KP/CLA/3/KEN/A/4 - Letter from Annie Kenney to Nell and Frank Clarke, 15/7/1946
Reference code
KP/CLA/3/KEN/A/4
Level of description
Item
Title
Letter from Annie Kenney to Nell and Frank Clarke, 15/7/1946
Date/s
15/7/1946
Quantity & Format
1 Envelope
4 leaves Letters (MS)
4 leaves Letters (MS)
Creator
Kenney, Annie, 1879-1953Creator
Kenney, Sarah EllenAdministrative/Biographical history
recipientCreator
Clarke, Frank RandallAdministrative/Biographical history
recipient
Scope and content
Letter from Annie Kenney to Nell (her sister) and Frank Clarke describing life in Letchworth in the immediate aftermath of WWII.
Transcript:
Campers Rd, Letchworth, Herts, England
July 15th 1946
[Note on top of letter: Answered 16/8/46 enclosed picture of Christopher skating]
My dear Frank and Nell,
What a surprise when your parcel arrived the other day, and with what joy we looked over the contents. Thanks and again Thanks.
I do not think any one outside this island of ours can realise what these gifts mean, the scarcity, the monotony of our diet day by day week by week and month by month, the terrible thing is, after an hour [or] two [Page 2] when one has had a meal we feel empty and we have to face the same monotonous food again. Without lard we can't make cake or [pies] without suet we can't make pudding and we dare not [illegible] our bit of [marge] or tiny bit of butter for crusts or puddings.
The women who have to do the shopping as well as the cooking are distracted and worn out with the strain. I am fortunate [Jim] brings most of my shopping on his way home. We have fared better than a lot of people round me, thanks to the parcels [Page 3] from [June] and yours at Christmas. We might be the conquered race not the conqueror. I am moved at the plight of the young people. Warwick and Joan would like to be married but no [houses] no rooms, very little [linen] or [china], or any thing for these young men like Warwick who have given fine years of their young lives for their country. Ah well Nell enough of my [whining] but I am feeling a little depressed as I myself have just recovered from three weeks [Page 4] serious illness, an absolute collapse, but I am now on my way to recovery.
Well how are you and all the family? It [illegible] ages and ages since you and Frank came over and we motored down to Littlehampton it is about 13 years. I hope the grandchildren are well they will be growing up now. I hope that you and Frank are keeping well enough to enjoy your old age. All my love to you all, Jim sends his and Warwick too who is working [15] hours, a [illegible] to catch up his [illegible].
Bless you and [illegible words] Annie
Transcript:
Campers Rd, Letchworth, Herts, England
July 15th 1946
[Note on top of letter: Answered 16/8/46 enclosed picture of Christopher skating]
My dear Frank and Nell,
What a surprise when your parcel arrived the other day, and with what joy we looked over the contents. Thanks and again Thanks.
I do not think any one outside this island of ours can realise what these gifts mean, the scarcity, the monotony of our diet day by day week by week and month by month, the terrible thing is, after an hour [or] two [Page 2] when one has had a meal we feel empty and we have to face the same monotonous food again. Without lard we can't make cake or [pies] without suet we can't make pudding and we dare not [illegible] our bit of [marge] or tiny bit of butter for crusts or puddings.
The women who have to do the shopping as well as the cooking are distracted and worn out with the strain. I am fortunate [Jim] brings most of my shopping on his way home. We have fared better than a lot of people round me, thanks to the parcels [Page 3] from [June] and yours at Christmas. We might be the conquered race not the conqueror. I am moved at the plight of the young people. Warwick and Joan would like to be married but no [houses] no rooms, very little [linen] or [china], or any thing for these young men like Warwick who have given fine years of their young lives for their country. Ah well Nell enough of my [whining] but I am feeling a little depressed as I myself have just recovered from three weeks [Page 4] serious illness, an absolute collapse, but I am now on my way to recovery.
Well how are you and all the family? It [illegible] ages and ages since you and Frank came over and we motored down to Littlehampton it is about 13 years. I hope the grandchildren are well they will be growing up now. I hope that you and Frank are keeping well enough to enjoy your old age. All my love to you all, Jim sends his and Warwick too who is working [15] hours, a [illegible] to catch up his [illegible].
Bless you and [illegible words] Annie
Conditions governing reproduction
Copyright: Estate of Annie Kenney. All rights reserved.
Existence and location of copies
A digital copy may be viewed at Suffragette Stories: https://suffragettestories.omeka.net/items/show/113
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KP - The Kenney Papers
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KP/CLA - Clarke Family, of Montreal
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KP/CLA/3 - Correspondence
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KP/CLA/3/KEN/A - Correspondence with Annie Kenney (Mrs Ann Taylor)
- KP/CLA/3/KEN/A/4 - Letter from Annie Kenney to Nell and Frank Clarke, 15/7/1946
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KP/CLA/3/KEN/A - Correspondence with Annie Kenney (Mrs Ann Taylor)
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KP/CLA/3 - Correspondence
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KP/CLA - Clarke Family, of Montreal
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