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Shaw Collection
Letters, Certificates, Postcards etc.
Page Two
This is Cherry Shaw 1946
there are only 2 photographs in this collection and one is badly damaged
LETTERS
in chronological order
 
   
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1) 15th September 1936 Postmark Belfast to Miss C. Shaw, 53 Deerpark Road,
Belfast - 15 Hawthornden Road, Knock, Belfast - Dear Cherry, Thank you very
much for your kind and Sympathetic letter, it does help us a little in our
sad bereavement, to know how much my dear Father was loved and respected by
so many people, and we very much appreciate the sympathy shown to us at this
time. I shall be resuming next week, and hope to see you in Wed. Sept. 23rd
at 8-15. Yours Sincerely Mary Da?? or Wa??
2) (1) 53 Deerpark Road, Belfast, 17th October 1939 - Dear Jessie,
Many thanks for your letter which I should really have answered weeks ago,
but I am sure by now you know me, not to mention my Literary Powers, so I
won't dwell on my good qualifications, enough said. To say your letter
was read was putting it mildly, it was read and generally digested by
everyone including Mother, who maintains she don't know how some people do
it, but which I sezs it just comes natural (and goes as it comes, you know
what I mean) you can't keep a good man down, etc. Your remarks
regarding the "Widow's Weeds" were noted, also that crack about finding
another one of them 'providers for the rest of your natural life', now,
Jessie, have a heart, give the other poor girls a chance, and if by any
chance you have a few surplus over there, the least you might do would be to
sling us a couple. Some things are getting so scarce over here that we
girls (in the family circle) are seriously thinking of (2) resorting
to that time-honoured Custom of Sowing Seeds (Pardon me, sowing Socks and
Shirts, not to mention, Caps, Gloves, Vests, Pullovers, Cap Comforters,
Jackets, Bed-Jackets, and last but by no means least Drawers) etc. etc., for
the poor 'Boys'. During the last War all the yound ladies interested in this
interesting little Hobby, in the course of "doing their duty", I believe,
enclosed little slips of paper with their names, pet names, addresses,
future addressed, qualifications (good and otherwise) in the Soldiers'
parcels, and from what I can gather and judging by results this gentle art
was one which proved highly successful and led to many a couple getting
'spliced' not to mention a few of the poor 'blokes' getting more than their
dues. However, to get on with more important things, did I hear you
mention 'Clothes', well I had decided to get a nice brown Astrakaan Coat,
but at the last moment changed my mind and a nice (at least I hope it will
be nice) Green coat with snow white cap (you know the kind I mean) to match,
is in course of completion, and I hope by the next time I receive a letter
from you I will be able to write or type full particulars that is if I am
still working, which looks mighty precarious (the work I mean) now, however,
nobody's worrying while there is still the Work'ouse not to mention the
O.D.R., (I'm very (3) cheery, ain't I dearie, (taking a leaf out of 'Gert' &
'Dais'S' book). Well, now to come down to literary matters, how are
you fairing for books, I suppose you have to order all your books over there
too, I usually get "Woman's Illustrated" and "Woman" (weekly papers) and "W.
& B." and "Woman's Fair" (monthly as you know). Do you still get
"Woman & Beauty" or do you find them to 'Highbrow'. I don't know
whether I mentioned that I had started to bake a Christmas Pudding (for
Christmas thinks I) but the Shaw clan thinks different and I am now looking
at the last of a 16 llbs. Christmas Pudding, so have decided I'll wait till
Christmas EVE before starting the next one. How is the Black-out over
your way, we call ours the 'Farce'. all the people being very obliging to
wayfarers, and showing little slits of light to help same on their way home.
Needless to say, the 'Family Depot' or 'House Full' quarters find this an
excellent form of advertisement, and the 'Black-our' I'm afraid, in many
cases, hasn't been the cause of many a one coming home making S's circles,
etc., however, some people would make anything an excuse, as Mother
sometimes says to Father. (4) WELL, Jessie, it is nearly half past
two, and work must go on, so I will close now before you really do get
bored. Give my Love to Auntie and Uncle not to mention the Menagerie,
(who I expect have been entered on the National Registration or Ration
Cards). I hear someone coming now so this will really be cheerio this time,
and I will try and write you a longer letter next time. Hoping to hear
from you soon. LOVE, P.S. Please excuse terrible typing, but
this typewriter isn't much good. N.B. Tell Auntie Cissie and Billy I
was asking about them and remember me to them all.
   
  
  
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1) 25th January 1943 Postmark Coleraine, Co. Londonderry to Miss C. Shaw, 53
Deerpark Road, Cliftonville, Belfast, N. Ireland S.W.A.L.K. ~ (1) 6 Strand
Avenue, Whiterocks, Portrush 24th January 1943 - Dear Cherry, Just a few
lines to let you know how things are here. The weather is very stormy and
cold. Have you any spare lip-stick cases, as my lipstick is getting ruined.
Joseph for once in his life is doing his own shoes, and has put on the water
for the cocoa. How's your boy friend? Is Jim better from the cold yet? (2)
Mother bought a lovely cake yesterday from Jim Calvin. It tasted lovely.
Cherry here are the coupons I promised you for your ----; they are a bit
long in coming, but its better late than never. Three from Joe & Nellie & 3
from me. I will close now, hoping to hear from you soon. Lots of Love Edith xxxx P.S. I enclose to letters for Babs & Vera. Please excuse scribble.
2) 3rd August 1943 Postmark London to Miss C. Shaw, 53 Deer Park Road,
Belfast ~ Trinity College of Music, Belfast, Attendance Request to Cherry
Shaw for Examinations at Assembly's Hall, Belfast 20th/21st July 1943 ~
Report
3) 28th November 1943 Postmark Hampstead to Miss C. Shaw, 53 Deerpark Road,
Belfast, N. Ireland ~ Chatley Court Hotel, "Belsize Grove, Hampstead, London
N.W. 3. (1) 26th November 1943 - Dear Cherry, Many many thanks for your lovely
letter I received on the morning of my departure from the W. D. Commission
wishing me the best of luck. Well Cherry, here I am in London feeling just
like a fish out of water, however, as time goes by I hope I shall grow to
like it more & more, I am sure by the time my training is finished I shall
hate to leave it. Cherry, I would give anything to see your face as you
glance at the address, I believe I can see you laughing and saying to
yourself "Oh Kathleen." Well Cherry, this hotel is really beautiful
both inside & out and am thoroughly enjoying my stay here. The inhabitants
of this hotel consist of mostly Old Ladies who spend their time Knitting,
Reading, & Playing that adorable card game Patience, by the way, to play the
game they always congregate in the Drawing Room, so on Thursday evening
last, a few of the Girls decided that they would like to spend their time in
the Drawing Room, so into it they went, however I (2) was in my bedroom when
I suddenly heard a knock at the door, it was one of the girls, she told me I
was wanted in the Drawing Room. I went downstairs to see what the matter
was, when I opened the door there was a chorus from the crowd for me to play
for them, so I obliged by playing for them, I had just begun when I also
noticed that the Old Dears were leaving one by one, when we had eventually
the room to ourselves, we played our games, musical chairs, etc. Well Cherry
I can honestly say a more enjoyable evening I never have had. By the way the
gentlemen folk who can all say Rawther, What, What, are trying their best to
get to know us but we just give them the cold shoulder. Well Cherry I
am afraid I have seen very little of London just yet - what I have seen has
impressed me very much, however as I am off to-morrow Saturday & Sunday I
intend going sight seeing (Weather permitting of course) I have been in
touch with Mr. Salmonds neice & nephew, they are charming. Mrs. Salmond is
somewhat like Mrs. Larkin(?) in manner. I hope to see a lot of her next week
when her husband returns to the navy. Well Cherry darling, I am sure you are
tired listening to the London Station calling, so shall keep quiet until I
hear from Belfast. Give my love to all the Girls - oh yes - & men too. I
have written Mr. Salmond. Until I hear from you. Kathleen
    
