A focus on family history
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.
Monday, 10 May 1937
Another rotten day. Wet and gloomy. Received quite a number of letters. Had lunch at Buzzards, then to Overseas Club for At Home given by Lady De Boux. Quite a crowd with Ms Cantor and Miss Dunbar. Had long walk to train. No buses running, feeling the strain, and looking it. Had easy night then bed.
Saturday, 8 May 1937
Cold day; had lunch, met the N.Z.s and went to the Carlton Theatre, Piccadilly to see Maytime. Lovely picture. Came home and went to bed.
Friday, 7 May 1937
Stopped in all the morning. Just went to town to a news reel, then back again. Just having a quiet day. Everyone passing remarks that I don’t look well. Think I will have to go much slower. Could go to a party tonight, but will go to bed early instead. Writing this lying down, so that accounts for the bad writing.
Thursday, 6 May 1937
Nice day. Met Mrs Hill & Everett at Harrods at 10.30. Did some shopping, had lunch. They had to meet Miss Slattery.
I went to a reception at Dr Johnson’s House, entertained by Sir Edward Boyle. Lovely afternoon tea, and a very nice afternoon. Got back for dinner, and bed early – feeling done.
Wednesday, 5 May 1937
Too tired to get up, stayed in bed until 12.30 then went to Australia House to get my letters. Very upset, none from Bill [Wep]. Met Mr & Mrs Spriggins who arrived back from the continent yesterday. Also met Mabel & Fred Thearle, looking well. Sat all the afternoon yarning then back to 130 for dinner. Had to go to a cocktail party, but was too tired. Went to bed early.
Tuesday, 4 May 1937
Lovely sunshine, went into town by bus to see the shops. All traffic was stopped so we hopped out too. Saw all King Leopold’s soldiers march out to the Review ground, a most impressive march. Went through all the shops after, got back for lunch at 12.30. Car called at 1 to take us to the train then to Bruges & Ostend, the steamer Princess Astrid for the White Cliffs of Dover. Smooth trip, got back to London at 10. No buses on the road. Had a cup of tea at Lyons, then back to 130. Feeling worn out.
[On 21 June 1949, the Princess Astrid sank after striking a mine in the English Channel, three miles off Dunkirk – 1949 ‘BELGIAN STEAMER SUNK.’, Cairns Post (Qld. : 1909 – 1954), 23 June, p. 1, viewed 26 April, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42629286 – See article on line at Trove]
Sunday, 2 May 1937
Lovely day, car called at 9 to take us off to town, then got into a larger one, 20 of us, the rest all French. Passed through Antwerp, Rotterdam, over the border and through all bulb land of Haarlem. Most wonderful colouring I have ever seen. Shall never forget the lovely green fields, and all the colours of the hyacinths & bulbs. The houses very clean also, after London, where the houses are so dirty. Arrived at The Hague for lunch, 2 ½ hours late on account of the football match between Belgium & Holland being played in Holland. The huge crowds held all the cars up, on the different punts – had to wait an awful time. Arrived at Amsterdam at 6. Got into a lovely big launch. Went all through the canals – and out to the Zuider Zee – out into the open sea – got to the hotel all feeling very tired. After dinner went to bed early.
[The football match Thirza refers to was the first international match played at the newly opened Feijenood Stadion (De Kuip) in Rotterdam]