Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1919

General Frederick C. Heath-Caldwell CB aged 60/61

Constance M.H. Heath-Caldwell aged 50/51

Lt Cmdr Cuthert H. Heath-Caldwell DSO aged 29/30

Cuthbert Eden Heath OBE aged 59/60

Sarah Heath aged 59/60

Leopold C. Heath (Griggs) aged 24/25Genesta Heath – aged 19/2

Genesta Mary Heath, aged 19/20

Admiral Sir Herbert Heath KCB, MVO, etc aged 57/58

Lady Elizabeth Heath

Madeline Marion de Salis (ne Heath) aged 25/26

Rosamond Heath (Posy) aged 24/25

General Sir Gerard M. Heath KCMG, 55/56

Letter to General F.C.Heath-Caldwell C.B.

Harnham Cliff,

Salisbury

12th January 1919.

My dear Heath-Caldwell,

I am so much obliged to you for so kindly sending me your congratulations on my obtaining the G.B.E., due not to my own merits, but to the admirable work carried out by those serviing in the Southern Command, which makes me very proud of the Decoration, and to which you so materially contributed. 

Yours sincerely,

Henry MdaleI

am very sorry you are going to retire. Kindest remembrances to you both, from my wife.

Diary of Genesta Heath, aged 19

Wednesday 29th January 1919 - London

We went, a family party, to the United States Ball at the Albert Hall, nearly three hundred people in fancy dress or uniform and very beautiful. Father was in pink, Mother as a Kurd, Aunt Irene poudre, and my dress was eartern and really lovely. The floor was superb, the band rather more used to the operas than to our music - but good enough all the same. Coloured searchlights played all the time, this wonderful kaleidoscopic crowd moving and shifting and blending.

1st February 1919

Frederick Heath-Caldwell relinquishes command of the South-Eastern Area, RAF.

Letter to FCHC.

Air Ministry,Strand,

London, W.C.2.

Telephone No. REGENT 8000

Telegraphic Address: "AIRMINISTRY, LONDON."

All letters on the undermentioned subject should be addressed to THE SECRETARY at the above address and should quote: Air Ministry Reference. C.61249, (P.4.a) 

To -Major General F.C. Heath-Caldwell, C.B., 

HEADQUARTERS, SOUTH EASTERN AREA,

Royal Air Force,

Covent Garden Hotel,

Strand, W.C.2.

subject,

Sir,

I am commanded by the Air Council to inform you that your temporary attachment to the Royal Air Force will terminate on 1st February 1919, from which date your services will be placed at the disposal of the Army Council.

The Air Council regret that they are unable to grant you leave before re-joining the Army, as if such leave were granted it would mean that the officer appointed to succeed you would not be able to draw the pay of the appointment although actually performing the duties.

A copy of a letter which has been forwarded to the Army Council is attached for your information.

I am to take this opportunity of thanking you for the valuable services you have rendered whilst attached to the Royal Air Force.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

(signed) W.A. (Adinson?)

Diary of Genesta Heath continues

Thursday 6th February 1919 - London

Things have been quite exciting lately. The whole of the labour class seems to have gone on strike - miners, railwaymen, tubemen, electricians, waiters, cooks and ... page boys! In a hotel now you will get no meals and no hot water, so you either break the ice before getting in or go dirty. The electricians say that they are going to cut offr the lights and leave London in total darkness. The government is being surprisingly firm; they sent troops to Glasgow to bring sense to the Clyde shipbuilders and they have called for volunteers for teh power stations; also they have made it an offence to interfere with the water or gas supply.The electricians said they would turn out the lights at six tonight: it is now seven, and all serene. The Peace Conference has been rather put in the shade, but, as I suppose we have passed the crisis here, we may be hearing something more about it.

Saturday 15th February 1919 - London and Anstie Grange, Holmwood

Motored to Anstie for the day in the new Vauxhall. The car is good for touring, runs very smoothly and can do 80 miles an hour. The air was like velvet, the view all blue and everything smelt of spring, fresh and delicious. It was a perfect day. When we got there we found the roads covered with frozen snow which is just beginning to melt, hovering between slipperiness and slush.Anstie has been rather chaotic - eight of the radiators burst. Mrs Philpott has just avoided drowning and has been tearing about wiht baths and pails and mops, pulling up the carpets and cursing the frost. I wandered round, was greeted exuberantly by all the dogs and blessed by one of the woodsmen, Curly, who is a dear. Came back to London through the loveliest sunset, which flooded everything with a pinky gold light.