  
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1) (1) 7th February 1946 from 9 Alfred Street, Kearsley, Nr. Bolton, Lancs.
- My Dear Cherry, Many thanks for your good wishes in your letter which I
received about 3 weeks ago. Please accept my most sincere apologies for not
answering it previously, but I wanted to give you the details of my wedding
ring, which has been made for me, and I've only just received the finished
article, you see it has been re-moulded out of his mother's and
grand-mothers wedding rings, and then it was engraved. Bobs people are dead,
and that is the reason why I have had his mothers ring. The engraving is in
the centre, both sides being plain, and is "orange blossom" talk about
romantic (Sinatra & Bing aren't in it) (2) I suppose by now you will have
gathered I am commencing some of the details you wished to know. Yes, I am
looking forward to April, and for your diary we are going to Penzance in
Cornwall for our honey-moon. I met 'Bob' 'Youth Hostelling' a year this May.
I was going out with the club, and we get pally that way. Believe me I
wouldn't let him see your letter for the world, he may decide to think again
before getting married into my family. (?? Bricks by request). I am
very sorry I have no photo of him to send, I don't possess one of him
myself, but if some snaps he had taken recently come it's O.K. I'll send you
one. My engagement ring was also 'Bob's' mothers, it has 3 sapphires & 2
diamonds, very neat and 'sweet' looking. I am still at 6 & 7's regarding my
outfit for the wedding owing to a (3) serious coupon shortage. It looks as
if I shall have to wear my bathing costume if something doesn't occur soon.
Bob is a great 'out of doors' person, very fond of wearing open-necked
shirts, and shorts, etc. He has really lovely 'Blue eyes,' (I always had a
weakness for them) and they are the same colour as the centre sapphire in my
ring. Mother is very fond of him and spoils him terribly. Bob has done a
spot of travelling also, and is very fond of Switzerland, he has done a fair
amount of camping there and in Italy, so I think he has had time for a good
look around before I came on the scene. Well, Cherry there are lots of
things I would tell you, so if this letter seems a little higglety Pigglety
out it down to my not being able to thing properly these days. (4) Mother is
having a spot of catering trouble and up to now, the wedding cake looks as
if it will be without icing. We can get it make O.K. but we have to provide
our own icing sugar. Still never mind, it wouldn't stop the 'Poor Soul' from
being married. I am hoping to have a fortnight in Cornwall, but am not
sure yet. It will be the 'Pirates of Penzance' in reality. The first week,
we hope to spend at an Hotel, the second on a small boat, do our own cooking
etc. Bob is very fond of the sea and loves sailing, he has a 'cockle' boat
of his own - 16 feet long which bears the imposing title of 'Red Wing'
Don't be mistaken, its no ocean going yacht, just a spot of wood which
sails, (I'm very fond of it), and Bob thinks it puts the 'Queen Mary' (5) in
the dark. still pride of possession is something, and it can sail from
Lytham (where it is at present domicled(?) ) to Southport without mishap.
As to my 'Tactics', I only was my usually sweet self, not much make-up, wind
swept hair, and a bit gogy eyed, - that's all, but I saw he got as well fed
as possible in these times. Well Dear, this is all the news for the moment,
I hope you are put out of your anxiety after reading this. By the way don't
forget to drop me a line as soon as possible, and if I've any further
details, I'll let you know. Anyhow, here's loping you will soon be viewing
him yourself. Love Jessie xxx P.S. Do try & come over for Easter, Jessie
2) (1) 22nd March 1946 from 9 Alfred Street, Kearsley, Lancs. - Dear Cherry,
I am writing this letter to tell you about the wedding reception. There were
about 40 there but we expected 43. We had high tea, and then the guests
signed an autograph, then we had music for dancing. I engaged a pianist,
then; 2 wine glasses each of wine to the cake. The cake was beautifully
decorated, 2 tier and iced. We had games, singing, and dancing. I did so
wish for you all to have been there. The guests said they had a very good
time. There were all classes there. Artist, surveyor of ta??es, a designer,
a manager, engineers, accountants, typists, a secretary of the labour
association. Jessie's husband's people are delighted to have Jessie, they
say she is a very sweet girl and plenty of push in her. Jessie's husband has
bought her a beautiful fur coat for her wedding present, a beaver lamb fur
and also made her a lovely hat to travel in. A la Mode. She was married in
pink, her hat was a pink ostrich feather one, and crepe de chine fully
fashioned (2) stockings and silver shoes, believe me Cherry. She look
beautiful and posh. at the wedding, there were, Auntie Jane and Frank and
Jennie, Uncle Joe and Jinnie, Auntie Cissie and Billie, Cousin Ralph and his
young bride, and Auntie Polly, Cousin Jim and Alice and their two youngsters
Uncle Harry and Alice could not manage to get over. Robbie's people said
that they had had a grand time and believe me Cherry I got hugged and kissed
until I was dake(?) less my brain is only just clearing even Uncle Hoe
kissed and hugged me, then the nephews had a dose, and Robbie's people said
that we were a very nice set of people. I got an invitation to Robbie's
Uncle's daughter's wedding. She is to be married to a rich American. He is
flying over for the wedding, and I got invitations galore. Jessie will be
sending you some wedding cake also your Mum, and Dad when she comes back
from her honeymoon. Jessie has been very ill suffering from Anaemia. The
doctor has given her some Calcium Vitimin D. Tablets and they have done her
good. It is over-work. She has been off work 3 week to day. (3) "Well
Cherry," I must now close. Wishing your Mam and Dad and you, and the family
all my very best wishes. Love, Auntie Ellen, commonly called Nell. xxxxxx
P.S. Cherry if at any time you feel like a visit. We shall be very pleased
to receive you.
  
     
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1) 27th December 1946 Postmark Warrington, Lancs. to Miss C. Shaw, 53
Deerpark Road, Cliftonville, Belfast, N. Ireland - The Seasons Calendar 1947
From Ted to Auntie Cherry with love xxxxxx
1) 30th August 1948 Postmark Field Post Office, Forces Mail to Miss B. Shaw,
53 Deerpark Road, Belfast, N. Ireland ~ (1) 400(11 or 66)24 A.C. McNutt, D.,
Billet 7. No. 2.E.Q. Wing 107/MU/RAF 17EF 27/8/48 - Dear Pat,
Just a few lines to let you know that I received your letter, glad to know
you are keeping well as I am fine myself, I was glad to hear from you as I
thought you might have forgotten me, I know I should have ritten to you
sooner, but I forgot all about you, so I hope you will forgive me for not
riting sooner, Well Pat, I left Warrington the day after I met you, I went
on a troop ship called the impill Windrush, it used to be a german red cross
boat and now it takes troops to and from Egypt, it is not to bad over here,
there is plenty (2) of things to do, as for me I do a guard twill a
week, shining a search light over camp stores and watch out for Egyptians
breaking into camp, and as for sport I do plenty of swimming and sun
bathing, I have joined a sailing club and sometimes I go sailing on a lake
called the blue lagoon, I also like the pictures very much, the last 2 I saw
was killer McCoy with Mickey Rooney in it, it was a boxing picture and it
was very good, and the other one was forever Amber, it was very good to, the
Y.M.C.A. wee have here is very good for entertainment, wee have a concert
twice a week and a dance every Saturday night, there are not very many
girls, for every girl there is about 50 airmen, and as for the Egyptian
girls they are no good, they carry all kinds of (3) dirt with them,
and they are not allowed into the camp, if wee are caught with them wee
would get beaten up by the Egyptian men, and when wee go out of camp wee
have to go in fours, the Egyptian women wear veils over there faces and you
are not allowed to take the veil of, and if an Egyptian man wants a wife he
has to buy one in a market. I went on leave 2 weeks ago to 'Port Said,' &
had a very good time there, myself and my mate went horse riding and
drinking and also dancing, I do not dance my self, I just go to listen to
the music as I like music very much, I do not drink very much, just once in
the blue moon you see me drinking. I told you I lived in Belfast, I did live
there once for 5 years (4) up the falls Road, but I was born in derry
city and I still live there at the moment, there is not very many Irish lads
here, for a guess I would say about three Belfast lads and 2 derry lads,
well Pat the weather here is lovely all the year round the sun is shining
every day and it is very hot, once or twice wee get a sand storm and may be
some rain, but I do not care for the good weather, I only wish I was home
again, I am afraid this is all I can sat at the moment Pat, and I hope to
hear from you soon if you do not mind. P.S. I would like a photo of you if
you have one Pat, I will send you one later when I get one taken this week.
From Danny To Pat
1) 8th February 1949 - Miss C. Shaw, I am pleased to inform you that in
consequence of your success in the C.A.S.T. examination held on 10 August
1948 for posts in the Civil Service you have been appointed to the
establishment of the Belfast Telephone Area as Clerical Assistant as from
10th August in accordance with the regulations under which the examination
was held. The scale of pay for Clerical Assistant Grade is 50/- to 102/- a
week in London (47/- to 99/- a week at Belfast) and your starting pay as
from 25:10:48 will be 83/- p.w. Your future incremental date will be 10th
August. In accordance with usual practice you will be regarded as
being on probation for at least one year after the date of your appointment,
during which you will be required to satisfy the Head of your Department
that you are in every way suitable for permanent employment in the Service.
An officer whose probationary service is not regarded as satisfactory will
not be retained in the public service. You will be entitled to 18 days
annual leave, increased to 21 days on the completion of five years
established service. The method of determining seniority of staff
established by means of the C.A.S.T. examinations still awaits Treasury
decision. Your seniority on the Clerical Assistant grade will, therefore,
continue to be regulated, for the time being, by length of service on the
temporary Clerical grade and will be subject to adjustment. As regards
superannuation benefits your attention is drawn to the announcement in the
Post Office Circular dated 25.8.48. Clerk - ??
         
