Olave's diary for 1923 Index
January 1923
Our grateful thanks to Liz Linkins for the transcription.
Monday 1st Jan 1923
Walk ride, but Caesar busy being shod so only Topsy used. Saundersons party with Xmas Tree & games. Babies enjoyed it
Tuesday 2nd Jan 1923
Walk Ride in the rain to call on the Harrops
Wednesday 3rd Jan 1923
Walk ride over the hill beyond Bury Court with all four children & Topsy & Caesar and Tommy borrowed from Mrs Eggar for the morning. Hussey’s party at Farnham Brewery Hall, Very jolly, games, large tea, and magic lantern& dancing. Babies loved & delicious to take to parties.
Thursday 4th Jan 1923
Peter to Wolf Cubs
Friday 5th Jan 1923
Walk ride with children in morning early. To Farnham to try on frocks being altered.
Robin shoots [?] with Forbingtons [?] Rosie Kerr & youngest girl Rosemary to stay. Mr & Mrs Carter, Mrs Bosanquet, Mrs Robertson, Mrs Egger, Mrs Fourbes & child, Mrs & Miss Lefray [?] Col & Miss Grocher[?] To tea. R’s nephew Donald B-P[1] to stay - arrives at 11pm
Saturday 6th Jan 1923
All of us in big car to Wrecclesham & went all over the jolly interesting pottery works. Shop in Farnham. Walk ride in the afternoon. Rosie, Donald, R & co to concert at Bentley schools got up by Miss Joy.
Sunday 7th Jan 1923
Walk ride with all the children & animals & the Wades to do “flint hunting” at Lower Froyle. Old Aunt Rosie (Lady Flower) died. She was Robin’s Mother’s youngest sister & has been paralysed & dying for some time.
Monday 8th Jan 1923
Rosemary & other babies all did walk ride with Topsy, Tommy & Caesar. Rosie & Rosemary left. Made small jump in the paddock for Heather to practice over on Topsy.
Tuesday 9th Jan 1923
Robin took Peter to London for the day to see Cinderella. Donald left in his car for Oxford.
Wednesday 10th Jan 1923
R up early to Foxlease for the day. To London & attend memorial service for Aunt Rosie Flowers at the old church Chelsea with Hilda & number of relations. Train to Brockenhurst & get to Foxlease for dinner & talk with and to the [?] Diploma to Guiders assembled there. It really is a lovely place & does immense good.
Thursday 11th Jan 1923
All leave in a cheery happy bunch, and travel together to Fleet, get out there & bring Margaret Prior home to Pax with me. She had ricked her back so lay flat all day. Peter to Wolf Cubs. Robin attended funeral of Aunt Rosie Flowers (nee Smyth) (aged 88) at Stonw, Bucks.
Friday 12th Jan 1923
To London, taking Margaret Prior too. Attend meeting of the Middlesex Comms. To decide on new C.C. to succeed Lady Hillingdon. To mothers for lunch. Take Christian & Clare to Kew Gardens as being still infectious from slight Whooping Cough they cannot do indoors & amusements.
Saturday 13th Jan 1923
Took C’s to shop. R to shoot with Scotts at East Tisted. Took C’s to see engines and machines at Victoria & Albert Museum. Edith [?] to tea at the flat. Home by evening train. Betty in bed with small nose cold.
Sunday 14th Jan 1923
Betty stays in bed, so as not to give her cold to others. Sue ? Ward (nee Brown) & her husband motor over from Newberry to lunch. She is Peers godmother and was a good friend to Dad & Mother years ago. Walk ride to glass houses beyond [?]
Monday 15th Jan 1923
Really these children [?] & temperatures are tricky. Betty better & up again, Yvonne very coldy. Walk ride with 2 of them. In evening Heathers suddenly ran up to 101 – from sheer excitement only!
Tuesday 16th Jan 1923
Heather’s temperature 99, but decided to risk it and R & I took her and Peter to London. To see the Mercers Hall; then to [?] to shop. Lunch at Scout Club. Rest in the office. Then to see “Where the Rainbow ends”. Very nice and both babies loved it. Nice play. Tea at Waterloo & home at 8.00
Wednesday 17th Jan 1923
Eileen to breakfast. Walk ride with Heather & Betty. Peter seedy - nothing wrong but tiredness & result of the ice cream that he insisted on having for tea!
Thursday 18th Jan 1923
Betty in bed with her cold & her face swollen. We got alarmed & sent for Dr Hussey thinking it might be Mumps. He doesn’t think so but will not allow Peter to go back to school tomorrow in case of infection. Walk ride. Robin not very fit.
Friday 19th Jan 1923
R & I to London. Shop at Govingers ? Hair washed. Interview with Dr Garrett of the League of Nations Union. Call & see Lady Manning & her wee baby girl. Lunch at the Club. Guide HQ Committee. Robin returns to Pax. To mother for night at the flat. Christian & Clare there, almost well from Whooping Cough.
Saturday 20th Jan 1923
Take children to see Lady Manning& then shop and explore Westminster Abbey. Lunch at flat & then take Christian to Woking & drop her at her new school St Mary’s Hill. Such a nice place & the head, Miss Du Bochet so nice. Home to Pax.
Sunday 21st Jan 1923
Took Peter & Heather riding on Topsy & Caesar. Robin seedy and for once in a [?] stayed in bed all day. Motor Peter over in Jimmie to Dane Court, calling to see Christian en route & taking her out to Dane Court & back for a treat. The sweet child. Betty better.
