Children of Francis Edward and Mary S.W. Pollard

"At 18, Bootham Crescent, York, to F.E. and Mary S.W. Pollard, a son."

At last at 9.40 baby was born—Nurse said to my joy "It's a boy", & then I felt something slippery kicking me hard & felt awfully surprised & then a baby crying & Nurse smacking him hard. It was a queer sensation!

[ . . . ] I was so tired that I didn't see baby being bathed, but went to sleep. They said he was a very clean baby when born—when he was done I think I woke or they wakened me, & I saw him for the first time & Nurse said "Aren't you going to kiss him" & I did & then she asked if she might kiss me, & then just put baby in his cot near me. I was surprised & pleased, for he really looked pretty, & I was afraid he wd be ugly, but he has tiny pretty ears & mouth, & nice nose.

[ . . . ] Baby weighed 6¾ lbs.

D^r Fraser in morning to see baby & said he must be circumcised, so she came about 4.0 with D^r Raines & operation took place in spare-room. Poor wee mite, he was so good. D^r R. was surprised at amount of chloroform he took. Operation most successful. Poor baby had an enema beforehand.

The D^r. came after dinner. [ . . . ] He says baby has had what in grown ups one would call ptomaine poisoning, & I really wish he would being [begin?] to be more wakeful, for sleep is dangerous in poisoning.

Bobbo has got to the stage of enjoying putting some easy picture puzzles together. A few weeks ago, we took him to see some performing animals: he watched the elephant conducting an orchestra or kicking a football with comparative indifference, —what interested him was the band—music always does. He wants to go into every church to hear the organ!

Our 2 children and Daisy and Nelly arrived about 3.30 and then Robin, Dia, Betty, Molly & Colin acted "Little Red Riding Hood" really very well indeed, but it was awfully funny. Robin was the wolf in a mask, and with my long fur for a tail, Betty a sweet little Red Riding Hood, Dia the grandmother, Molly the Mother and Colin the wood-cutter. At the end when R. & Betty were in bed together, they rolled off as an unexpected climax! R. was quite dramatic. Then Dia repeated a French poem and "I'm 7 years old today" and baby Marg. sat on a stool all alone and said very slowly stroking a toy cat "I love Zickie pussy", beaming on everyone in turn, though we thought feeling rather near tears and stupidly enough I could not help laughing, for I felt so nervous. Betty said "I once had a sweet little doll dears" very well.

Earl Grey came to tea. Very nice. He asked Robert what he wd be when he grew up, & R. said "A soldier" & Earl Grey did laugh.

Bobbo began to go to Miss Singleton's little school in this street. I took him. It was quite exciting but I hated his beginning, though it is certainly a relief! He soon got to enjoy it greatly & it is very convenient being so near. He always relates at dinner-time exactly what he has been doing. Miss Singleton says he is very good.

Bobbo & Marg. began going to the Mount. Agnes had to take them as I could not. After this, she just took them to Gillygate Corner every day & put them in the tram, until May 14^th when I let them go all the way alone. Bobbo goes to aft. school, so B. very kindly has him to dinner at the Mansion Ho. On those days, one of us meets Marg. at Gillygate Corner. They enjoy school very much. Wed. aft. is a half holiday & Sat. a whole holiday.

Poor Robert was going back to Ackworth at 4.0, so I could not wait to see him off, & he saw me off at 12.0, nearly breaking down & saying "I hope it will be the last time I ever go to school without your seeing me off, Mother." Marie said he cried a little when he got home, but went off cheerfully in the end. He has slept with me all the last few nights.

Robert back to Ackworth for his last term. We do miss him. He has had a few clarionet lessons this holidays.

Saw R. for ¼ hour & said goodbye to him. He is very happy & has made a good start & I am much encouraged about him.

Robert went to Birmingham to stay with the Constables & we miss him dreadfully. On the 26^th. he went on with them to Burlchroesfaen, near Machynnlleth, & had a splendid time, climbing Cada Idris, etc.

R. worked hard all the holidays—an hour with Frank & then Berlitz French & German. We have enjoyed his clarionet.

R. to school. He has been nearly perfect these holidays & it is dreadful to lose him. F. & I saw him off. (He has been learning a J. Bright speech which I have often heard to help him)

Darling Robert went back to Bootham for his last term. I think he felt saying "goodbye" to this house & garden, tho' quite pleased about the next–rather glad on the whole not to be here when we move, as it will be such a "messy" business. M. & I saw him off. He is pleased it is his last term. He had a final peal of the bells in the house!

R.S.W. POLLARD, having passed the Preliminary Law Examination, leaves from the Middle Senior. He was a keen debater and politician, leading a victorious opposition at the Mock Parliament, and sharing the John Bright Speech Prize. He spent three years at the school.

All to L' Park to a tennis party. Robert actually played!

A great rush cutting heaps of sandwiches etc for Robert. He went to London about 11.0 & joined the Holiday Fellowship at Victoria & went with them to Wolfach in the Black Forest for a fortnight.

on leaving school, joined No More War Movement (later merged in PPU)

Robert's trial month is now over & he is now duly articled for five years. His work is a mixture of reading Stephen & getting an insight into the matters that the firm is dealing with, the points at issue, the methods pursued & so on. He is also in intervals of countless other interests keeping up & improving in the clarionet, & one of these days he may get into an orchestra perhaps.

Mock Trial at Institute. F. v. good as Counsel for the Prosecution but had to go away early. Robert excellent as a witness (a doctor)—made out tremendous list of injuries! He had a moustache & blackened eyebrows & looked awful!

Robert started his month's holiday. Went to Leicester for a night with Peach, then to Wheel Birks for a week.

Robert to his first dance in evening at St. Luke's Hall. I sat up for him.

R's Intermediate exam. He went by 8.47 to London. [ . . . ] R. had left note to say exam was very stiff. 11–1 & 2–5 I think.

Rob. to London again—exams on Trust Accounts & Book Keeping not to hard. In evening he went to Houses of Parliament for 1^st. time, & got home at 11.0.

Rob. & I cycled past Twyford & turned to right & along pretty roads—back by Wokingham Rd. He poured out about C. R. etc Whitsuntide has revived old memories!!

Robert went to begin lectures at Law College & stay at Penn Club in London. I shall miss him dreadfully. He teazes everyone, but is full of the joy of life & spirits & I love to hear him singing about the house & coming in from work full of news. He is going to go to an office in London too.

I saw Constance off at 9.25. She is a sweet girl—I only hope poor Robert will be happier now, but he seems in a rather restless state.

. . . Robert is at or near Geneva. He has been attending the great International Relations Summer School, or whatever it is called, & takes a few days in the mountains before returning home.

Robert came back from abroad in evening. After the summer school he joined a Friends' party & went to Geneva for about a week & then for 3 or 4 days to Finhaut.

He still has a week's holiday at home.

Rob. came home late & said he was engaged to Elizabeth Pinhorn. It was really a shock. He has only known her 2 months. But he is always giving us shocks, as during the last 2 or 3 months he has changed all his views, takes meat (wine when he can get it!) no longer a strong I.L.P. person, resigned from nearly all his societies & rarely goes to meeting, though or spiritualist churches or anything!

Rob. went to meeting to-day.

