...Old Letters
from
Maurice and Dorothy Goddard
Mrs.
Maurice Goddard
Chestnut
Cottages
Sutton
Scotney
Nr
Winchester Hants
Feb 4 1949
My Dear Cousin:
Here
we are at last with a few lines to you after this
long time but I’m afraid my letter is going to
give you the sad news that my husbands (Maurice’s)
father died suddenly in his chair on Sunday 16th
January with “Coronary Thrombosis”.
The sad part was we were not there with him at his
last. You see 2 years ago he had to quit his
house as it was wanted for a farm worker and no other
house being available he bought a caravan and there
he lived with his faithful old dog all alone. Maurice
was up to see him Xmas eve with a bit of Xmas fare
and he seemed fairly well then except that he got
very nervous and had pains in his chest which he
thought would be indigestion. Anyhow we had a
phone message on the Sunday morning and Maurice and I
went to his help as soon as we could and before we
got there to him we were told by the farmer he had
died in his chair and the police were waiting for us
but luckily no inquest was necessary.
You
can imaging the sad sight it was for Maurice when he
got to the caravan. Even the dog knew something
was wrong as Dad felt a bit better after the farmer
went to phone us and he cooked an egg for himself and
made a fire up and sat in his chair and had taken a
mouthfull of food and passed out with it in his mouth.
We
buried him at West Woodhay with his wife (Rhoda) on
Wed the 19th and as was his wish when he
was gone that no one should have his dog but that he
should go too, so the worst ended with “Paddy”
the dog being put to sleep.
Poor
old gran took everything very well and hopes he is
gone to rest in the right place and that I have no
doubt he had a lovely smily on his face and our dear
daughter Margaret Rose said when we told her he had a
lovely smile, “oh”, says she, “That
was when granpie met granie Goddard.”
Heaven
only knows we were hoping 1949 was going to be a
better one for us but we havent started very well.
The shock of his dad kept my brother-in-law home from
work for a fortnight and he hopes to make another
start tomorrow and we hope to have Margaret’s
friend come and bring her 2 week old infant son home
to us tomorrow so we hope the little infant will
bring us better luck.
My
dear old Mom and Dad are fairly well considerin
gtheir great age, but we are having a very cold spell
here in England and that don’t help old folks
does it.
How
Maurice and I and gran convey our sympathy to you in
your great loss of a dear sister and mother. Heaven
knows how they are missed when gone from us and we
ought not to grieve for loved ones but I always say
that no one has such grief to bare but what when we
look around someone near has the same se we are not
alone in life or death, we must share our sorrows as
we do our joys, all get it at sometime or another.
Now Dearie don’t worry your parcel was indeed
very welcome also tea, but we do really prefer black
tea, but as we say here in England “beggars can’t
be choosers” and the little doll that came by
mistake was much admired by our little grandson.
He loves dollys so tell Darla her doll brought joy to
a little boys heart.
We
haven’t had snow yet here in the south of
England but they have had it up north. How
terrible for you to have such a winter. Do take
care of yourself and stay as long as you can in the
warm with your daughter.
Yes I
still have to keep to diet, no sugar, bread, or
potatoes, very little fats and only red meat or
rabbit and chicken. Plenty of fish, eggs and
fruit dried or fresh also salads, dried
fruits are not so plentiful now and fresh fruits are
growing short.
Margaret
was so pleased you liked your handkies and
says it was very little for all you send us, is there
anything you really fancy you would like from England.
If so do say as I’d love to try and get
it for you as things are a wee bit easier on coupons
now. Tea, sugar, fats, bacon, eggs and cheese
still rationed. We miss our big vegetable
garden when we could keep in our bacon pigs and
chickens.
Margaret
is busy using the sewing machine enlarging her
bathing costume as it is quite good but for a wee bit
tight and they are an awfull price to buy. The
little red dress you sent I just had to lengthen at
the waist and Margaret is able to wear it and she
loves it because it is red. Also your little
aprons she has put in her bottom drawer ready for
when she needs to wear them in her own little house
to use her phrase. She says they are smashing.
Wouldn’t
it be lovely if we all could meet sometime. Well
now I really must close these few lines and I’ll
try and write a bit oftener in future bo you, but I
just get so tired by the end of the day that I
don’t want to do anything in the evenings but
sit and rest and sleep. I am up at 6 a.m. and
don’t retire untill 11 p.m. most nights. I
am working at cleaning the home and cooking all day,
but through it all God gives me strength to carry on
and I live in hope taht some day my labours will be
rewarded and Maurice and I be able to spend an old
age in peace and quiet.
So
till later Gods Blessing be on you and your family
and so I close with all love from your everloving
cousins Maurice and Dorothy Aunt Annie and Margaret
Rose XXXXXXXX