Jess Pidgeon – The Pidgeon Coop

October 12, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 12 Oct: Fall City, WA to Vancouver, BC – 165 miles

Vancouver Jess had news

Tuesday, 12 October 1937

Left City Falls (sic) this morning. Nice scenery all the way. Got to Vancouver about 3. Went to Post Office. Got several letters, one from Aunty Bella, telling of the loss of Jess baby [Wep’s wife and Thirza’s daughter in law] – very sorry – got 3 from Bill, 1 from Jack. Got a nice cabin every comfort for 1.75.

Everett a nice town, then Bellingham, a big place. Got to Blaine at 2.30 where we had to pass the customs, over the border to New Westminister, a big bridge being built there 14 miles from the town of Vancouver.

August 28, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 28 August: Shopping and a show

Saturday, 28 August 1937

Changed dress at Evans for baby. Met Mrs Cantor at 10.15. Went to see Grace Moore in [blank]. Very good show. Had lunch at Lyons, came back about 4. Yarned in my bedroom.

[The baby would be a reference to Wep’s wife Jess and her pregnancy, which unfortunately she miscarried.]

August 27, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 27 August: Got 10 letters today, all the news good

Friday, 27 August 1937

Got 10 letters today, all the news good, also £1 from Bill. Packed my big suitcase to send to Sydney by Malgoi?, paid 13/6, then to Harley St for my visa 8/6 – bought dress for Jess, 10/6, had my hair curled at the edges – 25/ – ready for the trip. Mrs Cantor and I went for a walk after dinner. Bought babies (sic) dress for Jess, 15/6.

[Suspect Malgoi is the name of a ship but can not find any reference to it in Trove, etc in shipping news.]

Postcard ink drawing of aerial view of Gloucester Cathedral dated 27 August received by Thirza.

c/o Mrs Grundy

“Fairwinds –

Gloucestershire

Aug 27 1937

Mrs Pidgeon

At St Margarets

26 Bedford Place,

London W.C.1.

Am just longing to know how you are? & wish your last few days in England will be very happy. Others? are very sorry not to have seen you. Much love & good wishes from yours always Cheerio! Robbie?

February 19, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 19 February: Flowers everywhere you look

Friday, 19 February 1937

A great crowd on board. Hundreds of flowers, gifts, still being sent around to the cabins. Received Jess’s spray of white flowers, very pretty. Also lovely basket of flowers with my name on, don’t know who sent them. Flowers everywhere you look. A lovely site, not feeling sick at all. Mrs [Florence] Spriggins [age 36] next cabin to me. Just sat around the deck yarning.