Monday 22nd Jan 1923
Took Heather & Yvonne riding. Robin still seedy but got up. Betty still in bed, seems well but her temperature runs up to 100 every night/
Tuesday 23rd Jan 1923
Betty better & up. Robin [?]? better & wanted to go to London for Scout meeting, but didn’t feel up ti it when the time came & so sat around feeling rotten! Planned our trip to Canada,
Wednesday 24th Jan 1923
R not a bit well, sent for Dr Couchman (Hussey away) who says he ought to have [?] rest and certainly stay in bed. Lumbago in his back painful, poor lamb.
Thursday 25th Jan 1923
R stayed in bed all day and really rather enjoyed it!
Friday 26th Jan 1923
Went to [?]? South Kensington [?]
Saturday 27th Jan 1923
Babies to dancing class. Shop in Farnham & fit clothes being altered by Miss Shenfield. R in bed most of the day, but came downstairs for tea by the fire. Back dtill painful, but [?] improves it.
Sunday 28th Jan 1923
Finished typing R’s “Miscellaneous Writing” to be bound as a secret present for his birthday. I have been at it on & off amongst all other work for 6 months!
Monday 29th Jan 1923
Robin insisted on going to Gillwell Park for the day.
Tuesday 30th Jan 1923
Walk ride with babies. R rather seedy again as a result if yesterday jaunt.
Wednesday 31st Jan 1923
Robin still very seedy & quite depressed – just tired out poor Sweet. Lady Marjorie [?] to stay by car en route to Wilts. Nice [?] & doing good work for Guides in Scotland.
February 1923
Thursday 1 Feb 1923
R. a bit better, but stayed in bed for breakfast.
Lady Marjorie left.
R & I ran xx in Jimmie to Farnham to shop + see the lawyer, Nash, about settling money on the children.
Friday 2 Feb 1923
R + I to London. Shop.
See Lady Delia Peel + caught her for CC for Middlesex. Lunch with Lady Clinton (part with Lady Dantry, Rosie Kenny, Lottie Walrond – now Adams who owns Bradfield where we lived 1905-7).
Joined R at Philharmonic Hall + saw film of Mount Everest. Very good. Tea party at Mrs Henry Denison’s of London Guide V.P.’s. Rosie & I spoke. To stay with Mother. R+I to see “Tears of Mary” Very Funny. Mother saw some dressed in Guide kit as I left the flat!!
Saturday 3 Feb 1923
Robin home to Pax early. Left Victoria 10.40 & arrived Broadstairs 1.10. Lunch at “Restmore” with Nance Keogh who is going have Gammey & all the babies here during our time in Canada.
Call at Norton Forland lodge (Miss Wolseley Lewis’ school) .
To Margate & inspect about 650 Guides in a big hall. Mayors of Margate & Ramsgate + their wives + elite present too!
Talked to the Guides + afterwards to Guide as part at Babs Buxter’s + then home to Pax again in time for dinner. [on next page under entry for Sunday 4]
Sunday 4 Feb 1923
Attended large tea party at a hotel of members of Local Association etc arranged by Mrs Hatfield.
Caught 5.20 back to London; dined at Waterloo + got to Pax in time for bed.
Monday 5 Feb 1923
Did householding at home + then by 10.55 to London. Shop. Lunch at the Club with Lettice. Get photographed for the press (at they wanted it as if I don’t they put such awful things in !) Speech on “Patriotism” at Lady Llangattoch’s meeting for the Wimen’s Patriotic League at South Lodge. Good attendance nice audience of almost 200 lovely ladies
Tuesday 6 Feb 1923
Robin doesn’t seem to be pick up after this & last weeks of meetings so we decide to go for a real change +holiday!
Take Betty in Jasmine with luggage stuffed in behind + were off to Southsea, lunching at Fareham en route. Stay at the Royal Beach Hotel. After dinner R &I went to excellent film & lecture on Burma on the Pier opposite hotel.
Wednesday 7 Feb 1923
Hoped to go over to the Isle of Wight; but the boat wouldn’t go & take the car – too rough & wet – so we stay on land. Go over the old “Victory” now in the Tye Dockyard, drive about the old Town + walls on “The Front”. Such a holiday + Betty so sweet & good.
Thursday 8 Feb 1923
Leave Southsea in pouring rain + run up to Southampton. Cleared up + we had a jolly “boat trip” down Southampton Water sitting in Jimmie!
Landed safely at Cowes & then ran to Yarmouth. Tea at the Pier Hotel + then onto Freshwater Bay. Just the place for us + stay at the comfy Freshwater
Friday 9 Feb 1923 Freshwater
Bay Hotel on the cliff. Betty simply loving it all + it is delicious having her.
Glorious sun - & quite hot. Betty played all morning on the beach. Robin lay + bathed in the sun in the garden all the afternoon. Then we ran round via Yarmouth, Alum Bay, Totland Bay to the Needles + back.
Saturday 10 Feb 1923
Wet till midday.
Cleared up & we walked up to the wee village shop.
Afterwards ran in Jimmie over to Brook. Climbed jolly gorse-y hill there with glorious views each way. Back home via Brightthouse (sic)+ Calbourne. This is fun + Robin is getting better slowly. It is so nippening being so free & away from all work!
Sunday 11 title Isle of Wight Feb 1923
Up to the West behind hotel & Walked over the downs to the Tennyson beach monument. Lovely air. Betty played on the beach & we bathed in the sun there too.
Sudden hail shower at lunch, but later in afternoon ran in Jimmie past Calbourne + explored Temple/Luccombe and early British buried village. Betty so good + so sweet.
Monday 12 Feb 1923
Went + hired nice small pony locally for Betty to ride + went for jolly “walk ride” along downs on East side of this little bay.