Saturday 22nd February 1919 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

Dick arrived early this morning and we went to a meet at Bookham. Found almost at once and at first had quite a good run, but the going was bad. This evening Mr Griffin (an American naval officer) arrived and after dionner Miss Piggott came up from Bearehurst, and we four danced to the jerky melody of the pianola.

22nd February 1919

Retirement of General Frederick Crofton Heath-Caldwell from the Army after 42 years service. 

Diary of Genesta Heath continues

Friday 7th March 1919 - 

My friend Mr Griffin collected me, and we went to the movies. Mr Griffin is going to Russia next week to chase Bolsheviks through the ice [The British had sent a force to Archangle during the Civil War].

Tuesday 11th March 1919 - 

Mr Capehart and Mr Griffin - Bob - came to dinner. Then on to the Mitfords' dance with them.

Tuesday 18th March 1919

Here begins a thrilling tale. We took on a chaffeur called Bates with a touching history, for our sympathetic ears, of four years as a prisoner of war. Today he vanished entirely, leaving his extremely anxious wife on our hands. There's no sign of him anywhere.

Wednesday 19th March 1919

Still no sign of Bates, and we passed the day hunting for him. I went to the City and had a talk with Mr Nichols in Father's palatial office. A Pole, Count Ostrorog (whom I met at the Torr's last week) came to dinner, and we all went on to the Carew's dance. He dances well.

Thursday 20th March 1919 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

Our elusive Bates has been traced to Brixton. His wife has gone there.

Friday 21st March 1919 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

A particularly lurid day. Bates came to the house and I dismissed him (Mother is in France). He made a scene. He was drunk. However, we all emerged alive, but then Griggs had to go down with him and the butler to Dorking to look at the cars there.

Kilkenny Moderator

Saturday 26 April 1919

A marriage has been arranged, and will shortly take place, between Lieutenant-Commander C.H.Heath-Caldwell D.S.C., R.N., son of Major-General and Mrs Heath-Caldwell of Lnley Wood, Talke, Staffordshire, and Violet, younger daughter of J. Mansergh Palmer, D.L., and Mrs Palmer of Armagh, and Dereen, Durrow, Queen's Country.-

Diary of Genesta Heath Continues

Monday 28th April 1919 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

The snow is about ten inches deep on the flat and there are five - to six-foot drifts in places. I know because I sat in one, and the spaniel came and sat on my chest - she is a heavy dog - by way of helping me.

Irish Society (Dublin)

Saturday 3 May 1919

Commander C.H. Heath-Caldwell D.S.O., R.N., son of Major-General and Mrs Heath-Caldwell of Linley Wood, Talke, Staffordshire, and Violet, younger daughter  of J. Mansergh Palmer D.L., and Mrs Palmer of Armagh and Derren, Durrow, Queen's Co.

Marriage of Cuthbert Heath-Caldwell and Violet Palmer

Violet Heath-Caldwell at her marriage to Cuthbert. 5th May 1919

Marriage of Capt. Cuthbert H. Heath-Caldwell D.S.O. and Violet Mary Palmer, in Bournemouth. 5th May 1919. Dr Mansurgh Palmer on the left and his wife Mrs Palmer on the right. I thik Admrial Alexander Palmer sitting by Cuthbert, and Iny Palmer, Violet's sister sitting by her. So a front row of Palmers. Mainly Heath and Heath-Caldwell relatives behind.

Newspaper article below says marraige took place in Ireland. 

Monday 5th May 1919 - London. I am twenty today. I don't know that I quite like being so old, but we'll see how things go on later. We came to London, and are staying at the Wigmore Hotel. Tonight we all went to the Slavo Dance at Prince's. 

Irish Independent

Friday 9 May 1919

A wedding took place at St.Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, on May 5, between Lieut-Commander Cuthbert Heath-Caldwell D.S.C., R.N., son of Major-General F.C. Heath-Caldwell C.B., Staffordshire, and Violet, younger daughter of J. Mansergh Palmer, D.L., Infirmary, Armagh.

