大象传媒

161 Revidge Road,
Blackburn, Lancs.

11th October 1940

My dearest Annie,

I am home at last after a long holiday in Scotland and I am not taking at all kindly to work! There is a lot of sewing piled up on my machine and I look at it distastefully every day and - don鈥檛 disturb it. Naturally, in those circumstances, it is not being reduced. However, on Wednesday I made a supreme effort and cleaned and oiled the machine so am now prepared to make a start on a new winter coat for Florence. After that? A new frock for her and one for myself (I am in rags!) and no doubt by that time it will be nearly Christmas.

Florence is very busy at the club and yesterday held a 鈥淟unar Fair鈥� (the moon supposed to help buyers to see their way home in the blackout). I went down in the afternoon and had tea. There were grocery stalls, flowers, fruit & vegetables, a work stall, white elephants and a most attractive one of soft toys for babies, penguins, ducks, rabbits, squirrels and dolls; all cut out by Florence and made by the girls under her guidance. They sold like hot cakes. The fair is to continue tomorrow this being Florence鈥檚 day off and much needed. After the fair we went on to a concert given by the Halle Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Sergeant. They played Beethoven鈥檚 5th Symphony in C Minor - the 2nd movement divine. I enjoyed the whole concert to the full. The audience must have been nearly 4000 strong as our largest hall was crowded. There are not now many concerts in Blackburn so when a good one comes our way everyone attends.

Everything here is going on pretty much as usual and we are settling down to endure another winter under war conditions. Up till now these have not been too bad in this part of the world. Lysbeth has had the worst experience in our family circle and has spent most nights - with Ernest & Muriel - in their underground shelter. So far, that is the worst they have had to undergo, as no damage has been done to their home, though other houses near them have been damaged.

I have not heard from Mabel since I came back so am wondering if Hamish is away.

Pat & Willie have got another week of holidays and are at Callander till Sunday. They did not want to go far from home, as you never know what might happen . I believe there was a warning sounded over Blackburn last night but neither Florence nor I heard it! Before I came back Florence had a bed put up for me in the dining room so that I would not have to come downstairs during an air-raid. We have made a 鈥渟helter鈥� for the two of us and Ross in a cupboard under the stair and that is the best we can do to protect ourselves. I hope it won鈥檛 be necessary to use it but you never can tell. We can see shells bursting in the sky over to the west of us and great flares like explosions or fires but we don鈥檛 often hear anything.

The day after I left Glasgow there was a lot of damage done but evidently none of any military importance. In a letter to Florence, Anne (now Mrs Kay) said the noise was terrific and no bombs fell near them. One good bomb would demolish their whole tenement as the new houses are not nearly so well built as the older ones.

I had a letter from Aunt Maggie. Margaret has reached Calcutta safely after a long roundabout voyage during which there were no untoward incidents. It was a large convoy. She enjoyed her time at sea very much but was glad once more to be with her husband from whom she was parted for a whole year. Aunt Maggie will miss her as she had her company the whole of that year, but she is glad she has reached her destination in safety.

I was very sorry to leave Kirkcaldy. Billy is a great treat and at such an interesting stage. I have never seen enough of my grandchildren - Marjorie not at all. Too bad, isn鈥檛 it, when they would have given me so much joy.

Muriel has been attending classes for typing and shorthand and was getting on very well, but since the raids on London started, her studies have often been interrupted, as it was not always possible to get into London from the outskirts. She has been most unfortunate in everything she has done and none of it anyone鈥檚 fault.

The news is just coming on so I must wait and listen.

Well, it was a great story of what our navy and airforce have done to enemy shipping at Cherbourg. Tales also of more German raids on London, but with no great success today. Censorship prevents further comment. There is to be a new service to U.S.A. by the 大象传媒 so you will get our news direct when this is in operation.

Florence has gone to a play reading circle tonight. I was to have gone too but felt a bit tired and not like going out after being out a bit late last night. It will do Florence good to be out of the club atmosphere for an evening. These play readings are held in the houses of the members and are quite private. As sugar and tea and butter are rationed we each take something towards the tea which constitutes part of the evening鈥檚 entertainment and a pleasant interlude between the acts of the play to be read. The various parts are allocated at the start of the evening and it is a very enjoyable way of passing an evening, and entirely eliminates any discussion on the subject of the war for at least these few hours.

Bob & Edie were to be in Kirkcaldy for a night last week. Edie would be pleased to see Billy as it is the first time she has seen him. Travelling has been cut to a minimum since the war broke out so relations have not seen so much of one another as they would wish. Everybody fights shy of the east coast too, but it is really no worse than anywhere else except that it is a bit nearer the enemy. In these days of big bombers and fast flying, a matter of 50 miles or so is neither here nor there and is covered in a few minutes. Scotland of course is a different proposition from SE England where the coast of France is actually within sight and guns can fire right across. So can ours of course.

What are you all busy about now? The children busy at school (I ask Ian鈥檚 pardon, he will no doubt feel he has left his childhood days far behind, but you are all children to me). How are Ethel & Florence getting on with the business? I hope it is proving a huge success and that they are having it a bit easier. And Harold? Is he well and busy? Perhaps I have repeated what I said in a previous letter but I quite forget what I did tell you. It is a bit difficult to keep all the family up-to-date and everybody wants to hear at once if bombs reported in this area have been near us and postage is now 2 陆 instead of 1 陆 and that with the rise in the cost of living and higher taxation and red cross collections and funds for this and that, leaves very little margin (if any). No-one wants anything but to get on with the war and get it over as quickly as possible. There is no weakening and no giving in, but everyone working hard towards the one and only possible end. There are a few pacifists and conscientious objectors, as there are in every war, but they are of little account and make no lasting impression on the general war effort.

What is the likelihood of the result of your election this autumn? We are all very grateful for the help your country is giving ours. Mr Kennedy is greatly admired in London.

It is time to finish this epistle. There is a lot I would like to say but may not because of the censor!

Best love to you all from Florence and Mother.

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