19550224 from Molly 

A letter of condolence following the death of Violet's husband Gerard.

I won’t write you a long letter, as I know you will have so many, but I felt that I would like to write and send you my sympathy and love.

I was very sad to hear the news when Charlie rang up last night, but in a way it is, I always think, better to die suddenly, than to have to suffer a long illness, though it is more of a shock for the people left behind, & I do feel very deeply for you all.

I am glad to think that you

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have just had a lovely holiday together, and were able to see all the family.

I shall always remember the happy times I have had with you, particularly at Abbotswood during the War, when I was not able to get home very often. It made such a difference, & always felt like home to me.

[Note: It was only at Molly's funeral that we learnt that she had been at Bletchley Park during the War.]

I know that Mummy & Daddy have both written to you this morning, & I expect they will have said how immensely grateful we are for Uncle Gerard’s help & generosity during the last few years.

[Molly's father Wilfrid had owned a company that made motor cars in the early 1900s, but that ventur failed, and they were never well off.  Gerard had been a director of Bass & Co, and had retired in 1925 with a nice "golden handshake".  He was generous to his family - it is known that he had given his sons £5000 each (£325,000 today) on their 21st bithday, and also was generous to othr relations).

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Charlie [Violet's husband's nephew and Molly's first cousin, who broke the news] said that he thought that Betty [Violet's daughter-in-law] was still with you, I do hope so, as I know what a comfort she would be to you.

It is good to know that Gervas & Ralph [Violet's two sons], and their families are at least in the same part of the world & that they will be able to get to you.

Mummy [Maud] has asked me to tell you that Auntie Dorothy would be glad of a letter from time to time. You asked in your last letter about this, so we asked Rosie, & she said that she thought Auntie Dorothy would like letters, as it would make her feel less cut off from everyone, but that she would probably write rather depressing letters in reply. [Click here to see why]

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I must stop now as I have to get the car out & take our Daily Help down to Cromer to catch her bus.

She arrived this morning after getting a lift in a van, six miles to Cromer, & then walked out.

The snow is very deep, & driving rather difficult, but we have managed to get out several times, as the farmer came up our drive with a home-made snow plough, and cleared it for us.

It is the worst winter sice 1947, and today there is an Easterly gale, & a lot more snow forecast.

With all my love, and deepest sympathy, to you and the family.

from

                        Molly [aged 35]

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