Diary of Genesta Heath continues...

Sunday 18th May 1919 - London

Bob Griffin, whom I imagined to be battling with icebergs and Bolsheviks, suddenly rang up and said when could he come round and see 'you-all.' We sampled the river at Richmond and found it very crowded, but otherwise delicious. He came back with us to dinner.

Tuesday 20th May 1919 - London

On the river again, this time at Kew, and Bob came. It was rather hot. Bob and I fought, the first time since I have known him, and over politics too. It was a novel experience. However, he goes north again tonight, so we parted friends. His ships are at Inverness, and he really will sail straight for Russia now. I fancy they won't be gone for long.

Thursday 22 May 1919

The Scotsman.

Maj.Gen F.C. Heath-Caldwell C.B., retires on ret. pay. 

Irish Society (Dublin) 

Saturday 31 May 1919

Marriage Caldwell - PalmerAt St.Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, by His Grace the Lord Primate, assisted by the Revd. M.I.Palmer, uncle of the bride, and the Revd. Canon Tichborne, Rector of Armagh, the pretty May wedding was celebrated of Lieut-Commander Cuthbert H. Heath-Caldwell D.S.O., R.N., son of Major-General Heath-Caldwell C.B., Linley Wood, Talke, Staffordshire - and Miss Violet Palmer, younger daughter of J. Mansergh Palmer, D.L., and Mrs. Palmer, Infirmary House, Armagh. 

The bride was given away by her father, and wore white georgette-satin and serge, trimmed with silver, a white toque, and beautiful white fox furs, the gift of the bridegroom. Her only attendant was her sister, Miss Ina Palmer, who chose a nicely toned costume of grey and mauve silk, and a mauve hat to match. The 'grooms present to her was a gold and enamel Shamrock brooch. Commander E. M. Palmer, O.B.E., R.N., undertook the duties of best man, and after a reception at Infirmary House the newly married pair left for Lyme Regis, the bride travelling in navy blue serge with grey facings, and a grey toque trimmed with pink flowers. 

His Grace the Lord Primate and Mrs. Crozier, General and Mrs Heath-Caldwell, Colonel Shuter, D.S.O., R.I.F., Captain A.R. Palmer, R.N. and Commander E. Palmer, were among the numerous guests present at the wedding.

Diary of Genesta Heath contines

Wednesday 4th June 1919

A great day! We went to the Derby and took Captain Lake and Mr Capehart. There were thousands of people, among them bookies, gypsies, three-card-trick men, coaches, motors and buses, and a crush in the grandstand you couldn't move in. We won a little on Paper Money and lost it all on Wendy. Next time we go I should like to ride there from Anstie; it is the best way to see it. As it was, we stood on the roof of the car and bore the rain patiently until Mr Capehart went off and fetched an umbrella for me. He borrowed it from an old lady superintending the coconut chies, and when she saw him she cried, 'Ow, the ducky little sailorboy! Bring it back dearie won't you?' Of course he did

.
Thursday 5th June 1919

Hurlingham this evening with Mr Lake, the sailor brother of the captain's. He is very nice and had spent the morning with three of his brothers, all receiving decorations. One got the M.C., two got the DSO, and he got the DSO and DSC - a very distinguished set of brothers. 

Tuesday 10th June 1919 - Cambridge

Started off for Cambridge, with Mr Lake to see I got there safely. I was going to stay with Lady Wood - but I'd no notion where. There wasn't a sign of Sir John anywhere, so we went about asking people which his college was. Ran him to earth at last, and found the rest of the party, so poor Mr Lake was able to escape.

Wednesday 11th June 1919 - Cambridge

Watched the tennis tournament after lunch. Cambridge was beaten. Tonight we went to the Duds Ball, where we stayed till 5.30. I met a boy named Drummond-Hay, nicknamed Truffles. The band got merrier and merrier - one musician was carried out, and another crowned himself with a wreath of flowers and danced a pas seul on the platform.