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1) (Envelope not shown) Miss C. Shaw, Typing Room, 59 Chichester Street -
16th January 1950 - Miss C. Shaw, Typist, Your attention is drawn to the
following late attendances:- ------- You are warned that this is not
considered satisfactory and that you are expected to effect and maintain an
improvement. Acting Chief Clerk J. A. Thompson, 16th January 1950 G.P.O.
2)
17th April 1950 Postmark Warrington, Lancs. to Miss C. Shaw, 53 Deerpark
Road, Cliftonville, Belfast, N. Ireland - (1) 4 Rossall Road, Gt. Sankey,
Warrington 13th April 1950 - Dear Cherry, Many thanks for your letter &
parcel which we received, it was very good of you to send it & Ted was
delighted, in fact I've had to boil him eggs ever since so he could use his
egg-cup, it is really lovely, so were the chocolates, needless to say I'm
keeping the little box as its too pretty to let him destroy. He had 2/3
worth of ice-cream & the other is going (2) in his bank on Monday. He now
has 30/- in. I got him 2 small & one large Easter Egg (3/4lb) but they were
all dark chocolate but he enjoyed them all so he had quite a good time at
Easter. Tell Mother I got a packet of Brown & Polson's Corn Flour last week,
the first since I came here, but I expect there will be more soon. Well
Cherry, thanks a lot for the paper as you can see I'm using it & just (3)
came in right & handy as I would have had to buy some. Well you asked me the
colour of my rig out, well as I'm coming over in August, I won't say so that
you can give your unbiased opinion then, when you see me (Edie has asked us
over) & I'll tell you what they cost then & see if you think the price & my
taste O.K. as I'll have to get used to buying my things on my own. (4)
It
was bitter cold here at Easter, rain, cold & hailstones. We went to pictures
twice & decorated the stairs, hall & dining-room, its really lovely Cherry,
however if you take a run over this year I can tell you, you'll be
surprised, the stairway was awkward but we managed it. Its surprising the
difference paper makes, to tell you the truth, I wouldn't be bothered with
paint or (5) distemper after seeing the difference paper makes. We spent
£5-10 on paper & varnish & did the wood-work in the front room, painted
bathroom white, papered stairs, hall & dining -room & varnished all the
doors etc. stairs & all & it looks very nice even though its the first time
Bob or I did any papering. Next week I'm buying Bob a pair of greys, I got
him 4 hdks. 3 pairs socks & 2 shirts so far. (6 & 7) Ted's coming on O.K. at
school, he's all eager to write like this & doesn't want to write A B C He's
been off for a fortnight for Easter & goes back on Monday. No, I don't
expect to hear from PM any more, she's another M.M. take all & couldn't even
spend £2 to come up for a visit. That was the right thing Vera & you did re
M.M. another drip ---. Well Cherry, when Nylons come we have to take
what there is & so far I've seen none Blue-grey although I believe if one
wants to pay 19/11 for them (& they're not worth that) one can get various
colours in them, however if I get even a light shade I'll send them over &
let you see them as they would do me as I don't mind what shade they are.
I'm going into town on Monday to have a look around. Re. ? ? I've not seen
same for a while now (8 & 9) excuse was decorating but she's another ? & I
don't want the 2 ? coming here & dirtying the wall after the trouble we had,
I don't mind Ted but not them, of course I don't care too much for her. We
get extra paper in case part gets dirtied with him. Well Cherry, I've not
seen D. White at all, I believe I saw either her or her sister one day from
the bus but am not sure. I had a letter from May giving the new address, she
seems very pleased with he place. Bob & I did my hair with a Toni & its
quite good considering but am going nearly white in front. Our Butchers'
wife had a baby, just cost her 80 guineas to have it in a Nursing Home. She
couldn't wait at the clinic to have the same treatment (10 & 11) for nothing
in the hospital, of course I heard she can't have any more & she's quite
justified but where did the money come from. He started up 3 years ago with
his gratuity & what he had saved, your guess is as good as mine. The grocer
next to him said & some of his customers, he'd better not do that each year
- but it makes you think, 80 guineas, it takes a bit of earning & saving.
She worked in the shop right till the last week, so she worked for it. Well
Cherry this is all my news from over here, thanks once again for Ted's
Easter present & the 4/6, also for paper, please excuse writing but am
rushing this as we're going to the Ritz. Cheerio for now, Love from Babs,
Bob & Ted. xxxxx Is this a photo of the Film Star who was crippled white out
hunting, let me know Babs
    
  
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1) 25th May 1950 Postmark Warrington, Lancs. to Miss C. Shaw, 53 Deerpark
Road, Cliftonville, Belfast, N. Ireland ~ (1) 4 Rossall Road, Ft. Sankey,
Warrington 25th May 1950 - Dear Cherry, I was very glad to receive your most
welcome letter & here goes in reply. It has gone very cold here and seems to
be keeping that way. Ted gets off school on Friday for a week at Whit.
Yesterday was Empire Day & the kids were asked to bring flags. Ted didn't
tell me & I only heard about it the afternoon before, so told him I wasn't
getting one, however he began to cry, then I said you told me too late &
later said now I'm going into town specially to try to get you a flag & if I
can't get one you mustn't be disappointed as I didn't know early enough. I
went into town & was lucky enough to get him a fairly decent one (2)
At
dinner time when he heard I'd got one he was so pleased he didn't even look
at the ½doz. oranges I got him. (They are 4½ each & not the size of an egg)
& so he took it back to school. He told me he was nearly crying in the
morning in school when he hadn't a flag. Re D.F. She came round once on
Ted's birthday at (10.10 p.m.) to take Doris & Maureen home (We asked her to
come round early, excuse was she was cooking the meat) She said the place
was nice. We had invited her round once (The kid had a cold) (its a bit
muddled) the third time we asked her Maureen had a cold, that was a
fortnight later. I might add that when we were decorating we didn't ask her
round for about 8 weeks - so now I don't bother. Bob asked me last Saturday
was I going to ask her round & I said NO (no more) (3) Am I being nasty. I
think its quite apparent she doesn't want to come round & I might add I'm
greatly relieved. Re Blackpool & Llandudno, I don't know whether any clothes
might be cheaper there or not, its usual for the price to go up at seaside
places. If you're coming up to see us, let me know, what time are you taking
your holidays. The butcher's wife had 3 weeks in the Nursing Home at 40
guineas per week. I am more than surprised to hear about ? ? it's about time
too, but as you say - well, time will tell. Re Nylons, I haven't seen nor
heard about any more being in, apparently that girl who told me they came in
every Monday had been misinformed, however, should I get (4) any, I'll keep
them for you. I still only have the one pair of dark brown ones. Well
Cherry, this seems to be all my news for now & I shall close. Do you get off
for Whit. I see the C.S. has voted "No confidence in the arbitration
Committee" I think wages will have to go up or else prices come down, as so
far as I can see all the prices are going up. I hope you can read this
writing Cherry, its one of those pens & is getting me down. I will now
close, hoping all at home are keeping O.K. Cheerio for now. Love Barbara
2) 29th July 1950 - Miss C. Shaw, Typist. Since the warning given you on
16th January, 1950, you have incurred four late attendances as follows:-
----- This makes a total of 14 late attendances during the current
incremental year, and you are now warned that in the event of any further
late attendances it may be necessary to take disciplinary action against
you, which means that your increment of 4/-d. per week may be stopped for a
year. Please note and return. (Signed) C. C. Ayton
3) 8th December 1950 ~ 2 Croft House, Duke Street, Luddenden, Nr. Halifax,
Yorks, Eng. 8/12/50 - (1) Dear Cherry, I am just sending you a greeting. I
hope you will like it. It is such a long time since I wrote to you; and, I
could not resist this time. Jessie and I have had such a rough time that we
wished to fight our own battles and not let anyone know, but now, things
have shaped out alright for us in the end. By the way, I am the grand ma of
two lovely children and (2) am I proud of them. I would indeed be very
lonely without them. I have Jessie and the children through the day, and
then Jessie, her husband and all of us have the company of each other at
night. Jessie and her husband are very comfortable together; in fact, we are
all happy together. One more thing I must say Cherry and that is this; that
your Mother has been and still is the best sister-in-law I have ever had. No
flattery but the whole truth. I hope she is keeping in good health. I send
her my very best wishes. At present we here are in pretty good health. I
hope (3) that you and the family are the same. I will close now Cherry, and
I wish you all the best. Your's affectionately Auntie Nell and Cousin
Jessie. P.S. As you will notice we seem to be settling in the middle of
Yorkshire.
 
