Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College, and written over 3 days. About playing cricket against the Grenadier guards and some West Indian troops, and in the Toye Cup [at the school]; enclosing a letter from the headmaster about “leave out days”; telling her that he had less “sweats” [chores] now that all the pupils had returned, had been catching butterflies, his boots were too small, he was 16th in “cuse”, there was a trip to the New Forest on Ascension Day, air rifles had been confiscated in the school, and that he would write to Nanny. Also discusses his academic progress (he would not “raise books” [get the class prize] but might “raise a remove” [move up to the next higher form]), what he was studying, and asks for ‘Before Adam’ by Jack Landon [book].

Sent from Winchester College, asking for money for a trip to [the New Forest].

Sent from Winchester College. Instructions on how to kill a moth (so that John could keep it for his collection).

Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Asking if she and Herbert Pendlebury would go to the first day of a [cricket] match between Winchester College and Eton with him when they visit; telling her he had enjoyed Ascension Day [in the New Forest] and had caught a lot of butterflies, and that he had been to visit Mr Sing and see his lawn mower and clocks; and apologising for being 19th in “cuse”. John also mentions that he has a new pair of shoes and a good lunch for his [Natural History Society] expedition.

Sent from Winchester College. About arrangements for John to bring [a friend] Hardy [on an outing with his parents], and about a Natural History Society expedition John was going on.

[Sent from Winchester College]. Informing her that he had received money, and would arrive around 6 on Wednesday, and asking who [Herbert Pendlebury] got in the hospital sweepstakes. John also writes “wasn’t it a sell about Panther” [race horse].

Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Thanking her for money and telling her about a cricket match, that he and Hardy [a friend] would probably like to go to the theatre, arrangements for arriving [home], that he was 13th in weekly and 13th in combined [“cuse”] and the Mr Barwell’s treatment [?] hadn’t worked on John. John also asks when Nanny and abbot were going to visit as he would like to see them. Also includes a [list of John’s old books] which he had marked with books that could be given away.

Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Thanking Lilian for money and a parcel she had left for him; telling her about a cricket match against Harrow school, that the school had won a rowing competition (Public School Challenge cup at Henley) and that he thought they would win a rifle shooting competition (Ashburton Shield at Bisley); telling her they did not have “cuse” that week and asking her to send his dress clothes.

[Sent from Winchester College], containing a note that there was to be “House Grub” on Friday and a concert on Saturday, and that he was to play in the Melhuish cup [cricket].

Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. About Hatch Thoke [founder’s commemoration day] including dancing in pyjamas and singing at Commoner Gate. Also mentions that there was no “cuse” that week, that they were going to the Cathedral (it was “Cathedral Sunday”) and he was going to tea with the Vaughan’s, and that there was a [Natural History Society] lecture on ‘Matrimony among the lower orders’.

Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Asking her to send his pumps [trainers] and money; and telling her that he would only be 12th man for playing in the Melhuish cup [cricket], that there would be no “house grub” but there should still be refreshments in the garden, that it was a “whole rem” that day [holiday], and that [his house] had been beaten in the Melhuish cup by Toyes [another house] but had won all the games Hopper Pots [cricket tournament] so far.

[Sent from Winchester College]. Consists of a postcard with “time of train”, “box received”, “money” [written by Lilian] and answered by John who also writes about his success in exams, that he was 5th place in total without exams, and that Mr Sing had asked him to go out on Sunday.

Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. About a concert at the school, John’s academic results for the year and the possibility of “a remove”; and telling Lilian he had ordered the House photo, his evening dress clothes had arrived, that he didn’t think they would be having [refreshments in the garden] instead of “house grub” and that [John’s cricket team] were in the final of Hopper Pot. The reverse of the letter contains some calculations (unknown meaning).

[Sent from Devon, whilst John was staying with family there]. Telling Lilian about: a trip to the Valley of the Rocks, Lynton and Lynmouth in Uncle Herbert’s waggonette; celebrating [John’s cousin] Grace’s birthday; playing bagatelle; eating ice-cream; Duncan and Baby [John’s cousins?]; and that she shouldn’t bring the Firefly [boat] as there was nowhere to sail it. John also mentions that he is looking forward to seeing [Herbert Pendlebury], asks about her travel plans and for her to get either ‘Swallow’ or ‘People of the Mist’ [books by Henry Rider Haggard].