Thursday 12th June 1919 - Cambridge

Went on the river after lunch and slept peacefully in the boat. John struggled with the tea and sat with his feet in the water, muddyingt it. He also poled us home most efficiently. We only crashed six boats, and made ourselves very popular. He held on his way regardless.Tonight we went to the Naval Ball at the Guildhall. There were twice as many people as there was room for, so we stood round waiting for chairs for supper. John had brought a bottle of champagne, so we didn't faint. When it was over, at 5.30, we had our photographs taken in the marketplace, looking perfectly awful in the morning sun.

Friday 13th June 1919 - Cambridge

Truffles came round after lunch and took me over the colleges. He did it very well, telling me the history of each one. We walked and walked. I remember the river from King's Bridge, and the Cloister at Queens', which is lovely; very old, quiet and dim and away from everywhere. You can imagine the ghosts of generations of students passing up and down, not minding the silly little human beings who come round to look at their old haunts, and go away wondering at them.After dinner we went on the river, Lady Wood and John in one canoe, Truffles and I in another. We lashed them together with our handkerchiefs. John sang to us and we drifted along that lovely stream seeing the lights fade out, and the sunset die down, till the stars appeared one at a time and the pale moon watched us. It was dark when we got in, and beautiful. I leave tomorrow; it has been heavenly.

Tuesday 17th June 1919 - Ascot

To Ascot. It was a boiling hot day and a wonderful sight; crowds of ladies in lovely frocks. The royal party arrived about ten o'clock and drove up the course escorted by mounted gentlemen of the Household. The King, Queen, Princess Mary and the Prince of Wales were in the first carriage, drawn by four perfect horses.

Thursday 19th June 1919 - Ascot

Ascot again, just as hot and just as beautiful. This time we saw the royal carriages leaving, they drove off between lines of ladies and gentlemen, all curtseying and bowing, and the Queen smiling and looking so happy.

Saturday 28th June 1919

Peace has been signed today. It is the fifth anniversary of the murders at Sarajevo which started the war. The documents were signed at three o'clock, and suddenly all the guns round us started firing twenty-one rounds each, all round the ridge, one taking it up after another - almost, I suppose, for the last time. There was a lot of happy noise everywhere later in the evening, fireworks and rockets. How wonderful to think it is peace at last. I wish I was in Paris now.

Sunday 6th July 1919 - LondonThis is the day of universal thanksgiving all through England. Dulcie and I got up early and went to Westminster Abbey where we waited, shivering, for the doors to open. There was a wonderful, the music beautiful - there is nothing like music... I hope Heaven realizes how incredibly, overwhelmingly thankful and grateful we are.

Staffordshire Advertiser

Saturday 28 June 1919

Audley - Returned Soldiers Welcomed -

Under the joint auspices of the local Red Cross Society and the Audley Urban District Council and Miss Wood's Guild, about 250 Audley and Bignall End men who have returned from the Forces were welcomed home at the Council Schools on Wednesday. About £170 had been subscribed to defray the cost of providing tea and entertainments, mainly as the result of a house-to-house collection, a contribution of £20 by the Audley and District Farmers Association and a garden party organised by the Audley Price Band.

After a substantial tea at which many ladies and gentlemen of the district assisted, the men were each presented with a pen-knife as a sourvenir of the occasion and a packet of cigarettes, and an adjournment was made to the Football Field where an enjoyable programme of sports was gone through.

Before the commencement of the sports, Major-General Heath-Caldwell of Linley Wood, Talke presented war medals which had been awarded to the following for gallantry:- Pte A.W. Cooper, Sergt G. Pennell, Pte D. Flamank, Sergt. Oliver Clarke, and Pte Ernest Heath.

The General, who has just retired from the Army after 42 years' service congratulated the men and called for three cheers for them. Mr E.Latham (chairman of the Urban District Council) in extending a hearty welcome to the returned soldiers, said they were all pleased to have that opportunity of publicly expressing their gratitude to them for having gone out and done their duty. He asked them to accept the thanks of he all Audley people for what they had done. He also expressed pleasure at having with them that day Major-General Heath-Caldwell. The crowd assented in hearty fashion and in reply Major-General Heath-Caldwell said he was coming to live in that neighbourhood and he hoped to make friends amongst them.