How I long for the happiness of my beloved boy, though it is hard to give him up to someone else. He is such a good son, & so lively & interesting – Elizabeth is a lucky girl. She is about 4 months older than he is, studying to be an Secretary. She is an Oxford B.A. I did not go to meeting feeling too agitated. R. sang in afternoon & said a poem. He had given up saying them.

In evening, F. & I went to station to see Eliz^th. Pinhorn on her way back to London from Oxford, where she had been taking her degree. (Rob. went to church with Leonard – I wanted to see her without R.) We found her easily—sweet face, but she had a cold & looked very pale. She is small. It was a rather painful opportunity, but fortunately only a few minutes long. I felt positively dreadful!—& I have a little reason, having been switched off from one person to another in the last few months! & having been told a few weeks ago that there "was nothing in it"—that he wouldn't marry till he had had a good time & so on. Still I hope it is all for the best.

M^r. Pinhorn had written saying that he & his wife wanted to see us, & wd either come here or cd we go there. Finally they came here, arriving R. West at 3.0. F. met them. I was in a state of great nervousness & excitement. Minnie out, but I had prepared a lovely tea beforehand & Ruthie & Peggy Mileham were here. They got here about 3.20 & I took M^rs. Pinhorn upstairs to get off her coat; then F. & M^r. & M^rs. P. & I sat in drawing room & had a satisfactory talk & saw photos of Eliz^th. & showed them photos of Robert. They had been, like us, angry at first, feeling R. & E. are too young, but they think now that it must be made public. M^r. P. thinks a long engagement a great mistake, but says apart from money he wd not have let Eliz^th. marry so young, so he thinks they must be engaged at least 2 or 3 years, as you ought not to marry under £500 a year now-a-days. They seemed pleased about Robert's character & the family record!

R. & E. went last night as R. began his Final this morning – 3 hours in morning, 3 in aft. & same to-morrow. (60 questions) He has been working hard & is very tired.

R. came home at 10.30. Papers had been "vile" he said & he was rather depressed.

Wednesday. About 6.30 Jack Thorowgood came to tell us M^r. Dryland had heard that Robert had passed his Final with percentage high enough to go in for Honours. We were pleased & excited & F. went to the General P.O. & sent him a telegram which he got just as E. & he were starting for the theatre. (F. & I had meant to take them, but it was too expensive) He began Honours on the 17^th. (before he knew result of final) & finished on morning of 19^th. Wed. but stayed up in London.

It is a relief. I really thought he would pass, but he seemed doubtful himself & made me feel nervous.

Robert is getting on well, but is not feeling extra well—very hot in Germany. Such cold winds here. He is at

Heard from Eliz. that R. has not got thro' Honours, neither has Rathbone or Hudson. I am bitterly disappointed.

Robert has been staying lately "bei Frau L. Elich", Elisenstr. 2^IIII Berlin Steglitz, a higher class family than the other (he was not really in a family before) Monarchist. He likes this place v. much. The last week he is going a walking tour in Hartz mts.

. . . at ¼ to 12.0 I think, Robert arrived from Germany. He had spent the week-end with E. at Penn Club. It is lovely to see him again, & he has much to tell us.

Robert came home in evening, very tired. Had come by bus from Stocksfield to London. He started work next day with M^r. Dryland at £200 a year.

Rob. went to London to interview Harold Brown (of Linklater firm) This is due to Charles & my speaking to him about R. when he & Stella came to tea a few weeks ago.

letter on 'The Marriage Law' , from 9 Denmark Rd, Reading

wrote letter on 'Alcohol—Use or Abuse' , from The Penn Club, 9 Tavistock Square, WC1. Had recently visited Iceland. Considers prohibition useless.

Evening sad note from R. as Elis. had been up to see him & was very miserable, as she loves him. It is so tragic. Had to tell the girls that R. has broken off the engagement & we were all utterly miserable. I can hardly bear it.

wrote letter on alcohol, from The Penn Club

'Poor People's Lawyers.'

letter from Portland Hotel, Portland Road, N4, on 'Poor Man's Lawyers.'

This weekend we have Robert at home, & ill in bed. Whether it is a chill on top of the tiring experiences of his Russian trip—pretty exhausting physically & mentally—or whether he has picked up anything more serious, remains to be seen.

D^r Lambert came in aft. I think. R's tem. then about 102 I believe. I had been giving him barley water, milk, calves' foot jelly, but he may not have latter & on no account may he have an aperient. I asked D^r L. if he suspected typhoid & he said 'yes.' R. drank water on board ship which was, he was told afterwards not good, tho from a tap. Aft. R. showed F. & me his Russian postcards, posters, etc, & was quite lively, tho' he would get out to have his bed made, & couldn't wait till it was finished. Evening temp. 104^o.2. I was alarmed, but R. would not have me sleep in his room, tho' I had a bell to ring thro' to mine.

R hardly slept at all last night & rang for me at 7.30. (He only slept a bit on Sat. when he had a sleeping draught, but he slept in London.) . . . soon after 10.0 a.m. D^r Lambert came. After seeing R. he said he detected spots & that he must go to Greenlands Nursing Home at once, as he needed really skilled nursing. I was miserable & said couldn't I do the day nursing, but he said, "no, certainly not," so when F. came in (R. had seemed quite pleased) we sent to tell the D^r we agreed, & I put R's things up. Aft. about 3.45 ambulance came & he was carried into it, & I went too & saw him after he was in bed no. 17 upstairs.

Robert has now been nearly four weeks in the Nursing Home, & is not yet allowed to sit up in bed—unless he has been today. Still he is going on quite satisfactorily—but it is a slow business. He has fortunately been able to read most of the time, & one of our major occupations is to keep him supplied with two or three detective stories—or something of that type—every day; & it is quite a business.

Went to Robert at 3.0 & found he has got empyema (pleurisy with pus) the D^r had drained some off in the morning. The poor boy, it is so dreadful for him & he has to have an operation. He was "panic stricken—& simply terrified." Implored me to ask the D^r to try to cure it some other way. It was awful to see him. He lost control of himself & nearly wept & allowed me to hug him for the first time since he has gone to Greenlands.

About 9.30 we got a telephone message from the home to go there, between 10 & 11. We went & heard Rob. was much worse, bad night & very ill indeed. I saw him for a minute or two. It was so pitiful, gasping for breath. (breathing 52 instead of about 20) We saw both doctors & as Sunday was next day, they advised us to get the girls so we sent off the sad telegrams. . . .

From Christmas day or thereabouts he started making good progress, advancing from a few minutes in a chair, to most of the day there with little walks on the landing, a visit to the garden on a Sunny day, & finally the day before yesterday we brought him home—he departing from his more than three months' abode amidst a bevy of Sisters & nurses waving congratulatory farewells. Naturally neither his command of breath nor the efficiency of his legs is at the best, but things are moving. [ . . . ] Robert is to go to the South coast to recruit, & we hope that the weather will allow him to be in the open air a lot.

letter from Portland Hotel, Portland Road, N4, on 'Marriage Law Reform.'

. . . wire came that Robert was coming immediately on important business & we spent the aft. discussing whether he cld buy a partnership. M^r Tomkins is seriously ill with tuberculosis & unable to do any business for a year (he has been ill for several weeks, but this was quite surprising, for he is fairly old) & either R. must become a partner or the business must be sold. We agreed to lend him £1200 if M^r Dryland approved of it, & Robert went off after tea to see him in great excitement. So excited that he had to smoke a lot!

