A Christmas card from Ambrose Pinney - “With Heartiest Greetings for Christmas and the coming Year”

9th December 1918, Letter from Alfred Johnson to Essie, : We have started our trek now and have spent the night in a place called Bavay. I am with the guns going in a different way to the rest of the battery.

11 December 1918 I am writing in a place called Philippeville [Namur province]. We had quite an exciting time getting the guns through old gateways and over bridges. You very nearly had me back a gunner as I should certainly have been courtmartialed if we had dropped one of the caterpillars in the moat. We are in civilised country now the fields cultivated, cattle grazing and no ruined houses.

Olive Harcourt Dec 10th 1918

Concert at Beaucroft. Florence and I sang and a harpist from Bournemouth the only ones. We did Home Sweet Home, Let me Dance again, Alpen-Rosen and other German songs.

Mr Widnall was telephoned for as he wanted to come specially. At the end Mackan recited, really splendid, very talented his little Joan (aged 2) came and sat at his feet on the platform with her hands folded in her lap.

Lady Mary’s diary December 10th 1918 The Huns bearing defeat badly. Rumours of Kaiser’s suicide. “When all the blandishments of life are gone the coward slinks to death, the brave lives on.” - Warren Vernon’s memoirs, delightful book.

[Lady Mary refers to Dante scholar Warren Vernon's book "Recollections of Seventy-two Years," recording his life and travel in Italy, with reminiscences of the kingdom of Naples in the days of King Bomba, pub 1917.]

12th December 1918, Letter from Alfred Johnson to Essie :

I have had various election papers but no authority for voting. I expect I should have voted for that Labour man. One has only to read Wrentmore's address to see what a fool he is.'

There are rumours that we are to go on to Germany later.

We have spent the night at Dinant on the Meuse - The Germans shot a lot of civilians here in 1914 and there are notices on the walls about it..

Weds Dec 11th 1918

Nice letter from Sir Robert Williams in reply to my congratulations: unopposed election, W Dorset.

Lady Mary’s diary 12.12.1918

Rather seedy. How seldom am I kept indoors, thank God. Lloyd George’s excellent Election speeches. The net is closing round the Kaiser (at Amerongen, Holland)

Germany quite unrepentent. Frances [niece] has been nearly distracted but remains sane. Cosmo [her husband] can get abt on crutches in hospital South Audley St.

Friday 13th December 1918 I paid my last subs to the Belgian refugees. We have had them here since Jan 25 1915. No one loves the Belgians. Arranged Christmas cards, presents etc.

Sat 14th December 1918 General Election - I hope Lloyd George and his coalition will get a large majority. Sir Rt Williams returned unopposed in W Dorset so whether I may vote (being Peeress) I have not discovered.

Alfred Johnson, letter to Essie 16.12.1918


We have at length received voting papers, so after all the government seems to be making an effort to give us a vote. From what Lloyd George says it seems that the Government is going to get all it can out of Germany and go back on what they have asserted in the past.

Civilians here are very grieved at our departure. Last night there was the devil of a row in the street among the gunners who’d had too much cognac. There were several fights and the chief offender finished up in the guard room.

17th December 1918

Letter from my sister Emily in Scotland, how she went and voted for Parliament for the first time in history with six other Skipness ladies, all crammed on the car.

To Grammar School prize giving in the hall by Colonel Colfox. Sat next to Mrs C (her broken heart, son died) Mr Kitson in Chair. 100 girls and boys gave a performance after the speeches. (Dr Skinner good, Col C pretty good.) “La Belle au bois dormant” Sleeping Beauty in amazing French.

Almost a miracle; also a lovely dance with tulle veils. Mary Andress very pretty and graceful. Her parents immediately behind me, bursting with pride. Very nice show. The whole village there.

James Sansom: 17th December 1918

We move to Gammerages in Belgium about 30 kilos from Brussels. I go again in a motor for a joy ride. I and others are billeted in a water mill while we have our hospital in the village school.

The story of Olive’s embroidered Christmas cards from the front from BBC Breakfast in Dorset 19 December 2018

Olive Harcourt’s diary 22.12.18

Florence and I went to have a little music at Beaucroft. Only a few men left, 30 gone for Christmas. Very dull time. Bradley wold not stop roaring like a bull and no other would sing.

picture: Olive Harcourt's piano at the home of her ward Joan Cocozza in Bristol in 2018

Letter to Essie 23.12.1918

The pig has been killed. At one time it was feared he would die a natural death from too much lorry travelling but has survived all the moving and met his end yesterday morning. Reading: 'Beyond', John Galsworthy, (1917)

Celebration service 11 of the clock, some 200 faithful present. “Oh thou that bringest good tidings” my overpowering emotion, actually pouring tears.