Afternoon ran over in Jimmie to Carisbrooke + explored lovely old castle & museum + saw the dear old donkey pushing the 300 year old wheel for the well there.
Tuesday 13 title Cowes Feb 1923
Left comfy Freshwater Bay Hotel. Called for a few minutes on Lady Tennyson (Local Guide Comm).
Ran on then via Brooke, to Shorewell + explored Downs there. Arrived at Blackgang Chine in time for lunch there. Lovely. After on via Ventnor to Bonchurch. Found house where Robin went as a boy of 10 with his sisters & brothers – then called Rosenheim now “White House”, on via Shanklin, Arreton, Newport to Cowes + stayed at Gloster Hotel; - empty except for us!
Wednesday 14 Feb 1923
Betty played with spade & bucket on pebbly beach all the morning!
Lunch at Cowes & then take steamer again back to Southampton – & home in time for tea after a most delicious holiday. It was really ideal + Robin much better for it.
Lovely to be at home again too!
Thursday 15 Feb 1923
To London. Lady Rayleigh to lunch with me at the Ex- Service Womens Club.
Nice woman who I wanted to be Comm in Essex, but she is too busy.
Shopped + then home in time for late tea bringing Lettice with me + did work on the journey down.
Friday 16 Feb 1923
R + I to London
Shop. Mrs Ernest Smith, Provincial Commr for Guides in Ontario to lunch with me at Service Womens Club – it is very hand for HQ. Nice woman.
HQ Committee – very few there + everybody late!!
Home in time for tea.
Saturday 17 Feb 1923
Lettice left. To Farnham.
Try clothes on with dressmaker there + shop. Babies do dancing class.
Robin & I do walk ride with the 3 babies + two animals round by Froyle – such fun. They are growing so fast + are so good + sweet + sensible.
Sunday 18 Feb 1923
R. not so awfully well again, but he will work again + he ought not to.
Monday 19 Feb 1923
Mrs Eggan lent Robin her pony Tommy to ride + he took Heather out. So jolly + good for him as well as most enjoyable,
Rodney Wood came for the night. He will be head of Gillwell whilst Gidney is in America.
Tuesday 20
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Wednesday 21 Feb 1923
Robin rode Tommy + took Heather for lovely ride beyond Froyle.
Delicious seeing them riding off together. News came that the Scout office staff are giving R a wireless Broadcasting apparatus for his birthday tomorrow. It will be lovely.
Thursday 22 Feb 1923
Our Birthday
Mrs Eggan
Mrs Slater to lunch. Arr Bully 16
Masses of “Goodwill messages”
Every year seems to make our Twin-ship more wonderful and lovely.
Friday 23 Feb 1923
[page blank]
Saturday 24 Feb 1923
Take the babies to Dancing Class + try on clothes.
R picks me up in wee Jimmie + we go + lunch at Guildford.
Call + pick up Clare + Christian at their school + R goes to Gym display at Peter’s . Take C’s back + take Peter to tea at Worthing.
Capt Eggan to dinner + hear tiniest bit of a concert on our wireless.
Sunday 25 Feb 1923
Hardy wrote to me from 13 Sidney Street Grantham.
Parent’s Day also.
(Winada Group Kadingannannaura Ceylon)
Monday 26 Feb 1923
It is quite exciting planning about this trip to Canada, and “Aunt Helen” Storrer inviting us to go down to join her to visit the Grand Canyon + across USA with her!
Tuesday 27 Feb 1923
Robin to London.
Took babies for walk ride past Isington.
Joyce Pilkington to tea with her nurse.
Wednesday 28b Feb 1923
R to lunch at Aldershot. Capt Grosvenor (of the wireless people Co) to see about fixing up our apparatus. Dymobe Greens to stay night. They arrived in time for tea with Eileen at Ash Cottage.
Capt Grosvenor etc all got big aerial up + we “listened in” band for hours!
March 1923
Thursday 1 Mar 1923
To London shop + go to Dr Ranke about my eyes. Saw Katherine in the office just home from Switzerland, Mary to stay,
Wades to dinner + we all listened in.
April 1923
Transcribed by Liz Linkins
Sunday 1st Apr 1923 (Easter Sunday) NIAGARA
Had breakfast at Toronto Station and caught 8.30 train to Niagara Fall. Ass snow and ice and quite lovely. Glorious seeing it again. Lunch at funny little Hotel Lafayette quite near the falls. Priceless proprietor who plays polo and fishes! Caught 4.5 train back to Toronto and stay night comfily with dear friend Mrs Warren at 95 Wellesley Street
Monday 2nd Apr 1923 TORONTO
Out in the car with Mrs Warren to call on Col Dewison and Lady Pellat (ex Guide Chief Comm with whom we stayed in 1919) Lunch at Wellesley Street. Went over Mrs Warrens huge interesting “rubber goods” factory. Ripping to see. Tea party at her house Mrs Estelle Hodgins etc To Government House to stay with Cockshutts Very [??????] Dinner there, afterwards I spoke on Guides at Convocation Hall to about 600 teachers etc of Ontario
Tuesday 3rd Apr 1923
interviewed by Newspaper reporters. Lunched with 650 members of the I.O.D.E. Mrs Jackson acted as hostess I spoke on Guides and Empire Great Success!! Visited Guide Headquarters in College Street. To tea party given by University Womens Club. Mrs [??????] acted as hostess. People most awfully kind and friendly. Dinner at Government House. To Convocation Hall and R spoke on Scouts to same audience as I did last night.
