Olave Baden-Powell's Diary for 1911 She was 22 in February January 1911 X Transcribed by Carol Pateman Written along margin of page Noel - [Little?] Whiskers. May 10th Sun 01 Jan 1911 Out in the car - to see where the sea has made a new entrance through the harbour wall at Mudeford - home via Ringwood. Interesting and long talks with L. Saly. Mon 02 Jan 1911 He and dear [fluffy?] Major Crispine left - and we started dismantling the house - to be knocked about and newly and nicely dressed inside. Dad is bearing a beastly last [wind well?]. Squashed. Tue 03 Jan 1911 To teach the children - they were rather sweet Tho' stupid today. Auriol packed - got everything for three whole months into one trunk and one hold-all. Wed 04 Jan 1911 She and Dad started out on their journey to the shimmering shiny east - i.e. India - and home via Ceylon where they will do a 12 day motor tour. They will go to Bombay, Agra, Benares, Darjeeling, Calcutta etc etc. Thu 05 Jan 1911 Went in the car to lunch at West Park with the Cootes - and Mother left me there nominally for two dances - but I shirked the first - I stayed happily at home whilst Dorothy Fox and Bob and Madelaine Colman went. The Colmans lived at Cranbourne before us and now near Warminster where Alice and Richard Bowen now hunt the South West Wilts Fox Hounds. Fri 06 Jan 1911 To the Fordingbridge dance - nice but why go!! Sat 07 Jan 1911 Why I wonder do dances not appeal to me. Bob.C. dances beautifully L. Saly. was there and [so ugly?] and dances [wildly?] but we sat out 8 dances and talked! I was carried home to [?] Regis in the Coote's lovely Crossley car - and it was a nice visit really. D. Fox is nice and very [cushioning?] and Lady C. is a saint. Lunch with Bottomleys [Susan?] old maid Lizzie - gone written to a son! Sun 08 Jan 1911 [Entry above runs over this date] Mon 09 Jan 1911 Mother and I leaving the spaniels with the nice Parkstone vet - go up to London in the yellow car - and staying at Hotel Curzon. Very nice and comfy. Tue 10 Jan 1911 Anthea came to tea and dinner - and Frances C. and her brother and mother and stepfather are here - and we meet for most meals. Walk about shops alone - after Mother and I up to Whiteley and "do" evening frocks! Wed 11 Jan 1911 To tea with Dora Little - who has hurt her knee skating To skate by my home at Prince's. Do very badly! Mother and I to see F. R. Benson and Marion Terry in "The Piper" (of Hamelin). Very disappointing as it has good bits in it. But F. R. B. rants so. Thu 12 Jan 1911 Took Henry Sykes to skate at Princes - great fun. Shopped with Mother. Frieda to dinner - so cheerful. Fri 13 Jan 1911 To tea with Mrs Bingle - in her lovely new house - Col. Critchley Salmonson of Cannes fame is here! Yesterday I went to Mme Ross - a wonderful palmist and clairvoyant and she told me lots - see page I. With Frieda to the Little Theatre and saw charming Mozart Ballet - danced by adorable children - a nice little play called "The Fotheringay" and a weird and lovely Chinese play "The Dragon of Water" in Chinese by Chinese people - very good and tragic. Sat 14 Jan 1911 [See Sunday 15 Jan 1911] Sun 15 Jan 1911 [Written over Sunday page in diary] Saturday. Angela S to lunch and we 3 to charming play "Nobody's Daughter" Gerald du Maurier quite splendid and adorable. [??]. Francis C. and Bon her brother to see "The Quaker Girl" - funny. Aunt Ger to lunch - and I went with Miss de [Murry?] to [Allunt?] Hall concert. Very nice and to tea there. Mon 16 Jan 1911 To tea with Dorothy Fox (Eaton Square) and Georgie and Henry Sykes to dine and he and I went to The Palace Music Hall - simply ripping. Tue 17 Jan 1911 Francis and Bon started for [Olequns?] - just as well! A lovely and supportive singing lesson from a delightful Mme Matthay - I have a voice! I knew it - and I will someday sing! To shop and skated at Prince's with Henry and Georgie joined us for tea. To concert with Mrs Holland - lovely [Wittkoursha?] sang well. Wed 18 Jan 1911 Lovely skating lesson again from nice instructor Adams and Mme Matthay sang me again! Aunt Ger to lunch. Mother and I to "A Simple Man" - Delightful. Cyril Maude etc splendid. Thu 19 Jan 1911 Skated with a nice Mrs Hare. Uncle Murray to lunch. Shopped and did dentist and tea with Aunt Ger! Col. C. S. left here last Monday but Henry made up for it that evening! Fri 20 Jan 1911 Another singing lesson Mother sat for last time to G. H. Riviene for her lovely portrait. Fitted nice evening frocks at Liberty and shopped and tead at Harrods. It is jolly here. Sat 21 Jan 1911 Shopped by myself. Mother and I to "Nobody's Daughter" again - quite delightful. Tragic and charming. Sydney Valentine - Marsh Allen - Rosalie Follen - all act it beautifully. H. G. Ford to dine and Arthur up for night and we up to see a mad and very funny play "Is Matrimony a Failure". Roared with laughter but couldn't sit through it again! Arthur to Folkstone to see his Cynthia! Aunt Ger and Aunt Con to lunch tea and dinner! Aunt Con to concert with me. Sun 22 Jan 1911 [Entry above runs over this date] Mon 23 Jan 1911 Mrs Hare to tea here yesterday and I went to her today. Her husband played the fiddle - pathetically badly - her 3 babies sprawled on the floor! Mother to see Mme Ross palmist who foretold wonderful things for all 3 of us - and nice too. Mr and Mrs Rolleston to dine and with us to see "Henry VIII" - splendid Arthur Bourchier - Violet Vanburgh and Tree - awfully good. - Finished my dentist Tue 24 Jan 1911 [Entry above runs over this date] Wed 25 Jan 1911 Called on jolly tho' common Littles and tea with artists friends Bahers and shopped Skated with Mrs Hare. Arthur to lunch and Angela S. P. to see "Inconsistent George" - very funny! Nice Charles Hawtrey marvellous. Thu 26 Jan 1911 Uncle Fred and his 7th son Julian up to this hotel for the night and maid Lilly with us. Julian and Mother [Thelma?] F. Fodden and Pickering to see ["Frightening Mrs Pammund"?] - Rotten Fri 27 Jan 1911 Never before have I been able or wanted to come out before the last act but last night we did - Pinero's play was so sickening. Major C. there to see "young Ford" with Ada up to sit peacefully in [ Islington ? Leighton ? ] House after. Mother and I to splendid performance at the Coliseum. Topping conjurer Lafayette. Mother photographed and Aunt Ger to lunch. Sat 28 Jan 1911 [Entry above runs over this date] Sun 29 Jan 1911 [Missing page - next entry Mon 6 Feb 1911] Mon 30 Jan 1911 [Missing page - next entry Mon 6 Feb 1911] Tue 31 Jan 1911 [Missing page - next entry Mon 6 Feb 1911] February 1911 Wed 01 Feb 1911 [Missing page - next entry Mon 6 Feb 1911] Thu 02 Feb 1911 [Missing page - next entry Mon 6 Feb 1911] Fri 03 Feb 1911 [Missing page - next entry Mon 6 Feb 1911] Sat 04 Feb 1911 [Missing page - next entry Mon 6 Feb 1911] Sun 05 Feb 1911 [Missing page - next entry Mon 6 Feb 1911] Mon 06 Feb 1911 Dear old Ba Heysham is staying with Millicent having had bronchitis - & her other sister Edythe Gub is ill again. Poor Mya Bottomley has been 5 months without her voice - ... Tue 07 Feb 1911 ... what awful illnesses people do have - why - all funk? Bob Jardine the strong sporting hulk of a man is I hear dying in Egypt. Very sad. Fetched the two spaniels home Doogy quite glorious. Wed 08 Feb 1911 Mother & I rashly went to see funny "Inconstant George" in Bournemouth. They acted it as well as they could - but of course they couldn't act - Thu 09 Feb 1911 ... at least not a play like that which depends so entirely upon the actors - & Hawtrey is exceptional in those sorts - just funny by being himself. To tea with Ba & Millicent - Ba is quite heavenly - there... Fri 10 Feb 1911 ... isn't anybody like her in this world or any other! She is a mixture of strong man - soft woman quaint child & kind angel. What could be lovelier. If I was a man I'd rather marry her than anyone & ... Sat 11 Feb 1911 ... yet the men seem to think of her only as a man pal. She seems to think of them in the same way. Can & does she really I wonder inside - has she no longings to be loved like me! & other girls who I suppose feel the same Sun 12 Feb 1911 Played at putting the house straight. It is jolly we two being alone here - & the house is looking so nice with all... Mon 13 Feb 1911 ... the improvements. Drove Ba to their old home Grata Quis - which is going to be sold. Awful gloomy house & still more sad when one thinks of dear Cecil dying there Tue 14 Feb 1911 Yesterday a great event - Mother's portrait arrived & was successfully hung at the bottom of the stairs by "Edward de Rushke" (Chauffeur) & me. It looks lovely & is ... Wed 15 Feb 1911 ... actually her. Georgie & Henry Sykes to tea yesterday & I Caught a few all too fleeting glimpses of Ba. Drove to & shopping in Parkstone. A dove tragedy - Wallace killed one - but... Thu 16 Feb 1911 ... it was a cock & was returning to London in exchange for a hen. Poor little thing. It happened in the cart whilst driving Ba to G. Q. again where Edith Gubbins is for 2 months Fri 17 Feb 1911 Arthur came in "blue nose" - his car & away tomorrow to stay at Alresford. He is sweet. Sheets of rapture from Auriol in India - riding elephants & seeing snake charmers etc Sat 18 Feb 1911 = page missing Sun 19 Feb 1911 = page missing Mon 20 Feb 1911 = page missing Tue 21 Feb 1911 = page missing Wed 22 Feb 1911 Heard from the all-too-faithful Ulric - see Page 4. Here's the 22nd again & my 22nd birthday at the same moment. The years go by so happily & quickly I cannot catch them! Arthur returned & in afternoon... Thu 23 Feb 1911 ... we fetched Miss Etelka Surtees (the great Cynthia's sister - see Dec 21st 1910) for a motor run & tea here Quite nice & pretty. Has just had a 2 years' engagement to an Italian Count broken off & she is only 18 [h run?] ! Fri 24 Feb 1911 Arthur & I rode & the dog ran. After we 3 motored to call on Sybil Gloster (n‚e Pontifex) at Corfe Mullen Oh l… l… - for my thoughts Sat 25 Feb 1911 I feel very good having wired to say no I will not meet Ulric! Such a little feeble attempt at strong mindedness! I don't love him - but my heart palpitates! Sun 26 Feb 1911 AG. & I rode again yesterday & Today walked up with Millicent in her bath Chair to Henry's new House which is getting on well. This house is Lovely now & ... Mon 27 Feb 1911 ... the courtyard of red brick is such an improvement & the Verandah is immense! Mother Arthur & I to lunch with Sykes' & shop in Bournemouth & evening to see "Nobody's Daughter" awfully well acted & Leonard Boyne etc - Ripping play. Tue 28 Feb 1911 Arthur back to Windsor. Oh dear - another letter yesterday I'm done for - he left no loop hole or address & was at the little gate on the shore road in awful rain at 10. We only talked ordinarily about mere ... Wed 01 Mar 1911 ... nothings for 15 minutes & then coldly parted. I always seem to talk of nothing when I have most to say! But there is nothing more to say about that. I confide in Millicent & she is sweet. Thu 02 Mar 1911 She agrees with me that it is not wrong to write to each other - as my letters will not stop him falling in love with somebody else & also the writing would give us both vast pleasure. Arthur Rolleston to stay. Fri 03 Mar 1911 He is in the R.H.A. & on sick leave after very bad fever last summer. Very nice - nice looking & quiet - just like his sister Una - who I think I first saw on Jan 27th 1910 (see also mem. in 1910 Diary) Mote to Corfe & Mrs Deacon to stay March 1911 Transcribed by Sue Ardern Tue 28 Feb 1911 Arthur back to Windsor. Oh dear - another letter yesterday I'm done for - he left no loop hole or address & was at the little gate on the shore road in awful rain at 10. We only talked ordinarily about mere ... Wed 01 Mar 1911 ... nothings for 15 minutes & then coldly parted. I always seem to talk of nothing when I have most to say! But there is nothing more to say about that. I confide in Millicent & she is sweet. Thu 02 Mar 1911 She agrees with me that it is not wrong to write to each other - as my letters will not stop him falling in love with somebody else & also the writing would give us both vast pleasure. Arthur Rolleston to stay. Fri 03 Mar 1911 He is in the R.H.A. & on sick leave after very bad fever last summer. Very nice - nice looking & quiet - just like his sister Una - who I think I first saw on Jan 27th 1910 (see also mem. in 1910 Diary) Mote to Corfe & Mrs Deacon to stay Sat 04 Mar 1911 A. R. & I rode slowly yesterday & today. After mote to Bradbury Rings, Ringwood etc & evening Sykes' to dine Jolly day. Sun 05 Mar 1911 Loafed in the sun & walked up to Hinny's House & Millicent & a Mrs Ellis to tea. Oh how sad & tragic. Poor little Angela Shuttleworth's daughter of 17 Finella died in Paris of meningitis. And only a few short weeks ago she... Mon 06 Mar 1911 ... went there to finish her education. Not sad for her poor little nervous girl - but Angela has had so many blows & troubles & is yet so brave. They bury her at Kingston Hill tomorrow. It is very awful Tue 07 Mar 1911 Mrs Deacon left yesterday she is sweet & childish & so "well preserved"! Mother A. R. & I to fairly good concert in Winter Gardens & it rained all day. To children - & ----------------- A. R. & I rode along to the Haven. Wed 08 Mar 1911 This day last year Dad & I arrived at Cannes & I saw W.R.H. for the first time. I write to him to celebrate the occasion & to Ulric too - who I had a nice letter from yesterday This diary seems to be becoming a ... ... list of letters I get & I send! ----- Wednesday Walk with A. R - who I like awfully. All 3 to lunch at Sandel with De Mauny's - on to look At Cranbourne where Lady Airlie was charming & let us go over the house - ... quite the loveliest there ever was. Tea with Millicent - & Sykes' & Edith Bottomly to dine - good day - Thu 09 Mar 1911 Molly Bottomley & Edythe Gubbins to lunch - & after all 5 to good concert - Hans Wessley fiddled well. Fri 10 Mar 1911 Sat 11 Mar 1911 A. R. & I rode yesterday & played squash & Ada Berg to stay - Wet - we 3 to Pachmann piano recital - quite nice - to see the newly done up Valley House (Bottomleys) A.G. R. is delightful & gets nice & nicer. Ada is twee Sun 12 Mar 1911 Ada - A.R. & I in the car for a run in the Forest - delicious & great jokes. Squash & A.R.'s step-mother & brother Stopford Brooke to stay the night - arriving at 9.30 - his car having broken down en ... Mon 13 Mar 1911 ... route. Nice man very. He went off again at 12 to-day taking A.R. with him & I am desol‚e! He fitted in to our ways so in these 11 days. Mote to Corfe - & dear brave buffetted Angela S. to stay She is a brick & this... Tue 14 Mar 1911 = page removed Wed 15 Mar 1911 = page removed Thu 16 Mar 1911 = page removed Fri 17 Mar 1911 = page removed Sat 18 Mar 1911 [?] Fisher to play squash yesterday A huge & glorious shock - deserves a whole page ! Auriol writes from Ceylon that she is engaged to be married to a man of 40 - Bob Davidson Sun 19 Mar 1911 Has a place in Scotland & large estates in Ceylon Dad likes him & has given his consent & he comes here to ask Mother at Easter. Hurrah! How lovely for her & us! Mon 20 Mar 1911 Mother & I are mad over Auriol's engagement - think & talk of nothing else 'tho we know so little. Nobody else is to know yet. Tue 21 Mar 1911 Drove in victoria yesterday morning & mote in afternoon & drop Edythe Gub. & Millicent to tea with Miss Malkeane at Kinson. Heavenly day. Wed 22 Mar 1911 Had planned to go to Bryn [Cistyn?] for to see the Grand National but am not going cos Mother wants me to be here when the "betrothed one" returns! To teach the ... Thu 23 Mar 1911 ... children with Janet. Millicent & Miss Pontifex to lunch yesterday & we motored to shop in B- mouth & tea with old Miss Hall from Derbyshire Comic old thing stayed with us at Cranborne. Fri 24 Mar 1911 Awful March days "Cold lamb" Mother calls it - cos Sydney Smith the wit said when told March came in like a lion & went out like a... Sat 25 Mar 1911 ... lamb - jolly cold lamb tho' How silly we should think that if a so-called wit said it