardy
Location: Ponghill, at the Vicarage
Original scan: 1942-aden-to-hardy-family-news.pdf




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Summary

Aden writes to Hardy from the Vicarage in Ponghill sharing family news and reflections amid wartime conditions. Aden describes children, a small robin, and birds seen on a walk, mentions a mock invasion with some gunshots, and expresses concern about Gillian's cough, possibly asthma. The letter includes family conversations, references to church attendance, and plans for future visits. Aden reflects on values and the importance of children for the post-war reconstruction. The letter ends with updates about recent visits, love, and appreciation for Hardy's letter.

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Transcription

Sunday May 8th 1942

My own Darling One

Here I am with Penna in the Church yard. Gillian has gone to Church with Mrs Burgess and will join us before the sermon when all the children come out.
A little robin has just sung his heart out as a tiny new. Penna says “Birdie says Allelujah!”

I suppose the mock invasion is going on all right – so far we have only seen one armed man – but heard shots just now.
Your letter re Bath made me sad – sad especially for you, but I see you have the right values in life & so all is well. But you must not hold our lives too dearly.
It will be a difficult (the Guillins & Miss) world to live in even after the war so that to leave it now might be the most merciful. But our children are good stuff I think and for the worlds own sake we should try and keep & preserve them – there sort will be needed in the reconstruction of the world.
I was thinking of what Edith said “If at the end of the world I have Springfield intact I shall be content.” I thought “If I have Godan & the children I shall be content” – now you find an even higher call – even if life on the lives of our dear ones go all is not lost if we retain a mental scale of values. That reminds me of how Pa used & interpreted that phrase in Shellform “that I may learn the things which are good – into that I may appreciate the relative value of that which is good – alright”.

It is a perfect spring morning - before church we went for a walk along a lovely lane that led through a spinney – so we studied birds and the trees that are just coming out. We saw a goldfinch, robin, yellowhammer, baby thrush & heard tits, blackbirds, thrushes, red dove & many others –

Planes are flying low overhead – R.A.F. of course – but are they pretending to be invaders?
6.45 p.m. Children just in bed. I've got my “ear” on Paul too so that Mrs Burgess can go to church, so to all intents and purposes I'm alone with you in the house.
Ponghill was “taken” about 11.30 a.m. by the invaders – we heard shots while in the Church yard.

By the way – please bring your stethoscope I’m not taking any notice of Gillian’s cough except to give her & Penna Adephosin still – but tho’ I scarcely ever hear her cough her chest is as wheezy as can be – could it have turned to asthma? She is so well & strong and eating like a schoolboy & as happy as a lark so it is not damaging her health whatever it is.

Here is a Penna story –
Gillian “Penna you’ll see Jesus in Church today – the Church is Jesus house.”
Penna “Will I? Is he walking about?”
Gillian “No – He is up in the ceiling somewhere. He’ll speak to you – he says to me Gillian I love you, I want you to be happy and do what Minnie tells you?”
Penna “Does he?”

However I could see the Burgess’s did not think Penna old enough & is Mrs B said she’d take Gillian I stayed in the Church yard with Penna.
When Gillian joined us we came home & Penna was furious & all the way home sobbed “I want to see Jesus.” I didn’t see Jesus!

Have you heard of anyone you know being killed or injured? What about “Spears”

Was it St James the Church near Mude Edmunds’ business premises? I’m so very glad you had a last visit there so recently. Will Hilda now stay with Winnie for the duration?
I’m glad I had given up the idea of a holiday away from Bude. It did seem rather silly to 'stay put' for 2½ years & then move at the most critical time.

The Bath plan is bound to be definitely off.
I cannot be here a third week as the rooms are booked up for the 3rd week end by others but I could stay 2½ weeks. I’ll see how the second week works out, i.e. a school week. Already I feel a different person – after 5½ days & another 8½ days will do me a world of good even if we don’t go into the 3rd week. So I shall be nice and fresh for you.

Ponghill is a magnificent place for views. We chatted with a farmer of a farm called Hemmit Pleasant – well named. He was leaning on his gate – down the field the path dropped right into the Church yard. St Olaf’s looks so lovely nestled among the trees. How you would have loved to stand beside him. I've taken ½ lot of lanterns every other day and either it has done the trick or the fresh air has. I’ve slept all night for three nights now – with walks once or twice only & go to sleep again at once. Oh its good to feel like this.

I hear the “invaders” gave all the folks easing out of the cinema last night a dose of tear gas.
Hope Miss Wood has learned a few lessons from Miss Fell – and that you had a useful week end with her – but I hope too you got a little rest today – I’m expecting you Tuesday or Wed after Whit Sunday – roughly – anyway to your birthday.

I’ve got you a little book of St Olaf Church till the and remember & put it in – I’m hoping to find time to write to Gallagher & answer these notes on the Xmas cards. Had just begun to do the latter when we were taken ill in January. What a writer it was!

The book I bought & read here is “The Guy Gallievied” by Margaret Irwin – all about Mary Queen of Scots – fascinating reading – It makes me want to visit Edinburgh again – & go over the the Castle & Holyrood. I wonder if any of those places have been hit.

Well my darling are – it isn’t very private to ring you up – Here is Mrs. B. back from the service – but I just had to ring you up last night as I read in the paper that some places in the East of England had been bombed. I just felt after the Bath affair that I simply could not rest till I heard your voice. I must get braver then that must I. – Bath of us must believe the best unless & until we hear definitely & the caution and not let our imaginations run away with us.

By the way did you see in the paper the other day that some of the British & American (+ others) civilians from Shanghai, Pekin, & Tientsin were being exchanged for Jap civilians. I’m just wondering if by a chance Butler & Claire are among them – wouldn’t it be a thrill if they suddenly turned up.

Well my own darling one – I’ll post this tomorrow – All my love & and
Aden.

Hardy,
Your letter just in thank you so much for the news – I shall enjoy it.

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People mentioned

- Aden
- Hardy
- Penna
- Gillian
- Mrs. Burgess
- Edith
- Pa
- Miss Wood
- Miss Fell
- Hilda
- Winnie
- Gallagher

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Topics

- family news
- children
- church
- mock invasion
- wartime
- health
- birds
- air raids
- letters
- plans

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Uncertain words / phrases

- the Guillins
- Penna Adephosin
- Mude Edmunds
- Hemmit Pleasant
- The Guy Gallievied

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Archivist notes

- Letter handwritten and signed by Aden.
- Sent to a person named Hardy, implied to be a close family member or partner.
- Letter references wartime events and conditions, including a mock invasion and tear gas.
- Mentions children's names Penna and Gillian repeatedly.
- Contains references to church activities and local places: Ponghill, St Olaf’s Church.
- Mentions a book about Mary Queen of Scots by Margaret Irwin.

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