Wednesday 4th Apr 1923
Interview with I.O.D.E. magazine and two others. All good for Guide propaganda. Called on Mrs Plumpton head of Red X Delightful lunch party at Mrs Warrens with lots of members of Guides Dominion Council and spoke to them at length. Tea party at Mrs Mitchells. Dinner at Government House and then all to the [?????] Hall for address by Sir Michael Sadler and Dr Toy. Much too high-brow for me.
Thursday 5th Apr 1923 London “ONT”
Left Toronto 8.30 with Mrs Warren, Mrs Hodgins, Mrs Watts & Miss Herrington and arrived London midday. Attended large lunch party of representative women and Guidera and talked on the Movement. Rally of about 10 companies and a few Brownies. Not very good – but it was at short notice. Mrs Maclean, nice good new assistant [ Pred. Comm] Mrs Hills, nice [???] D.C. gave the party for Guiders at the Barracks. Back to Toronto by about 10.00pm
Friday 6th Apr 1923 TORONTO
To lunch as guest of honour with the Women Voters League at the King Edward Hotel. About 340 present and I gave short talk and returned thanks for the other guests Lady Newbolt and Lady Sadler. To Convocation Hall and saw R have his L.I.D. (degree) enforced on him by Toronto University. Went with Mrs Warren and Mrs Hodgins etc. To dinner with about 100 jolly green Toronto Guiders, talked afterwards at length on many subjects and gave Mrs Warren the Silver Fish. Great success.
Saturday 7th Apr 1923
To lunch with Mrs Warren at her house. Guide Rally and displays at the Massey Hall about 2000 there, I gave a talk and all very enthusiastic. R had Scout Rally too in the Armouries and we joined him there and they all marched up to Parliament Building. R spoke at Massey Hall on world peace through Scouts, Lord Robert Cecil spoke too on League of Nations. Good wind up meeting and huge crowd.
Sunday 8th Apr 1923
Miss Joan Arnoldie, former head of the I.O.D.E. came to have a guide talk at Government House. R & I went for a walk over the railway and up ugly dirty fields and lanes! Snow about still. Mrs Warren came to tea at Government House and also Miss Thomas, head secretary of C.G.I.T. – a sort of imitation guides for churches. Supper party of various people we met during the week. Left Toronto by the night train.
Monday 9th Apr 1923
Travelled along mile after mile through snow covered woodland and lake country. Wrote letters chiefly all day and talked with Mrs Bulmass, Miss Coldwell, Miss Lightcap and W A Macintyre etc who had all been to the Toronto Conference.
Tuesday 10th Apr 1923
Arrive Winnipeg 2.35 Met by Sir James and Lady Aikens (Lieut Governor) and Helen their Brown Owl daughter, Guiders, Scouters etc. Stay Government House. Guide Rally in big Board of Trade Hall. Nice lot – about 10 companies and 5 Packs. I talked to them. Tea at Government House. Public meeting after dinner in same big hall. About 3000 people. I spoke first on guides and R followed on Scouts etc. and our own speeches were [broadcasted] from the hall. Premier Brachen in the chair and a most enthusiastic nice audience.
Wednesday 11th Apr 1923 WINNIPEG
Drive round to see Fort Garry and the town. Huge young place! Lunch at Fort Garry Hotel with about 20 heads and teachers of big schools collected quite hurriedly by Dr Daniel Macintyre, head of education. Talked Guides to them. To big Scout Rally at M????? Barracks. But had to rush back early to tea with Womens Canadian Club. About 600 there and I talked afterwards. Mrs Rosens acted as hostess. Dinner at Government House and reception of all Scouters & Guiders afterwards, Very tiring! Left Winnipeg 10.45pm.
Thursday 12th Apr 1923 REGINA
Arrive Regina 9.15am Met by Mr & Mrs Masters and Scouters. Stay with the Masters. Quiet morning. R lunches with Canadian Club. Guide Rally at Collegiate Institute. About 150 Guides there and a whole lot of non-Guides too. I talked. Mrs Bryant took the chair. “High tea” given by the I.O.D.E. for me. Mrs Balfour (agent of the Provincial Chapter) chaired and I talked as well (!) for 40 minutes. Public meeting in Baptist Church of about 1500 people. I talked first on Guides and R followed. Radio receivers in front of me most un-nerving!
Friday 13th Apr 1923
Mrs Burford Hooke, new Provincial Comm will do well I think. Met yesterday Miss Mary Cameron, Guider from Somerset who has started Scouts and Guides well in Prairie Schools. Good little thing. Left Regina 11.15 arrive Sasheton about 6.00 and saw Miss Bashford (Guide Commr) and some Scout people for twenty minutes, I talk at the station. Dinner and sleep on train.
Saturday 14th Apr 1923 EDMONTON
Arrive Edmonton 9.15am Met by Bishop Grey ( Scout Commr} etc. Stay at Macdonald Hotel as Lieut Governor is away. R did Canadian Club lunch. Mrs Dickins (President of Womens Canadian Club) lunched with me. Addressed meeting of her club members ( about 250) and after had tea and formed up a Local Guide Committee as so far things have gone badly here owing to a mad Mrs Kean. Saw the 2 little struggling companies and talked to them.
Sunday 15th Apr 1923
Wrote letters and planned out Guide organisation here. Got Mrs Carpenter (Director of Education) to collect some heads of girls’ schools and talked to about 20 of them for an hour about Guides. Called on Mrs Brett (ill) at Government House. Called on Mrs Duncan Smith and secured her as District Commissioner. Tea with Bishop and Mrs Grey and half caught her as Provincial Commr. Little Mrs Ellis (who will be local secretary for Guides) to talk over things at dinner.