now. Chickened with little success. Sun 26 Mar 1911 Mother said "Bury the one that is lying dead - & it was alive & after feeding it on egg & mutton broth - till it talked & walked - it died in the night in ... Mon 27 Mar 1911 ... its basket in my bed ! Mother getting frenzied about Auriol's return - any time now. We got a letter from her - saying little about Bob but then that is like her. Tue 28 Mar 1911 To Bournemouth to do clothes - it is nice being near a good town. Mr Milsom - (common but nice) who came here for Aviation week last year is engaged. Wed 29 Mar 1911 To the children who were quite sweet. And Dad & Auriol return at last. Yells from dogs & endless talk amongst all of us. Bob sounds nice Thu 30 Mar 1911 ... but we (Mother & I) long to see him. Auriol is very comic about it & pretends not to care! He gave her a lovely ring & a string of pearls for œ400 ! Fri 31 Mar 1911 I couldn't bear to have anything on me as valuable as that! Arthur came for some more leave. Played squash - exquisite game Cousin Edwin Hill is going to be married again. April 1911 Transcribed by Sue Ardern (Fri 31 Mar 1911 not available) Sat 01 Apr 1911 Biked into Bournemouth. The other motored. I am down in the dumps - I mustn't be! They are so unnecessary! but I have asked... Sun 02 Apr 1911 ...them with a rod of iron for some time now. Edythe Gubbins & her fat husband to tea. - & to think she is a sister of dear Ba! Mon 03 Apr 1911 What gloriously uneventful days. Auriol & Arthur are so funny about their engagements! A G. hopes to do it next month. Auriol's "R.D." ... Tue 04 Apr 1911 ... comes this week on approval we hope. She really does love him. Wed 05 Apr 1911 Mrs Arkwright to lunch - Auriol & I to the children. Awfully cold. Squashed. Auriol has ceaseless telegrams from R.D. & gets heaps of chaff... Thu 06 Apr 1911 ... from us! Into Bournemouth with Mother - got nice new bright scarlet clothes. Joan Bevan is home again - Fri 07 Apr 1911 Walked into Parkstone. for Doogy's ear to be done. Great excitement Robert Davidson my brother-in-law to be arrives. Auriol adores him. We ... Sat 08 Apr 1911 ... don't at first but the more I see him the more I like him & the more suitable he seems Mother is awful over it - in bed all day saying he is not good enough! Sun 09 Apr 1911 Mother in bed in hysterics most of the day - Sykes' to tea & Mother up in time to say good- bye & be nice to R.D. So all is well - Mon 10 Apr 1911 ... but she has small relapses into awful unreasonableness now & then - about me too for having a letter from Ralegh & writing to him. Why shouldn't I ? Tue 11 Apr 1911 = page missing Wed 12 Apr 1911 = page missing Thu 13 Apr 1911 = page missing Fri 14 Apr 1911 = page missing Sat 15 Apr 1911 (space left blank) Brother in law Bob! Came - I won't call it to stay ... Sun 16 Apr 1911 ... as it is now his home - he has no other yet. Arthur & I took Mother to H.C. at Salterns church - moted in afternoon by Cranborne & over downs - home via Blandford Mon 17 Apr 1911 All of us - in yellow car and Blue one to Wincanton Steeplechase meeting. Great fun - lovely day & saw 5 jolly races. Met Bridget Hole there - such a surprise. Tue 18 Apr 1911 Edith Trotter & dear Major Crispin (alias "the fluffy one"!) & his nice brother to stay. Joan Bevan to dinner I like Brother Bob! Wed 19 Apr 1911 To the children. Bob left early. Mr Crispin went off in his car - so odd I played tennis with him at the Trafford - Lawsons on Sept 20 -1907 & he knew me again... Thu 20 Apr 1911 ...but I had absolutely forgotten him. Arthur to stay with Surtees - County Durham. He hopes to ask Cynthia S. to marry him now. Old Kate & Mabyn Baker to lunch yesterday. Fri 21 Apr 1911 Newspaper cutting:- "A marriage has been arranged, and will take place in the autumn, between Robert Davidson, of Colombo, Ceylon, and Auriol, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Soames, of Lilliput Dorset." (This was inserted over Friday) Dear old Friede to stay. She is delicious - & has never seen this home of ours. Edith Trotter left - she is nice but I don't like her views on matrimony! Sat 22 Apr 1911 The fluffy one left. Garden party here. Bob came & dear old Wilfred Wilson to stay Good G.P. - Bottomleys Popes, Masons, Bernards Inmans Patersons etc Sun 23 Apr 1911 The others to lunch with Bakers. We 3 very happy doing nothing here, except a lot of talking! Wilfred is frightfully funny. He wanted to... Mon 24 Apr 1911 ... marry Auriol a few years ago. He is very clever on lots of subjects too. He left. Arthur returned - a little upset but it will be alright I think. Mr Fallowes to lunch & golf Bob beat him. Packed. Tue 25 Apr 1911 Stayed in rooms at little old house 8 Church Street --- Friede & I off on the bust - started by missing our train but got to Stratford on Avon after 8 hours journey! & then to see lovely "Richard II" - quite ... Wed 26 Apr 1911 ... beautifully done by F.R.Benson & Co. It is a glorious play. --- "Did" Stratford - … la Americaine guide book in hand - & lovely walk across fields to Shottery to see Anne... Thu 27 Apr 1911 ... Hathaway (Mrs Wilham!) Cottage - adorable place. Shopped - & after 31/4 hours of glorious tragedy - Macbeth - quite beautifully done by Matheson Lang. Even - to hear dear old Ellen Terry... Fri 28 Apr 1911 ... talk delightfully about Shakespeare's heroines Quite perfect. To Warwick - about the Castle & to Kenilworth too - lovely ruins. Ripping day Sat 29 Apr 1911 Saw "Midsummer Nights Dream" last night Very funny - roared but too ridiculous. Beautifully done tho'. saw maypole & morris dances in gardens by Memorial Theatre - to see the Church where W.S. was... Sun 30 Apr 1911 ... baptized & buried in evening to "Twelfth Night" - Charming. Viola sweet - F.R.Benson beastly as Malvolio. Otherwise delightful. --- --- ---- ----- To church at Holy Trinity May 1911 Transcribed by Sue Ardern Mon 01 May 1911 What a jolly time we've had. I have never known that aviator F. Time Esq go so well. Friede back to her work & I go to Bryn Estyn. Played tennis with Evelyn - Tue 02 May 1911 Couldn't play a bit. All the boys are home except of course Henry the Hussar in S. Africa. Uncle Fred in a very feeble state - Aunt Julie sweet. Motored to lovely place called (Embistock?) Took May Bannerman too. Wed 03 May 1911 She is the girl No‰l thinks he loves & she is really very nice. Dear little Cecil left - he is at Winchester. Wet day - very busy - writing & walking & talking. Thu 04 May 1911 For a run round in the car. Julian went back to Eton. Such a big chap & nicer than I thought Edith Kington (nŠe Soames) has been ill... Fri 05 May 1911 ... at Quetta where her rotten husband is quartered now. Gwelyn joins his regiment in September. He went up to London Motored into Chester & shopped. Sat 06 May 1911 Motored to the (Vron?) (where Uncle F & Aunt J. first lived) & to tea with Bannamans at (Llewn onn?) - another of their homes. Hearing such an extraordinary lot of awful stories of Uncle Fred. Sun 07 May 1911 To church - nice & afterwards all over the Brewery with No‰l - who is so nice again now - tho' horrid & rude when I first came Bannarman's over in the evening & old Col. Hutton who Dad hates. To tea with nice kind people called (Greenshinds?) at Malpas. Lovely garden - I am happy. No‰l very fond of me just now! Mon 08 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Tue 09 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Wed 10 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Thu 11 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Fri 12 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Sat 13 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Sun 14 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Mon 15 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Tue 16 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Wed 17 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Thu 18 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Fri 19 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Sat 