tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64532960216142635252024-03-12T18:56:36.077-07:00Postcards from the WarFifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453296021614263525.post-25222614568032044282012-02-16T13:35:00.000-08:002012-02-16T13:35:22.196-08:00The Red Poppy!
I cannot believe it has been a whole year since I posted here. So much for me blogging Rothwell and Hilda's postcards on a weekly basis. I shall get back to it promptly...next week...
I haven't been procrastinating- really! I've been busy illustrating. My advance copies of The Red Poppy have arrived (always the most exciting mail package!) and our book launch is on the 14th March 6pm at The Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453296021614263525.post-4801840502717241982011-02-10T19:46:00.000-08:002011-02-11T13:57:47.524-08:00A trip planned!Rothwell's postcards were much more frequent than my blog postings I have to say; he didn't need to scan each one, arrange them, decipher them and upload them. He just had the eagerness of a young man in love to keep him motivated, and he obviously knew Hilda shared his passion. Such confidence!
Speaking of confidence, this blog has suddenly taken on a new meaning for me. I've been contracted toFifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453296021614263525.post-49243506309635648712010-11-23T17:20:00.000-08:002010-11-23T17:20:20.296-08:00June 1914 and a rainy dayI thought I'd start posting some of the wartime 'funnies' as we get closer to the time Rothwell was enlisted. There is a wonderful collection of very non politically correct cards in Grandmother's postcard album- this is the mildest.
Meanwhile we find Rothwell a little melancholy...it must be the weather, or being away from his dearest Dadie.
<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453296021614263525.post-28807556561125558632010-07-08T19:46:00.000-07:002010-07-08T19:48:18.071-07:00June 4th-9th 1914It's been more than a month since I posted; I've been busy doing other things- I sound like Rothwell now- will he ever get around to finishing a proper letter for Dadie? Warning, these postcards contain harsh words for a snooping landlady...
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Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453296021614263525.post-52232544855542885712010-04-20T21:56:00.000-07:002010-04-20T21:56:11.158-07:00March 1914
Baldock Mar 10th ‘14
My Efbsftu, (Darling)It has since occurred to me that I should much prefer blue, to match your scarf, but please yourself of course. I should like you to get a blue one though, Dadie. Am going to Westell’s nature lecture at P.O at Letchworth tomorrow. Bailey’s have taken a box for it.Mpwf & ljttft (love & kisses) from Your own Rothwell
No pressure for the blue HildaFifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453296021614263525.post-1390817886273740452010-04-11T15:13:00.001-07:002010-04-11T15:16:49.688-07:00February 25th 1914
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This is the first time in the correspondance that Rothwell has called Hilda 'Dadie'. The cards seem to be an in-between-letter arrangement to let her know a longer epistle is on it's way, though he is full of apologies at his tardiness. Quite like sending a text to say a longer e-mail is coming...
Wesley House, Bury St Edmunds 2/2/14
My pxo (own) Dadie, Efbsftu (Dearest), in all le monde,-etcFifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453296021614263525.post-27890428284134910522010-03-27T22:56:00.000-07:002010-03-27T22:56:38.612-07:00Sept- Nov 1913
Here are the first of the cards written in code. I have worked out the following: Efbsftu is Dearest and Ebsmjoh is Darling. Those code crackers amongst you can probably get cracking! I will put them up on the 'Lover's Code' page. If you'd like to decipher any of the messages, leave a comment with your translations.
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Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453296021614263525.post-34161397006105802572010-03-23T20:21:00.000-07:002010-03-23T20:21:09.173-07:00July 1913
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Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453296021614263525.post-28244314196912715522010-03-18T20:43:00.000-07:002010-03-18T20:44:14.660-07:00Baldock: September 22nd 1913My Dearest,You will find here some rather indistinct views of Bury: I have been out to have a much needed shave. It took ½ hour to find a hairdressers. Of course they did not return until 8.15 last night after I had rushed to finish your letter. I wonder what you are doing now dear (12.35 noon). Cannot say much here as I am not using code but can send you much love & kisses I think.From your Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453296021614263525.post-82932892528026339452010-03-16T19:50:00.000-07:002010-03-16T19:51:51.313-07:00Baldock June 9th 1913
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mso-font-pitch:variableFifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453296021614263525.post-41200401129430703462010-03-14T18:34:00.001-07:002010-03-14T18:34:42.383-07:00Rothwell
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Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453296021614263525.post-5340062969920364432010-03-11T14:21:00.000-08:002010-03-11T14:46:46.569-08:00Love in the First World War
My husband's bachelor uncle, Peter, died in 2002 when we were living for a time in Bristol. As representatives of the family, we helped pack up some items of interest for the family back in New Zealand. There was a postcard album that belonged to 'Mother' stuffed full of vintage images from 1913-18. We flicked casually through them and then thought to look on the backs. On most were letters Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com2