Heard from Robert that M^r Dryland has given him good advice, & in a day or two M^r Tomkins agreed to letting him buy a partnership for £900 & he must put £200 in the Bank for office working purposes. He is very young to have sole charge—only 26—but the responsibility, if not too much, will be good for him.

Heard that Robert's chief—M^r Tomkins died yesterday. He was only about 61. Robert liked him much & it is very sad, & was very sudden. . . . Robert is now, at 26, left in sole charge of the office, all the Clients & all the Staff older than him. It is an old & very respected firm.

Any of you who read The Times may have seen the announcement of Robert's engagement. We have seen the young lady, but don't really know her. They contemplate marriage in the summer.

Robt. & Bernice are not demonstrative, in public anyway. She is quite sweet, full of the coming marriage. I do wish she was a Friend. Robt. talked to me a little in bedroom, but I fear I have again failed him rather, just when he needs sympathy & love to help.

I went to London at 5.5 to meet Robert. Bernice has definitely broken off the engagement. At first he was very unhappy, but now he feels she has been deceitful & has treated him badly, so he has recovered & he was very sweet. In a way I am glad it is over, but I wish he could be happily married. I went to Hackney with him & heard him do 4 or 5 "poor man's lawyer cases" with great interest, though they were sordid & sad. He had to meet Sir Robert Gower at House of Commons later, so I got 10.0 train home. I forgot to say that a week or two ago, R. got Sir Robert for a partner. I think it is wonderful of him to have carried this through after nearly a year's work, & the firm is now Gower, Pollard, Thorowgood & Tabor. Good for R. who is only 27!

Robert now—what of him?—By desire of his partner Sir Robert Gower & through his instrumentality, R. has become a member of the Worshipful Society of Pattenmakers & in that connection a freeman of the City of London! Well, well! who'd have thought it?

at his suggestion Friends Peace Committee issued a public appeal for armistice in Spain

"At Caxton Hall, London, Robert S.W., son of F.E. and Mary S.W. Pollard, of Reading, to Beatrice Elsie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. Pascall, of East Sheen."

letter on 'Friends and Wills' from 91 Petty France, London, SW1.

NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us, the undersigned Sir Robert Vaughan Gower K.C.V.O. O.B.E. Hon. D.C.L. J.P. M.P. and Robert Spence Watson Pollard carrying on business as Solicitors at 91 Petty France, St. James' Park, London, S.W.1, under the style or firm of GOWER, POLLARD, THOROWGOOD & TABOR has been dissolved by mutual consent as from the 8th day of February 1939. All debts due and owing to or by the late firm will be respectively received and paid by the said Robert Spence Watson Pollard. The said business will be carried on in the future by the said Robert Spence Watson Pollard.—As witness our hands this 1st day of March 1939.

ROBERT V. GOWER.

R. S. W. POLLARD.

letter on 'Civil Liberties' from 47 Barton Road, London, W14

of the National Council for Civil Liberties; acted as Chairman of Tribunal at Mock Tribunal at the Folk House, 2 Church Street, Reading

'Freedom in Jeopardy. A Survey of Recent Emergency Legislation and Some of its Powers.'

Mr. Robert Pollard's Book

AN A B C OF WAR-TIME LAW

"A B C of War-time Law," by Robert S.W. Pollard (published by Hamish Hamilton, Ltd., London), 1s. 3d.)

This is a simple guide to the complicated mass of war legislation which affects the life of the ordinary citizen at every point and in every walk of life. It is written in question and answer form by an experienced lawyer, who has for many years interested himself in social service and who is acting as honorary legal adviser to a number of citizens' advice bureaux. The information is given in plain language and with considerable attention to detail.

The book appeals strongly not only to those who require advice but to those who require a working knowledge of war legislation in an executive capacity or are called upon to give advice or information.

The author, who is 32 years of age, comes of an old Quaker legal family. His father is Mr F.E. Pollard, chairman of the Reading Liberal Association, a well-known public figure in Reading, and author of "Religion, Morals and the Intellect," etc. Mr. Robert Pollard is a grandson of Joseph Watson, a solicitor, who took part in the struggle for the Reform Bill of 1832, and grandson of the Right Hon. Robert Spencer-Watson, LL.D., a solicitor, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, who took part in the foundation of the National Liberal Federation in 1877. The author has acted as Poor Man's Lawyer for ten years at centres in Reading, Deptford, Hackney and Mile End (London).

review of his ABC of War-Time Law

letter on 'Conscription in Peace-time' , from 155 South Ealing Road, London, W5

'Further Repressive Measures' .

'C.O.s and Unemployment Benefit'

Robert telephoned that life in London was absolutely awful, far worse than the papers say. (Perhaps it was a day later that he 'phoned) He & B. are in a shelter most of the night & hardly get any sleep [ . . .] It really is terrible for them.

R. heard from Robert that on Monday, 10th. there was a bomb 20 yds from his office—it destroyed all the windows & was very alarming. Also hit the shelter. R. & B's shelter has water in it & they have to sleep in the house. I am terrified for them.

review by Howard Diamond of his Conscience and Liberty: "This is a hand-book written with a lawyer's trained mind, dealing in compact form with the history of the struggle for liberty and conscience."

local tribunal, Fulham Town Hall, Walham Green, SW6. Senior partner in a firm of solicitors. "I well recall the pacifist atmosphere of my home during those 4 years [WWI] and the work which both my parents did for the Society of Friends and various other peace organisations such as the No Conscription Fellowship and the Union of Democratic Control. Even as a child I was able occasionally to assist in this work." Peace correspondent for Hammersmith meeting. Acting secretary of West London group of Christian pacifists. Chairman of London Committee of Conscientious Objectors, member of the executive of & legal adviser to the Fellowship of Conscientious Objectors. Does considerable amount of work for the National Council for Civil Liberties. As a poor man's lawyer has attended centres almost every week in his leisure time for 11 years. On committee of Haldane Society. Has twice visited Germany.

'C.O.s and the Right of Dismissal' ; is member of Hammersmith meeting

The cost of litigation, which prevented many COs from testing the rights of local authorities to dismiss them, concerned him greatly. A study of these problems led him to pioneer "Free Legal Aid" which has taken root in our legal procedure. This led him to consider the reform of the law generally and he wrote a pamphlet for the Fabian Society entitled Speed Up Law Reform. A keen member of the Electoral Reform Society, he had strong views on the reform of Parliament, and he was influential in the development of committees in Parliament to enable MPs to get more information.

Heard from Rob. at last. They are safe, but it was a bad night. They slept in shelter.

'The Cost of Justice.'

late Chairman, Fellowship of Conscientious Objectors

review of his What Can C.O.s Do?