20 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Sun 21 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Mon 22 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Tue 23 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Wed 24 May 1911 [ missing - torn out or fell out ] Thu 25 May 1911 To the 16 children alone yesterday & last Monday had them to tea & play on the sands. Bob left. He is nice - but quite the last person we would have thought Auriol would have chosen. To tennis at the Club with Mrs ... Fri 26 May 1911 ... Manser - a nice Mrs Doig there & met her again today when we went to tennis with the Fishers. Coals of fire on my head in a sweet letter from unconscious No‰l this morning. Sat 27 May 1911 Dr Paterson to tennis Bob came down & with him a great friend of his Colonel T.G. Wright - a sweet "little mouse" who was with them on the motor shooting trip in Ceylon when Auriol & Bob got engaged - they did it on Feb 25th Sun 28 May 1911 A dreadful Mr Hodson friend of Bobs to lunch. Barry Fisher to tea & ... Mon 29 May 1911 ... the great & lovely Ba down for 2 days to take Millicent up north. Drove into Bournemouth Tennis. Ropes to tea. Col W. is a sweet thing I talk to him of W.R.H. who is working on the estate next to his in Ceylon. They left. Tue 30 May 1911 Arthur Rolleston to stay - nice & clean & plays tennis well. No word of or from No‰l I am miserable about him June 1911 Transcribed by Sue Ardern Wed 31 May 1911 Derby Day - Sunstar the favourite won. Barry Fisher - Colonel & Elsie Lambert to tennis The last day of an all - important month - & on the 1st I little thought . . . [but she tore out the four pages covering 9th May to 24th May !] Thu 01 Jun 1911 Boating party from 1.30 to 7.30 - in the motor launch with Mrs Barlow - 3 Ravenshaws, Elsie Lambert - etc - round Brownsea Island & tea up at Arne. Jolly. Fri 02 Jun 1911 Brother Arthur came. Motored with our (lunchke?) - to White Parish Hill - looking over Salisbury - exquisite view over the Forest too. Lovely hot day. Joan B. to see us. Sat 03 Jun 1911 Auriol to join Bob in London & stay with Carliles A letter at last from (No‰l?). What can I do - to do him good & make him happy. A. R. & I play in tennis tournament at the Club. I play badly & we don't win! Sun 04 Jun 1911 To church - Doogy comes too & I have to carry the fat darling out. Helen Pontifex to lunch. Capt. Lambert & Dr Barlow to tennis. I write yards to No‰l Mon 05 Jun 1911 Frightfully gloriously hot. Arthur back to Windsor. Dr Barlow & Mrs to tea & frantic tennis games. A. R. & I beat Dad (kin?) 4 times! Tue 06 Jun 1911 I wickedly rejoice over 2 letters from No‰l. A.R. left - & Mother up to London & buy "thing's" for Auriol's future home. Dad & I & dogs drove - & I bathed in the sea - early - never enjoyed it so much or felt it so warm before. --- Wed 07 Jun 1911 To the children & after to play at the tennis club. Violet Linton - Barry Fisher - A Miss Clarke - Mrs Manser etc. Dad dines with Bevans Thu 08 Jun 1911 Dad & I so happy here alone. To nice tennis at Pope's Jovial bumptious Lambert boy - old mad comic Mrs Wylam etc Joan to dine here - our last bachelor dinner-party together - this day week she is married. Fri 09 Jun 1911 We lunch together in the golf link woods too today. Grilling hot Sat 10 Jun 1911 To tennis at (Stone?) Wimborne - with the Masons - they are a cheery host & hostess. That blighter Maurice de M. there - Glosters & the Hemings Sun 11 Jun 1911 Bevans to tea & Collins the painter from Corfe & his wife & the Marquess against whom we fought at tennis. She is a jolly little soul. Mon 12 Jun 1911 Motor towards Blandford & get out & Dad sketches & I bask & Bobby digs in a nice field looking over Poole Harbour. Mother returns from Kingston. Tue 13 Jun 1911 A tragedy - Maude Dukes' fianc‚ has died - very sad. To see Miss de Marny who has returned to Lilliput. Tennis at the Fishers. Great fun. Wed 14 Jun 1911 To the children - Played singles at the tennis Club - v. nice Mrs Doig & beat her. Rachell Hoare (who had Gloria collie last year) to stay - & is 1 of Joan's bridesmaids today. Thu 15 Jun 1911 A great day. I attend my first wedding What an awesome ceremony it is. Nice reception after at Lilliput House. Christina Bernard to stay. Fri 16 Jun 1911 Rachell H. left. Nasty day. Christina is so nice & sensible Rachell's Mother died suddenly from heart & everybody very sorry in the 1st week in July. Sat 17 Jun 1911 Sie Bower to stay & Sylvia Hale who is engaged to be married Dear little thing - Tennis party here - Dr Paterson Mr Athey - Lamberts etc Bob & Auriol return here Sun 18 Jun 1911 We 5 in the car to Creech & climb up the Barrow in a gale. Old Fletcher to lunch. Bottomleys & awful pals to hear him play. Mother seedy. Tennis. Mon 19 Jun 1911 I leave at dawn - to stay at 14 Upper Grosvenor Street with the dear kind Bingles. They take me to the lovely Olympia Horse Show - ripping jumping. Tue 20 Jun 1911 Shop successfully all the morning clothes etc. 3.15 meet No‰l - oh joy - walk, talk, shop, & drive up to Hampstead where I tea with Rollestons... Wed 21 Jun 1911 ...Tube back with Arthur R. & even go to "The Butterfly in the Wheel" melodrama but not bad. Drive round London seeing all the wonderful decorations in the city the traffic was stupendous. Tea with... Thu 22 Jun 1911 ... Aunt Ger & to see Miss Symons in W. Kensington. Old boy of 87 & daughter to dine & Despina Ralli for night. Got up at 5. & after getting squeezed in the terrific crowd in Trafalgar Square got to our room & saw the Coronation Procession... Fri 23 Jun 1911 ... grandly - going to & returning from Westminster A most lovely affair - & so interesting - wouldn't have missed it for worlds Brother Arthur was signalling officer & very important! but I didn't see him. Arthur Rolleston to dine & out to see the illuminations. Friday (continued over page) London has gone mad - the crowd is wonderful. The Bingels to see the Procession. I (shopd?) & go to see H.J. Ford - most amusing revelations about himself & me! Met George Oakes quite by chance. Lunch with my godmother Cousin Phenie Gilstrap) & then to stay with Carliles at lovely (Gaghurst?) near Newport Pagnell. Went there in October 1905 A dear old Mdlle Belloc staying - Mr Carlile & Major Cadogan (Mrs C's brother) come from London - run in the car - Church on Sunday. Mrs Harisson a widow here too. The C's are nice. [Sat 24 Jun 1911 - date papered over with the words above] [Sun 25 Jun 1911 " " " ] Mrs C. is quite an invalid but may be well again some day. Mon 26 Jun 1911 Returned to London to stay with the Bingels again. They are sweet to me. Shopped & evening to see Maria Tempest in "The marriage of Kitty" funny but boring. Whilst waiting for our car after the King & Queen & lovely escort drove past us - & till 1... (next section) ... we watch the grandly clad guests going to Grosvenor House (opposite this one) ball Most amusing. What a jolly place London is. Several wires from No‰l & I am very weak. Tue 27 Jun 1911 Shop - after go to put flowers in Joan B's lodgings - she comes to Town after her honeymoon today. Meet No‰l 4.50 at Paddington - tea at home go to see Beatrice (Valpy?) in Sloane Court - & have a depressing walk back with No‰l & return his ring that I have worn for a week. Bingels dine out & I take Miss Symons to see a nice play called "Passers by". Wed 28 Jun 1911 See No‰l again - walk to see Joan - drive down to... (next page) ... Westminster & back & then good-bye for ever. ----- Return home to (Goring?) for one night & ... Thu 29 Jun 1911 ...off on Thursday morning to stay with nice Watsons at 19 Lingham Street. Plymouth So amusing in rooms. To play tennis at Stoke Club. [Fri 30 Jun 1911 - unclear if Friday written about] Drizelly day - do house shopping & tea out & see animated pictures - small joys that please me just as much as big ones. July 1911 Transcribed by Sue Ardern Sat 01 Jul 1911 To see sports done by the 1400 boys up the training ship "Impregnable". Quite nice. Sun 02 