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Sent from Newhaven Court Hotel, Cromer.
Sent from Newhaven Court Hotel, Cromer.
Sent from Newhaven Court Hotel, Cromer.
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Thanking Herbert for sending £1; sending a poem in Greek entitled ‘πιθηκοs’ [‘The apes’] (not included); telling Herbert about sporting and academic achievements of men in his house at Winchester, John’s achievements in Greek, mathematics and French, that he was 6th [place in “cuse”], and they had had a natural history lecture on beast eating plants; and also about plans for [Herbert and Lilian to visit on the 28th of Feb]. The reverse of the letter has notes of Greek words translated into English [Herbert notes on the poem that John sent].
Sent from D House [Culver], Winchester College. Returning proofs (and saying he didn’t know which version he preferred) and asking for drawing pins, a bottle of ink, [cricket] bat oil, trimming for his “toye”, books by Rider Haggard, some more small photographs and a hat pad. Also telling Lilian the timetable at the school, that he had played in “jun-jun crockets” [junior cricket, compulsory] and had received a parcel.
[Sent from Winchester College]. Telling her that [trimming for his “toye”] that she had sent was not the right kind and asking her to get green to match, also that he had played “crockets” [cricket], was able to get ink, and was amused to hear about their “friends (titular)”.
[Sent from Winchester College]. Including an illustration of the trimming he would like [for his “toye”]; asking for a pen and nibs; and telling Lilian that someone had brought a snake into the school, and that he was looking after a baby snipe [bird] until its broken leg was better.
[Sent from Winchester College]. Apologising for not writing but he had been busy, asking her to send his [tennis] racquet, and saying that he was a place higher than last week [in his division].
Sent from D House [Culver], Winchester College. About life at the school including his “sweats” (half water and half waking), going for afternoon tea with the Sings, playing cricket, and “Squish Pot” and “Toys Pot” [Toye Pop, a cup awarded for under-16 cricket]. Also asking Lilian to visit in a month, and asking after Nanny and the birds. Note that the “sweat” of “water” was to taking a jug of water to a senior (usually prefect) in the morning, for use in a (toe pan) footbath.
Sent from D House [Culver], Winchester College. Telling Lilian that [his tennis] racquet had arrived and that Mrs [Alice] Comber had sent him a notebook, a shilling and a 1913 sovereign coin; about life at the school including that he was being coached by his “Div Don” Mr Chambers [Division teacher], arrangements for [Lilian and Herbert] visiting, and that he would try to write to Mr Egerton and Mrs Comber.
[Sent from Winchester College]. Containing a note that John would meet her at Butterscross (Winchester) at 1pm on Saturday, and he was sorry he could not see her on Friday night.
[Sent from Winchester College], containing a note about breakfast on Saturday and that they had beaten Toye’s [B. House, Moberly].
[Sent from Winchester College]. About a tin [to put butterflies in], and which Sunday [she should visit on].
Sent from D House [Culver], Winchester College. About butterfly catching, looking forward to her visit, thanking her for £1, and hoping that [?] arrived back safely. John also asks Lilian to tell [Herbert] that he was 6th including viva voce [an oral exam].
Sent from D House [Culver], Winchester College. Thanking Lilian for a “baker” [seat] and a stand for [his writing ink], mentioning that a clock was working well and the mascots were just what he wanted, saying that he was looking forward to going to Stratford [in the holidays], asking her to make a cushion for him and to write to Northall [clothing shop] about his “footer things”. Also tells her about butterflies, carnations flowering, a [junior cricket match], and that they were to have an extra “half-rem” [half-day holiday] and Hatch Thoke [founder’s commemoration day].
Sent from D House [Culver], Winchester College. Asking Herbert to thank Lilian for a cushion [that she had made him] and telling him about a baseball match between Americans and Canadians [soldier’s that were based at Morn Hill Camp]. Also mentions that there had been a letter for him on a notice board, but it was gone when he went to get it.