     
  
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1)19th June 1951 Postmark Belfast to Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Shaw, 53 Deerpark
Road, Belfast - Mr. & Mrs. Henry Thompson request the pleasure of the
company of Mr. & Mrs. J. Gilliland at the marriage of their daughter
Lavinia, with Mr. William P. McQuiston, at Shankill Baptist Church, Tennent
Street, Belfast, on Saturday, 18th August, 1951, at 1.30 p.m., and
afterwards at the Carlton, Donegall Place. 15 Balmoral Street,
Grosvenor Road, Belfast R.S.V.P.
2) (both letters kept in same envelope, this one was written first)
1951 Postmark Lane Ends, Warrington to Miss C. Shaw, 53 Deerpark Road,
Cliftonville, Belfast, N. Ireland from Mr. & Mrs. R. Farmer, 4 Rossall Road,
Gt. Sankey, Warrington Lancs. ~ (1) 4 Rossall Road, Gt. Sankey, Warrington -
Dear Cherry, Thank you very much indeed for the invitation to your Wedding,
but, unfortunately neither Bob, nor I can be present, however I'm sure it
will be lovely, I am very glad Vera & you have been able to get your suits,
as am sure they are lovely & hope you won't have much trouble getting hats,
veiling etc. Cherry, if you cannot get stockings, I can lend you a pair of
sheer Nylons, provided * you promise to send them back to me in good
condition. (this girl got me them) If she gets me any before your wedding &
you want them let me know, they are about 12/6 but are lovely, only thing,
one had to be very careful with them as the slightest thing pulls, a piece
of rough skin round the nail will ruin them, however let me know, but it
will be the end of the month before I get the chance of any. (it pays to put
them on & take them off with gloves) (2) Well Cherry, I see you are being
married at "St. Peters" & am sure it will be lovely, what did May say about
your being married there? am very glad you have been able to make all the
arrangements, there is a lot of running about to do at a wedding. Is Edie
going to your wedding & Alan? She has not written me yet to tell me about
her baby, & in fact I did not know until I got a letter from you. When was
it born & where & how did she go on & have you seen her lately, also how
does she seem towards everyone. I wrote Vera last week & expect to hear from
her soon again. I suppose right now all are in a bit of a rush at home &
kept fully occupied. How is Millie going on? She never writes, but expect
every one has so much to do, its nearly impossible to find time to keep
writing. How are Mother, Ed & Joe. I see you are going to be working till
the last minute Cherry, perhaps, its just as well, but don't kill yourself.
Am sorry your house (3) won't be finished, but I'm not surprised, did you
get the grates fixed in the right rooms, hope you didn't have too much
trouble over them as you seemed rather upset last time you wrote, however,
Cherry, if you only have a fortnight to wait for your house it won't be too
bad. I am sure you'll be glad when it's all over. I get letters from Phyllis
Millar very often in fact, every other week she writes, I suppose like
myself, she has plenty of spare time. Her baby will be two in July, she says
she can't have any more. Well Cherry, I haven't yet got you a present but
might send you a money present instead & it might be better as things do get
knocked about in the post. Talking of the Post, Millie is still on, also
Mrs. Verno(?) Edie Tatterskill & that other girl from Sankey Bridges, you
remember that quiet girl who did the Sankey Bridge beat, well she's
expecting very soon now. I enclose a newspaper cutting (4) Is this the
person you didn't like much, anyway, let me know. He must have been stupid
to do it. Everything is much the same here. Well Cherry I will now close,
hoping all at home are keeping fit & well as we are here. Cheerio for now &
love from Babs, Bob & Teddy. xxxxx
3) 28th June 1951 Postmark Lane Ends, Warrington to Miss C. Shaw, 53
Deerpark Road, Cliftonville, Belfast, N. Ireland from Mr. & Mrs. R. Farmer,
4 Rossall Road, Gt. Sankey, Warrington Lancs. ~ 4 Rossall Road, Gt. Sankey,
Warrington 26th June 1951 - My Dear Cherry, Sorry not to have sent your
wedding present sooner but I was debating whether to send you a present or
money, but as you can see I think it wise not to get a present as you may
have got what I might have chosen, however Cherry, Bob & I are sending this
£4 to you & hope you may be able to buy something suitable. Please excuse
writing, but tomorrow is Walking Day here & if I don't get this off to-day
it might be delayed further, so here's hoping you get it O.K. anyhow if you
have time, let me know, I expect you'll be rather busy this next week. Have
you managed to get your suits O.K. I sincerely hope so. I have to go out and
get my rations & vegetables & then clean up & do some ironing & I've more or
less promised to go to the pictures to-night. Well Cherry, this American
couple are expecting to go back to the States very soon, but I'll get
another couple, I hope. Well Cherry, this is all my news for now, so I will
close, Wishing Jack & you all the Very Best in Life. Sorry I can't be
over for the Wedding but I'll be thinking of you, so cheerio for now. Love &
All The Best From Babs, Bob & Ted. xxxxx ~ To Cherry With all good Wishes
for your future Happiness from Babs & Bob with love.
    
 
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1) 28th June 1951 - 81 Torrington Park, North Finchley, N.12 Dear Jack
& Cherry, Thank you very much for the wedding invitation. I am very sorry I
am so far away & will be unable to accept same, my very best wishes for the
future. Yours sincerely Irene
2) (no date but is 1951) (1) 2 Croft House, Duke Street, Luddenden,
Nr. Halifax, Yorks, Eng. - Dear Cherry, I was delighted to receive your
wedding card & to know that you had at the day, but I am afraid Jessie &
Hubby & I will be unable to attend much as we would like to as we will just
be starting out for Wales about then. We are hoping to stay a month there in
a Caravan & Bill will travel up & down for a fortnight. (2) Weather here at
present is not very good, but we are hoping it will improve for our holidays
& also, of course, for your honeymoon. Well, my dear, everyone is keeping as
well as ever, we still love this place & wouldn't go back to town at any
price - I would really like you to come over here & see for yourself just
how really nice it is. Well, Cherry, Jessie & I. did not know what you might
care for as regards a present so we thought we would just send you money &
let you please (3) yourself so hope you will get something nice & what you
really need for yourself. We are sending £7.0.0 & hope this will get you
something nice. Write & let me know what you are wearing, we would love to
know, & please convey to your fiancee our best wishes for yours & his future
happiness. From your loving Auntie Nell & Jessie. P.S. Will you please put
this little card in with your gift. ~ From Auntie Nell & Jessie with Best
Wishes for future happiness. May your path lead through the sunshine, May
life wear a rainbow hue, As each year brings showers of blessings, And more
happiness to you.
3) 27th July 1951 Post Office, Northern Ireland region Custom House, Belfast
- My dear Cherrie, Please accept my very best wishes for every happiness,
you rascal, slipping it across us. However, we'll forgive. We will see you
some time. Sincerely Yours A. Rickaby(?)
4) 18th September 1951 O.H.M.S. to Miss C. Shaw, Belfast Telephone Area, 6
Adelaide Street, Belfast - Post Office Telephones, Belfast Area, 49/55
Linenhall Street, Belfast. 18th September 1951. Dear Mrs. Gilliland, Your
resignation has been accepted and Friday, 7th September, 1951 was regarded
as your last day of service. Will you please accept my good wishes for your
future happiness and thanks for your past services. Yours sincerely Chief
Clerk ????? Mrs. C. Gilliland
5) 9/7/52
   
  
   