Jul 1911 Biked 17 miles with Captain W. to little place called Yealmpton Mr & Mrs Lanyon here to lunch - & after we 3 to tea with Lady Watson - Capt. W's aunt. Mon 03 Jul 1911 I discourse hard to an ardent Roman Catholic upon Christian Science in spite of a sore throat! To play tennis from 2.30 to 6.30 with nice girls called Wolfreston - jolly A Capt. & Mrs Murray there too Tue 04 Jul 1911 To play tennis at the Stoke Club & tea with Colliers (nephew of the painter John C.) Odd scandal going on here causing great excitement Wed 05 Jul 1911 Us & 3 Wolfreton girls for exquisite picnic. By rail to Steer Point from Millbay - by steam down river Yealm to Newton Ferrers - glorious view of Mewstone etc. Heavenly day. Thu 06 Jul 1911 Left Plymouth & go to Cullompton to stay with Lizzie (our old maid) who is married in her little cottage. Drive out & look longingly at Bradfield - Fri 07 Jul 1911 ... Divine place - & went all over the dear garden Call on farmers etc - Walk up Old Hill & look at lovely Blackboro we loved so - it seems years ago in some ways & then other ways I... Sat 08 Jul 1911 ... feel as if I was still at this - I quite think my favourite home. Leave Cullompton & stop an hour in Exeter - sit by my lone in the cool & lovely Cathedral. Train again & meet dear old pal Babe at (MacGregor) at Yeovil & get home together to (Grig?) again. Hadn't seen her since July 17th 09 - she's been in Switzerland - Just the same now & a ripper & got so handsome. Tennis - very hot (next page) Bathed - ripping - awfully hot - 100 of (puppies/people?) dying from heat in America. Dr Barlow to tennis & Bob & Col. Wright come. Sun 09 Jul 1911 Mote in Bobs nice new car to Hanford Hill beyond Blandford - Lovely. & tennis in afternoon. Dr Barlow & Capt. Lambert. His sister Emily was married & his wife had a baby (both?) last Thursday Mon 10 Jul 1911 Picnic at Lulworth Cove. Tue 11 Jul 1911 Babe left. She is jolly & plays tennis well. To the formal opening by the Duchess of Marlboro' of my waif boy's home. Most successful social affair Wed 12 Jul 1911 Mother - Auriol & Bob off in his car to Dunster via Montacute. They have taken that lovely house for next year Auriol & Bob. She adores him Played in tennis tourney at the Club with Dr Barlow - do rather badly Thu 13 Jul 1911 Bathe with Janet. Violet Linton & Dr Barlow to tennis. I am frightfully tired. Fri 14 Jul 1911 Hottest day I've ever felt. Play tennis at the Club Sat 15 Jul 1911 ... & watch ladies doubles versus Weymouth. Played with Violet L. & needless to say well beaten! Dine with Watkins; next door! Bathe with Joyce Coote She lunches here & then... Sun 16 Jul 1911 ... to play tennis with Pontifex people at Parkstone. - Mother Auriol & Bob return from Cornwall. Capt Lambert & young Domville to tennis. Mon 17 Jul 1911 Dad & I off in the car with our lug! Via Salisbury, Devizes, Chippenham (lunching near Malmesbury) to Stratford-on-Avon. Row on river & walk to Ann Hathaways Cottage. And to --- ? ---- again Tue 18 Jul 1911 so soon - tis a dear dull little place & all the time I keep thinking of when last I was here & what happened just after - I am an ass - but I do feel so absurdly depressed. I who have all I want & shall always have I suppose. I too deserve some real trouble to worry over! Tuesday - Leave the Shakespeare Hotel - & go to see... (next page) Lovely Warwick Castle gardens - gorgeous - Guy's Cliff - Charming Kenilworth (where we lunch) - very attractive then fly this Leamington & lovely English county & Banbury to Oxford. Visit lots of Colleges & get thoroughly muddled over their different beauties - service in Magdalen Chapel lovely. Wed 19 Jul 1911 Wednesday morning - we are very pleased & thrilled by pictures (lovely Turners (next page) ... & Rosetti's) & valuable things at Ashmolean Museum. Leave the Randolph Hotel & hie us home via Abingdon - Newbury, Andover, & Salisbury - lovely wild run & the car went beautifully. Bob here but went away again Thu 20 Jul 1911 Play in tennis tournament at the club & beaten in singles & doubles with Auriol. I'm a rotter. Fri 21 Jul 1911 Play again - beaten again. Awfully hot. Hottest day for 5 years. Sat 22 Jul 1911 Watch very good tennis & to Birkbeck's garden party. Sun 23 Jul 1911 Bathe. Young Domville to tennis. Mon 24 Jul 1911 Bob comes. Garden party here. Tue 25 Jul 1911 Masons. Wighams Watkins Capt. Coote & Joyce (they are not nice tho' I feel weak & grateful to them for what happened in 1909) etc. Bathed Lunch with Hills at (Chattle?) Wed 26 Jul 1911 Auriol to Playfairs garden party yesterday whilst Bob & I had tea by the river at Wimborne - first time I had had a real chat with him. Bevans to dinner. Bob left today To the children. Bathed & to garden party at West Park (Cootes) with Auriol. Aunt Ger & Aunt Mabel (Townsend) in her car to stay. Thu 27 Jul 1911 on the loose by my (love?) on my bike to Cranborne (by train) picnic lunch... Fri 28 Jul 1911 ... in the Close with Violet Linton & back to her home Edmondsham Rectory to tea & tennis. Jolly mad expedition. Very bad heath fires going on about here. Frightfully hot - Bob comes - tennis - & pant. Sat 29 Jul 1911 The aunts left. Play tennis for the club in mixed match with Dr Barlow v. Harlequin T. Club. - & of course get beaten. I'm a tennis Jonah now - what matter! Sun 30 Jul 1911 Mrs Mason & her sister Cousin Connie Hill to lunch yesterday & Maj' Crispin to stay. An awful fit of blue-black Blues my physical fault. Mon 31 Jul 1911 Play again for the club in ladies doubles with Vi Linton against Wimborne - beaten again. August 1911 Transcribed by Sue Ardern Mon 31 Jul 1911 Play again for the club in ladies doubles with Vi Linton against Wimborne - beaten again. Tue 01 Aug 1911 Auriol & Bob to London for the day. To tennis at Branksome Hall (Domvilles) by my home. Nice party Little Charlesworth girl of 19 engaged to eldest Domville boy, quite sweet Wed 02 Aug 1911 Bob left - the last of him for a time as he goes to Scotland. (Friendly?) Major Crispin left too. To the children & tennis at the Rope's in afternoon Nice. Thu 03 Aug 1911 on Coronation night George Watkins' going along saw a nicely dressed Chap tearing along & next minute another after him shouting "stop thief" - Fri 04 Aug 1911 ... bobbies caught the 1st with difficulty & the 2nd on arriving & looking at the other's prostrate form says "George you've got my hat."! Sat 05 Aug 1911 ought to have been a garden party here but it rained. Old Mrs Denny who has taken Lilliput House (next door) & a married... Sun 06 Aug 1911 ... daughter & Chisholms & Ropes came tho'. To the children & play hide & seek with them. Mr. F. Denny (whose kids Frieda teaches) & Mrs Watkins & Mrs Bevan to tea - Mon 07 Aug 1911 ... whilst Mother & Auriol & Arthur tea with Sykes' in their new house on the hill opposite. Auriol seedy - in bed all day. Arthur left to watch tennis at Bournemouth. Tue 08 Aug 1911 See Auriol & Mother & Dosi & Wallace dogs off to stay with Bob at Cumloden - Newton Stewart - N.B! Have my hair washed! Tea with Mrs Wylam & to see tennis. Wed 09 Aug 1911 To teach the children & after take Miss Hubbard (from the Valley House they've taken for 2 months) with us to Rushmore. Pitt - Rivers' garden party & Dorset Automobile Club meeting - such rot - but nice party - & lovely run there - awfully hot. Thu 10 Aug 1911 To very nice tennis party at the Masons. Lamberts there - & Emily who married Hall - Hall on July 6th - etc etc. Fri 11 Aug 1911 Bathing party at The Lido (Sandbanks) Masons & their 3 sweet great nephews & niece - delightful Children. Lunch there - & my 18 waif kids to bathe & have tea down there - good day & so hot - & the water so jolly... Sat 12 Aug 1911 To Bournemouth - shop lunch with Mrs Wylam & to watch finals of the Deane Park Tennis tournament. Sun 13 Aug 1911 Very busy putting the house in order - To see the Children & say good-bye to one of the last years boys I've had down for a week. Ropes & Dr Barlow to very bad tennis! Mon 14 Aug 1911 Domvilles & co to bathe at the