Letter written by Charlie Ayliff to Edith Collier
Charlie Ayliff, Author
This is one of the
letters
in our collection.
The place and date where it was made are unknown.
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Object Detail
About the Work
TRANSCRIPTIONS:
On letterhead paper:
UNION CASTLE LINE
RMS “KENILWORTH CASTLE”
Dear old Collier
I’m so sorry I didn’t come to say goodbye before I sailed – I was given very short notice & had to just fly round like a mad thing – Fancy after all this time having four days in which to get ready – I just flew round like a mad thing – We sailed yesterday – I can’t believe that this is really me, its like a funny dream – I’ll probably wake up presently & discover it to be so! It was rotten coming away alone – I just hated
the feeling that nobody knew me or cared in the very least what happened to ye olde nurse – such a rotten feeling after the send off I got at hospital
We are awfully crowded, mostly military people – the 2nd class is one mass of married N.C.Os with wives & babies – The NZ authorities actually excelled themselves to the extent of giving me a first class passage – I really expected a 3rd! But I don’t think we are in a first class Cabin - its an inner one – no porthole – three of us in it – it is meant for two but one sleeps on the sofa –
I’m up very early this morning & it seems hours to wait for brekker – I had got very thin tearing around
There are a fair amount of people on board that I know or at any rate, who know about me or the family – I can’t believe that I’m really going Home – just think of it Collier old thing – it was quite a short time ago that I did brass rubbings with you – wasn’t it a funny joke!
We call at Madiera so this will be posted there – so long – be good & write at least once every ten years –
Lots of love
Charlie
On letterhead paper:
UNION CASTLE LINE
RMS “KENILWORTH CASTLE”
Dear old Collier
I’m so sorry I didn’t come to say goodbye before I sailed – I was given very short notice & had to just fly round like a mad thing – Fancy after all this time having four days in which to get ready – I just flew round like a mad thing – We sailed yesterday – I can’t believe that this is really me, its like a funny dream – I’ll probably wake up presently & discover it to be so! It was rotten coming away alone – I just hated
the feeling that nobody knew me or cared in the very least what happened to ye olde nurse – such a rotten feeling after the send off I got at hospital
We are awfully crowded, mostly military people – the 2nd class is one mass of married N.C.Os with wives & babies – The NZ authorities actually excelled themselves to the extent of giving me a first class passage – I really expected a 3rd! But I don’t think we are in a first class Cabin - its an inner one – no porthole – three of us in it – it is meant for two but one sleeps on the sofa –
I’m up very early this morning & it seems hours to wait for brekker – I had got very thin tearing around
There are a fair amount of people on board that I know or at any rate, who know about me or the family – I can’t believe that I’m really going Home – just think of it Collier old thing – it was quite a short time ago that I did brass rubbings with you – wasn’t it a funny joke!
We call at Madiera so this will be posted there – so long – be good & write at least once every ten years –
Lots of love
Charlie
This record represents an archive item and has related works.
Measurements
202 x 257 mm unfolded
Media
ink on paper
Description
Letter written by Charlie Ayliff to Edith Collier, handwritten in ink on both sides of 1 sheet of unlined paper. The letter head has a flag and text 'UNION-CASTLE LINE R.M.S "KENILWORTH CASTLE" '. It was previously folded in half in both directions.
Credit Line
Collection of The Edith Collier Trust, in the permanent care of the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui.
Collection Type
Archives
Loans
Loans
Collection
Acquisition Date
Circa 1985