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1) 11th July 1952 Postmark Halifax, Yorkshire to Miss C. Shaw, 53 Deerpark
Road, Belfast, N. Ireland ~ (1) 2 Croft House, Duke Street, Luddenden, Nr.
Halifax, Yorkshire 10th July 1952 - My dear Cherry, May I offer my deepest
sympathy to your mother and you and the family in your grievous loss. Mother
says that only time, if ever, will heal, and sends her love to your all, and
her heart-felt sympathy. (2) We are all very shocked and grieved, and know
since dad went so quickly just how big a break it is. Until you have
suffered so, it is impossible to tell how you feel, words are inadequate. I
have written to Cissie and Joe to tell George and Harry. We will look up to
see about a photo, and (3) will send it on as quickly as possible. Once
again, my deepest sympathy to Aunt Edith, yourself and family. Sincerley
Cousin Jessie
2) 14th July 1952 N.B. Dear Cherry, Excuse delay as the Post Office has been
closed ~ 2 Croft House, Duke Street, Luddenden, Nr. Halifax, Yorks, England
(1) 14/7/52 - Dear Edith and Cherry, I am sending you Tom's 2 photo's, also
prints. I hope the 2 photo's will be what you wish. The big one is when he
was a young man, and also; the uniform one. Dear Edith do try and not fret
too much as I know what it can do to you. I (2) don't think that Tom would
wish it. "Yes" Cherry, I know that he was an excellent father and that you
children will always remember him so. Edith I sincerely hope that you will
be able to keep in fare health, also all the children. May God Bless you
all. From your Sister and Neice Nellie also Jessie. Auntie. P.S. I am also
sending you some snaps of which you may keep as I have the same.
3) 29th September 1952 (letter says a month later?) Postmark
Luddenden to Miss Cherry Shaw, 53 Deerpark Road, Belfast, N. Ireland ~ 2
Croft House, Duke Street, Luddenden, Nr. Halifax, Yorkshire, Eng. 28/10/52 -
Dear Cherry, I received the photo's yesterday dinner time, I was deeply
touched when I looked at your Father's snap, and I know how deeply your
Mother is feeling the loss of him. Cherry, it is impossible for your Mother
to explain how she feels "Always" The feeling will be with her, although no
one will ever be able to tell. 'I know' My heart goes out to her & I only
hope that the wound she has received will soon be easier for her to bear.
You know Cherry ever since I saw her I had a real soft spot for her, tell
her from me that I was always devoted to your dad, he, and Sydney, were my
two favourite brothers. I never once ever betrayed them, no matter how
things were. It was a strange feeling I had. I told Jessie that I would have
liked to have come over last year, as I was worried about your Father but I
could not manage it, as, I had had along winter illness. I am better now
than I have been for a long time. By the way, Jessie, Bob, and the children
also myself are emigrating to New Zealand on April 11th/53, Jessie's husband
insists that I go with them. The looks upon me as a ,other, as he has no one
else. We are just one family. On no account if (you wish) you must not stop
writing to me. I will let you know later on how things are faring. Well
Cherry, I must close, hoping all are well and my very best wishes to you
all, and may God give your Mother strength to bear her burden. Your
affectionate Auntie Nellie xxxxxxx
        
28th November 1952 Postmark Warrington, Lancs. to Mr. J. Gilliland, 31
Glenside Park, Belfast, N. Ireland ~ (1) 4 Rossall Road, Gt. Sankey,
Warrington St. Nov. 21st 1952 - Dear Cherry, I would have written sooner
only I've been doing a pullover for Ted and as the weather turned very cold
suddenly I just had to get stuck into it & finish it, however as Bob has
gone to the football match to-day & Ted is out playing I've got plenty of
time to write. Well Cherry, I cannot tell you how greatly relieved I am to
have the house to myself & Bob says the same. I am glad they have gone. I
did not want them here after I came back, anyway she wanted a flat & they
searched Warrington trying to get a flat, of course when it was known there
was a baby no-one wanted them. I told them, they wouldn't get a flat in
Warrington on account of it so they looked for a house. All the Furnished
houses were £7 & £8 a week & he wouldn't give it. (2) It's a lot I know but
they get £9.10 a week from their ? for living accommodation & then their
Allowances on top of that & it is only in the British Isles they get this
£9.10 - can't let the British see the Yanks without plenty of dough, however
they got a furnished house in Liverpool at £3.10.0 a week - which I don't
believe - I think they may have got one at £4.10.0 a week (as I know nearly
all in Liverpool are £4.10 & £5.10) because when I said to her that's very
good £3.10.0 a week, then there's £1 a week for petrol, her face fell a mile
& I mean a mile, however I don't give two damns about them. Anyhow it's
strange how things work out. I said to Bob when I came back I want them away
before Xmas& he didn't like to tell them to go on account of the baby -
anyhow they've gone & I (3) got what I wanted out of them. I got my rates
paid & the electric also she broke two glass dishes on me which I never
expected to get - well she left two of hers. They got a two-way switch on
the landing & now (you remember it was a big plug on the landing & small
ones downstairs) I can put on my hoover up or down without changing the plug
- they kept our plug & broke our lazy switch but this two was switch which
he left because he would have pulled the wall down to get it out, have holes
for a large plug & a small one just what I intended to but at 4/6 after
they'd go. Well, she broke 30/- dishes on me, but before she left her friend
up the road gave her an ironing board as she (the friend) couldn't take it
back to the States & this Yank (4) asked me to look after her baby the
Thursday after she left & gave me the ironing board, which I did (they
brought the kid at 7.30 a.m. - took it away at 11.30 a.m., it was good, &
that's how I got an ironing board, but it only just pays for the dishes she
broke, but it's funny, all I wanted were those things & never expected to
get them & I did, it's funny how nature levels things out & she lost some of
my knives & forks & left some of hers, so all I wanted I got - I really
wanted the two glass dishes (for fruit) the plug the knives & forks & the
ironing board & never expected ever to get any of them but there it is - She
never offered to pay for a dish & she broke some but I'm satisfied, funny
the way things work out. (5) As regards teaching Teddy Cherry, I am every
night, I've just found out he's a year behind. The teacher says he's lazy
but I think that illness he had took it out of him, however I'm making him
learn at night. How are you keeping now Cherry, I'm sure you'll be glad when
it's all over. Are you sleeping any better, I do hope so, I've had arthritis
or fombositis in my right shoulder, it got so bad I've begun to use rubber
gloves when I wash clothes, or do dishes, vegetables or windows & its a
little better, I can still feel it if I swing my arm backwards, along the
shoulder blade. I'm sending all my heavy laundry out, sheets, shirts &
towels, its better that than having rheumatism. (6) Well Cherry, I got the
snaps developed but they only did small ones & I left them in for large ones
to be done, as soon as I get them I'll send you back the negatives. I'm sure
I don't know if there are any more or not. I'm having some done of old ones
& when I get the negatives you can have them. I could get them done over
here at 3/6d. each but Edie may be able to get them done for less, anyway
I'm waiting to hear from her. There'll never be anyone in the whole world
who'll come up to our dear old Dad. He has gone & my life feels empty - in
fact it makes you wonder why such a good person had to go & other old
rascals get staying. (7) Only thing we can say is Dad isn't suffering any
more. I think I am lonely at times but there's nothing as lonely as death,
its the end of all. Well Cherry, everything is just the same here. We are
all keeping well - it's very cold, cold enough for snow. Well Cherry, as
regards Ballyresey when I was over Mother was asking Ed, what he was going
to do with it & he said he hadn't any time for it & might sell & when I came
back I asked Bob would he consider it & he said he would but I got a letter
from Ed & he says he is going to keep it for himself, well, I'm satisfied, I
only thought he wanted to sell (8) it & I didn't like the idea of it going
to a stranger, but if Ed. is going to keep it, well I don't mind only I
wouldn't like to think of some one else getting it. I can always picture
Father among the white currant bushes at Ballyresey. He did so much for us
all. Well Cherry, this is all for now so I will close, hoping you are
keeping a little better. Love Barbara xxx
   
    
  