Diary of Genesta Heath conitinues

Thursday 10th July 1919 - London

Jim Wood, my pilot friend, appeared today for two minutes. He departs tomorrow morning for Finland, in an oilship. He wanted to take me up in his plane, but it didn't come off.Tonight we went to the opera - Romeo and Juliet. Melba saing exquisitely and the duet was heavenly. And oh, the people! - the dresses and jewels were lovely, and some of the ladies were too!

Wednesday 16th July 1919 - London

We had been bidden to the garden party at Buckingham Palace. An enormous stretch of lawn and five thousand people, all in elegant clothes, with the great stone Palace in the background. The King and Queen went their separate ways, receiving people and speaking to them, passing down al lane of guests while Mamas presented nervous debutantes, and it all looked perfectly beautiful with the sun pouring down. We wandered about meeting friends and seeing all sorts of interesting people - a lot of royaltie, diplomats, generals and one or two actors.After tea Admiral Nelson-Ward presented Mama and me to the King. It was very informal and easy; he shook hands with us, said a few words to Mother, and then moved on. Dot was there and she stayed the night with us. 

Friday 18th July 1919 - 

The Peace Procession takes place tomorrow; in front of Queen Victoria's monument a stand has been erected where the King and the royal party will take the salute. Round the front of the stand are seats draped in red cloth and backed by the white and gold pylons and the flags.

Saturday 19th July 1919 - London

 Forth we went in the early dawn, Father, Mother, Dulcie, Griggs, Aleste and I, through the Park to Woolland's, [Knightsbridge], where we have got seasts for the Victory Procession.

The Park was full of sailors and Wrens, pretty neat girls in that most becoming uniform for which Uncle Herbert (Admiral Sir Herbert Heath) is responsible. [He told me that he and Dame Catherine Furse, commanding the Wrens, had been ordered to inspect the new uniforms for these girls. He insisted on shorter skirts and smarter hats, to the Dame's disapproval - but he got his way]. There were groups of decorated naval officers, glittering with gold, swords, shoulder knots and medal ribbons. Father came to a halt here, looking for Uncle Herbert, so we went on,.

At Woolland's we had excellent seats on the ground floor, raised, and looking onto the street. The only drawback was the pane of glass in front, which made coolness impossible and cheering useless!At 10am the procession left Albert Gate, sweeping round the corner and past us to march down Sloane Street. The men marched alphabetically by country. The Americans headed the column, with General Pershing leading them, splendid on a very fine horse. The men were most impressive. They marched eight abreast. all in khaki, rifles shouldered and bayonets fixed, glinting as they caught the sun, swinging round the corner.The Belgians came next - little men in long brown coats and brown shrapnel helmets, with a cheerful little bugle band. They were terrifically cheered! There were not many of them, but they were hardy and tried. The very first into the war, here were the survivors; they have had terrible losses.

After them came Chinese generals with their staff, all mounted and very smart. Each country's troops carried their own banners. The Americans made a perfect group, a sudden wave of colour, a forest of flags. The Belgians carried their sloped over the shoulder, I thought it less impressive. Following them the Czechoslovaks - then the great fighter, Marechal Foch! How the crowd cheered! he rode carrying his baton in his right hand, looking very unselfconscious and superb. He too not notice of us at all. His general followed him, then a band, and then his soldiers - Chasseurs, infantry, colonials, Zouaves in their picturesque clothes, Tirailleurs, some fine-looking sailors and cavalry.

The Greeks came next, then Italians, Japanese and Poles.The Portugueses followed but I think the crowd was getting its breath for the next outburst, which came with the Romanians. They have suffered too, and their men look splendid. The the Serbians - tall, well-built men. They were cheered and cheered again.There was a pause after the last of the foreigners.

Then our own men appeared. First the navy, Sir David Beatty leading, marching ahead alone, followed by an officer carrying his flag. Then came is admirals and staff, dozens of them including Uncle Herbert, who looked at us, smiling as ever, but did not see us. Men of HMS Queen Elizabeth were next, then the battle squadrons, each with their flags. And the Naval Reserve men, among whom were the minesweeper crews; nobody had done better work than them.