Lido. Afternoon played with nice Brooke-Smith man in Evelyn Pontifex's tennis tourney & got 1st prize! Tue 15 Aug 1911 To Bournemouth in the car to shop. Getting quite a trousseau of nice frocks now I'm getting so social! To Masons big garden party - splendid & nice affair. Wed 16 Aug 1911 Enjoyed it thoroughly To the children. Play tennis in Club American tournament with Cecil Domville - great fun - but don't win. I believe I'm... Thu 17 Aug 1911 ... up against it again! Two bad nights caused by a dear (fubsy?) gunner called Marshall I met at Stone & today we go there again for tennis & see him again for an hour & then... Fri 18 Aug 1911 ... fly back to bad tennis at the Barlows party at the Club. Feel horrid about him today too. Domvilles bathe at Lido with me - & after good tennis (with?) us here. Sat 19 Aug 1911 The two nice Watsons (who I stayed with in July) to lunch - they live at Weymouth now. Tennis party at the Lamberts. The dull little bride ... Sun 20 Aug 1911 ... very much there - & The sailor brother & his sub-lieutenant Snapp whose father was parson of Edmondsham when we were at Cranborne. Mon 21 Aug 1911 Most delicious mad epistle from Mr Mason … propos of having called myself a spider! To lunch at Bitterne with dear Mr Wilson who we met at Cannes last year. Tue 22 Aug 1911 ... He's very ill six months & isn't right yet. Played tennis with his rude 17 year old daughter & Charming 15 year old son --- Dear best friend (Flokin?) Brooke to stay - sweet. Wed 23 Aug 1911 Tennis party here - such a joke being sole hostess! Went off splendidly. Domvilles - Bernards Popes - little Sanderson etc. Thu 24 Aug 1911 Walked up to my Boys Home & awful rot - they've got to turn out of the house so the dear little chaps all go. Sie Bower to stay... Fri 25 Aug 1911 ... she is so nice - & cousin of dear Flo's. Flo is sweeter than ever & quite my first friend! George Oakes to stay - very young! Another tennis party. 26 people! Masons Sykes - Walters - Mrs Birkbeck... Sat 26 Aug 1911 ... Mr Llewelyn & two sons - etc. etc. & the two Popes to dine & play bridge - Do nothing all morning & after mote to Bernards picnic at Badbury Rings Rather rot. Sun 27 Aug 1911 Take Flo to church & afternoon motor round by Longham Parley & Christchurch Play tennis. Dad very sweet - Mon 28 Aug 1911 He left for Cumloden at dawn - & I take charge of (Grij?) & its inhabitants. George O. left. Violet Linton to stay. Wet - all to tea with Popes - & shop in Bournemouth. Angela... Tue 29 Aug 1911 ... Hubbard to dinner & music. Christina Bernard to stay. Mote to Wimborne to show Sie etc the Minster. She left - she is nice & told my fortune beautifully last night Vera Hubbard & Janet Forde to dine. Wed 30 Aug 1911 Also Joyce Caste & Evelyn Pontifex to tennis yesterday. Vi Linton left Mother returned. Had Flo photographed! Molly & (Nancy?) Wavill & Gladys Shipway etc to lunch. Thu 31 Aug 1911 Christina left - & Flokin who I escort to Salisbury We see the Cathedral & then thanks to Christina Bernard to lunch with the Dean! September 1911 Transcribed by Sue Ardern Fri 01 Sep 1911 He is Page Roberts who used to be at Vere Street - & rather important. Such a dear - & his wife too & 3 dull daughters. So funny & we were amused... (next page) ... arriving like that to lunch with strangers. See Flo off then to Warminster & return to Wimborne where Mother picked me up in the car - & we shop in Bournemouth & again on Friday morning & M. gave me lovely little silver cigarette box & nice ear-rings. Sat 02 Sep 1911 Una & Arthur Rolleston to stay. - Sunday 03 Sep 1911 Tea with Sykes' at their new house "Greystoke". Mon 04 Sep 1911 Friede to stay - The Wilson boy & girl to lunch & tennis - Evelyn Pontifex to tennis too. Una R. has so ... Tue 05 Sep 1911 ... improved after her winter (refusing proposals of marriage!) in Malta. Boating picnic to Arne with the Hubbards - Quite lovely. Nice (Zuluettas?) too Wed 06 Sep 1911 (really difficult to read) Mote with lunch via Dorchester to (------ ?) Abbotsbury home by Weymouth Wool & Wareham. Dear Flo (---?) returned late having missed connection Thu 07 Sep 1911 We 3 white clad girls & Arthur the Reserved on the "Viking" with Henry & George Sykes to picnic at Old Harry - Lovely All paddled madly & home for small tennis party here - last this season Fri 08 Sep 1911 Mrs Bevan to dinner last night. Very hot & lovely. Arthur R. left - not heart broken after all To see good tennis at Parkstone Club (big week going on same as last year) & after we five to see... Continuing ... Maud Allan in her lovely sensational & gracefully glorious classical dances. I loved her & her superb attitudes. Bournemouth audience not enthusiastic Sat 09 Sep 1911 (on next page) Dear big Flokin left. To see exciting finals at the Club - the Allen Bros. beaten again & then to tennis at Upton with Llewellins - nice Bill - but Mrs is awful Sun 10 Sep 1911 Slopped about & packed! Mrs Bevan to dinner - Mon 11 Sep 1911 We four off in the car via Salisbury Amesbury Savernak Forest - Marboro' Swindon - to Cheltenham Stay at Queens Hotel Tue 12 Sep 1911 Prowl about dull town & then off in thick mist to Gloster - look at Cathedral & then without lovely usual view of the Severn to Bristol - over Mendip Hills ... Continuing... to Cheddar & tea in lovely Gorge after viewing the wonderful stalactite caves - to Wells & then via Radstock to Bath - & stay in good Empire Hotel by the Abbey. Wed 13 Sep 1911 (on next page) Home via Wells Glastonbury Somerton Martock Montacute Yeovil - Sherborne - Sturminster Newton & Blandford - raining most of the time! Thu 14 Sep 1911 Una Rolleston left yesterday - Fri 15 Sep 1911 Drive into Bournemouth to shop & have hair shampooed! Georgia & Henry Sykes to lunch. Friede thought "Georgia" was a man not his wife when... Sat 16 Sep 1911 ... she heard us talking of them. Little Scilla G's niece of 7 came too. They are taking care of her & the baby whilst her sister (their Mother) is in India. Arthur here for 1 night Sun 17 Sep 1911 Took him back to Bordon Camp in the car. Lovely run. 144 miles in 51/4 hours! Thro' Romsey Winchester & Alton. Mon 18 Sep 1911 Friede & I with our lunch by train & by foot! to Cranborne - All over the house & call on Mrs Frampton the laundress! etc. Tue 19 Sep 1911 Old Cousin Toony of 74 to stay - She is a comic old thing & so interesting. She was Mother's mother's bridesmaid! To Parkstone to arrange about the wedding! Wed 20 Sep 1911 Into Bournemouth. Newspaper insert here :- "Mr Richard Bower, Master of the South and West Wilts Hunt, died at midnight on Thursday at Sutton Veny, near Warminster, after only three days illness. The cause of death is attributed to hydrophobia, supposed to have been contracted from a bite from one of the ..." incomplete a hunted fox - 6 months ago. - Poor Bowers - tragic Thu 21 Sep 1911 Off on my own again! Travel as far as Bath with Toomy & see her husband Fred Drummond-Hay for a minister - & get to Beauchamp Shrewsbury for tea. Fri 22 Sep 1911 Edythe Gubbens is an old dear - & so quaint Maj. Payne to dine last night - Walk about Salop town! With Mrs English - After she left (6?) people to tennis - including... ... Major Strich I liked so the memorable last time I was time. Kasser Smiths & he to dine too last night Sat 23 Sep 1911 Mote 16 miles to lunch at Gumnerly? With (next page) Mostyn-Pryces - who knew us years ago at Bournemouth Sun 24 Sep 1911 Fat Dick Gub. returned. To church - splendid sermon. Major S. to lunch - in his motor & then he took me up into the Welsh Hills - see page 6 Mon 25 Sep 1911 Seen off by him & get to the Curzon in London for lunch - meet Mother Auriol Bob & Arthur & Aunt Julie & Uncle Fred To stay with the Bingels in Upper Grosvenor Street Tue 26 Sep 1911 To see "Macbeth" quite gloriously done last night Do shopping - & see the Soames family. Aunt (J?). adorable - awful about No‰l not having recovered. To the zoo! Auriol's 26th birthday - dinner party ... Wed 27 Sep 1911 ...at the (Caragon/Curzon?) & go to the "Palace". More