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1) 28th November 1957 Postmark Guelph, Ontario, Canada to Mrs. C. Gillespie,
20 Farmly Road, Belfast, N. Ireland from Mrs. Mary Martin, 93a Elizabeth
Street, Guelph, Ont. Canada - (1) 27-11-57 Dear Cherry, Received your
welcome letter and I am very sorry to hear that Aunt Edith has been in
Hospital and I hope she is keeping well now and the treatment she is
receiving is helping her a lot. I was just wondering why I had not received
any word for her for I was saying to Bill that my Aunt Edith must be ill of
I would have got a letter from her, you know Cherry I had a feeling that
something was wrong. Well Cherry Bill is working in the Canadian Meter Co.
Ltd., and we have had snow here, the rivers are all frozen. I have met a
girl from back home, she is here 3 years, she used to live in Scott Street
in Sandy Row and Ph. Boy, it was just great to see someone from home so we
visit one another. Trevor does not like it over here, he says he wishes he
was back home, & Donald is getting to be a real wee Canadian, you should
just hear him talk, you would get a real kick out of him. Well Cherry, tell
Vera, Babs, Edith, Mildred & the boys we were asking for them, and tell the
girls that if they have any time I would be glad to hear from them as I have
nobody else to write to me, only you and them and if Babs goes to England
not to forget and write me, did you not know we paid our own fares coming
out here, so if we want to go home again, we would have to pay our fares but
it will be (2) a few years before we be able to do that, you will see that
we have changed our Address again, it is a nice apartment and bigger, you
see that is what they do over here untill you get a place to suit you, they
call them apartments here and back home we would call them Flats. Well
Cherry they are getting ready for Xmas, over here they put their Xmas trees
outside the front door and decorated them and they were telling me it is the
nicest thing you ever seen. I don't know if I am right in your Married name
or not so if not when you write again you can send it. All the best
for now and tell Aunt Edith, I will write later as I don't want to trouble
her when she is not keeping to well & that I will pray for her to get well
again, so Cherry, write and let me know how Aunt Edith is keeping, if I was
only back home I would do whatever I could for her, so good night & God
Bless you all. Trevor & Donald sends their love. P.S. Cherry, what age is
your little boy, Love to all Mary. Hope you can make this out as I am
writing it makes me home sick at the water is just running out of my eyes.
2) 19th May 1958 Postmark Guelph, Ontario, Canada to Mrs. C. Gilliland, 20
Farmley Road, Glengormley, Belfast, N. Ireland from Mrs. B. Martin, 92 York
Road, Guelph, Ontario, Canada - (1) Dear Cherry, I just had been
speaking about you the night before when I received your letter the next
day, well Cherry, you will see we have moved again as this is a small house
that became vacant so we just took it when we got the chance and it is a
nice district, Bill is working away and I do housework a few days a week.
How are things back home, I heard the Shipyard is out on strike, is it
settled yet. So you say in your letter that Babs has gone back to England, I
was surprised to hear that for the last time I was speaking to her she was
saying that she would rather be home but of course it is a long time from I
seen her, when you are writing to her tell her that I was asking for her
also Vera and thank you and Vera for trying to help me. I suppose you
thought me very cheeky but thank God Bill is working now. Tell Aunt Edith
that I hope she is keeping well and that we were asking about her. You were
wanting to know if I had wrote to the Moores, well I have not as Aunt Edith
and you are the only ones I write to, but before I sailed for Canada they
sent Marylou for me to say that my Aunt Katie was very ill and if I wanted
to see her that I had better come up that night (2) I was not in when
she came and she left word with the woman across the road from me so of
course when I came home the woman told me and the woman said at first she
thought that Mary Lou was begging so you can guess what she was like and I
was very angry and when I went up to see Aunt Katie I told Maisie that I was
angry and not to send Mary Lou up to my house again, so of course Maisie
laughed so Aunt Katie heard my voice and she called me upstairs and the
usual, she wanted to know everything then she wanted to know if I would look
after her and I said I was going to Canada so she was not pleased at me.
When I was living in her house up the Lisburn Road she charged me £1-0-0 a
week and I paid the gas Bill and the Electric Bill, of course I was entitled
to pay them but she told lies on me, she said that I burnt the light & gas
and never paid her and that I also burnt her coals but Cherry if I never see
any of you again I want you to know that I paid her for the Rent of £1-0-0
and paid the Light & Gas so when I got at Maisie about it she started to
laugh and said that her Mother never said no such thing but I know she did
and that finished me. I can stand anything only lies. As I am writing to you
it is not taken time to rain and the thunder & lightning all day. I am very
sorry to hear that you all have had fly but I hope you are all O.K. now, do
you know Cherry we just heard the other day that Bill & I would have to be
here 20 years before we would be able to (3) to get any pension, you see if
you are 40 or more it is very hard to get a job as they don't like starting
any one at that age, they call that old over here. Well Cherry, we were
looking at photo the other night and I have one of Vera & Babs and Bill says
he thinks Babs is like me. Tell Milly I was asking about her and I hope she
is keeping well, also Edith. Well Cherry I will close now as I want to catch
the post, it will be lifted in 5 minutes. So Cheerio for now, God Bless you
all. Love Minnie xxxx Don't forget my new address is 92 York Road, Guelph
Ontario, Canada
3) 2nd November 1958 Postmark Guelph, Ontario, Canada to Mrs. C. Gilliland,
20 Farmley Road, Glengormley, Belfast, N. Ireland from Mrs. M. Martin, c/o
143 Ontario Street, Guelph Ontario, Canada - Dear Cherry, I received you
letter and I am very sorry to hear that Milly lost her baby, and I hope Aunt
Edith is keeping well and all the Family. Well Cherry, Bill is out of work
again and he has tried everywhere to get a job and it is just impossible as
there is no work to be got anywhere and he went to the unemployment and they
said he had not enough stamps and I had to give up our apartment as it was
75 Dollars a month and light on top of that, you see when I told the
landlord that Bill was paid off and I had not the rent for it is due next
we, he said we could not stay, so we had to get out and I did not know what
to do or where to turn so a woman I got to know I went to see her if she
could take Trevor & Donald and she said that we all could stay for 2 week as
she could not let us stay any longer as her daughter was coming home, so I
don't know what to do, it was a sorry day I left home as I have been knocked
about from I came here, you see Bill has only got about 12 week work from we
came so I don't know what to be come of us as we cannot even get home as we
have not the money. Honest Cherry, I don't know what to do as I have nobody
that I could ask to loan me the money to get home, to be truthful Cherry we
are down and out as we have any money, now you see Cherry I did not like to
let you know before as I never had to ask for anything so I was wondering if
Jim or you could loan me the money to get home, you know I will pay it back
and Cherry please don't be angry at me for asking as I am nearly distracted
and do not know what to do as I would not ask anyone else, in fact I have no
one else I would write and ask, so if you can help me you know I will not
let you down, please don't stop writing to me because I asked you to help
me, it is for my childrens sake and I will pay you back for I know if I was
home I could get work and if you help me you can charge interest on it,
please excuse writing. Your loving Cousin Minnie, Please answer soon and let
me know (Don't forget to write if) yes or no
  
  
  
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1) 16th March 1959 Postmark Guelph, Ontario, Canada to Mrs. C. Gilliland, 20
Farmley Road, Glengormley, Belfast, No. Ireland from Mrs. B. Martin, 92 York
Road, Guelph, Ontario, Canada - 15-3-59 Dear Cherry, I am sorry for
not writing sooner but I have had a very bad cold and am just getting over
it, and the weather here is very bad, it is still snowing and very cold.
Well Cherry, Trevor was 15 last month and he is still talking about home, so
we are saving all we can to get home as their is not much for a boy out here
in the line of getting a trade. About 3 weeks ago the Avon Airplant closed
down and it put 14,000 out of work and a lot have gone home again to England
& Scotland & Belfast and Bill is working one week and out the next, so I was
saying to him that it was better than being off altogether, for here in
Canada when you are 40 and out off work it is very hard to get a job as the
firms won't employ any one that age. Bill could have got into the Gas Works
only for his age, it is the insurance people that won't insurance any one
over 40, you might not belive me but that is the honest truth, so I only
hope when we do get home he will get a job, is the Shipyard very busy at
home. Well Cherry, how is Aunt Edith keeping, tell her I was asking for her
and all the Family. Do you ever see the Moores and is Maisie Married yet, I
heard she was thinking off getting Married and had the offers of 2, so if
you see her don't tell her that I was telling you for I don't know if it is
true or not. How is Babs doing, does she like living in England again and
Vera, I liked the way she drop me a line and Edith, tell her I was asking
for her, also Milly. What about Eddy & Joie, are the Married yet or are they
thinking about it. Edith Watson still write to me and she sent Trevor &
Donald some chocolate and a lovely Calander to me with the red hand of
Ulster on it, it really was a surprised to me and very thoughtful of her,
her oldest boy and Trevor went to the same school and she was telling me in
her letter that he is working now and he is 6 Months older than Trevor and
Trevor is still going to school as I will keep him at school as long as I
can, although education here is not as far advanced as at home. Donald is at
school and they don't learn the wee ones anything the first year the way
they do at home and Trevor says he will be behind when he goes home and
starts school, and you have to pay for everything out here for school and
the Books cost quite a lot, you can guess what it is like, the High School
Boys & Girls even deliver papars in the Morning before School then in the
evenings, when I cam going to work at 6-30 in the Morning I meet them as
they say it helps to pay for their Education. Well Cherry I will close now
and God Bless you & yours, hope to hear from you soon. Love Minnie, Bill &
Family xxxx
2) 16th November 1959? Postmark Guelph, Ontario, Canada to Mrs. C.
Gilliland, 20 Farmley Road, Glengormly Belfast, N. Ireland from Mrs. B.
Martin, 18 Toronto Street, Guelph, Ontario, Canada - Dear Cherry, Sorry for
not writing you sooner but I am very busy, what with working and rushing
home to make dinner, I some times wonder where the time goes. Well Cherry I
heard some time ago that Maisie Moore was Married to a fella younger than
herself, a good bit but I don't know if she is or not as I only heard it by
chance. Well Cherry we have had some snow and it sure does snow here in
Canada and just now as I am writing to you the frost is so thick on the
windows you could not see out off them, I work shift work, one week 3 to 11
the next week, 7 to 3 so you see I am just on the go all the time. Tell Aunt
Edith I was asking for her and although I don't write often I think of her a
lot. Well Cherry, how are you keeping yourself & little boy, also your hubby
and all the family and how is Babs doing over in England, you were saying
she had went back again and what is the work situation like at home, you
hear so many different thing from one & another, you don't know what to
belive, you see their is a lot of Irish people working where I am working
and they tell me. Trevor is going to High School now and he is taking
French, he got to go out of a 100 for it and this is his first year, he only
started school in September and he has got so tall, he is looking down at me
and you should just hear Donald and him speak, they sure are getting real
Canadians but Donald says no, he is not, he is Irish and I will say no, you
are Canadian and he got quite angry, he say, I am Irish. Well Cherry, how is
the weather back home and is their any changes. I suppose you are getting
ready for Xmas, I was just saying to Bill, the time is flying over here, the
firms only close for Christmas Day and start work again on Boxing Day but
their is a holiday 1 day every month, Dominion Day, Labour Day, 24 May, New
Years Day. Well Cherry, will close now and give my regards to all the Family
and I hope Aunt Edith is keeping well, hope to hear from you soon, your
cousin Min, Love to you all from all of us.
3) 2nd January 1960 Postmark Guelph, Ontario, Canada to Mrs. C. Gilliland,
20 Farmley Road, Glengormley, Belfast, N. Ireland from Mrs. B. Martin, 19
Toronto Street, Guelph, Ontario, Canada - 1/1/60 Dear Cherry, Many
thanks for your present of chocolates for Trevor & Donald, it sure was a
surprise for them and it was very good of you, well Cherry you were saying
that Aunt Edith was not keeping very well, so tell her we were asking for
her, and I hope she is feeling a bit better. We have snow here just now and
it sure does snow over here and you can what the weather is like when I go
out to hang my washing on the line it just freeze stiff as soon as it is
hung up and when I go to bring it in it is stuck to the line and by the time
I get it all off my fingers are numb, so Bill says not to hang it out any
more as it is to cold but I like to hang my clothes out as it sweetens them
but if it get any colder I will not be able so I will just have to hang it
inside so you can guess what it is like. Well Cherry you were saying Babs
was living in England again and I hope she likes it. Trevor will be 16 next
month and he is going to High School and he wants to go on for Electric
Engineer and he has got very tall, their is not much difference between Babs
Ted and him, hasn't Babs another baby, you didn't say if it was boy or girl
and how is Milly keeping, also Vera & Edith and the Boys, give my regards to
them all. Cheery what age is your Michel now and is he going to school. I
heard that Maisie Moore was married and living in the shop, I don't know for
sure, it was a Man & Woman from Donegall Road was over here visiting their
son & wife who was telling me. Well Cheery this is New Years Day and all
firms over here get a holiday for it, in fact near every month they have one
days holiday, their is not so many holidays back home. Well Cherry how are
things back home, is their much work and are their many changes, you would
hardly believe it I was just saying to Bill we will be 3 years here in June
and Trevor says 3 years to long, he was watching T.V. and I thought he never
heard me. Well Cherry I will close now and I wish you, Jack & Michel a very
happy new year and Aunt Edith, also Trevor & Donald say thanks once again
for the chocolates. Hope to hear from you again, love to you & yours, your
loving Cousin Minnie
  