The Friend 100:427–8

letter, 'Planning and Liberty'

R.S.W. Pollard (1921-1924) has been elected a member of the Executive of the National Council of Civil Liberties. He has published Beveridge in Brief, which gives the main recommendations of the report and a summary of the Government's proposals. It is being put into Braille for blind readers.

review of his How to Reform Parliament

Friends.—A conference was addressed at Harrow Friends' Meeting House on Saturday, by Mr. Robert S.W. Pollard, who dealt with the subject of the Dumbarton Oaks Proposals. He stressed the importance of the fact that these are as yet only "proposals," and therefore open to corrections, amendments and additions. Consequently the plan for a General International Organisation set out in the proposals is open for consideration by all, and Mr Pollard recommended that all who could should give it their careful attention, and send any suggestions they might have to make either to their M.P. or to the Foreign Office. He went on to deal with the document of the proposals chapter by chapter, comparing it with the League covenant. Mr. Pollard felt that the proposals represented a useful contribution towards world peace.

with Beatrice, stayed at Mushroom Cottage

wife's letter from 5 Bath Road, London, W4

his Your Landlord and You noted

his Industrial Injuries noted

joint letter with father on 'Friends' Business Methods' , from 22 Cintra Avenue

co-signatory to letter on capital punishment; is member of executive committee of the National Council for the Abolition of the Death Penalty

his Town and Country Planning Law, 2^nd edn, received

review of the Pollards' Democracy and the Quaker Method

letter from 17 Victoria Street, Westminster, London, SW1

letter from 17 Victoria Street, Westminster, London, SW1

He gave a great deal of time and thought to the law affecting marriage and divorce as he felt that family life was being frustrated, by the marriage and divorce law. He founded the Marriage Law Reform Society and was its chairman for ten years, while for many years he was a great supporter of Cruse, the national organisation for the widowed and their children.

letter from 20 Buckingham Street, London, WC2; Chairman, Marriage Law Reform Society

letter from 17 Victoria Street, London, SW1

letter from 17 Victoria Street, London, SW1

has resigned as Labour PPC for South Paddington, over increasing unease over govt's foreign policy & defence programme—in particular, a new arms programme, which he maintained "would impose an intolerable burden on the people of this country."

In 1951, the Marriage Law Reform Society wrote asking him [Alex Comfort] to submit proposals to a commission that Clement Attlee's Labour Government, then in its final months, had set up to address the topic. "Although your views may be regarded as heretical and you may wish to express condemnation of the existing institution as such altogether, the chair of the society assured him, "I cannot help feel that it would be good for the Royal Commission to be faced with anarchist views on marriage, although it may not consider them to be practicable."

to be on National Peace Council's British Commission on World Disarmament

His interest in disarmament was expressed in a pamphlet for the Friends Peace Committee, The Struggle for Disarmament, and when in 1952 the National Peace Council established a British Commission on World Disarmament (under the chairmanship of Reginald Sorensen), Robert was a member.

of Hammersmith meeting; gave evidence as chairman of Marriage Law Reform Society, before Royal Commission on Marriage and Divorce

addressed Friends Penal Reform Committee at Friends House, on 'Homosexuality and the Law.'

letter from 17 Victoria Street, London, SW1, on Friends' business procedure

review of RSWP's Everybody's Book on Wills and Intestacies

review of Beatrice's 'Quaker Group Procedures', The Health Education Journal, Jan 1954

of Hammersmith meeting; has helped to form the Bank Customers Association Ltd

with A. Joseph Brayshaw, took part in a discussion last week on BBC TV, on the Report of the Royal Commission on Marriage and Divorce

'The Legal System in China'; of Hammersmith meeting; visited China for 3½ weeks last April, as one of a group of lawyers

a member of a council of British lawyers which has been set up under the chairmanship of Sir Hartley Shawcross, to defend human rights in Britain and the Colonies

review of RSWP's article on Compensation for Road Injuries, The Plain View, Winter 1957/8

on exec. of Society of Labour Lawyers; notice of his pamphlet Speed-Up Law Reform

The Friend: 104

of Hammersmith meeting; drafted bill on which Marriage Acts Amendment Act 1958 was based (allows new meeting houses to conduct marriages immediately, not wait 12 months as previously)

The Friend

review of Family Problems and the Law

review of The Modern Churchman

review of Beatrice's Social Casework for the State; Beatrice a member of Hammersmith meeting

letter from Beatrice, 127 Park Road, Chiswick, London, W4

letter from 2 Greycoat Place, London, SW1, on divorce law

letter; is vice-chairman, Metropolitan Gardens Association

'Divorce Law Reform'; of Hammersmith meeting; founded the Marriage Law Reform Society in 1945, and was its chairman for ten years

review article 'Divorce Without Squalor and Bitterness'

letter re Bantustans, from 10 Clydesdale Avenue, Chichester, Sussex, PO19 2LW

letter re survival, from 2 Greycoat Place, London SW1P 1SD; has recently become a trustee and committee member of the Survival Joint Research Committee

The Friend 134:1362

letter re survival, from 10 Clydesdale Avenue . . .

letter re survival, from 10 Clydesdale Avenue . . .

letter from 2 Greycoat Place, London SW1. His firm had offices at 17 Victoria Street from 1939 until well after the war.

letter on psychical research, from 10 Clydesdale Avenue . . .

'Telepathy among Friends'

Beatrice E. Pollard letter from 10 Clydesdale Avenue . . .

letter on artificial international languages, from 10 Clydesdale Avenue . . .

letter from 10 Clydesdale Avenue . . .

letter from 10 Clydesdale Avenue re erosion of democratic rights. Had been a friend of Ronald Kidd, founder of the NCCL; and was on NCCL committee during last war—resigned when (Communist-dominated) cmte objected to release of Oswald Mosley and other Fascists from their indefinite detention, towards end of war

I suppose that many of you here to-day will only remember Robert as he was during the last few years of his life. I had the privilege of calling him my Brother-in-Law for over forty years and perhaps it would not be amiss if I said a few words about his earlier life. In fact, with the account of her childhood and life at home with Robert that my wife gave me I feel that I knew Robert for most of his life. As a boy and a youth he had a wide ranging interest in many aspects of life which he took up with great enthusiasm and which he imparted to his sisters and his friends. And when he had his own legal practice in London he used his legal training in the services of the many causes that he espoused, going beyond the call of duty when it was a cause dear to his heart. Among the many such I can recall at this moment his work for Conscientious Objectors and the No Conscription Council, the Pedestrians Association for Road Safety, the Ramblers Association, and the Inland Waterways Association, as well as the numerous small charities of which mention has already been made at this service. He was the legal brains behind much of the work to reform the Divorce Laws and his knowledge of the procedures of Private Members Bills in both Houses of Parliament were invaluable to many of the societies he supported. In the last ten years of my own working life my office was close to his in Westminster and we often met at lunch time. Lunch with Robert was always an event. He could talk with authority on a wide range of subjects including Politics, Religion, the Law, and the Science of Astronomy and Botany. He loved flowers and was a member of the Royal Horticultural Society whose exhibition Hall was close to his Office and where he would take me to see the annual shows and try to teach me the Latin names of the flowers, but I feel I was an indifferent pupil. All his life he had a consuming interest in Psychical Research and it was as a result of this interest that late he came to be the Trustee of a Fund devoted to research into evidence for life after death. He was thus able to provide funds to enable researchers into this difficult subject to publish their results and this in turn led him to attempt his own research into this field. I could not follow him all the way but I admired his courage in seeking to expand the frontiers of our knowledge of the mysteries of Eternity. At his sister's funeral service some eighteen months ago Robert read with strong conviction and in a confident voice a passage from William Penn's book on The Fruits of Solitude, and I think he would like the same passage to be read here to-day/

obit. by Leslie Metcalf

Apart from political and social issues Robert had a keen interest in ecology and environmental problems. He helped numerous societies with the drafting of their articles of association. On hearing of his death the director of the Henry Doubleday Research Association, with which Robert was associated since its foundation, wrote, "He was ideally suited to his career of helping organisations with worthy causes through the rocks and whirlpools." The Inland Waterways Association claim that "the waterways system would not be in the relatively healthy state it is if it were not for his work."

