Postcard to Ethel Emily

1919 Postcard

This postcard was found in a lever arch file which also contained copies of legal papers in a wardrobe in my mother’s  spare room at Pulling Close, Faringdon in 2010. The papers all related to disposal of assets from the estate of her mother, Ethel Emily Smith. The card was sent to my grandmother (aged 17 in 1919) from her sister Elizabeth.

Such material in my mother’s archive is rare. Her photo albums are a jumble, with little clue as to dates and places. This card is a reminder of a life of expectations which seem remote from the austere family life in Marcham or Stanford-in-the-Vale in the 1930's and 1940's, to which my mother often referred.

Nice to see Elizabeth had 10 shillings for her birthday. Looking at  Measuring Worth

this was worth £20.50 based on historic RPI. Relative to the earnings of an average worker of the time, it was worth just over £76. As Elizabeth says ....  "Not so bad"...  

The gift was from "Mrs" - referring without doubt to the lady of the household where Elizabeth was in service at the age of 23.

1919 Postcard Message

Ethel Emily with Children, Berkshire 1930's