[Sent from Devon, whilst John was staying with family there]. Telling Lilian about “Rosebud” [his cousin?] singing in church, going to the sands [beach] and swimming in the sea with Grace [his cousin]. John also writes that he hopes she got home alright last night and everyone misses her, asks after [Herbert Pendlebury] and says she should bring him [to Devon] by “Friday at the very latest”.

Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. About life at the school: prefects, his division and classes, that he was playing kick in [Westminster College football] and had scored a goal, his place in Chapel (underneath where the dons’ wives seats) and [the dining hall], the new men [pupils], where he was sleeping, books that he was studying, and his “sweats”[chores]. Also mentions that pictures [she had sent] were beautiful and she shouldn’t send polish because of [a postal] strike.

[Sent from Winchester College]. Containing questions written [by Herbert Pendlebury] about books, answered by John.

Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Containing news of John’s activities at the school: playing football, going to Chapel and Chantry, joining the corps, and a task about the advantages of dictatorship. Also mentioning: a future visit by Lilian and Aunt Violet and asking her to think of something to do on “leave out day”; Cassell’s magazine; that she should send him any more “beautiful Eastern pictures” [like pictures she had sent of Cairo]; and that he liked “being up” to [being in the class of] Mr David [John’s Housemaster].

Sent from Winchester College. Thanking her for “Buddha” [book] and making arrangements to go home on a “leave out day”.

Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Sending a letter to be forwarded to Aunt Helen; thanking Lilian for “Buddha” [book], a picture and money; asking her to answer quickly about him visiting [home on a “leave out day”]; and telling her his place in “cuse” (7th without Greek).

Sent from Winchester College. Asking her to send his bowler hat so that he could wear it to travel to London.

Sent from Winchester College. Telling her he had permission [to go to London and visit home] and [his bowler hat] had arrived.

Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Enclosing a letter for Aunt Violet [not included], saying he had enjoyed [visiting her] yesterday and that the journey back was fine, asking her to write to Northall [for clothes] and telling her that a pheasant had arrived [from Aunt Violet].

Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. About ordering clothing, his place in “cuse”, a sports game, and that Edgerley [another pupil] had appendicitis and so John may “raise a remove” [move up to the next higher form]. Also mentioning that it was kind of the twins [?] to knit him a scarf.

Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Asking her to visit on “leave out day”; asking for some writing paper and Boston Cream biscuits; telling her about a lecture on Russia by Sir Bernard Pares, playing football, that they were not having any more “morning lines” [school work before breakfast], they were not having “cuse” the week and that Edgerly [another pupil] was alright [after his appendicitis operation]. Also mentions getting fitted for clothes, new shoes and asks her to tell [Herbert Pendlebury] that he was senior in an essay on Theodoric [the Great].

Sent from Winchester College. Asking her to send a song quickly, as he needed to practice it.

Sent from [Winchester College]. Apologising for not writing sooner, saying that going to Southampton is a good idea, and asking her to bring some Boston Cream biscuits.

Sent from Winchester College. Telling her there was no news but the school was looking for [her lost] brooch, and that Murray had used his gloves without permission and lost one (but was buying John new ones).

Sent from Winchester College. Thanking her for sending gloves, telling her about Winchester College football matches and exams, asking her to tell [Herbert Pendlebury] that he was 9th [place] at half-term and that they were going to do ‘The Bacchae’ [play by Euripides], and asking for ‘The Valley of Fear’ book by [Arthur] Conan Doyle.

Sent from [Winchester College]. Telling [Herbert] about his assessment results and asking him to bring a white tie [when he visits] for John’s confirmation ceremony. John also writes that he went to Cecil Range [the school’s rifle shooting range] for the first time and scored “a 3 inch group”.

Sent from Winchester College. About assessment results and monthly [academic ranking], and plans for [his parents visiting for his confirmation ceremony]. Also sending “many happy returns” [for her birthday].

Sent from Winchester College. Sending “many happy returns” [for her birthday].

Sent from Winchester College. Telling her he had [moved up a division] in French, that his uniform had arrived but was dirty from the last man who had it, that Mrs Comber [his childhood nanny] had sent him a “Torta”, and that Hutchinson’s [magazine] had arrived and was good. John also asks for Lilian to bring stamps when she visits, and says that he can’t go to lunch (on the following Friday).

Sent from Winchester College. Expressing disappointment that she couldn’t come [to his confirmation] and saying that he needed an ordinary white tie, not a bow-tie [for confirmation]. Also discussing when he could see [Herbert] during the weekend, and saying it’s a shame [Herbert Pendlebury] has to leave on Sunday night as he was going to miss “sixes” [Winchester College football games].

