AU10/148/1/3

Letters from 1940s

1940 to 1944

From: 1940 To: 1944

Correspondence from Mary Pack in Canada to Lily Grimmer in Ampthill: 1940: Two letters. The first dated January 19th is written from a new address in Slocan Street, Vancouver. Mary reminisces about old times with Lily and wishes she could move English folk over to Canada out of "Hitler's reach". The letters from Ampthill have so far arrived in Canada uncensored. She talks about having received photographs of the Grimmers, including Jane and Madge in their uniforms. She talks about various Pack family members and gives updates on their lives. Jessie has recovered well from her TB and is living further afield in British Columbia. Roger has a new son and is living close by. Joan and her family are still living in the mountains and have a busy social life. Mary has been undertaking classes in useful subjects like first aid as part of her war effort. Mary talks about a big road trip she undertook that summer with some friends, travelling down the Pacific Highway as far down as Mexico, taking in all the sights of America on the way. The second letter is dated November 20th and includes a Christmas card. Mary is glad that no harm from the war has come to the Grimmers so far. She continues to attend practical classes for the war effort and is knitting for evacuees. She talks about the Canadian government and taxes. Also about the Grimmers keeping pullets. She gives various family updates, especially the grandchildren plus talking about their elderly parents suffering arthritis. 1941: Two letters. First letter dated July (although this mentions a letter sent in May which is missing) written from Jasper, Alberta, where Mary has taken a road trip, along new roads built through canyons along the Columbia River. She reports seeing bears, deer, moose and beavers and has visited Lake Louise and Banff and met with Native Americans from the Blackfoot tribe. She also reports that her mother is now bedridden with arthritis. The second letter is sent at Christmas time and the war is now being felt more directly in Canada: there is now a blackout and there is talk of an evacuation of schoolchildren from Vancouver because of the threat of Japanese invasion. Roger is now serving on a mine-sweeper. In family news, Jessie has had a baby girl, Bobby has had is curls cut off and Roger has divorced and re-married. 1943: One letter dated November 15th. The Packs have moved house within Vancouver. There has been no news from England because of the war. Mary is healthy and well but her mother is still very poorly. They have created a large playroom for the grandchildren. Joan has been ill this year. Jessie has had another daughter and lives nearby with her family. Roger and his new wife Marie live close by with Roger's son. Roger has been discharged from the Navy and now works for an airplane manufacturer. Agnes has lost a baby. Harry is now electrical superintendent at a Vancouver shipyard. Mary sends Christmas and New Year greetings to all the Grimmers. 1944: One letter dated November 28th. It includes a photographic Christmas card showing cedar trees in Stanley Park, Vancouver. The letter describes how Canadians are now being sent to fight in Italy and of the political tension re French Canada. In family news, Mary's father is now caring for her mother, Harry and Clara's son Bill is starting school, Clara was asked to launch a ship [see newsletter details below], Joan and Cecil have moved to Quebec for Cecil's work, Henry is going to school. Mary has a new job which involves visiting disabled children to teach them at home and talks about her favourite pupils. She sends Christmas greetings and hopes to send a food parcel soon. Newsletter: of the West Coast Shipbuilders Ltd of Vancouver, sent in a printed envelope, franked December 4, 7pm with a 4c Canadian stamp. It is issue 57 dated 30th November 1944 and inside is an article (News Reel no 6) and photograph of Clara at the ship launching with Harry and Bill. Undated Customs Declaration (presumed 1944): Addressed to Mrs Grimmer from Mary Pack, contained jam, sugar, tea and soap, value stated at 62c.

sub-file

Pack, Mary,
Pack, Doris Mary,
Grimmer, Lily,
Grimmer, Jane,
Grimmer, Madge,
Grimmer, Margery Bertha,
Grimmer, Nora,
Grimmer, Honora,
Underwood, Ena,
Underwood, Andrew,
Pack, Harry,
Pack, Joan,
Brehant, Cecil,
Brehant, Henry,
Pack, Jessie,
Pack, Roger,
St. Johns Ambulance,
Pack, Clara,
Pack, Bill,
Pack, Bob,
Pack, George,
Pack, Agnes,
Pack, Marie

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