   
  
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1) 24th October 1960 Postmark Guelph, Canada to Mrs. C. Gilliland, 20
Farmley Road, Glengormley, Belfast, N. Ireland from Mrs. B. Martin, 18
Toronto Street, Guelph, Ontario, Canada - 24-10-60 Dear Cherrie, I
wrote you some time ago and go no answer from you so I don't know if you got
my letter or not so I am writing again, well Cheerie, I am sending Michal a
gun set from Trevor & Donald and they hope he will like it as I know all
little boys like guns, and their is a underset(?) rose pink in it for you
and I hope it will fit you and that you will like it, well Cheerie we are
thinking of coming home next March as things are not very bright over here
and their is not much work, you see it is fall weather now and this is the
time of year all the firms lay men off. You know Bill has been in Hospital,
he collapsed at work and taken their and I was sent for but thank God he is
alright again. Well Cheerie how is the work situation at home, I hope when
we do get home Bill will get a job, he doesn't know I am going to ask you
this But if your Hubby could get him anything where he works he would not
let him down and would not forget him. Bill is in the Masons but he would
rather get a job himself, so cousin, if you could speak to your hubby and
see if he could do anything for Bill. I suppose their is no houses for rent
or flats as we would have to get a place to go to, Bill would like for me &
Donald to go home first and him & Trevor would follow as he wants me to go
home by plane and him & Trevor would go by boat with the Trunk & cases, so I
don't know yet what I will do, you know I wrote to Kash 6 months ago and ask
her to put us up and she said she had no room and that her dad said no, he
had no room either as he was not going to put himself or his son about for
us or anybody else so I wrote and told her to tell him that he would be the
last person I would go to so she never answered me again. Well Cheerie, how
is Aunt Edith keeping, tell her I was asking for her. Trevor is still at
school, he will be 17 years of age next Feb, please excuse pencil as I can't
find my pen and Trevor has his in school and I will have to get his when he
come in to address this letter. Well will close now, hope to hear from you
soon, I am posting Michal gun set to day 24th Oct. you should get it in
about 3 week time. Will close now and tell them all I was asking for them.
Love to you & yours, your cousin & Hubby & Family, Min, Bill, Trevor &
Donald
2) 17th January 1961 Postmark Guelph, Canada to Mrs. C. Gilliland, 20
Farmley Road, Glengormley, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland from Mrs. B.
Martin, 18 Toronto Street, Guelph, Ontario, Canada - Dear Cherry, I received
your parcle on Friday and Bill says it was very nice of you to send each of
us a present and Donald just wanted his Table Tennis Set right away, so I
said no, it has to go below the tree and the gloves fit me lovely and Trevor
says to thank you for the scoks & chocolate, he is a great one for sweets.
Well Cherry, you were saying I must have worked hard to save up the money
for coming home, I sure did, I work one week 7 to 3 and one week 3 to 11, so
we were busy for a while and I worked instead of 7 to 3, I work 7 to 6 then
12 to 11 as I took all the overtime I could get but as I said to Bill, make
hay while the sun shines, as where he works their is no over time and he
didn't like me working all that over time, so things are bad now as I am
laid off, so I said to Bill I was glad I took the extra hours, so I hope
when we go home in March thing will be a lot brighter and Bill can get a
job, for honest Cherry, when one is over 40 here a man can't get a job. As I
am writing to you it is snowing very hard and the frost is so thick on
windows I can't see out so you can guess how cold it is, it is 4.30 to-day
as I am writing so don't know what it will be like tonight. Cherry, did I
tell you that I wrote and ask Kash could she put us up for a couple of weeks
and she answered and said no, she had no room and that she asked her Dad and
he said no, he was not going to upset his son or his home for me, so I wrote
and told her to tell him I had no intention of going to him for he is one
old Rascle if ever there was one, and I wrote and ask Maisie Moore and said
I would pay her but she never answered me but I said to Bill, never mind,
God is good, when the time come for home, something will turn up. Well
Cherry, if their is anything you would like for Michele or yourself, let me
know. Trevor is still going to school, he will be 17 his next Birthday and
he say when we get home he would like to get to serve his time and that he
will go to night School, he wants to go on for a Electric Engineer, he is
looking down at me, he has got very tall. Well Cherry, my hair is all neat
grey, you would be surprised if you seen it as I had only a few, Donald says
it is silver, so they have a comb over here and for and all one has to do is
dip it in water and comb-over hair with it and it darkens ones hair again,
so of course I got one to try it and it sure is good, you can get them for
blond, brown, black or middle brown. Tell Aunt Edith we were all asking for
her & all the Family. I will close now, hope you can make this out as Bill
says I always write too small. So I wish you, Jack & Michel a Merry Xmas & a
Happy New Year, also Aunt Edith & Family. Hope to hear from you soon, love
to you & yours from Minnie, Bill, Trevor & Donald
3) 9th February 1961 Postmark Guelph, Ontario, Canada to Mrs. C. Gilliland,
20 Farmley Road, Glengormley, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland (Answered
13/3/61) from Mrs. B. Martin, 18 Toronto Street, Guelph, Ontario, Canada -
8-2-61 Dear Cherry, I received your most welcome letter and sorry for
not writing sooner and I hope Aunt Edith is keeping well, also yourself,
Jack & Michael. Well Cherry, we were making enquiries about Trevor getting a
trade out here, just to see if we could get him into what he wants to do you
know he would have to go to College and it would cost between $6000 & 5000
Dollars, so you can guess what the cost of education out here, last year his
books cost me $40-00 not couting odds & ends what he has to get every week,
so that is way Bill & I would like to get home to get him into his trade
before he is two old, he will be 17 years of age this month so if we got him
into his trade he could go to night school at home, things are really very
bad out here, I have been out of work a few months now and have tried to get
into a tobacco firm and a few other places but when they hear my age they
say sorry so you see it is not like home. I could get into the weaving so I
don't think we will get home until about June or July now so I hope things
be a bit better at home by then and Bill will be able to get something, you
know Cherry I do not like to bother you, telling you my troubles but it is a
help to be able to tell them to you as I don't write to anyone. Bill thinks
if we were home and he got something, we would not be long in getting
settled so I will keep my fingers crossed. How are all the family keeping,
and things are worse in the states and they have so much snow traffic is
stopped and they say milk is selling for $1.50 a bottle and with all the
snow I nevered heard of as many fires in Montreal has had a lot this past
few weeks and you may guess how cold it is, the water just froze in the
hose, one see so much snow here you get sick looking at it, well Cherry,
thanks again for the gloves, they sure keep my hands warm, it is so cold I
have to wear slacks when I am going shopping as my leg just turn purple with
the cold but even old ladies are wearing them, you be surprised to see them
so if you seen your cousin in slacks do not be surprised. Bill says to tell
you he was asking for you & Aunt Edith, so we all say thank you once again
for your presents at Xmas. Will close now and give my love to all the
family. Donald says to give these to Michael xxxxx Hope to hear from you
soon & God Bless you all, Your loving Cousin Minnie, Bill & Family
  