Sent from Winchester College. Thanking her for a prayer book, saying that he enjoyed [Herbert Pendlebury’s] visit and telling her a picture of the Sphinx she had sent him had been ripped.

Sent from Winchester College. Telling her about “sixes” [Winchester College football games], that they had “commoner singing” and Hatch Thoke [founder’s commemoration day], that he was 2nd [place in his Greek division] for the “half” [autumn term] and exams start on Monday. John also writes that he is glad she can get up [she had been ill], and he doesn’t need a new Sunday coat; and asks her to apologise to [Herbert Pendlebury] for him as he didn’t wish him happy birthday, and to thank the MacAskies for an invitation.

Sent from Winchester College. Asking for money and telling her what time his train arrives [for the holidays], his places [ranking] in Latin Prose, Greek, Chemistry and History, and that he had broken a window with a football.

Sent from Winchester College. About playing in Ellis Pots [soccer tournament], academic work and ranking in the school, lectures they were having and books that they were studying. John also tells Herbert that he is looking forward to receiving a letter from him, and asks Herbert to send his love to [Lilian Pendlebury] and to ask her to develop prints of photographic films.

Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. About his academic progress (better than the previous week), the possibility of a “remove” and private tuition; and that they were doing badly in Ellis Pots [soccer tournament]. John also tells Herbert that they were going to the Cathedral, he was getting [‘The Outline of History’] serialised book by H G Wells, and that they had a task on how men show their character by the things they laugh at.

Sent from [Winchester College]. Thanking her for chocolates, asking her not to send a button, telling her that he was playing outside right [position] in Ellis Pots [soccer tournament], and asking her to tell [Herbert Pendlebury] about his academic progress (particularly in Greek) and that they were studying the history of Israel and Judah.

Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. About his academic ranking, being invited to tea by the Smiths, his team doing badly in Ellis Pots [soccer tournament], a task on how men show their character by the things they laugh at, and having been inoculated [against ?].

Sent from Winchester College. Thanking her for spray and chocolates, asking for Uncle Howson’s address and if she’d like to order ‘The Wykehamist’ [magazine], and sending “Short Roll” [register of students at the College]. Also telling Lilian there was a “leave out day” with London leave on the 26th [of Feb], they had not had academic marks or a “cuse”, there had been no games in Ellis Pots [soccer tournament] that week so he would probably be playing when [Herbert Pendlebury] visits, and that “old Chambers” was teaching them instead of Charles Little who had [been ill].

Sent from [Winchester College]. Reporting on his division for French, books he was studying, saying that he would like to see ‘Tilly of Bloomsbury’ [play] at the theatre and had invited friends for lunch on Saturday and Sunday [during Hebert Pendlebury’s visit].

Sent from Winchester College. Giving train times, and telling Herbert that he was 3rd in History, they had not a “cuse”, that he had written to [Lilian Pendlebury] at Radnor Cliff [Kent] and that he would ask for London leave.

Sent from Winchester College. Saying he’d arrived safely back from visiting home and had enjoyed the visit, telling her his place in Ellis Pot [soccer team], that they were revising history rather than having a set task, and his marks [for a test] on prose. John also asks whether Nanny [Alice Comber] would go home or her mother would visit, and says that he is sorry for the death of Mrs Barnes.

Sent from Winchester College. About playing sports at the school, that they had a task on the best form of government, and that he was looking forward to [the holidays], going to Cambridge to see Mrs Comber [Alice, his nanny] and going to Lords [cricket ground]. Also telling Lilian that he was going on a field trip to Salisbury plain.

Sent from Winchester College. Telling her that he would be running in a Steeplechase race, that the field trip [to Salisbury plain] was a success and he saw Tommy [?] there, about his task on the best form of government and that they had a lecture on nationalisation. John also asks Lilian to thank [Herbert Pendlebury] for notes on [the best form of government task], says he is glad that it was arranged [to go to Lord’s cricket ground in the holidays], that he is writing to Dr Menzies and that the Smiths had asked him out to tea.

Sent from [Winchester College]. Thanking her for money, telling her he was 37th in the Steeplechase [running race] and would enter the senior and junior high jump competition and middle hurdles in athletics [at the school].

Sent from Winchester College. About athletics competitions, asking her to confirm his grandfather’s address, and payments for the bicycle shop and to give the college servants.

Sent from [Winchester College]. Thanking her for money and explaining why they were giving money [to the college servants], reporting on his progress [in athletics] and results for an essay, and saying he would write to his grandfather.