Germans were still not popular.
22 July 1919
H & I started off about 10 o’clock in pouring rain for our 2 days journey to Dovedale. Cleared at Oxford. Lunch at Banbury. Lovely afternoon. Arrived at Coventry 5.30. Found riots going on. Shops barricaded. Not much relieved by hearing our hotel the chief offence – rude German manager. Mob threaten burn it down. Many police… (All quiet that night.)
Diary of Florence Vansittart Neale of Bisham Abbey (D/EX73/3/17/9)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 22 July, 2019
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Our diarists enjoyed the peace festivities despite poor weather.
Florence Vansittart Neale
19 July 1919
Gloomy looking morning. Rain about 12. Peace day. Festivities all over England. Grand procession of all troops. Navy & Army, [illegible], Air & WAACs & Wrens! through London. Pagets got seats [at] Admiralty. H, Edith & I to Bisham. Dinner in schools – very pretty. E & I lunch vicarage. Games & sports in Warren. Dinner to returned soldiers (49) – tea & sports for whole village. Everyone enjoyed it. Tea in schools & dancing after till 10.30. We went home after giving prizes.
[and at back of book:]
Peace day festivities everywhere. Big procession soldiers & sailors in London. In Bisham dinner for rehomed soldiers. Tea & sports for everyone. Dancing in evening. Had some rain but not bad! Meals & dancing in schools. Pagets got seats Admiralty from Mr Baddeley.
William Hallam
19th July 1919
I suppose I was tired out this week end for I didn’t wake till 10 past 8. Up, and got breakfast: Marjorie had to take her class of school children to the Theatre to the cinema part of their treat…
This afternoon it came on to rain but we all went round the town. It was the best show of decorations I’ve ever seen but the rain spoilt so much of it. A lot of people had decorated their fronts up with Chinese Lanterns to light at night and of course these were spoilt as it turned out a very wet night.
Diaries of Florence Vansittart Neale of Bisham Abbey (D/EX73/3/17/9); and William Hallam of Swindon (D/EX1415/25)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 19 July, 2019
https://berkshirevoiceswwi.wordpress.com/2019/07/19/peace-day-festivities-everywhere/
Hungary, which had been part of the defeated Austro-Hungarian Enmmpire, was in a highly unstable state.
26 March 1919
Johnson’s wedding day. Now Mrs Smith! Our Mr S. & Lottie went.
H & I to tea with Belgians, as farewell…
Hungary stricken with Bolshevism. Budapest isolated.
Council of 10 at Peace Conference reduced to Lloyd George, Clemenceau, Orlando & Wilson.
Diary of Florence Vansittart Neale of Bisham Abbey (D/EX73/3/17/9)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 26 March, 2019
https://berkshirevoiceswwi.wordpress.com/2019/03/26/stricken-with-bolshevism/
One of the staff of Bisham Abbey left as a war bride.
24 March 1919
Soldiers came in afternoon from 2.40 till 7 o’clock!! Rather exhausting. Only 12 came. All Canadians but two. H & I took them over house, & they played whist & billiards after. One man out so had to be talked to!
Johnson left us after nearly 17 years!!
Diary of Florence Vansittart Neale of Bisham Abbey (D/EX73/3/17/9)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 24 March, 2019
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British politicians headed to France to sort out peace terms.
11 January 1919
Lloyd George & Bonar Law went to Paris today for Peace Conference.
…
H & I round by J & B Farrer to fetch a pheasant they were giving to Phyllis. She had a bad night. Much pain with tube. Surgeon put in a smaller one. Very good sleep after lunch but still tired.
Diary of Florence Vansittart Neale of Bisham Abbey (D/EX73/3/17/9)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 11 January, 2019
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The long awaited Lawson Tait bed had arrived.
6 January 1919
We heard bed arrived at Mortimer St. Fetched Henry from Paddington, then bed, & took it to Hospital. P[hyllis] much excited.
H & I to lunch at Club – got back about ¼ to 4. P. very tired so left early. She to be put on bed after her washing. Brought her more Muscat grapes.
Diary of Florence Vansittart Neale of Bisham Abbey (D/EX73/3/17/9)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 6 January, 2019
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The Vansittart Neales hovered over Phllis in London.
4 January 1919
H ∓ I off early to hospital as he off to Bisham 11.20 to meet Mr Lawrence about sale next Wednesday. I sat with P till lunch. The wound hurting. Dr to dress it. Lunch at lawn & back there till 5 when Shaw came for me…
Phyllis to have vaccine inoculation & to blow bubbles.
