A focus on family history
Thursday, 20 May 1937
Rather dull and threatening. Had morning tea in Teignmouth, just Mrs Everett and I. Bought a pair of brown brogue shoes for walking. Can’t manage the high shoes any longer. Back to lunch. Lazy afternoon, had afternoon tea in the lounge. Feel better for the quiet day.
Wednesday, 19 May 1937
Another nice day. Just went around the town in the morning. The N.Z went to Torquay in the afternoon. I went up to Highcliffe to have tea with Mr & Mrs Hick Snr, a nice home & grounds. Made me very welcome. Got back at 7 in time for dinner.
Tuesday, 18 May 1937
Lovely sunny day. Took car to Dartmeet, Princetown where we had lunch. Dartmoor Prison here [now a museum]. Drove over the Moors, 2,000 feet high, always cool. Plenty of wild horses & cattle. Saw a lot of the prisoners. Drove back to Moretonhampstead for afternoon tea, back at 6.30. The prettiest drive I have had, the butter cup & daisies, bluebells & violets, the green trees & fields were gorgeous. A wonderful day. Very tired, went to bed early.
Monday, 17 May 1937
Sunny day. Five of us went to Mr Hick’s garden and spent an hour. Walked around the streets of the town, back for nice lunch then caught 2 bus to Torquay. A public holiday, Whit Monday. Had a good look around. A fine big town. Got back to the hotel about 6. After dinner had a walk along the sea front, then bed.
Nights not too good for sleep.
Sunday, 16 May 1937
Slight rain. Left 130 Belgrave Rd, caught coach. Left at 9. Five of us to Devon. Had lunch at Bournemouth, morning tea at Hampshire. Arrived at Teignmouth at 7.30 after a lovely trip down. Sunshine at east, good position and lovely meals. Will make this our home for a week. Mr & Mrs Hick made us very welcome. Very large room. Mrs Everett & I sharing same. Did not sleep at all.
Saturday, 15 May 1937
Dull. Hudson’s called at 8.30 for luggage. Went to town. Met Mrs Everett. Had lunch at White Heather, then to Bloomsbury to pictures. Very cold. Back to dinner. Should have gone to the Duchess of Sutherland’s garden party but too tired.
Friday, 14 May 1937
Dull, had lunch at Parnells. Went to Paddington Station to see trains for south. Also called in at Hudsons to store luggage.
Back to dinner, then packed up ready to leave 130 Belgrave Rd.
Thursday, 13 May 1937
A fine day, but dull. Met Mrs Everett, went into Simpson’s for lunch. When I saw the menu, 4/- for chops or steak, 1/9 for cauliflower, we came out and went to Slater’s for lunch 1/6. Laugh, we could hardly speak. Went to Australia House after and met quite a crowd of fellow passengers. Decided to go to Devon on Sunday. Coach takes 9 ½ hrs, train only 3 so will take the train.
Got mail from Belle early.
The Great Day
Wednesday, 12 May 1937
Up at 4 o’clock. Had breakfast at 4.30, left house by 5, in Strand before 6. Very cloudy, rain kept off until 3.30 then came down very heavy as the Gold Coach passed A very wonderful day, enjoyed every minute of it. Got very wet before I got back about 6. In heavy rain all the time. London like a rubbish tip. Papers and remains of food everywhere in slush. Heard the King broadcast at night. Glad to get to bed feeling awfully done up. Not sleeping too good at present.
Note: Movie “The King’s Speech” depicts the time period in London in which Thirza visited and the Coronation speech
See BBC video on Youtube which shows the weather and the Gold Coach
BBC TV – King George Coronation 1937 (Aussiebeachut Channel)
Also
King George VI Coronation, Special Release! 1937/5/18 (Universal Newsreels)
and
George VI Heartfelt Coronation Speech and Procession, 1937 [HD] (BRITISHPATHÉ.COM)
Tuesday, 11 May 1937
Very wet today. Did some laundry work, and tidying up of cases. Had lunch over the road. Then to Army & Navy Club to reception by Mr & Mrs Heath, Attorney General [actually the Agent-General, Albert Edward Heath] for New South Wales, living in London. All Sydney at it. Met Mr Davison & his mother. Back 130 for dinner. Went to bed early. Raining off and on all day.
