Letter from Edith Collier to her parents February 2 year unknown
Edith Collier, 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
TRANSCRIPTION:
5 Leinster sq
Feb 2 [illegible]
Dear mother & father,
At last I have heard about Harry I received a cable 3 days ago saying he had sailed. I hope they have control of the subs, by the time he arrives which wont be for sometime yet. I was wondering what had happened to Harry Reg is in the firing line now I had a letter from him last week & he was alright. Hal has just been up on 4 days leave I saw him off from Waterloo last night & he expects to be going to France tomorrow he is in the Infantry again worse luck. He was a bit homesick this time he kept talking of Mum. He left a lot of his things that he had collected [crossed out] & his diary here, If I am to come home before the war ends I’ll keep my cupboard on for [illegible] Reg has a lot of things here & some of his friends clothes, cameras, baskets & curios.
It was sad seeing poor young Hal off. There is a big push [?] coming off he says if he is in it he gets a chance of more leave. He was looking forward to seeing Jim & Reg.
Did I tell you that Pats’ [?] father was killed in Manchester he was run over by a motor They were not told till the evening, just as they were expecting him into tea. They are all moving near Manchester her brother will not be able to go to war again, shell shock has affected his heart.
Hal & I did the theatres & on Sunday we went for a long bus ride & arrived at Aikens [?] for tea there was a Mr & Mrs Richardson there, he had been an old sea Capt & he knew Capt Stewart
Muriel Aiken has got a good billet in an office I hope she keeps it. her mother worries she never seems well always got headaches It is rather a nice ride out there. Mr Aitken hasn’t left yet he may not go yet. I dont know what happened to Muriel Harrison, but she must have been waiting outside Southhampton for 1 weeks [crossed out]
The subs are very lively just now in the channel trying to get at [illegible] but they havent managed yet.
I am just going to try my hand at family portraits from photos it is not art but it will bring in money. I am trying fathers.
Well I must stop with love to all & many thanks for the cable
Love from Edith.
5 Leinster sq
Feb 2 [illegible]
Dear mother & father,
At last I have heard about Harry I received a cable 3 days ago saying he had sailed. I hope they have control of the subs, by the time he arrives which wont be for sometime yet. I was wondering what had happened to Harry Reg is in the firing line now I had a letter from him last week & he was alright. Hal has just been up on 4 days leave I saw him off from Waterloo last night & he expects to be going to France tomorrow he is in the Infantry again worse luck. He was a bit homesick this time he kept talking of Mum. He left a lot of his things that he had collected [crossed out] & his diary here, If I am to come home before the war ends I’ll keep my cupboard on for [illegible] Reg has a lot of things here & some of his friends clothes, cameras, baskets & curios.
It was sad seeing poor young Hal off. There is a big push [?] coming off he says if he is in it he gets a chance of more leave. He was looking forward to seeing Jim & Reg.
Did I tell you that Pats’ [?] father was killed in Manchester he was run over by a motor They were not told till the evening, just as they were expecting him into tea. They are all moving near Manchester her brother will not be able to go to war again, shell shock has affected his heart.
Hal & I did the theatres & on Sunday we went for a long bus ride & arrived at Aikens [?] for tea there was a Mr & Mrs Richardson there, he had been an old sea Capt & he knew Capt Stewart
Muriel Aiken has got a good billet in an office I hope she keeps it. her mother worries she never seems well always got headaches It is rather a nice ride out there. Mr Aitken hasn’t left yet he may not go yet. I dont know what happened to Muriel Harrison, but she must have been waiting outside Southhampton for 1 weeks [crossed out]
The subs are very lively just now in the channel trying to get at [illegible] but they havent managed yet.
I am just going to try my hand at family portraits from photos it is not art but it will bring in money. I am trying fathers.
Well I must stop with love to all & many thanks for the cable
Love from Edith.
This record represents an archive item and has related works.
Measurements
210 x 295mm
Media
black and white photocopy on paper
Description
Photocopy of a 6 page letter from Edith Collier to her parents. The letter is handwritten pen on paper and is dated February 2 but has no recorded year. The letter gives details about her brother Harry and two other men Reg and Hal, serving in the War (WWI). Edith also mentions the death of Pats’ father in Manchester and that she is working on portraits of family members from photos.
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
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Accession Number:
A2015/1/463