HG12/18/23

Letter from Gertrude Longuet Higgins, 75 Gunterstone Road, West Kensington, London W14, to son Henry Hugh Longuet Longuet-Higgins.

3 Dec 1918

From: 1918 To: 1918

The 'flu is very bad in many parts of England and seems to be on the increase. One of the staff at Surbiton High School is not expected to live. Hugh's father is not very fit and was in bed three days last week. The doctor urges him to go out and see people and enjoy himself. It is a difficult matter for him to carry this out. Writer is pleased he has consented to accept Aunt Florrie's invitation to dinner. Arrangements at home are much improved. Mrs Bishop comes with her small child for 5 or 6 hours each day and cooks the dinner, which she loves doing. It is nice to have a woman who wants to work and to please. Hopes to get two maids after Christmas; daily maids are apt to be irregular and unpunctual. Asks for picture postcards of the villages Hugh has passed through. On Sunday Londoners turned out in crowds to welcome Marshal [Ferdinand] Foch, [Georges Benjamin] Clemenceau and the two Italian ministers. Describes the event. Hugh's father would not go. Wonders if they will manage to see Woodrow Wilson. Is sending tin of shortbread and marmalade for Hugh's birthday. Called on Mrs Rose senior. She is very sad, but has been kept busy by having her second son, his wife, baby boy and nurse staying with her.

item

Longuet-Higgins, Henry Hugh Longuet,
Longuet-Higgins, Gertrude,
Longuet-Higgins, Henry Longuet,
Foch, Ferdinand,
Clemenceau, Georges Benjamin,
Wilson, Woodrow,
Bishop,
Rose

family correspondence, World War One, influenza, domestic servant, maid