I had invited Mr Earle of Mapperton, he is just returned from France (Chaplain).

Gave us a wonderful account of what he saw. He arrived out there precisely at the turn of the tide and followed the retreating Germans the whole time. The number of machine guns they threw away - incalculable. The destruction of everything. The Australians, desperate fighters but absolute savages and disobedient. His services were crowded and enthusiastic. He slept in a cellar while his tent - Church - was destroyed by a direct hit. He used to sit and watch our airmen bringing down enemy aircraft. What a show. He comes back a different man.

Marie Stopes: Christianity like most religions has a strong wave of ascetics, early in its history . While there was a harsh asceticism which is hostile to the other sex ...there was also a romantic asceticism which did not entirely prohibit the charms and pleasures of mutual companionship.

There is no disease that I know of which is caused by the normal and mutually happy marriage relation, a relation to most, has positive healing and vitalising power.

The profound truth which is perceived by ascetics is that the creative energy of sex can be transformed into other activities. This truth should never be lost sight of in marriage; the periods of abstinence should be opportunities for transmuting the healthy sex power into work of every sort.

One of the most famous married ascetics is Tolstoy, whose later opinion was that the highest human being completely inhibits his sexual desires and lives a celibate.

Printed Christmas card from 69th Siege-Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

Albert Johnson to wife Essie I seem to remember that you did not get a vote. How was that? I voted for the Labour man but I don't know if my vote will arrive in time.

Lady Mary’s diary 26.12.18

Ethel and Collingwood looking well and happy. President Wilson is met by King George and taken to Buckingham Palace, this brilliant day. I walked up to Hackthorne, nearly four miles.

To Mrs Partridges clever acting in the evening. “1 Contrasts: 2 Backward Child: 3 Don’t let the Lady go.” Hall packed. I congratulated Mrs Partridge and walked up the hill and saw a most magnificent sunset. “The heavens declare the Glory of God.”

I am happy to announce the launch of my new book WiseParenthood best wishes for the festive season

James Sansom: James Sansom 28 Dec 1918

We are having an easy time now - no parades, get up what time we please and the people are very good to us. We get plenty of sport here. We have several concerts and have a good time generally .

At Xmas plenty to eat and drink for those who like it and we spend a lot of time with the villagers.

Lady Mary’s diary 28.12.18

The Elections declared Saturday night. An astonishing majority for Coalition ie Lloyd George. Asquith and his party out. Pacifists out.

29.12.1918 Letter from Alfred Forbes Johnson to Essie

I am sure the war has been bad for us in many ways, unfitted us for civil life.

I feel quite a stranger to him [son Christopher] and expect I shall little use as a father. That is the fault of the war.

Reading: Twixt Land and Sea, Joseph Conrad, 1914.

Tuesday 31st December I am too near it at present to estimate what we have lost and gained by the Great War. We know that a new world has opened. There is not one of us that has not suffered agonies. All our soldiers - in the family - have returned except dear and clever James Usborne. His body lies near Arras.

Monday 30 December

Ethel and Colingwood drove with us to meet at Hook (Cattistock Hounds) We saw them throw off and heard “the music”. Within 300 yards of home, Ethel discovered she had lost her precious beautiful wrist watch. In great agitation we returned the four miles and there in the mud in the lane we found it, quite clean and uninjured - a small miracle!

A Happy New Year 1919 to you all - just to remind you when the sex-rite is, in every sense, rightly performed, the healing wings of sleep descend both on man and woman.

Lady Mary’s diary 1.1.1919

Went to village Fancy Dress Ball in hall. Met my friends, tradesmen and cook disguised beyond recognition. Danced Lancers with Mr Kit in uniform. Much amused. (public much pleased) Read précis for this last awful and wonderful year. Victory and Peace.

Jan 2nd 1919 To Mrs Pinney’s party at hall. Children of all ages from Mr Kit (75) with whom I danced Pas-de-quatre; some 50 of them, also Lady Peto, Pinney and her children. Gertrude in blue looking pretty, most of them in white w floating hair. Berlin threatened by Bolshivism “the Chickens indeed coming home to roost.”

Olive Harcourt’s diary 3.1.1919

In the common room before dinner, Southern was telling the Commandant he had seen a letter in the paper from a man in Bath saying Christ would come again soon. “If he came to Bath I should like to go there - perhaps I might touch the hem of his garment.” He was thinking about his poor leg, gone below the knee!