shopping. Meet Una Rolleston & lunch her & Alix & all 3 to see "Kismet" - ripping. Dinner party here. Thu 28 Sep 1911 Finish off bridesmaids dress. Good bye to my family at the (Curzon?) - I wonder if I shall ever see Uncle F. again To stay with the Oakes' at Newton Court Bury St (Eds?) Fri 29 Sep 1911 So nice & funny being here - Go for walks & see Hardwick Glad I don't live there now. Dan'l - Arthur's ex-Dane dog here & ... Sat 30 Sep 1911 ... belongs to dear sweet little Vera - who I love very much. To Bury & see little "Tommy" Wilson we liked so 3 years ago. Sun 01 Oct 1911 To church Mbell the 2nd son home from Nigeria - Gladys goes out to India to be married on the 1st Dec. - to Geoffrey (Astly?) Cooper. October 1911 Transcribed by Sue Ardern Fri 29 Sep 1911 So nice & funny being here - Go for walks & see Hardwick Glad I don't live there now. Dan'l - Arthur's ex-Dane dog here & ... Sat 30 Sep 1911 ... belongs to dear sweet little Vera - who I love very much. To Bury & see little "Tommy" Wilson we liked so 3 years ago. Sun 01 Oct 1911 To church Mbell the 2nd son home from Nigeria - Gladys goes out to India to be married on the 1st Dec. - to Geoffrey (Astly?) Cooper. Mon 02 Oct 1911 Wash Dan'l & walk into Bury & talk. Slight correspondence with J.S. - his letters are so like himself. Lionel (Oakes?) ... Tue 03 Oct 1911 ... the oldest son badly wounded in the War & his nice wife came --- Left at cockcrow 8.20! & to stay with Bridget Hole at Caunton Manor - (Nuvaal?) Wed 04 Oct 1911 B. is nice - & her brother John is too! & is 6ft 8 & only 19! Mr Hole is huge too. He went away. Nice place this. Another letter from J.S. yesterday. Thu 05 Oct 1911 To tea yesterday at the home of my ancestors - Southwell - with Hoskins daughters of the Bishop & a married daughter with a baby which had a bath for to amuse us. Went hunting on foot early & saw nothing. Fri 06 Oct 1911 To dine last night with Cousin Phoenie Gilstrap at Whinthorpe where I went often as a baby & (Chechild!?) 12 dull people! Walk and talk with B. ... Sat 07 Oct 1911 ... most of the day. A very nice & clever old Mrs Hunt - sister of Mrs Hole's Mother (----?) all time - so interesting. --- I go home via London Travel down to Lilliput... Sun 08 Oct 1911 ... with Mrs Watkins. So nice to be home again & I don't feel blue as I usually do on my return. J.S. is the reason I think Georgie & Henry Sykes to tea & young Domville. Mon 09 Oct 1911 In the car via Blandford Sturminster Newton to Sherborne - Dad & I dropped with our food there whilst the others went on to Montacute (Auriol's home to be) & then picked up again after seeing ruined castle & lovely minster. Tue 10 Oct 1911 Weakly happy over two letters from J.S. yesterday. Walk the two spaniels to have their ears "treated" in Parkstone. Mrs Bevan to dine. Bob came for ... Wed 11 Oct 1911 ... one night & Mother & Auriol to London to finish the trousseaux Walk with Dad & dogs Miss de (Marny?) (Puss) to tea & intellectual conversation with me Thu 12 Oct 1911 this page was removed Fri 13 Oct 1911 this page was removed Sat 14 Oct 1911 this page was removed Sun 15 Oct 1911 this page was removed Mon 16 Oct 1911 (partially obscured by cut out pages) -- -ha! Says Edythe Gub. -- a mad letter - arranging -- visit to The old Hall -- Rockcliffe Carlisle where they live now - it -- same time as J.S. -- a letter from him too! -- Bournemouth - shop & tea with... Tue 17 Oct 1911 -- crippled Mrs Blois. -- -gain a pleasant -- (post?) for me - with a photograph of his (imposing?) of! From Salop! I'm in a muddle Does he? Or does he not? do I? or do I not? Wed 18 Oct 1911 Drove with Mother to inspect St Peters. It is a lovely church for a wedding & this will be a superb affair I hope I shan't cry it is such ... Thu 19 Oct 1911 ... an emotional business. Bob down here for one night - & he & A. dined with Sykes'. Mother had a very bad relapse about the wedding & is miserable Fri 20 Oct 1911 She wouldn't stop it if she could - but she would love to have a son-in-law to be proud of instead of this - good hearted "nature's gentleman" Sat 21 Oct 1911 Clothes - clothes - such lovely ones Auriol has got. Mrs Bevan Mrs Pratt - Mrs Watkins Miss Sandilands - etc to tea to see them! Arthur down for 1 night. Sun 22 Oct 1911 Terrific gale - waves being dashed over the harbour sea wall. Played squash again Superb game. Mon 23 Oct 1911 Preparations start in real earnest. Arrange all the lovely presents in the music room. Shop in Bournemouth. Tue 24 Oct 1911 Servants tea & present party. Marquee put up. Presents pouring in "& thick & fast they came at last"! Bob came - he's staying at Canford Cliffs Hotel - so are ... Wed 25 Oct 1911 ... Aunt Julie - Cousin Phoenie & Venetia Hervey. Relative tea party! Aunts Marion - Con - Ger - Annette - Ida etc Uncle Murray-Hill & Uncle Arthur Soames - (Spettleborths?) - Friede etc (next page) Edith Trotter & Mary Warner came yester' een. Thu 26 Oct 1911 The day - Auriol's wedding day. St Peter's at Parkstone the Scene of action & reception at (Grig?) afterwards. Splendid... Fri 27 Oct 1911 ... Little Peter Auriol Hill aged 3 as page - then me - & E. Trotter, M. Warner Mobyn Baker - Nancy Wavell - Marjorie Graham Smith (cousin) were her bridesmaids - She looked quite lovely Sat 28 Oct 1911 The Davidsons! went off to Scotland via London for one night. Grig calmed down - bridesmaids & uncles left - Aunts Ger & Con to stay & Mother had no break down Sun 29 Oct 1911 Heaps to do for us - & Arthur was splendid - all this couldn't have gone off better. To lunch at Sandel - horrid. He is a humbug - & Lady Mary is stiff & jerky. Mon 30 Oct 1911 The aunts left. Good news from the Davidsons - who had a terrific reception from the (--mantry) at Cumloden. Tue 31 Oct 1911 Blankish day in bed neuralgia Wed 01 Nov 1911 Arthur to London - I am quite calm - even when John Strick arrives - he is very sweet & nice. Sykes's Millicent to dine - & we have music. November 1911 Transcribed by Sue Ardern Wed 01 Nov 1911 Arthur to London - I am quite calm - even when John Strick arrives - he is very sweet & nice. Sykes's Millicent to dine - & we have music. Thu 02 Nov 1911 Calm & platonic outwardly inwardly I know not. A delightful walk - sit at the Lido - call on Sykes' - afternoon play squash - evening music & bridge & the little Watkins to dine - Sie Bower to stay. Talks about Richards tragic death - she is nice. To bed calmly thinking all is serene but sleep badly Fri 03 Nov 1911 Walk for two help unhappy - half joyous hours & then at 12 o'clock on the moor - John proposes to marry me - he doesn't know how - never having done it before! He is angelic - & controls himself uncannily wonderfully - Sat 04 Nov 1911 but the strain is awful. Mote with misery & the others in the afternoon & tea uncomfily with Millicent On the dark dog walk from 6 to 7 we are happy Newspaper cutting added later] THE WILTSHIRE TELEGRAPH. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1911 The monthly official organ of the Girl Guides is now the "Golden Rule," price one penny. The first number will be published on Novem- ber 1st, and in this will appear the photograph of the British Guides who went to Germany. Sun 05 Nov 1911 page removed = not available Mon 06 Nov 1911 page removed = not available Tue 07 Nov 1911 page removed = not available Wed 08 Nov 1911 page removed = not available (On next page) ... so-called "neuralgia" which really began with "2". Tue 07 Nov 1911 [ continuation ] and so I write the fatal (inked over) - I will be as straight as I can. See end of book --- Wed 08 Nov 1911 [ continuation ] Edith Trotter & Wilfred Wilson here Also men called Bent - Reid & Huxley & Col. Wright (best man) --- Fri 10 Nov 1911 In bed most of Wed. & Thursday - out on Friday afternoon with (?) guns - lovely day. Sat 11 Nov 1911 Everybody went away yesterday night more or less. Auriol & I out playing at shooting with Dad & Wilfred. Bob & Col. W. to shoot in Aberdeen - returning at ... Sun 12 Nov 1911 ...cock-crow to-day. Auriol & Bob do adore one another! - It is odd staying here & A. is not a good hostess as yet. Wild walk in the wet with Wilfrid Mon 13 Nov 1911 They shot the wood of Crea - A. & I out to uppland in the afternoon. Glorious day. Wilfrid left. He is a joke... Tue 14 Nov 1911 ... - a nice joke but such a slopper! 