It is impossible to catalogue all Robert's diverse interests. He was vice-chairman of the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association and urged Quaker meeting houses to enter for its competitions. He was a life-long vegetarian and a member of the Solicitors Wine Society. He wrote a pamphlet Abolish the Blasphemy Laws. But one important interest of his was life after death. This intensified during his later years, and he urged Friends to interest themselves in psychical research. He was interested in evidence of individual human survival, and started a branch of the Churches' Fellowship of Psychical and Spiritual Studies in Chichester.

Beatrice and Robert moved to Chichester in 1972 while Robert was still practising in London. They actively shared the meeting's concerns, participating in study groups to which Robert made many interesting contributions. He was frequently controversial, sometimes dogmatic, but always provided a useful stimulus to the discussions. Robert will be greatly missed by Chichester Friends and others who knew him. We have lost a colourful personality and a great individualist.

Robert and Beatrice lived in, successively (in my lifetime), Chiswick, Surbiton, and Chichester. They conscientiously invited each of us children to stay with them, at least once, taking us out to a cultural event one night of the stay. The girls I think went to the ballet; when I stayed, at Surbiton, they took me to see Hadrian VII at the Mermaid. That was in 1968—I remember the date clearly, because Uncle Robert came into my bedroom first thing in the morning, announcing grimly that the Russians had invaded Czechoslovakia; I remember not being properly aware of the implications of this, but realizing the seriousness of the situation by Robert's manner. I also remember being most impressed, while there, by their possession of an original Matisse—a nude, in torn red paper. There was a gingko tree in their garden at Surbiton—Robert was a keen gardener.

Of my discussion with Dad, I made the following brief notes: first, concerning Uncle Robert's will. The first will, Dad said, had Dad as a trustee, and was based on the assumption that Robert would die last. That will was not published, as it was deemed invalid (who by?), therefore put in trust to provide for Beatrice's nursing care (which used up most of Robert's estate). Concerning Robert's joint ownership of the firm's premises with Stallabrass and Martin, Dad agreed that the solicitors should settle the claims amicably, which was the last he had heard. He doubted if the finances had yet been resolved.

"At 18, Bootham Crescent, York, to F.E. and Mary S.W. Pollard, a daughter."

"At 18, Bootham Crescent, York, to F.E. and Mary S.W. Pollard, a daughter, who was named Margaret Watson."

Baby was born at quarter to 4 a.m.—a little girl, beautifully formed and with good features, but not as pretty as Robert, who was a very exceptional baby. [ . . . ] I never saw her till the next afternoon! [ . . . ] The first few nights were bad, as baby slept all day, but she improved. After about a fortnight we named her 'Margaret Watson' . She is a wonderfully good baby and hardly ever cries. First 6 days bad weather, then improved, and she began to go out a little. She gained nearly 1 lb a week during 1st month and I had no difficulty in feeding her.

Broiling again. The school did v. badly at cricket, F. included. Marg. ran about barefoot looking sweet and trying to seize everyone's "beddies" (umbrellas).

A lovely day. I took R. and M. by tram to Hanly Rd, then walk along Foss. When I turned round to come back I heard a great splash, and at once knew that darling baby had tumbled in. I jumped in and got the poor little thing out—she had been right overhead and of course was crying. It was only about up to my knees. I soon comforted her, for she is so good and plucky, but did not know what to do. Finally went to Cocoa Works and in Fire Escape room the man telephoned for a cab, lent me a towel and a little coat for M. and was most kind. Fortunately it was hot, and I don't think she is any the worse, but it was a horrid experience.

Our 2 children and Daisy and Nelly arrived about 3.30 and then Robin, Dia, Betty, Molly & Colin acted "Little Red Riding Hood" really very well indeed, but it was awfully funny. Robin was the wolf in a mask, and with my long fur for a tail, Betty a sweet little Red Riding Hood, Dia the grandmother, Molly the Mother and Colin the wood-cutter. At the end when R. & Betty were in bed together, they rolled off as an unexpected climax! R. was quite dramatic. Then Dia repeated a French poem and "I'm 7 years old today" and baby Marg. sat on a stool all alone and said very slowly stroking a toy cat "I love Zickie pussy", beaming on everyone in turn, though we thought feeling rather near tears and stupidly enough I could not help laughing, for I felt so nervous. Betty said "I once had a sweet little doll dears" very well.

educated at The Mount and Cambridge University

. . . when I was at the Mount I saw a young teacher killed when her cycle wheel caught in the lines and she fell off in front of some vehicle. I was very fond of her and was so upset I had to be sent home to get over it.

collected butterflies when young, and subsequently felt guilty about it

on holiday at Oldstead, learned to milk a cow

Bobbo & Marg. began going to the Mount. Agnes had to take them as I could not. After this, she just took them to Gillygate Corner every day & put them in the tram, until May 14^th when I let them go all the way alone. Bobbo goes to aft. school, so B. very kindly has him to dinner at the Mansion Ho. On those days, one of us meets Marg. at Gillygate Corner. They enjoy school very much. Wed. aft. is a half holiday & Sat. a whole holiday.

"I think I began to be a socialist because as I got into my teens the maid had to address me as Miss Margaret whereas I used only her Christian name and I thought it very unjust and hated it."

had scarlet fever

to Oldstead Hall with family

"This afternoon we went round Dove Cottage with an old woman of ninety who remembered Wordsworth & family."

Sports at Abbey School at 2.30. [ . . . ] M. went in for 100 yds, Kangaroo, obstacle & house flag, won 2 points for latter – very nearly won obstacle, but was second. It was very funny to watch – first finding shoes, skipping, legs tied tog. getting on old clothes, picking up beans, & racing on hands & feet to the end. There were great cries of "Margaret, Margaret"!!

on holiday with family at Warden Villa, Totland Bay, Isle of Wight

M. has rash. I got up directly after breakfast – sent for D^r. – mild scarlet fever. Awful bother though. I have to be so careful washing hands in carbolic etc – & have her fire to do etc. People are so terrified of it!

M's birthday, & tho' it was not quite a month since she began scarlet fever the D^r. let me disinfect her, & she came downstairs after breakfast & got her presents: it was so exciting & lovely to have her with us again. Caro used to say "I'll die you if you don't come down soon Margy." M. has been the best possible patient, never grumbling & always good & content.

on holiday with Bertha & Dia Morrell at Bellsfield Hote, Bowness

on holiday with family at Bay View, Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire

Marg. began mumps too & will now miss Matric. which begins to-morrow. It is vexing. Poor child. She is miserable.

Monday. Heard about 9.30 a.m. that Margaret has passed Matric. We are so delighted.

on cycling tour with friends

Margaret is to join us there [St Davids] from the North. She has been on a cycling tour with some of her schoolfellows, via Ripon, Bainbridge, & Brough to Patterdale: beyond that I don't know. She has just passed Matric, getting distinction in Latin, Greek & French: it is her second shot of course—last year I believe she failed in French & Latin, & got distinction in History.

M. & I to London by 9.25. At 11.0 she began a sort of exam at the National Institute of Industrial Psychology with Miss Stott & D^r. Macrae. I had to see both too. She had intelligence tests, etc. They both found her shy & said it was very difficult.