Sent from D House [Culver], Winchester College. Thanking Herbert for money and asking for money for the journey [home for the holidays] and a hat band; and telling him that he had been 8th and 10th in “cuse”, that they had been to chapel for the anniversary of the war and had Hatch Thoke [founder’s commemoration day]. Also mentions that examinations start on Monday, and he hoped that the weather would be good in Stratford [for the holidays].
[Sent from Winchester College], containing a note about his arrival time [by train for the holidays], asking what he should bring home, thanking her for money for the journey and telling her his place [in his division] (3rd without examinations, 2nd in 2 examinations and 6th in one).
[Sent from Winchester College]. Asking Lilian to tell [Herbert] that he was 1st place in Latin prose, 2nd in mathematics and 3rd in French; and telling her that there was a concert at the school, he had “raised” nearly 3 pounds of sugar since half-term, to remember the bicycle, and that he was looking forward to going to Stratford.
[Sent from Winchester College], containing a note that he would love for her to visit on the 18th [of October], he had a pound note stolen, that they had had hot food regularly and that Jerry’s cousin [was at Winchester College]. John also asks if he should send [Herbert] a list of books.
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. About the daily routine, his division, teachers and classes at the school; thanking her and Herbert for a brush case, book and gloves for playing fives; telling her that [his chores] were half waking and uniform cad [assistant] for one of the new prefects, and about having tea with Whitaker after she had left [him at the school]. John also asks for a piece of “mugging” [material] with fringe for his desk and some furniture polish, and for her and Herbert to tell him what they wanted as presents. He mentions that Aunt Violet had written to him and that his letter to Nanny must be lost in the post.
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Asking for more fringe [material], for her to sew together some gold [material] that he was sending, and to get him a funny mascot. Also telling her about playing Winchester College Football, “tolling” [running], arrangements for her visiting on her birthday and that he was 12 of 30 [in “cuse”]. The letter also includes a list of books [by Henry Rider Haggard].
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Asking for Lilian to send ‘Benita’ and to have ‘Child of Storm’ as a Christmas present [books by Henry Rider Haggard], reminding her to visit near her birthday, and discussing life at the school (including only doing four hours of “ekker” [exercise] because he had hurt his knee). John also mentions that he is enclosing the pattern for fringe [material], his watch was gaining time, that “cuse” would be fortnightly, and asks for biscuits and “golliwog” dolls.
[Sent from Winchester College], asking her to bring more biscuits and send 3 more “golliwog” dolls, sending gold [material] and noting the timetable for the weekend [for her visit].
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Thanking her for “golliwog” dolls, sending gold [material] that he forgot to send with his previous letter, asking her to get him Milkmaid cocoa powder, telling her about a lecture on crocodiles , that he was 10th in “cuse” and had played Winchester College Football 3 times that week. John also asks Lilian to tell him what train she is arriving on so he could meet her on his bicycle.
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Telling Lilian about [Winchester College Football] matches, singing after a match against the “commoners”, that he was going to tea with Canon Smith, and was 15th in “cuse”. Also asking her to write to [Mr] David [housemaster] about visiting, and to bring a calendar and his mittens.
[Sent from Winchester College]. Thanking her for lozenges and acid drops, regretting that he could not go to tea with Canon Smith [as he was ill] and asking for 2 books (‘Tarzan of the Apes’ and ‘The Return of Tarzan’ [by Edgar Rice Burroughs]).
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Noting that if his Sunday letter hadn’t arrived it was probably because he had missed a line from the address, saying that he would be allowed to “go up to books” [go to School] but had not been allowed to watch “sixes” [a Winchester College Football match] yesterday, and asking her to visit as soon as she was better.
[Sent from Winchester College]. Asking her to visit on Thursday as it was Hatch Thoke [founder’s commemoration day] so they could spend the whole day together.
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Arranging to meet Lilian when she visits; telling her about life at the school (including playing “sixes” [Winchester College Football], upcoming examinations, a confirmation ceremony); telling her that he was 14th in “cuse”, that he hopes she sees Marshal [Ferdinand] Foch, and to tell people who ask that he wants ping pong [table tennis equipment] for Christmas. On the reverse of the letter is a note to [Herbert Pendlebury] wishing him a happy birthday, with illustrations of [John] in bed with [Lilian Pendlebury] standing over him and “cuse as I hope it will be”.