36 & never done a stroke of work. He wanted to marry Auriol in 1903 - & is now glad he didn't! Col. W. left Wed 15 Nov 1911 Auriol & Bob up to London last night for 2 nights on business & pleasure bent. Dad & I very happy by our lones. Thu 16 Nov 1911 Very wet but we play billiards. Mother has been ill with worry over Auriol shooting when she promised not to. Can't think why she... Fri 17 Nov 1911 ... wants to. They returned & we shot in the afternoon in the rain - jolly! Looking towards Kirkdale - 6 miles away where we were in 1903 Sat 18 Nov 1911 Dad & I leave Cumloden - great relief. He to stay with Heyshams at Castletown & I go to the Old Hall with Edythe Gubbins - who is alone Sun 19 Nov 1911 Nice Miss Kentish I met at Shrewsbury last May there & we went to a nice Children's party in Carlisle at MacInnes! To church & to see Ba - who has broken her arm - & is sweet. Mon 20 Nov 1911 To Castletown again & go down the marsh. Mote to Wigton (17 miles) to lunch with Kentish's Dick Gubbins returns Dine at Castletown Tue 21 Nov 1911 The nice Major Booth who was at my coming out dance (Jan - 1907) & his wife there. Mrs Heysham getting very old but sweet & sane. Dad & I leave at 8 & get home at 9! 13 hours... Wed 22 Nov 1911 ... quite comfy journey. Lovely to be home again. Sie B. is here - & has been quite adopted as one of the family & she is nice. Thu 23 Nov 1911 Hurrah! This is good news. Also Alice Bower is engaged to be married... Fri 24 Nov 1911 ... to a widower who has loved her for 7 years. Bottomleys to bridge yesterday - Pope's today & H.J.Ford to stay. Sat 25 Nov 1911 page removed = not available Sun 26 Nov 1911 page removed = not available Mon 27 Nov 1911 page removed = not available Tue 28 Nov 1911 page removed = not available Wed 29 Nov 1911 Little Enid Kentish to tea. Niece of "Ida" of Wigton, Cumberland & plays the piano so nicely. Sweet girl - & pretty - & not quite "out" yet. Thu 30 Nov 1911 Walter Ralegh Hancock my once adored "Boy" is to be married in Colombo tomorrow. Good luck to them & to all who take that big step! December 1911 Transcribed by Sue Ardern Fri 01 Dec 1911 Wet. To the Winter Gardens in Bournemouth to see the Russian Dancers Quite good. I love seeing it. Half classical & their garments... Sat 02 Dec 1911 ... what there were of them were sweet. There again today to hear Teresa Carrens the splendid pianiste & Mischa (Elman/Calman?) - the fiddler. Very nice. Sun 03 Dec 1911 Glorious day! Sykes to say good-bye - they go to Ceylon & India for 3 months. Go on same ship at Gladys Oakes Mon 04 Dec 1911 See October the 1st. More shopment - in Bournemouth - such fun. Miss Soames getting nice clothes Thank you! Squash. Tue 05 Dec 1911 Mother & Olave up to London - a-shopping a-theatre-ing, and a-dentist-ing! Stay at Grosvenor Hotel. Mrs & Alix Bingel to tea. Wed 06 Dec 1911 What fun this is. Violent shopment. (Eggs?) at Woolland! & then (neat?) ! Of superb play at Wyndham's Theatre "The perplexed Husband" Thu 07 Dec 1911 Gerald du Maurier at his best. Amusing clever and nice it was. --- Shop at Whiteleys! Lunch there & then to Haymarket to see "Bunty pulls the strings" A priceless Scotch ... Fri 08 Dec 1911 ... play - acted by Scotch players. Quite delicious. Tea with Bingels. Arthur to dine. Dentist man again - Harrods - & home to Dad & Doogy! Sat 09 Dec 1911 Drive with Mother. Bradleys from Broadstone & Miss Paterson to tea & bridge with Dad. He is insatiable for that detestable game which... Sun 10 Dec 1911 ... I won't don't & can't play! Frightful storm from S. West. The house leaks a lot! Little George Oakes (see Aug 25th) has gone to E. Africa for 3 years Mon 11 Dec 1911 To tea with Backfords (Witley) yesterday - nice. Mother & I into Bournemouth. It is so nice being near a good town like that. Dad to Dunns & girls tea party there! Janet F. Miss de Marney (Puss) Tue 12 Dec 1911 Pridden girl ( dull? very) Lucia (Bradni ?) with Mrs Beckford etc. Glorious sunny day. Mrs Watkins, Mrs Barlow & Mrs Bevan to tea & bridge. Wed 13 Dec 1911 Axel Berg (Brother of Ada B.) is going to be married in Jan. He is quite nice & was at the Curzon last Jan. when we were. Little Ada came to stay here in March 11. Thu 14 Dec 1911 Was so jolly & gay & in July she went into a convent at Bruges. - - - Drove with Mother Popes & nice fat Miss Girdlestone to T. & bridge Fri 15 Dec 1911 Fellowes' and Miss Darrock to bridge. She is 3rd cousin of the (Valpy's?) & has settled with an invalid sister at Canford Cliffs. Sat 16 Dec 1911 Mother & I have a ("Hilbey"?) day after our own hearts. Shop in Bournemouth - lunch with Mrs Wylam & to "Yeoman of the Guard" at B-mouth Theatre. Sun 17 Dec 1911 D'Oyley Carte Compy. Did that pleasing & still funny operetta so well. Loved it. Wet - wet - wet - "too much... Mon 18 Dec 1911 ... of water hast thou fair Ophelia". Tue 19 Dec 1911 Dad to London for one night. Mother & I shop happily & Xmas-ily in B-mouth Janet F. to squash - or try to - & T. Fine & ... Wed 20 Dec 1911 ... quite warm - Coatless we go out in this lovely place and climate. Soaker again. To nice musical party at Burnham - Homers' Parkstone. Thu 21 Dec 1911 Send of 50 Xmas presents - Wee 6d books published by Foulis are so much nicer than Xmas cards Play the squash game Fri 22 Dec 1911 More wet - Mother & I finish frocks in Bournemouth. I receive a dear wee brooch from Jack - his regimental star - & shall keep it. Sat 23 Dec 1911 Bob & Auriol Davidson come - Auriol has been a little seedy & spends most of her time in bed - (see next August!!) Sun 24 Dec 1911 Mother serenely happy having her again - & she is nice than she was at Cumloden in November. Mrs Bevan & Mr Casson to T. & bridge. Mon 25 Dec 1911 Wee Brother Arthur on Kings Guard in London - so the Soames family gathering not quite complete. I wonder how... Tue 26 Dec 1911 ... complete it will be next year! The Cassons, having just returned from round the world. are leaving Lilliput - Wed 27 Dec 1911 Bob to London. Squash - superb game. Thu 28 Dec 1911 (nothing written) Fri 29 Dec 1911 To lunch in Parkstone with Kentish's & they took me to see the Pantomime "Aladdin" in Bournemouth. Great fun - & I roared ... Sat 30 Dec 1911 ... Awfully well done. Mr K. is a brother of nice Miss Ida K. (see Nov 19 & 20) Auriol quite seedy in bed. Mrs Huxley to stay - nice fat pal ... Sun 31 Dec 1911 ... of Bob's who we met when we were at Cumloden in Nov. Tea party here. Enid Kentish & Mrs etc. Brother Arthur came yesterday. --- To church with Mother With Dad to lunch at Branksome Tower Hotel with Bergs (see 13th Dec) Helen Pontifex to tea - & so it ends. Notes Memoranda (photograph taking up most of the page - probably of Bob & Auriol, on a beach. No names recorded) Beautiful subject - beautifully photographed by O.S. [Olave Soames] on July 25th The said subjects looked rather different on Oct 26th ! Memoranda What an indescribably egotistical volume this & all the other 10 year's accounts are. But since 'tis devoted solely to recounting what I do & what I don't do it cannot be helped. What funny reading this will afford 10 or 20 years hence. And yet I call myself grown up & sensible now!! Memoranda [blank page] Inside back cover [ Left blank] Back cover https://magazines.hachettelearning.com/magazine/wideworld/24/4/mudeford-spit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudeford https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10085673 - line 24 The Mercury (Hobart) - 17 Dec 1910 - Page 3 - THE LONDON THEATRES. "Charles Hawtrey, in "Inconsistent George," " Royal Horse Artillery http://www.greyhoundderby.com/Derby1911.html https://eehe.org.uk/25288/derby1911/ https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/92452/