Margaret has not yet arrived, being engaged in running the Mount Camp for the girls who come to their club—which this year is at Wass, near Byland & Coxwold" . . . .

Margaret went to Ashburne Hall, Manchester. Evie met her. I think of her much. She has to share a room which is a pity.

F. & I saw M. off – she is going for a few days to "Hamp's" – Evelyn Davison's – at Birkenhead – before College. She has been so sweet & helpful – always doing the breakfast & a lot of cooking. I shall miss her much.

Margy went to M/C. I miss her greatly; she is so helpful & sweet & always does the breakfast now, so beautifully.

. . . I anxiously awaited a telegram from Margy about her Finals—if she did not wire it meant she had only got a 3^rd or worse! About tea time I felt very depressed & had nearly given up hope—I was alone in garden having tea—when suddenly a telegram arrived:- "A First Heaven knows how. Margaret." I was so delighted & thrilled that I cried from sheer joy, & could hardly wait to tell Caro who came in soon after & kept saying "She's marvellous". Frank was in London, so only heard at 8.0. She does deserve it for she had worked so hard & she & her friends are the first women in M/C to take the Classics degree in 3 years instead of 4. Later we heard from Margy & she is the only woman with a First class, & there is only 1 man!

University of Cambridge Teachers' Certificate Class II, Cambridge Training College for Women

Margaret & I went by bus to Glastonbury (I am staying at the Bear Hotel almost next door to her lodgings—very comfortable & I am the only visitor) & there M^r Dale ("Reg.") met us & showed us over the exquisite ruined Abbey . . . M^r Dale came to supper & we played bridge.

Qualified as a teacher, and took a post in Street, Somerset. Met Reg Dale on staff there.

"At the Friends' Meeting House, Reading, Reginald Rowland Dale, son of R.B. and Florence Dale, of Widnes, to Margaret Watson, daughter of Francis E. and Mary S.W. Pollard, of Reading."

MARRIAGE OF MISS POLLARD.

Ceremony at The Friends Meeting House.

The marriage took place at the Friends' Meeting House, Reading, on Saturday afternoon of Mr. Reginald Rowland Dale, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Dale, of 7, Elizabeth Terrace, Ditton, near Widnes, Lancs, and Miss Margaret Watson Pollard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F.E. Pollard, of 9, Denmark Road, Reading.

The ceremony followed the usual course of a Friends' meeting. After a few minutes' silence the bride and bridegroom rose and each made a simple statement that they took one another in marriage "promising through Divine assistance to be unto him (or her) a loving and faithful wife (or husband)." In the silence that followed short addresses were give by Mr. C.E. Stansfield, Mr. C. Thompson and Miss M. Lloyd, and prayer was offered by Mr. W. Leach.

The bride wore a simple white silk crepe-de-Chine ankle-length gown fastened in bow behind, also white fichu fastened in front with spray of orange blossom. She carried a bouquet of white carnations and delphiniums and wore similar flowers on her hair. The bride was attended by her two sisters, Miss C. Pollard and Miss R. Pollard, and Miss F. Dale, sister of the bridegroom. Two of the bridesmaids were in ankle-length dresses of white flowered silk and one was in pink flowered silk. Their dresses were after the Victorian style, and they wore open-work hats to match. They carried bouquets of pink larkspur, and also wore necklets, the gift of the bridegroom. The dresses of the bride and bridesmaids were made by the Misses Kleiser. Mr. Donald Clarkson was best man.

After the ceremony a reception was held at 9, Denmark Road. The guests included: Mrs. and Miss Archibald, Mrs. Bowman Smith, the Misses Brain, Mrs. Burrow, Mr. T.T. Cass, Mrs. W.M. Childs, Mr. Patrick Childs, Mr. and Mrs. D. Clarkson, Mrs. D.S. Crichton, Mr. and Mrs. Cumber, the Misses Cumber, Miss Curtis, Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Dale, Mrs. S. Daires, Miss Fardon, Mrs. and Miss Gardiner, Mr. and Mrs. Gibbins, Mrs. Cretton, Mr. E.W. Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. Hampton, Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins, Mr. Harrison Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. L. Jackson, Mr. Labrey Jackson, Miss Lloyd, Mr. E.c. Lowe, Mr. and Mrs. C. Merz, Alderman and Mrs. J.B. Morrell, Miss Morrell, the Misses Player, Mrs. Peto, Mr. Leonard Peto, Miss Pollard, Mrs. Rawlings, the Messes Rawlings, Mr. and Mrs. S.A. Reynolds, Miss Reynolds, Mrs. Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Robson, Mr. Raymond Robson, Miss Barbara Robson, Miss Roberts, Mrs. M.S. Sparkes, Mr. Wilfrid Sparkes, Mr. Stansfield, Miss Stansfield, the Misses Stevens, Miss H.W. Sturge, Mr. and Mrs. Sutton, Mrs. and Mss Timms, Mrs. Turvey, Miss Waltis, Professor and Mrs. F.E. Weiss, Miss Weiss and Mr. and Mrs. Wicksteed.

Later the bride and bridegroom left for their honeymoon, which is being spent at Sark. The bride travelled in a dress of blue flowered shantung with blue coat and hat to match.

Margaret's wedding day.