There were merchant captains too, who supplied England with food all through the war in spite ofr their heavy losses. There were naval nurses and naval chaplains, all decorated. Dame Catherine Furse led the WRNS; they marched most beautifully and looked perfectly charming in their smart new uniforms. Sea Scouts brought up the rear. The crowds cheered madly.

A band. Another pause. And then the army! Staff officers leading followed by leading officers and men of the 19th Expeditionary Force. They were the very first to go to France, and here were the survivors, having fought right through to march in the Victory Procession.The massed standard of the Household Cavalry, cavalry and infantry regiments came. Then the artillery, wildly cheered by the crowd (the cheering led by an officer aloft upon a lamp post, who took off his cap and waved his stick and yelled).

Behind them, riding  a very beautiful chestnut, came Uncle Gerard [General Sir Gerard Heath] at the head of his engineers. He saw us and saluted. I stood up and waved frantically to him. The sappers were marching behind carts containing some of the mysteries of their trade: field telephones, pontoon boats and tool wagons. Then came the infantry - about two lines of each regiment, marching, most of them twelve abreast.

Four tanks were very thrilling, lumbering along with an officer running backwards in front of them, directing them. Then the Jersey detachment,. Then some splendid Australians, New Zealanders, and South Africans, each with a detachment of nurses. Then the VADs, 'Very Adorable Darling,' marching as well as anyone and looking perfect. The got tremendous cheers.A band, A pause. The Royal Air Force. Hundreds of them, and among the officers leading was Colonel Samson, an ace, and a wonderful man. The WRAF brought up the rear, and ended the procession, the most wonderful and historic procession that has ever taken place in England. I am thankful to have seen it.

After dinner out again to see the fireworks in Hyde Park. They were exquisite. Fountains of gold, great gold flowers opening towards you, cascades of colour, showers of ruby and emerald stars, the crowd gasping at it. Beacons are lit all over England tonight, on the highest hills. The sky over Hampstead was bright yellow, flickering with reflections. The people! Thousands and thousands of them all over the roads, mostly quite sober, a few not. Some were dancing that funny arm-in-arm dance Trafalgar Square specialised in on Armistice night, singing, ringing joy-bells, and all covered in flags. Some girls had tied the Union Jack handkerchief-wise in their heads, and had swen them onto the blouses.

It has been a wonderful day, but it's somehow hard to realize it means peace. People are supremely happy, but they're not swept of their feet with relief and thankfulness as they were on Armistice night. Then it was the soul of the country you saw, now it's just the spirit of gaiety. One of the most glorious sights today was our regimental colours - so many of them in tatters. They are the soul of the army.

Monday 21st July 1919

Today we drove to Southend, where Admiral Fremantle has asked us to lunch in his ship, HMS Revenge. After lunch I went all over the ship. An attractive boy with a mop of yellow hair and a cigarette stuck behind one ear showed us over his own turret. He told us all about it and said the entire turret, with its two great guns,weighs 2000 tons. The average time of firing from one shot to another is twenty-one seconds, but this particular ship gets through it in eighteen seconds. He took us into the place where they get the ranges from. The amazing thing is that, though the shock outside the turret would blow you six feet high when the gun is fired, inside there isn't a soung.

Monday 11th August 1919

Said goodbye to everyone and packed ourselves into the train for Edinburgh. Ran into Dick Usher in the lounge; he is stationed here with the Scots Greys. [May years later Dick came to live in Kenya with his wife. After a few years they parted andhe married again. Three days after the wedding they left in Dick's plane for their honeymoon. The weather was bad, with low clouds. He flew into a mountain and she was killed; he shot himself.]

Saturday 16th August 1919

I drove the car from Aboyne to Lumphanan to join the shooters, tucked it into a farmyard and walked up Quarry Hill to the pool. Fascinating place. The slabs of rock are pinky grey, and the water is a still purple and very deep. On the top of a hill with the moors all round it, it is a gem of a pool. I have loved it for three years.

94 Landcaster Gate, London

(ph 2500 Paddington)

(crossed out letterhead - G.H.Q. Home Forces,

Horse,Guards, S.W.)

21st August 1919.

To Mrs Heath-Caldwell,

I wish to thank you very much for our pleasant stay with you. Your husband and I are very old friends and I want to see more of him if possible.