  
  
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1) 21st April 1961 Postmark Guelph, Ontario, Canada to Miss C. Gilliland, 20
Farmley Road, Glengormley, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland - from Mrs. B. Martin,
18 Toronto Street, 21 Vancouver Drive, Guelph Ontario,
Canada - 21-4-61 Dear Cherry, Sorry for delay in not answering your letter
sooner and I hope you all have got over the flu now, it is so very bad here
now and a lot of children are off school with it, things are not any better
over here and the firms are still laying people off. Bill is only working
week about and I have tried everywhere myself for work but can't get
anything. I was doing house work here & their but it sure takes a lot out of
me, honest Cherry when anyone goes looking for work and when you say you are
40 years of age you have no chance. I applyed for a job in the tobacco
factory and the age limited is 35 so you can guess what it is like. I was at
the unemployment on Tuesday and they always asked you if you have worked
last week and I said to the Clerk no, where would I get it, and I said to
her when one does go to see about work and when they hear you are over 40
years you would think you were drawing the old age pension the way the look
at you and say sorry, so with me being out of work and Bill short time it
has put us back a bit so if all goes well we will try and get home about
August. So I hope Bill will be able to get a job if & when we do get home,
people say it will be worse in September for their is 3% per cent going on
everything anyone buys. Bill would like me & Donald to go home first, he
says I would have a better chance of getting a place for Donald & me and him
& Trevor would follow in about a month after but I said no, we all came out
together and will go home together. Cherry I am sure you get fed up with me
telling you all my troubles but it relieve my mind a bit to be able to tell
someone for sometimes when I am sitting thinking, wondering will we get home
and if Bill will get a job I just have to get it of my chest so that is why
I tell you so I don't write to anyone else. Well Cherry tell Aunt Edith I
was asking for her and I hope God spares her for a long time yet and that
she is keeping well, also your Mother-in-law, I hope she is keeping a lot
better. How are things back home, are their many changes and what is the
weather like as I am writing to you it is raining and very cold and windy.
Donald has just come in from school and he says to me oh mum, is it ever
cold, he has got very big, he wants to know who I am writing too and I said
Cousin Cherry and he says, do I know her mum, so he that you are his cousin
too so I said yes that it was you sent his the table tennis set at
Christmas, so I said you had a little boy like him, so he said to tell you
that he is going to send your little boy some comics, as I am writing he is
talking 20 to the dozen to me. Well Cherry I will close now and tell Aunt
Edith we were asking for her again, hope to hear from you soon and God Bless
you all, Love to you & yours. From your loving Cousin Min, Bill, Trevor &
Donald
2) 28th May 1961 Postmark Guelph, Ontario, Canada to Mrs. C. Gilliland, 20
Farmley Road, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland from Mrs. B. Martin, 18
Toronto Street, Guelph, Ontario, Canada - 27-8-61 Dear Cherry, I hope
this finds you all well, also Aunt Edith, give her my love, I only wish I
could go to see her, as you know Cherry Aunt Edith was always closest to me.
Trevor & Donald says to say thank you for sending them the rock, it was very
nice of you and Trevor says that is more than his Aunt ?ash would do, you
know Cherry she wrote to Trevor a year ago telling him that she was sending
him a pen & pencil set an something for Donald and she hoped he would like
them but he never received them and he was so dispointed at her that he
wrote and told her he never received them and she never answered his letter.
Well Donald says to tell Michael he is sending him some comics and he hopes
he like reading them, and to tell Michael he is in grade 3 in school and
what grade he is in. Trevor is in grade they will be starting school
in another week. Well Cousin how are things back home, is the work situation
any better and is their many changes. Tell all the family I was asking about
them. Their is a man from Sandy Row over here just now on a visit to his
daughter & son-in-law and he came to see me, he says Sandy Row is so much
changed that we would hardly know it, he is going home in 2 more week, he
has been over here for 3 months and he said it was nice country but he will
be glad to get home again. Bill and I are going to see him on Tuesday night
again before he leaves, he told his grandson & wife to phone us and say that
he enjoyed meeting us as it was just like visiting some one back home. Well
Cherry you would hardly believe it but the stores here are getting ready for
Christmas already, they have Xmas Card & Dolls & toys all on display come
the 1st September, their is 3% tax on everything. How is the weather back
home, we had a big storm on Thursday night and the power was off over 1 hour
and thunder & lighting was very bad and it rain so hard it flooded a lot of
basements and it done a lot of damage. What age is Michael now, Donald wants
to know so I said to him he is round about his age but I am not sure. Well
Cousin I will close now and hope to hear from you soon. God Bless you all.
Your loving Cousin Min Bill Trevor & Donald
3) 29th January 1962 Postmark Guelph, Ontario, Canada to Mrs. C. Gilliland,
2- Farmley Road, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim to Mrs. B. Martin, 21 Vancouver
Drive, Guelph Ontario, Canada - Dear Cherry, Received parcle O.K. and thank
you very much and I hope you are keeping better, well Cherry as I am writing
to you it is snowing very hard and very cold and so slippery, one can hardly
walk, it sure does snow here, when it starts you may guess what it is like,
Bill has made a Skating rink in the back and Donald is never in, he is out
skating all the time and you should just see the men out skating in their
backyard with the wee one learing? them to skate and the women also. Well
Cherry, you were saying about the combs making your hair hard, maybe you are
not wetting it enough, their is a crayon out for the hair, it is good, also
after you wash your hair you just part it and put this crayon on and it sure
is good, then their is a new rinse out called loving care, after you wash
your hair you put this on and let it stay on for 15 minutes then rinse off
with cold water, it stays on for about 3 months and makes one hair lovely
and soft, they have it in 17 colours, I tried it and I like it very well for
one can do their own hair. Well Cherry I was just looking out to see if
Donald was coming from school and oh boy, it sure is cold and stormy, the
snow is just blowing all over the place. Hope you can make this out as this
pen starts & stops. This house we have got has 3 bedrooms, 1 large Kitchen
and 1 living room and 4 piece Bath, you see where we call a sitting room
over here they call it a living room and a cooker is a stove and is one says
they have to do some smoothing they call it Ironing, you sure would laugh if
you heard some of the names they have for some of the things over here. Well
Cherry tell Aunt Edith I was asking for her and Bill says he hopes she is
keeping well, you would hardly think but we will be here 5 years in May,
tell all the family I was asking for them and how is Babs doing in England,
does she like it any better, when you write to her tell her I was asking for
her and is she has any time would she drop me a few lines. So will say
Cheerio for now so hope to hear from you soon. Love to you and yours, Your
Cousin Min & Bill & Trevor & Donald
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1) Miss Cherry Shaw - 'Lindunn?' 15 Hawthornden Road, Knock, Xmas Day
My Dear Cherry, Thank you very much for your gift, it is very nice of you to
remember me especially when you would have to use your coupons. When are you
coming up to have a cup of tea with me, any time when you like will suit me.
I keep asking Mary about your sister, Mary said how ill she was, I do hope
that you are settled in your new home & that you will all have a Happy New
Year & no more of Mr. Hitlers nonsense. Will you come some Sat or Sunday &
have tea with me, tell Mary what day suits you, I will be delighted to see
you again. With love & many thanks, Maud M. Davy
2) 19 Green Road, Knock, Monday - Dear Cherry, If you are not doing anything
next Sunday March 4th, will you come and have tea with us, Mother says it is
so long since she saw you she would like to see you again soon, perhaps you
will call at the Studio and let me know. Yours Sincerely M. Da??
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