BMS/CWK/95/21c/16

Envelope with letters from Major James William Kaye, one to his parents, the other to his father. Sent from Hotel de Gwalior, Central India.

2 Mar 1941; received 12 May 1941

From: 1941 To: 1941

Letter to both parents: Reports on letters received; all up to 8 January. Responds to items in parents letters - 'What the Dickens are these 'land mines' one of which has damaged Nancy's house. Presumably they are something deposited by the Boche. Are they a kind of time bomb?' Has had a shocking cold and did not go to Their Highnesses wedding banquet. Joyce sat at the main table and fed off silver dishes. Describes a small railway with a silver locomotive that carried the port and cigars round the table at the end of dinner. Joyce has gone to Indore with the Bancrofts for the Central India Horse Show. She is staying with the Windsor Aubreys. Writer lists places he plans to visit over the next few days. Is also planning a trip to Delhi. The Battery is due to arrive in Quetta on 1st April. Describes a bungalow that Col. MacKenzie has found for them. The Battery got a very good report after it's firing. Recommends a book called 'Return Via Dunkirk' by Gun. Buster. Letter to Father: Responds to questions posed by Father regarding executorship and trusteeship. Also refers to The Towers [presumably Millbeck Towers, Underskiddaw, home of parents]. Suggests that Mother could not live there alone, and writer unlikely to ever live there. It is hard to keep going, and likely to be more so after the war; 'I doubt if there will be many who could afford to keep up that house and ground'. Writer has no ties to Cumberland. Writer considers it would probably be better to sell if a good price could be achieved. Possibly consider a long let at a high rent. 'I strongly hope that the question won't have to be considered until long after Hitler has been put where he belongs.'

item

Kaye, James William,
Kaye, Joyce,
Bancroft,
Mackenzie

family correspondence, India, World War Two, MARRIAGE, India Quetta, Cumberland