The weather favoured us, & we had a perfect day, not too hot or windy, but lovely & sunny. We had to have breakfast out of doors as both dining & drawing rooms were full of presents, & so it was nice a mercy it was fine. D. Brain sent heaps of flowers which the girls arranged beautifully on the chimney pieces. The flowers (sweet peas) for the bridesmaids arrived far too dead, because of the drought to be of any use, so we sent them back to the Co-op, & Marg. rushed to town & got ordered pink larkspur at Vindens, & then met M^r & M^rs Dale, Florrie & M^r Harrison (Reg's Uncle) & brought them here. They were quite helpful. Bertha & Bowes had arrived last night & came to see us & are staying at Sonning. Ber kindly came in morning & made my bouquet beautifully, pink roses & asparagus fern & gypsophilum, & M^rs Dale's of yellow roses. We had lunch at 12.15 in garden, Marg. in my Jap. dressing gown. The sun was rather hot. 'Mabel' rather lost her head, but we had a beautiful, cold lunch, nothing hot except mashed potatoes. In the middle the best man, M^r Low Clarkson, & his wife arrived, unasked! so there were 12 of us, as Robert had come in the morning. Then we rushed off to dress—Florrie in his room, the Dales in the spare room. I had not even time to do my hair as I had to help Marg. She looked really exquisite in ivory silk crepe de chine with a knot of orange blossom (not real) that Mabel & her daughters, I think, had worn, & a chaplet of white carnations & blue delphiniums in her hair—no gloves—bouquet of same flowers. The bridesmaids looked lovely too, Caro & Ruthie in white silk with pink rosebuds on it, & Florrie in pink, the same. They carried pink larkspur. Reg. wore a light grey suit with white heather buttonhole & looked extremely nice. Best man, Frank & Robert wore white carnations (F. dark bluey grey suit.) M^rs Dale blue & yellow voile I think, v. pretty, I in black lace with a pink roses spray. We were all ready in time & had 2 cars. M^r & M^rs Dale, Mabel (maid) & I went first at 2.0—best man had his own car. Then bridesmaids & the Dales & I went in to meeting about 2.5. It was pretty full & beautifully decorated by Rosamund Wallis & her friend & Mary Stansfield—in the 2 corners large tall yellow sort of sunflowers, etc given by Rawlingses, Castles etc, & just behind the Bride a beautiful bowl of white Jap. anemones? The bride & her father arrived punctually & the bridesmaids followed them in, M. looking rather shy with eyes cast down. Soon she & Reg. said their says very well & clearly & then a beautiful meeting followed of about 20 mins. Chas. Stansfield, Chas. Robinson, M^r Leach prayed & Marg. Lloyd spoke. Afterwards certificate signed—then bride & bridegroom home by car—F. & I & C. & Ruthie in 2^nd for C. to play wedding march & rest followed in due course. People clapped as we went off! We—F. & I—& Marg. & Reg. stood in Hall to receive the guests who then went into the garden for tea. It was a beautiful tea & quantities of strawberry ices, & everyone was so jolly & friendly. About 76 of us in all I think. I had 2 waitresses from the University (one came at 11.0 & one at 2.0) & M^rs Mc'David helped with tea & washing up (for nothing). About We were photographed in various groups & Caro took some snap shots. M. cut the wedding cake, made by her & me in April, only we got white icing done by Scholes. There were 4 tiers weighing about 25 lbs. before icing I think. We had 2 sprays (5 lilies) lilium harisii on the top in a silver vase with white ribbon round it & smilax trailing down. Everyone said it was delicious! The tea was on a trestle table in corner of garden near scullery—food on another where bird bath used to be. Trestle table of presents in drawing room, & our own table in dining room. About 4.0 o' clock M. went up to change into her pretty blue flowered shantung frock, blue coat, hat of same material, grey shoes & stockings. I said goodbye to her on the stairs, & at 4.45 she & Reg. went off to station amid a lot of confetti, & old slippers on back of car. The bridesmaids, Rob. Bertha & the Dales, etc. went in cars to see them off, & we said goodbye to most of the visitors. The happy couple went to Southampton & had dinner in an hotel, then on board ship to Guernsey where they arrived next morning & stayed several days, & then went to Sark for a fortnight. M. wrote a card from Southampton, so sweet of her, to say they had loved the day & thanking us, & saying all was lovely.

Gave up teaching on marriage. Lived first near Bradford.

"To Reginald R. and Margaret W. Dale (née Pollard), of 16, Greenfield Avenue, Hawksworth, Guiseley, near Leeds, a son."

"To Reginald and Margaret Dale (née Pollard), of "Tor Height," Greenfield Avenue, Hawksworth, Yorks., a daughter, who was named Rosemary."

holidayed with Reg, Rowland and Rosemary, as well as FEP & MSWP, at Patterdale and Heugh Folds

with children, stayed at Mushroom Cottage

"At Reading, to Margaret (née Pollard) and Reginald Dale, of 76 Blake Road, New Southgate, London, N.11, a son."

lived in New Southgate when Reg was teaching at an East London school

with family, stayed at Mushroom Cottage

letter on 'The Children of Our Meetings' , from The Sunflowers, Saffron Walden

represented Western QM to Meeting for Sufferings

letter re diversity of peace groups causing confusion, from 49 Sketty Park Road, Swansea

holidayed in Scotland with Reg and Jeremy

"At Friends Meeting House, Tumble, Carmarthenshire, Jonathan Dale, son of Reginald and Margaret Dale, of Swansea, to Emily Mason, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mason, of Carmarthen. Address: 22 Shear Brow, Blackburn."

letter from 81 West Cross Lane

"At Friends Meeting House, Mere, Wiltshire, Jeremy Dale, son of Reginald and Margaret Dale, of Swansea, to Angela Hurd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hurd, of Warminster. Present address: 10 Vanbrugh Hill, London SE3."

holidayed in Austria and Czechoslovakia with Reg and Jonathan's family

"At Whitburn Methodist Church, Sunderland, Rowland Dale, son of Reginald and Margaret Dale, of West Cross, Swansea, to Patricia Chapman, daughter of Mr. J.E. Chapman and the late Mrs. R. Chapman."

letter, from Swansea

Served on Meeting for Sufferings for ten years, also Peace Committee, Social Responsibility Council and Home Service Committee. In the early '70s was member of Constitutional Review Committee.

with Reg and family, spent Christmas period in Appleby

with Reg, holidayed with Jonathan's family at Loch Avich

"Reginald and Margaret Dale from Swansea to 40 Regent Road, Skipton, N. Yorks BD23 1BQ"; following issues add phone number: (0756) 3008

letter, from 40 Regent Road . . .

golden wedding announcement; now of 40 Regent Road . . .

member of CND & Skipton Peace Group when she died

liked folk dancing, swimming, gardening, music (played cello), walking, painting, and knitting

"Suddenly, Margaret Watson Dale (née Pollard) of Skipton and formerly Swansea Meetings, much loved wife of Reginald R. Dale and mother of Rowland, Rosemary, Jonathan and Jeremy. Aged 77. No flowers, but donations if desired to Greenpeace."

obit. by John Horsley & Keith Reeves

I remember one incident—I think it was in Lacock, where we stayed when Jeremy got married—in which she recounted to us how she had taken a bath, not troubling first to remove a spider from it—she said the spider was quite happy! This strikes me as quite typical of her.

In Mumbles they had a big garden, and you could play croquet on the lawn; each of us stayed there at least once. They moved up to Skipton not long after Mum & Dad moved to Ilkley—the Pollard sisters re-gathering (Caro also having moved to Skipton Road, Ilkley).

When she visited us, she'd often give us her home-made fudge, which we loved: always referred to as 'Aunt Margaret's fudge.' She even sent some fudge out to me in America for Christmas 1969.

Some time in the 60s I learned that she had diabetes—I assume type II, but don't actually know.

I got worse & worse and asked for chloroform; Edna helped greatly. At ¼ to 1.0 a baby girl was born. Dr. F. said perfectly formed and one of the prettiest babies she had ever seen. (I think not quite up to Robert!) For 1^st time I was not torn, & it was much the easiest time I've had, though quite bad enough. Edna stayed till baby washed. F. posted cards etc. I am sleeping in our room, & baby is with nurse in night nursery. I have an electric bell. Slept pretty well afterwards. F. sent telegram to Grasmere later on, & I got one back.

Dr. Eaton came to see baby. Thinks the skin of her legs is bad. She is anaemic, ought to have sea air. Seems like child of 2 yrs old in capacities & if he cd prophesy says he thinks she will be an exceptionally bright clever woman & ought to have every chance to get strong now.

Marg. & Caro broke up. Caro has been making lovely things in her spare time with Margery Rawlings, who thinks she has clever fingers – a raffia bag for M. paper cutter for Frank, serving bag for me, etc.

Sports at Abbey School at 2.30. Ruthie, Anton & I watched till after 5.0. Caro did well in Kangaroo, but was one of smallest & did not nearly win.

Caro not well. To bed in aft. Next 2 days very feverish & v. bad throat, & in evening on 19^th. I got D^r. Gilford. It is influenza. Fortunately I kept others out. C. has been so good & patient, but has had dreadful head, & couldn't bear the light & it is depressing. Coal strike makes one have to be v. careful of coal.