03.01.1919 Alfred Johnson, letter to Essie I have been playing football to-day the first time I have played in a match since the Artist days. I think all men with jobs with be demobilised fairly soon. They are demobilising 5000 a day now and that is soon to be nearly doubled.

[Johnson played football for the University of Manchester team where he studied classics in the early 1900s]

4th Jan 1919 Rain and snow.

This worst day of the winter I met old Dr Daniel (he has been in bed w. an influenza cold lately) I said “Oh Doctor are you wise to be out?” He replied with a cunning smile: My dear lady, If I stay indoors today, what shall I do when I am old ?” Dr D is 82 !

04.01.1919 Letter to from Artillery Lieutenant Alfred Johnson in Belgium to his wife Essie: It appears we are not off to Germany at least not for the present, which is rather disappointing

The Morning Post: Military Awards For services in France and Flanders A.F. Johnson, Military Cross

Tues 7th Jan 1919

Sailor Sidney Pomeroy came to see me: he was at Rosyth and Scapa Flow and saw the German Navy surrender. He helped search a big German warship, armed with a revolver and gas mask ready.

Olive Harcourt’s diary Jan 7th 1919

Men’s concert at Beaucroft Hospital. Mrs Smith went with us, fearful squash. They were dressed as Pierrots in white pyjamas, with paper pompoms and ruffs, Macken, Stubbs, Woodhead and Jacobs the best. The little play “The Area Bell” with Nurse Coggin.

Sidney Macken and Arthur Stubbs really good and amusing. We had a nice talk with them and Fred Woodhead on the stage afterwards.

Weds 8th Jan 1919 - Letter from Agnes Phillimore inviting me to Carn House for the opening of parliament. She writes: “I don’t know when it will be or how we are to dress. We intend going but there will be a great rush for places.”

[Mary's friend Agnes is wife of High Court Judge and Peer, Walter Phillimore and mother of Godfrey who had just been released from a German prisoner of war camp and wrote a book about his experiences.]

Letter from Alfred Johnson to Essie, 8.01.1919 on Bruxelles Palace Hotel headed paper. Brussels is certainly a very fine town. We have been to the galleries, with sculptures by Rodin...

Various fair ladies tried to lead us astray and Lee was quite alarmed but I rather enjoyed it.

Lady Mary’s diary Sat 11 Jan 1919

Small fancy dress party Doreen J’s, she in Egyptian dress, BVJ as cook. I took the great trouble of getting into my Queen Katherine of Aragon black velvet dress, tiara and veil. DVJ’s eyes gleaming green, excited. Supper and games

Olive Harcourt writes: 14 Jan 1919

Macken, Stubbs and Griffiths came to tea. A most delightful time. Each did his bit in entertaining and we had a tremendous talk about Theosophy and religion, each man possessing lofty ideas and much power and expression

Letter from Alfred Forbes Johnson to his wife Essie 15 January 1919

I have had quite a busy day to-day, a football match and coaching two fellows in German. March is educational officer and has all sorts of schemes on. He has started a course of lectures once a week to the men and I have let myself in for one on the stars.

A sketch of a First World War Land Girl 'carrying on'. https://t.co/Ry7Vz7BqsY pic.twitter.com/4zijixkaZk

— Women's Land Army (@WomensLandArmy) January 11, 2019

Lady Mary’s diary: Jan 16th 1919

To Maiden Newton to meet Robert. He looking much better. Fine walk with him thro’ Parnham, we sheltered in stable, up hill to Netherbury - saw the splendid golden sunset and talked about the Victory, the family, little Lorna. A capital good hour. Rt in little dressing room: quite comfortable. So nice to have him sitting here. My heart lightened.

Pictures from the touring production Escaping the Storm, which uses some of our research from Voices from 1918. Jane McKell plays the older Marie Stopes.

Dr Stopes, I presume ? @JaneMckell as Marie Stopes in their new touring production Escaping the Storm by @AsOneTheatre @DorchesterArts last night. Returns to Dorset Feb 14 @weypavilion pic.twitter.com/c6ZaDCBc5c

— Alastair Nisbet (@alastair) 17 January 2019

16th Jan 1919 Olive Harcourt writes:

Florence, May and I went to Beaucroft [Red Cross Hospital in Wimborne]. I read many hands and it was most amusing. I was able to tell many events correctly - Nurse Sansom in particular.

Lady Mary’s diary: Friday 17th January 1919

Had a fine walk with Robert, the dark lane, Warren Hide. The view as beautiful and more strange than on a Summer day: 11 to 1. Have not been up there for months.