If you want to come to London for a night or two wish you like come and stay with us.

I am just (down?) and you would give me so much pleasure.

Yours sincerely

French

(Field Marshall John Denton Pinkstone French, 1st Earl of Ypres, KP, GCB, OM, GCVO, KCMG, ADC, PC 1852 - 1925)

Diary of Genesta Heath continues

Friday 26th September 1919

The railway strike starts tonight at midnight.

Sunday 28th September 1919

All the main lines have stopped working and the government is commandeering all the petrol, so goodness knows when we shall get south! In London there are no trams, tubes, taxis or buses, and lorries are hard at work bringing food into the city. This strike paralyses everything. Trade unions are involved and the government has it hands full, but they are sure to come to a settlement soon. Meanwhile a few trains are being run by volunteers.

Tuesday 30th September 1919

Every day I have been out with Tom [Farquhar, Lady Farquhar's eldest son] all over the country, being looked at by his friends and endless relations!

Friday 3rd October 1919

Today Tom and I went by train to Cambus O'May, biked to a farm where we left the machines, and walked o to the Burn O' theVat. It is a lovely place, a deep, rocky cleft running up with this small burn in the middle of it. In one place there is a waterfall across some rocks which make what is called Rob Roy's Cave, where he his awhile from his enemies.

Two nights ago the Northern Lights were showing.They looked like running streamers of white, streaky clouds, moving up and down the sky; they streamed and flashed and faded and lit up in patterns - the sky was alight with them. They were all white, not coloured. The curious thing is they they came from the south-west! They are more strange than beautiful, but I am glad to have seen them.

Saturday 4th October 1919

This is our last day here, as somehow Hann the chauffeur has got the petrol to take us south by car.

Tuesday 7th October 1919 - Carlisle

The strike is over. The first train was run last night - we heard the cheering. We are still gong by car and started for Carlisle this morning. The Border country is grand and curious, with steep, bare hills, very narrow valleys and sheep everywhere.

Wednesday 8th October 1919 - Chester 

En route Chester, we came through Windermere. Magnificent, wild, windy and as grand as Scotland.Chester is a beautiful old town. But motoring isn't all joy - the roads are cut to pieces and full of holes, through which we bump in an anguished silence.

Thursday 9th October 1919 - Chester

This morning I went over the cathedral alone. It is built of rose-red stone and the light inside is a very soft pink. The organ was playing gently, I wandered about. There are many In Memoriams to men who have fallen in this war, and there is also a banner presented by the hospitals of Cheshire. After the cathedral I walked along the walls, then looked at the shops, some of which have quaint old carvings on the woodwork. A great many have been rebuilt, but in good taste.
Friday 10th October 1919Left for Cheltenham. Drove through Shropshire, which seems to have stuck in the eighteenth century. Everyone is very slow, and very polite, and the carthorses are magnificent, but the scenery is flat, dull and cultivated.

Saturday 11th October 1919 - London

Tom and I are engaged.Left early for London. Home at last! I started reading the engagement letters. It took me two hours without stopping or pausing, from five till seven. After dinner, at it again!

16th October 1919

Every day is composed of letter-writing and shopping. Life is grand being engaged - the best thing I have ever tried. Today I went to the Hill Hopital lunch party - it was fun. Everybody ragged me and I hope they'll all turn up at the wedding. It's going to be on Wednesday, 10th December, at St.Margaret's, Westminster.

Saturday 1st November 1919 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

Anstie. This is a great day. To tea came about a hundred of the villagers,. Tea was in the dining room, dozens of tables, and scores of babies turning up in all sorts of odd places. After tea we went into the hall and had a couple of hours of a really good conjurer. Just before the end, Hoddie, our carpenter, ex-navy, made a charming speech and presented me with a wedding present from all the Anstie and village people - a lovely cruet set in silver. I was so pleased and scared I didn't know what to day; it was wonderful of them. They left after that. Bless them all. I don't suppose I shall see them again before the day. 