Monday 16th Apr 1923 CALGARY
Did letters. Mrs Duncan Smith called for further Guide chat. Very comfy hotel and glad of their quieter time. Mayor Duggan took us to call on Premier at the handsome Parliament Buildings. The fact that an important cabinet meeting was going on didn’t seem matter and we barged in to say how do you do! Left Edmonton 12.40 Arrived Red Deer 4.00 and inspected Guides and Scouts on the station. Arrive Calgary 7.30 Met by Mayor, Scouts and Guide peopleetc. Both spoke at grown up public meeting in Exhibition buildings. Good audience.
Tuesday 17th Apr 1923
Dr Scott and Dr Kirkby (education men) Alderman Batchelor etc took us out to see the Sarcee tribe of Indians on their reserve. Quite delicious. Lovely view of Rockies 70 miles away! Lunched with Guiders and Local Association members and talked to them. Went with Mrs Heard to see 4 invalid Guides in hospital and Mrs R Acton, [paralysed ??????] nice [???????]Lone Guiders in bed. Tea with about 300 women of Canadian Club and talked to them on Guides for 45 minutes! Delightful audience. Quite the best I have ever seen apart from the Jamboree in 1920.
Wednesday 18th Apr 1923
All so Scouting and good. The pageant of the history of Canada was wonderfuland all done by Scouts under splendid Col Peaches V.C. Got into sleeping car at midnight to go on to Banff. Fortunately train three hours late, so did the lovely journey into the mountains from Calgary between 8 and 11. Perfectly lovely views of mountains gleaming with snow. Stayed at Mount Royal Hotel. Drive to see buffalo and deer in the National Park with Major and Mrs Wood. Wee Scout inspection in the town and Guides to the fore too under Mrs [?????] (Capt) Tea with them and with I.O.D.E. and Scouts at Veterans hall, A very “village-y” affair! R went to tea with Bellmore Brown (the painter) who lives here. To the local Guides concert at the cinema opposite the hotel . Quite Good
Thursday 19th Apr 1923
Drove with Woods out to see Lake Moraine, Golf Links and Fish Hatchery and wonderful hot sulphur swimming baths with people bathing and snow all around. Woods lunched with us at hotel. Drove out to see buffalo after again and then sis letters. Mrs Heard, Mrs Unwin and Mrs Macann (Guiders) had tea with us.
Friday 20th Apr 1923
Left Banff and gazed out at the wonderful mountains all day. Quite lovely. R saw Scouts at stations en [passant] at Golden and Revelstoke.
Saturday 21st Apr 1923
Arrived Vancouver 8.00 [?????] to meet us and we bolted off to stay with Julius Griffiths in Coxon Street. They drove us to see glorious trees in Stanley Park. R did men to lunch and I did women’s lunch party (about 200) and talked after to them about Guides rather well for me ! Went to Scout Rally on Point Grey. Guide Rally of about 500 at Mrs Brocks house (District Commr) and big tea there. Talked with and to all the Guiders afterwards. Nice lot and jolly keen Guiders. Hurried dinner and went to see Miss Masterman (Guider from Tasmania) at Hotel on her way through.
Sunday 22nd Apr 1923
The Griffiths drove us out to New Westminster – long roads with houses all the way springing up rather untidily! Lunch with Griffiths. Afternoon meet and talk for an hour to about 150 women teachers in Technical School. All nice and interested. Big public meeting in a theatre and we both spoke. A but tired – both of us and we bolted away by back door to avoid crowd! Some people to dinner at Griffiths but to bed as early as possible.
Monday 23rd Apr 1923
Left Vancouver 10.30 Delightful voyage on comfy ship to Victoria arriving there 3.15 Reception by Committee of National Council of Education. Speak to about 250 members of Womens Canadian Club. Large tea and then have Rally of about 150 guides and 2 Brownie Packs in gardens of Empress Hotel. Stay with the Nichols (Lieut Governor) Meet and chat with Guiders after dinner at Guide Hall.[????] Mrs [??????] is excellent Commr.
Tuesday 24th Apr 1923 VICTORIA
Nichols drive us round to Esquenault etc. Lunch with I.O.D.E. Hears Men’s Canadian Club lunch speeches after it. Talk for an hour to about 60 women teachers and a few men about Guides. Quite interested and it ought to help to make them [?????] guiding. R & I both speak to public of about 500 at a Presbytarian Church with Bishop Seafield in the chair. R very tired.
Wednesday 25th Apr 1923
Left Government House 9.00 in General Money’s car and reached [??????] 11.30. Gathering of Scouts and Miss [??????] to school building. Nice lot. We both looked at them and talked a little.Then on to Chemainers, Lunched there with old Mr & Mrs Halhad – cousins of Powells. Saw Guides and Scouts on their tennis lawn. Dear little lot. Then on again and saw Scouts and Guides at Nanaimo – very poor lot. Got to
Thursday 26th Apr 1923
Qualicum Beach at 6.0 and thankful for it as we are both tired out – at least Robin is very worn out with this long strenuous rush. General & Mrs Money awfully [??????] nice. [????] the day with [????????????????????]
Lunch & dinner at the Money’s [???????] hotel also big.
Friday 27th Apr 1923 SEATTLE
Leave Qualicum Beach at 4.30 with General Money driving us and get to Nanaimo to catch 8.30 train to Victoria. Lovely journey. Arrive Victoria 12.5 and go to lunch and spend afternoon with Governor Nichols and nice wife. Mrs Tyrell Godman to see and about Guides. Catch 4.30 boat to Seattle. Delightful voyage up Puget Sound and a few American Scout people met us and took us to Foye Hotel to stop. No fuss as we had warned them as R is tired out.