Diary of Florence Vansittart Neale of Bisham Abbey (D/EX73/3/17/9)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 4 January, 2019
https://berkshirevoiceswwi.wordpress.com/2019/01/04/blowing-bubbles/
31 December 1918
Went down to hospital early as Henry went to Bisham by 11.20. I spent day there & lunched at the Lawn. Met little Colonel Tizard – wished P’s temp: would get more steady. I drove him home & picked up Ag & spent night with her.
Diary of Florence Vansittart Neale of Bisham Abbey (D/EX73/3/17/9)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 31 December, 2018
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Florence Vansittart Neale gave one of the nurses caring for her daughter a trip out.
27 December 1918
Sat a little while with Phyllis, then took Sister Bonsall a motor drive round park & decorated route for Pres: Wilson. Could not see much of Phyllis so went to meet H at Paddington. Settled to stay at the “Lawn” till Monday.
Diary of Florence Vansittart Neale of Bisham Abbey (D/EX73/3/17/9)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 27 December, 2018
https://berkshirevoiceswwi.wordpress.com/2018/12/27/driving-round-the-decorated-route-for-president-wilson/
President Woodrow Wilson’s visit to France and London was the first official trip to Europe by a US President.
26 December 1918
Temperature still keeping down. Breathing bad. Saw her very little that day. So exhausted.
Took Henry to Paddington to spend night at Bisham. Went 11.20, then saw A & E & back for lunch.
President Wilson arriving – great decorations & interest. Well received. K & Q there too.
Only saw her one moment. Ag here to dine & keep me company.
Diary of Florence Vansittart Neale of Bisham Abbey (D/EX73/3/17/9)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 26 December, 2018
https://berkshirevoiceswwi.wordpress.com/2018/12/26/great-decorations-and-interest-in-american-president/
There was good news at last for the Vansittart Neales.
25 December 1918
Xmas Day at The Lawn, 101 Denmark Hill SE5.
Very crowded early service. Not back till past 9 o’clock. Went off directly after. Heard shade better. Then to Hospital service. Met Mr Edmunds. So pleased temp: coming down slowly. Best Xmas present.
Henry went to [his cousin] Frank Dickinson’s for tea. I sat quietly with Sister in ward. Had tea. She very kind.
Diary of Florence Vansittart Neale of Bisham Abbey (D/EX73/3/17/9)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 25 December, 2018
https://berkshirevoiceswwi.wordpress.com/2018/12/25/the-best-christmas-present/
It was a worrying Christmas for the Vansittart Neales.
24 December 1918
Xmas Eve. Ag took Henry walk & stayed lunch.
Still very much the same. Very breathless & not good night. We saw her in morning & after drive.
Went to find Kate Crastre in Harrow Road. Bought Phyllis silk jumper for Xmas & carnations & took them to her. She very tired so left very soon.
Diary of Florence Vansittart Neale of Bisham Abbey (D/EX73/3/17/9)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 24 December, 2018
https://berkshirevoiceswwi.wordpress.com/2018/12/24/not-a-good-night/
Phyllis Vansittart Neale was still very ill with the flu.
21 December 1918
P[hyllis] very weak & temperature still up, which worries them. Saw both doctors. Sat with her a little. Has sleeping draught. Still very ill. Henry & I staying at Boarding House close by Hospital. “The Lawn”. Johnson too.
Diary of Florence Vansittart Neale of Bisham Abbey (D/EX73/3/17/9)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 21 December, 2018
https://berkshirevoiceswwi.wordpress.com/2018/12/21/still-very-ill/
Complications from influenza meant an operation for Phyllis Vansittart Neale.
20 December 1918
Night nurse came 6 a.m. – said she was no better but had slept a little. Did not go in till 10.30. Looked awfully ill. Newton there. Henry & Johnson motored up from Bisham – arrived about 11. Dr said must pierce lung because of pus. Found there was, so arranged for operation soon as possible. Done 6 o’clock. They said successful. Mr Edmunds the surgeon [will?] look after her “as his own daughter”.
Diary of Florence Vansittart Neale of Bisham Abbey (D/EX73/3/17/9)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 20 December, 2018
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Both her parents visited the recovering Phyllis Vansittart Neale.
17 December 1918
Henry & I went up to London by 9.45 to see Phyllis. He quite pleased she seemed bright & well. He left soon to home later. I stayed on most of the day. She tired I thought. I slept at E[dith]’s flat.
Diary of Florence Vansittart Neale of Bisham Abbey (D/EX73/3/17/9)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 17 December, 2018
https://berkshirevoiceswwi.wordpress.com/2018/12/17/bright-and-well/
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