A focus on family history
Thursday, 3 June 1937
Went to Australia House for letters, got one from Mrs Webb – so called up to the Strand Palace to see her – all had lunch together. We all went to Drury Lane theatre to see Careless Rapture – a very good show – Ivor Novello very good actor, wrote the play as well. Walked home.
Wednesday, 2 June 1937
Cold & fine, no sun. Went to the Derby [Epsom Downs], funny race course, no gardens, only side shows everywhere. Think all the buses in London must have been there. Arrived at 10 but races did not start until 1.30. Had plenty of fun watching the crowds. All Royalty there but too far away to be seen. Had a bet on the French horse, but Derby won by an outsider. Had fortune told by the gypsies, no good. Took train back. Buses charged £1 – had hot bath, then to bed got back at 6!
Watch a newsreel film of The 1937 Derby
[Mid-Day Sun won the Derby; Sandsprite, 2nd and Le Grand Duc, third – 1937 ‘MID-DAY SUN WINS DERBY.’, The Courier-Mail(Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 – 1954), 3 June, p. 15, viewed 27 May, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37033885]
Tuesday, 1 June 1937
Met Mrs Everett at Australia House, had lunch there then took bus to Kew Gardens [Royal Botanic Gardens], one of the show gardens in London. Pay 6° to go in, nothing to rave about. Had afternoon tea, 1/ each, everything very stale and told the man so. Went to cocktail party at the Duchess of Airling [Airlie] in Belgrave Square. Had a lovely time, a big crowd there.
City of Westminster, London SW1X, UK
Monday, 31 May 1937
Lovely day, went to Australia House, no letters. Had lunch, then to picture show. Back to dinner, then to Russian Ballet. Met Mrs Cantor, sat for 2 hours in Lyons.
Sunday, 30 May 1937
Lovely warm day, stayed in bed until 11. Had tea & toast brought up. Had dinner at 1.30. Mrs Everett, Molly & Dot Hall, all went out to see the Coronation Robes. Had to wait ½ hour in the Tul.? Paid 1/6 to see them, very grand. Had tea at Lyons came home, hot bath in bed by 8.
Very tired
Mrs Hall not too well.
Greater London, UK
UK
Saturday, 29 May 1937
The first really bit of summer we have had in London. Sun at last. Went into the bank this morning. Had lunch at Lyons came back to have a rest and a quiet afternoon to do a bit of washing, plenty of hot water in the bedroom. And the sun is coming in the windows.
Received 10 letters yesterday and a number of invitations for different things. I wrote to Australia House, and asked them to send on any letters to me at Looe, but I got none down there at all. Went for a bus run to Richmond after supper, not dark until 9.30.
Friday, 28 May 1937
Had a big day. Went to station at 9 to collect our lost luggage. Porter wanted to charge 1/- a packet for it. I saw the superintendent, so did not pay it. Got a taxi back. Then went to Westminster Abbey to see the decorations. Charged 5/ to go in, very beautiful, had lunch. Mrs Everett & I then took bus to Chelsea Flower Show, the greatest flower show in the world. Another 2/6 (the day before it was 10 /-). Walked & sat down at times, spent hours there, it was marvellous. After dinner went to the pictures. Saw Three Smart Girls, 2/6, a good show – got back at 12 – midnight.
[Note: The Chelsea Flower Show had a special “ Coronation Empire Exhibition” in 1937 in honour of the recent coronation. An image of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at the 1937 show. This year (2013) the best show garden was awarded to Trailfinders Australian Garden by Fleming’s.]
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.