Caro had operation on tonsils, adenoids & deviating septum. Ruthie in bed very poorly in another room – most awkward. I had to prepare the room, light fire etc. Operation took over ½ hr (because of septum) & F. & I were getting terribly anxious. He said "I haven't minded anything so much since thy babies were born". However it got over alright. C. was very sick afterwards – all aft. & evening.

Caro did a Stilt Performance to an audience of Frank Marg. me & Florence. It was very well done, & Ruthie had to do things too (not on the stilts) & it was screamingly funny, often, especially Ruthie's bursts of laughter. Caro is really good on stilts.

F. Rob & I went to London, met darling Caro, looking well & went by excursion to York arriving in the evening. C. has loved being at the Hennells & has gone up splendidly in weight & they have been so good to her.

Glorious by Lake of Geneva—lovely hot day, cloudless blue sky. Got funicular from Aigle to Leysin Village where we arrived between 12 & 1.0. Met by a porter from Les Irênes & walked there. C. examined by D^r. Rollier. Said little; thought she was asthmatical. We then drove down about 2 miles to "Les Noisetiers", Cergnat [illeg. character] /Sèpey, the school in the sun & had a nice reception—38 children, mostly French, but 1 Irish girl of 7, one little American girl & 2 little boys. Most of the children younger than C. She shares a very nice bedroom with Madeleine Meles (French) aged 13. We had tea with the school (rather formidable) then C. walked with me down to Le Sépey where after some trouble I got a room at "Le Cerf." The pull up again was very tiring & C. quite tired out & sobbed bitterly when I left her at 'Les Noisetiers.'

I went back to lunch & then up again to C. where I stayed till nearly 5.0. It was terrible leaving her, for she put both her arms round my neck & clung to me sobbing & imploring me not to go. At last I just had to tear myself away, but it was awful, & I tore out of the house. Poor darling wee lassie. It was all so strange & not being able to speak French made her feel worse.

Thanks for various sympathetic references to Caro. She is now at the place I spoke of—a little school for small delicate children (most are younger than her) under D^r Rollier's supervision, near Leysin. There Mary left her nearly four weeks ago—rather a tragic parting: but her letters are growingly happy I think—at any rate fuller of all their doings. We have also had a brief note from the matron saying that she is making progress. C. tells of heat; once too of fun in the snow, but I imagine they have not had much this year—so the Winter Sports reports go to show.

(Friday.) All day thought of Caro & Frank. Telegram in aft. from Dover & soon after 5.0 Ruthie & I went to the Station. To our surprise only Caro appeared, as Frank had had to stay for the luggage had not turned up. C. looked exquisite in a blue coat & blue hat, so tall & brown & well. We came home by tram, & she kept breaking into French & seemed rather grieved to be in a town again after so many months in the country. It is lovely to have her. I tried to occupy her till holidays began with swimming baths etc. She had 2 driving lessons, & an embroidery lesson with Miss Barkas & went along to the school to see the girls etc.

Heard to-day that C. has got the 'Sylvia Jacob' Scholarship. I hate the idea of her leaving home, but she wants to go to the Mount, & it is very nice for her. We are grateful.

Bathe in Carfai. Showery. Dinner early. Walked by road to Solva to see Regatta. Began to pour there & we got very wet, but cleared up & we dried. Caro very pluckily went in for ladies' swimming race—100 yds in harbour. She was nearly last, but not long behind the first one.

. . . I let Caro have her hair bobbed. It does not suit her, & when she got home everyone said so, & F. was rather vexed, but it may be better for her health, & was very long & thick to keep nice at school. The poor child rather regretted it herself when it was done, & cried bitterly when she went to bed.

Next few days went very fast with tennis (a great treat) bathing, walks, and the pony which Colin has kindly hired for C. & R. By the 2nd day C. could ride so well that she went on it to Stocksfield & back all alone, & she soon learnt to gallop.

Armistice concert at University. Felt v. proud as Caro was playing in orchestra (2^nd violin)

Took C. to her first singing lesson. Aft. to reception at University to fix classes. She is taking drawing & painting, needlework, leather work & first aid, & piano – also she plays 2^nd. violin in the orchestra. (very good after only learning for 2 years.)

Caroline was at Westhill training to be a teacher and many of the male students in addition to my father fell in love with her. She was slim and attractive and played the piano divinely!

Had headache & came down late to find letter from Westhill saying C. had had a motor car accident & broken a rib. Very distressed & did not know whether to go, but they said no need for anxiety. Sent telegram to C.

Our minds are chiefly dwelling at the moment on a motor accident of Caro's. One day last week five of them coming down the hill from Selly Oak skidded & upset almost at the Woodbrooke gates. C. has broken a rib & was much bruised & shaken, two others are probably worse with concussion or something. It is a mercy it was nothing still more serious; but it is bad enough & most unfortunate. They had only been back at Westhill two or three days. Mary went over yesterday & found C. fairly comfortable & getting on as well as could be expected.

. . . Caro has just come home today from Westhill. Next term is her last.

Caro has got a post at the Loughborough High School for Girls, in the Preparatory Department of course with young people of 8 or so mainly. Her applications have been many, interviews not a few—interfering with her final exam work in unfortunate fashion; but this post, which seems a desirable one, was obtained partly by reason of her music.

My sympathy, dearest, & to Caro too indeed—it is very hard: but the educational world is not bounded by Miss Bristol & her Board of Governors! It is clear that the doctor's opinion must be tested further before very long. As I gather you have already written to Miss B. there is no need for me to give any advice—which is a good thing as I'm blessed if I know what it would be.

Letter from Caro. She says they had 4 (I think) raids last week—not just warnings. It's awful.

Joan & Caro have started a nursery class for evacuated children (2 to 5 yrs. old) at Community Centre at Whitley. Mornings 10-12.30.

Local Wedding

Major J.M. Hardie, of Coventry, and Miss Caroline W. Pollard, of 22, Cintra Avenue, Reading, were married at the Register Office, Reading, by Special Licence, on Wednesday. A short Meeting for Worship was held at the Friends' Meeting House, Church Street, at which the bride and bridegroom made the statements usual in a Friends' wedding, promising through divine assistance to be a loving and faithful wife and husband. Miss B. Saxon Snell, Mrs. O. Herford and Mr. F.E. Pollard took brief part in the meeting. The bridegroom has just returned to England after some six years in the Far East. After a reception at 22, Cintra Avenue, the bride and bridegroom left for Malvern. Later they will go to Grasmere.

C. & Joe have sold their house for £2000. Lost £500 alas!

C & Joe have gone quite mad & bought a 2-room cottage (with all their remaining savings) near Kathie's, hoping to spend holidays there & let it. Then they won't mind so much moving into a small bungalow (if they can find one) in Ilkley. They are actually negotiating the sale of Netherdale, but have just discovered there is woodworm to the tune of £800.

Caro was a very self-effacing woman, always inclined to putting herself down—for example, she would always apologize for the inadequacy (as she saw it) of any birthday/Christmas present she gave—excessively modest, one might say. She was a very kind woman—always lavish in her hospitality; I particularly remember, when in later years we would visit her on our visits to Ilkley, how kind she was to Marley, bending over backwards to keep him entertained—finding toys for him, playing the piano to him, &c. She had taught piano at some stage, so was a good pianist.

They moved to Ilkley not long after my parents, it being really too big for them, after their children had left. Their new house on Skipton Road, though smaller, was also a nice house; a much smaller garden.