Staffordshire Sentinel

Wednesday 5 November 1919

Talke Male Voice Choir - Concert in Honour of the Conductor

A miscellaneous concert, organised by the committee and members of the Talke-o'th-Hill Male Voice Prize Choir, in appreciation of the services of their conductor, Mr F.P. Bossons, was held in the Victoria Hall, Kidsgrove, on Monday evening. This combination has been a well-known competitive choir for a number of years, and the success attained ahs been largely due to the efforts of Mr Bossons. - - - - (continues) - - - - 

The Chairman at Monday's conert was Major-General F. Heath-Caldwell C.B., of Linley Hall, who has just returned home after service in the Forces. In introducing him, the choir's president, Mr D.V. Hollingworth, intimated that the General as a great music lover, and that it was his desire to take a prominent position in the musical life of the district. They were very grateful for his assistance that evening.Major-General Heath-Caldwell eulogised the people who had worked for the benefit of music in the district. and said he was glad to be able to assist them that evening. Now that he was back home, he hoped the inhabitants of Talke and district would become acquainted with him and he with them. 

Diary of Genesta Heath continues

Sunday 30th Novermber 1919

Over to Mick's for tea. He looked Tom all over and sympathised with him. A chilly run home. This is the last time I shall be here as me. Everyone looks rather worried. I'm beginning to feel that way, too!

Wednesday 10th December 1919 -  London

Got up after breakfast, and Madame Dion, the dressmaker, arrived to dress me. The wedding dress is georgette, hand-embroidered all over with a girdle of pearls, some of Mother's Limerick lace for the train (from the shoulders) and a huge tulle veil. The bouquet is a sheaf of madonna lillies. Went downstairs and left the house with Father for St.Margaret's. Hann driving, with Kite our groom on the box.

Mr Locke and Mr Nelson-Ward married us. It must have been quite pretty, and I only wish I could have seen more of it. Teddy Blake, a friend of Tom's, was best man. Tom sounded as if he was on parade when he answered, and I don't suppose I sounded at all! At last we reached the vestry and I was signed away to Tom. Then, back home, shook hands with everyone I could see and dashed upstairs to the photographers. Then to the drawing room, and an endless procession of people appeared, and I am Mrs Farquhar! Down to the cake and champagne, which I drank out of a tiny glass Madame Irgens gave me ten years ago for today! I drank everyone's health and got quite tipsy. My beloved Sally [French governess] was there, and Everett, Tuffles and hundreds of others. At last I went up to change for going away, and came down to be pelted with flowers. We dashed into the car, and left for Victoria Station and Paris. Dear Mick was on the platform, cheerful and sarcastic, also Nanny and the cook. So farewell Genesta Heath!

Sundayt 21st December 1919 -  Paris

TIm and I went after dinner to see Pavlova dance, It was exquisitely beautiful adn she herself is like a rather tall fairy, with a lovely figure. I bribed someone else's taxi to chuck the someone else and take us home for twenty francs.

Monday 22nd December 1919 - Paris

We saw Richelieu's Palais Royal and the King's Palace, those immense gardens and courts and great staircases;and then of course we saw the Arc de Triomphe, through which an airman flew for a rag and was punished for it by the government!

Tuesday 23rd December 1919 - Paris

Our last day here! Mostly shopping, and then left in wagon-lits for the Riviera, for St.Raphael.

Wednesday 24th December 1919 - Cannes

Christmas Day. We took a charabanc over the mountains to Cannes, and rammed a French military car on the way. All the people got out, the two drivers shouted at each other, everyone shouted at everyone else, till at last the French officer made them push the car a bit, got them apart, and we were serenely off.

For the next hour our chauffeur talked loudly about his hardships and said a last, 'Ce sont des militaires, on ne peut rien dire. Je ne dis rien, moi!' Cannes seemed quite nice, a big town full of English people. We had come over the Esterel Mountains, which are steep and rugged, but not pretty.

Wednesday 31st December 1919

New Year's Eve. Went to the casino after dinner and got our supper table. The room was crammed with people and very noisy, with a small dancing space int he middle and three bands. The rang twelve strokes on a gong, then came 'Ault Lang Syne,' the 'Marseillaise,' 'God Save the King' and the 'Brabanconne,' while everyone sang and shouted and drank each other's healths. Then we had supper, and then danced and ragged and threw paper reels at each other. At last I was so tired I couldn't do anything more. What a year this has been for me!