Saturday 28th Apr 1923
Left Seattle 8.15 in the “Shusta Express”. Very pretty going along by the sea. Arrived in Portland Oregon 3.0 Dodged a crowd of reporters and Scout also at the station and bolted off for a quiet walk in the town. They met us at the train on our return, only [????] to be kind! Giving us roses and Girl Scouts turned up too to welcome us. Left at 4.00 and bundled away southwards all night.
Sunday 29th Apr 1923
Travelled all day. Typed dozens of letters for myself and also for R and looked out of the window! Lovely journey for hours in sight of ripping mountains “Shusta” and then right along by beautiful River. Suddenly come out onto [??????? ??????]hills where they have copper mines. Cross on a ferry from Oaklands and arrive at San Francisco to find kind “Aunt Helen” [??????] awaiting us. Stay at Fairmont Hotel.
Monday 30th Apr 1923 San Francisco
Drive about San Francisco and see the seals on the rocks – up over the Twin Peaks etc. Quite lovely. The “travelling party” collects itself and we all start off via Berkeley (where we visit the University) and get on board the private [??????] carriage “Patriot”. Most lovely sight looking out to the Golden Gate as the sun set in blazing gold. The “party” consists of us, Aunt Helen, Nanette Bewley, Mrs [????], Miss Arnold, and Mrs Moore
May 1923
June 1923
Transcribed by Veronica Ballard
Friday 1st June 1923
Sail in S.S. Montclare [became HMS Montclare in August 1939] from Montreal.
Seen off by Scout & Guide Comms etc with the usual flowers & kind thoughtful little gifts.
Do letters as we sail down the St Lawrence in a cold mist.
Saturday 2nd June 1923 [Sailing back to England]
Anchored all night in mist.
About 6.0 we get on deck in time to see ourselves glide under the big bridge at Quebec.
Pick up mail & passengers off the tug & then sail away & goodbye to Canada.
This has been a good tour and my Darling has enjoyed it a lot too and feels we have done some good for Scouting & Guiding.
Sunday 3rd June 1923 At Sea [Sailing back to England]
Lovely hot sun & smooth water. Sit & bask all day on top deck. Still in sight of the very distant Canadian shores.
Made friends & sat with Mr & Mrs Benham from Croydon. Being very lazy otherwise about talking to people. We’ve had about enough for a bit!
Monday 4th June 1923 [Sailing back to England]
See the last glimpse of Newfoundland. Saw & took photos of a nice little iceberg. Lovely hot sun. Played some sets of deck tennis with Mr & Mrs Benham, Capt. Galt, Miss Lawford, etc.
Tuesday 5th June 1923 [Sailing back to England]
Stayed in bed late. Up for lunch on deck. Played several sets of deck tennis with Mr & Mrs Benham.
To bed before dinner as it is cold out, hot inside & the ship is lurching about a bit.
Wednesday 6th June 1923 [Sailing back to England]
Stay in bed all day as the ship is rolling & it is cold & grey & horrid out.
Slept more or less all the time & so did R. for the first time in his life, only getting up for meals. So good for him.
Read “The Shadow Line” by Conrad.
Thursday 7th June 1923 [Sailing back to England]
Get up in time for lunch.
Sit on deck & read all afternoon.
Played deck tennis in evening.
R. presided over concert & I went to bed!
We are so excited & delighted about getting near home at last.
Friday 8th June 1923 [Sailing back to England]
Played deck tennis. Windy & cold.
So gorgeous & thrilling to be getting home.
Sight coast of Ireland at bedtime.
Saturday 9th June 1923 [ Mother’s London Flat ]
Pass Isle of Man early & steam into the Mersey about 11.0. Have to anchor in the river whilst other ships use the wharf & land about 6.0. Special train takes us all to London arriving there 11.0.
R stays with luggage at Euston Hotel & I go to Mother’s at her flat for the night & talk with her till after 1.0am!
Sunday 10th June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Arrive at Bentley Station & met there by the beloved babies all yelling and jumping with delight. Too heavenly & then getting to Pax. Staff was most joyous.
All clean & spotless & well looked after by faithful Annie and Grace & Margery and all.
The garden beautiful & spick & span too & altogether it is just too perfect & lovely!
Monday 11th June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
We simply gloat and revel in being at home again. Picnic lunch with Wades & their Wade brother & sister- in- law at the camp field & R to fish & catch a nice trout.
Tuesday 12th June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Topsy rather lame from poor shoeing & a vet came & ordered poulticing.
The two Ainsworths & Wades to tea.
Wednesday 13th June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Lettice Hill to stay to do letters by the yard.
Mrs Eggar to tea & her husband & the older brother, Tom Eggar who gave the ground for the Bentley Memorial Hall, came just to call.
Thursday 14th June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
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Friday 15th June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Robin to London for Mercers & stayed night to do the 5th D.G. Dinner.
Poured with rain. Walked to call on Mrs Ray, newcomer to small house in the village.
Tea with Mrs Eggar & see over the Memorial Hall.
Saturday 16th June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Met Robin at Woking station. Lunch at Gammouls[?] & then picked up Christian & Clare at their school & then to Dene Court & picked up Peter. Looking so well & grown up a great deal.
Took them all to Horticultural Gardens & then play in the woods & have tea at Huts Hotel.
Drop them off at their respective schools & then home to beloved Pax.
Sunday 17th June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
The London Guide Div. Com Mrs Paget & Mr & Mrs Ray to tea. Mrs Paget & Mrs Ray are sisters.