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Asking them to keep a letter for him until he gets home, looking forward to Illumina celebrations [at the College] but wishing they could come, telling them about a Natural History Society lecture on marine life, that they were going to the Cathedral and that he did not think he would “raise a remove” [move up to the next higher form] in division subjects.
[Sent from Winchester College], containing a note about his travel for the holidays.
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Reminding Lilian to send money for “the bicycle man”, saying he hoped she had a nice time in Sandgate and telling her about his exam results, that he had a suit fitted, new students that were arriving next term, and that they had had a lecture on wild fowl from [a student] in Chawkers [House]. Also discusses what he will bring home for the holidays (in less than 3 days) and an upcoming concert and Illumina celebrations.
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Containing news of life at the school including the dons [teachers], moving divisions in subjects, and his “sweats” [chores]. Also asking Lilian to send a cake.
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Thanking Lilian for a cake; telling her that mice had got into his supply of sugar, that he had played football and that [Herbert Pendlebury] would have to give him some coaching for being goalkeeper; telling her he had done well in his holiday task and sending the paper; and asking for pictures [photographs] of Cairo. Also includes the question paper [from the holiday task] about India.
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. About his place in “cuse”, his “sweats” [chores], plans for [Lilian and Herbert to visit on the 28th of Feb], and the cold weather. Also telling Lilian that a Master of the Temple would be addressing them in the Cathedral that day “in a long and probably dull discourse”, that he was going out to tea with Mr Sing, thanking her for Swiss rolls and books, and asking if she had photographs from [Edward Lyddell] Sawyer yet.
[Sent from Winchester College]. About a picture [of Cairo], learning to skate on a frozen lake, asking her to tell [Herbert Pendlebury] that he was 3rd place in Greek “cuse” that week, and to send money.
[Sent from Winchester College]. About plans for the Davies’ to spend time with the Pendlebury’s when Herbert and Lilian visit on the 28th of Feb, and texts that John was reading in Greek and Latin classes
[Sent from Winchester College]. About arrangements for the Davies’ to spend time with John and Herbert when he visits on the 28th of Feb [Lilian could no longer go], asking him to bring the ‘πιθηκοs’ [‘The apes’] poem, sending love to Mummy and Nanny and saying that he had heard from Aunt Violet. Also telling Herbert about his place in subjects (2nd in Greek, 3rd in prose etc.).
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Telling her he is sorry she can’t visit and that he hopes she is better, and about stamp collecting, playing sports, getting shut into a fives court, and his place in “cuse”. Also tells Lilian that he had a letter from Uncle Stanley thanking him for a present, and asking her to thank Aunt Violet for him and tell [Herbert Pendlebury] that he was senior in [an unseen exam paper].
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Telling her that he had enjoyed [Herbert Pendlebury’s] visit, that he was 3rd place in “cuse”, and that pictures [of Cairo] looked lovely. Also hoping that she is better and sending her “Short Roll” [register of students at the College].
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. About upcoming exams, holiday dates, his academic work and sports, and academic ranking. Thanking her for a cake, telling her a story about Roskill’s “pitch-up” [family or friends] being told not to walk around the cloisters in Winchester, and asking what she thought of 100 abandoned babies being found in London the previous week.
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Thanking her for a parcel, telling her about exams, a task on leadership, an upcoming athletics competition, that the Wykehamist [magazine] was out and the school shop had started selling margarine.
Sent from Culver House [D], Winchester College. Telling Lilian that he was going to enter the hurdles, high jump (he could jump 4 feet and 4 inches) and ¼ mile competitions in athletics; he was 3rd place in “cuse” and his rankings in different subjects; about a task on “The Great Storm”; and that “Long Roll” [register of students at the College] had come out but was too awkward to post. Also thanking Lilian for a parcel, telling her that the shop [at the College] sold nice things and asking her to send a list of what he was allowed.
[Sent from Winchester College]. Asking for money.
[Sent from Winchester College]. Apologising for a telegram he sent as he had not received her letter, and telling her about his house winning the Taylor cup for athletics and being photographed in the house team.