What follows is our earliest correspondence between Sydney and Rose Mary Caldwell, his girlfriend. Sydney is 18; Rose Mary 21. He and Rose Mary will not marry for another 4 years. Sydney is working in an office, probably clerking in a London bank. He is living with his parent’s (Robert and Sophia) and younger siblings, Ernest (16), Ethel (14 ), Eva (12 ) and Sophie (10). Rose Mary (21) is away somewhere, perhaps for Christmas holidays. Sydney anxiously awaits her return. He and Rosie appear to have established a significant relationship.
December, 1893 Tuesday
Dearest Rosie,
I don’t wonder you thinking me “awfully frivolous” not writing you as often as I should, but am glad you don’t think me unkind and forgetful of you but you know letter writing seems a fearful bore to me and the more I put off writing the more I want to, but I will write you a few lines about myself and home (I say home because I have a lot to tell you about it).
We are only just returning home after being away for more than 6 weeks, the latter part of the time have been staying with my Aunt at Forest Gate (Grace’s mother) and have had a most pleasant time down there. All Christmas week I kept it up, first one place and then another. Forest Gate [London neighbourhood] one night, Croydon [south London] the next and Teddington [southwest London] the next but the best night was having to stay late at the office ‘til about half past ten. But still I didn’t mind that after so much enjoyment or rather dissipation, but of course these sorts of things must come to an end, which they did.
The four of us – Ethel, Eva, Ernest and myself are going to a dance tomorrow evening in Selhurst. I dare say you know the people. The father of these girls or rather step-father is Heaver – owns a lot of property in the Tennyson Road. I’ve had an invitation to see some friends at South Croydon tonight.
Did I tell you anything about our house, I don’t think I did. Of course to commence with (it’s like a comedy). Vic and Eva are at home ill, soon afterwards (you remember that fearful gale about a month ago). Well, about 5 o’clock in the evening a 20 ft chimney blew from the Hagg’s house next door and fell onto our roof and smashed a number of tiles and guttering, Not contented with that must fall on to the next and do the same thing, eventually landing on the Conservatory smashing it to atoms and Evas machines(?) as well. I never saw such a sight in all my life.
No sooner was this done with when, Sunday, pipes burst during the frost and simply swamped the place, and to make it worse, the servant cleared out, so you can just imagine what a fearful time the mater has had of it but Thank God it is nearly all over with now. It has been simply two months of misery at home.
Well dearest, I haven’t time to say any more, am writing this at the office. By the way, when do you think you will be coming home? Should so much like to see you. I suppose for about a day in six weeks ______ it strikes me you won’t stay it much longer. Write soon.
With fondest love,
Ever yours,
Sid