Monday 18th June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
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Tuesday 19th June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Monty to stay for the night. She is a dear good thing.
Wednesday 20th June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Mrs Robertson and her two boys, Dixie Ballard & her nurse to tea.
Dear nice sensible little Miss Robinia Hamilton [guider from Victoria Australia] to stay the night.
Thursday 21st June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
R and I up to London Guide H.Q. meeting.
Lunch with Rosie after it at the Reubens with also Alice Behrens, dame Helen Gwynne Vaughan, Mdlle De Montmort Baronne Lorce[?] etc & talked Guides!
Go to Heel & buy a bed for Robin.
Meet Sheelagh Reede for a chat at H.Q. Also Mrs Cavendish [Comm home from Malaya].
Home to Pax. Lovely Alice to stay. Two Belgian Scouts & “Pip” to dine & slept in the summer house.
Friday 22nd June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Robin to London & on to Durham. Lettice came for lunch & do letters in the afternoon. Strolled over the top of the hill.
Topsy better & nearly fit to ride again.
Babies to tea with Robertsons.
Saturday 23rd June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Alice goes for the day to see her nephew at school at Sunningdale. Off in “Jimmie”. Picnic lunch with Heather near Normandy. Pick up Peter & take them to see ripping motor races at Brooklands. They enjoyed it & then we three picnicked together by the canal near Pyrford. Dropped Pete & called at Woking on Jonah & new baby.
Picked up Alice & Mdlle De Montmort at Farnham station & go home. Mdlle De M is helping guiding in France.
Sunday 24th June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Alice, Eileen Wade, Gammy, Heather, Betty & Mdlle de Montmort & I drove in big car to Foxlease.
Lunch & prowl all about the lovely place.
Rosie Kerr & Baronne Lorce arrive 2.0 & take them back in car to Pax.
Baronne Lorce will sing at guide concert on Thursday. She went back to London after dinner & Rosie stayed the night.
Monday 25th June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Robin returned home.
Rosie & Mdlle de Montmort left.
Took babies for walk ride on Topsy and Caesar.
Mrs Fisher [from Alice Holt], Miss Joy & Mrs Christy and Meade home to tea.
Tuesday 26th June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Robin to Oxford to have D.C. L. conferred on him tomorrow.
Took babies for walk ride on Topsy & Caesar.
Rebecca Johnson, new parlourmaid came for a month’s trial
Wednesday 27th June 1923 [Mother’s flat]
Lunch with Mrs Everett. I.O. at office
To London to stay night with Mother. Robin joins us there late.
Thursday 28th June 1923 [Mother’s Flat ]
To office early & see Dr. [female] Krehoursky, guide Comm from South Australia. Also Lady Plumer about Malta.
Lunch with Mrs Rawnsley at Eaton Mansions to talk about Lincolnshire.
To concert at Mrs Simon Brand’s house in Carlton House Terrace to raise funds for international guide work. Very successful & lovely music. Lady Maud Warrender sang. Mr Spelling & Mr Anthony etc all gave their services. The party afterwards talked & saw Aunt Ger in Knightsbridge. Took Mother to see splendid wild animal film at Polytechnic.
Friday 29th June 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Went shopping and Mother gave me a frock, hat etc & some Jaegar sheets for Robin.
Returned with Robin to Pax in time for lovely tea on the verandah.
Adorable this place is!
Saturday 30th June 1923 [in faint pencil] [Pax Hill ]
Flowers in church.
Gardening[?]
County Rally at Dorking 3.0
Robin to Warwickshire
July 1923
Monday 2nd Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Lady Brooks arr 6.30
Tuesday 3rd Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Ba to stay am Bentley 2.10
Black Prince arr 7.49
Wednesday 4th Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Mrs Booker to lunch
Mrs Fisher’s garden party 3.30 to 7.0
Maud to stay & perhaps Harvey also
Thursday 5th Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Daphne Douglas Hamilton & governess to lunch
Children’s hay party
Betty Broadwood, 3 Neechams, May Michael & Crum, Dixie Ballard & her mother.
Friday 6th July 1923 [Pax Hill ]
International Council 11.0 at H.Q.
Lady Samuel 1.0
Imperial Council 2.30
The party at Lady Laura Johnson 4.30
See Monty
Mrs Eggar’s party
Hilda to stay 9.34
Saturday 7th Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Flowers in church
Lady Newbolt to stay arr Bentley 5.45
[These entries above are all in faint pencil]
Tuesday 10th Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Dr. Jones to see R.
Took R to cottage hospital at Alton to have his knee xrayed. Called on Sir John Atkinson on the way home & saw him & his garden.
Hilda left. Ride walk with all 3 babies on the three animals.
Wednesday 11th Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
About forty hot members of Women’s Institute to tea at Pax. Boiling day - & party went off well.
Thursday 12th Jul 1923 [Peterborough ]
Piping hot. Do letters & leave R sitting in the shady rose garden.
To London & call at H.Q. & chat with Monty about things.
Leave Kings Cross in a boiling train & have dinner & arrive Peterboro’ about 7pm.
Guide Rally in the field at Mrs Bryant’s house Westwood House & see nice Brownies too. Stay the night there. Mrs B. nice caring & her friend’s daughter.
Friday 13th Jul 1923 [Northampton] [pencil]
Rallies all day.
Lunch at club in Northants with about 14 Comms. Speak to Local Association there. Small dull meeting rather & very hot.
Run to Wellingborough for excellent rally on school playing field About 700
Rushed back to Northampton
Saturday 14th Jul 1923 [Euston Hotel] [pencil]
Rally at 11.0 at Whittlebury.
Gammy for holiday
Rally 3.0 Guisborough
Rally 6.0 Horton
7.46 leave Northampton
9.10 arr Euston
Stay Euston Hotel. Room booked.
Sunday 15th Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Slept at Euston Hotel
Catch 8.45 at Waterloo. Met at station by Robin & babies. Robin’s knee really better.
Rodney Wood to stay.
Monday 16th Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Rodney Wood left walking off on a hike with his pack on his back.
Walk ride to the river & babies paddled & had a happy tea picnic there with all the animals. Delicious fun.
Tuesday 17th July 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Clarice Warren came to tea and talk.
Robin’s leg really better.
Walk ride after tea down to the Wades and along by Duncans.
Wednesday 18th Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
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Thursday 19th Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Walk ride in morning to the station with all 3 babies & met Alice B. who came for lunch on route to London.
Man came to put the wireless in order.
Eric Williams came with a lady friend[!] Miss Hevigle[?] to tea. Gardened.
Friday 20th Jul 1923 [Brother Arthur’s house ? ]
[in faint pencil]
Liverpool St 10.50 11.13
Romford arr. 11.33 11.53
To H….[ ? ]
To be……. [ ? ]
For Rosie & me.
H.Q. Committee 2.0
Lady Cadeaux 4.0
Lady Carisbrooke at office.
…………[ ? ]
Saturday 21st Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Walk around Arthur’s farm with him & see pigs & cows etc.
Loaf on the lawn with Mrs Jardine (who used to come to Bradfield in 1905-06 etc) & George Watkins (who we knew at Lilliput 1909-10) etc played tennis.
Motored to Aylesbury for Scout Rally run by Arthur as County Comm. Aunt Connie Smyth there etc. Tea at Mrs Hazell’s & house. Motored home to Pax, dining at Beaconsfield on route.
Sunday 22nd Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
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Monday 23rd Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Robin & I go in big car taking Mrs Eggar to Foxlease. Great fun & fuss.
Car meets H.R.H. Princess Mary & brings her along to spend the afternoon with us all.
Alice & I take her all round the place & she loved it. Really keen & interested in it all & liked being unofficial & unstiff!
R. took her in our car & saw her off again too & then trundled back home. Mr & Mrs Wilson Everett to stay the night.
Tuesday 24th Jul 1923 [ Rye Hill, Nunthorpe, Yorks ]
Leave the Everetts at Pax & R. & I to London.
See Miss Violet Oldham [D.C.] about Isle of Wight guide matters.
Talk to Monty who goes off to Canada for a holiday this week & she sees me off at Kings Cross for Yorkshire.
Lunch & tea on train & arr. Middlesbrough 6.40. Mrs Charles Dorman meets me [C.C. for all North Riding & stay with her at Rye Hill, Nunthorpe Nice.
Wednesday 25th Jul 1923 [Rye Hill, Nunthorpe, Yorks]
Motor off in ripping big car with Miss Dorman, Miss Thomson [County Sec] & Miss Bolschow[?] [D.C.] over lovely hills & wild lonely country to Kirby Moorside. Lunch there with Mrs Shaw [D.C.]. Rally of about 9 Guide companies from villages. Very smart!
Then motor on miles & miles to Scarborough. Tea with Miss Baker[D.C.]etc.
Rally of about 300 guides & some brownies too.
Good. Came here last I suppose in 1896!!
Home to Rye Hill over quite glorious moors.
Thursday 26th Jul 1923 [ Rye Hill, Nunthorpe, Yorks ]
Visit Guide Club rooms[?] of Mrs G….. [?] at Nunthorpe & Miss Bolschow’s jolly one – a loft at her house.
Middlesborough Rally of about 1500 guides and a lot of Brownies too. Howling gale which was most distracting.
Friday 27th Jul 1923 [ Hotel at Kings Cross ]
Run in the morning to Middlesborough and go over the wonderful steel factory of Dorman [my host] Long & Co. Quite thrilling & jolly seeing red hot lumps of steel dragged along & rolled out into girders etc. I loved it.
Picnic lunch on the way to Bedale for nice little glorious rally of about 150 guides. Nice & guidey. Camp fire talk & seen off & catch train at Northallerton. Arr. Kings Cross 9.40 & sleep at hotel there.
Saturday 28th Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Run along & see Mother & fetch Christian from flat to Pax for the first half of her holiday.
Peter to prize giving day at Dane Court and Robin went there.
Dear Babs Macgregor travelled down from London in our carriage & it was nice to have a talk with her again.
Sunday 29th Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Heavenly being at home again & the house is full of jolly children.
Mr & Mrs Richards (the man who grows fruit here) to tea.
Monday 30th Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Robin to London to see Danish Scouts and to take them to see the Duke of York and old Queen Alexandra.
Pick up Peter at Byfleet Station on my way home (in spite of missing his first train!)
We borrowed the pony, Tommy & Heather &Betty & Christian & Yvonne all ride down to meet him at Bentley Station. A great homecoming!
Lettice comes for night.
Tuesday 31st Jul 1923 [Pax Hill ]
Mrs Lewis White & Miss Marx to tea yesterday.
Photographer Dannatt ? comes over from Woking & takes photographs of us all, all the morning, in between rain showers, on ponies[?], in best clothes etc. such a business.
R. to meeting about Bentley at Memorial Hall.
August 1923
September 1923
October 1923
November 1923
December 1923
End notes 1923
[1] Donald Ferlys (1897–1973), the only son of B-P’s elder brother Sir George (1847–1898). As he was B-P’s only nephew, and fatherless, B-P had always “kept an eye” on him.
