June 17th 1909 flora mary beck nee whittington to sidney william beck

burpham, arundel, sussex to worthing, sussex

12 miles

the message

"Dear Sid

arrive here safe & sound about 12.30 had 10 minutes to wait at Worthing after all. Frankie is delighted. They are so pleased with his photo.

With love Flo

From Frankie XXXXXX"

the sender

Flora Mary Beck nee Whittington (1881-1971) was the daughter of Stephen Whittington (1851-1932) and Susan Smith (1853-1932). Stephen was a foreman on a farm in Burpham.

Flora spent some time in service. In 1901 she was a housemaid for a family called Curtis in Worthing. In 1905 she married Sidney William Beck, the recipient of this card. They had two children, the eldest, Frank William Beck (1908-1967) is refereed to in the message.

the recipient

Sidney William Beck (1876-1935) was the son of Walter Beck (1844-1882) and Alice Julia Golds (1845-1907). In 1881, Walter was the publican of the Half Brick Tavern in Worthing (http://www.worthingpubs.com/halfbrick/halfbrick.htm). After Walter died, Alice was a Monthly Nurse.

Sidney worked as a gardener, presumably on an estate.

the places

Burpham, Arundel, and Wothing, Sussex

what the card says to us

The card shows a view of Burpham Church. The card was posted in Burpham.

The message reveals that Flora Beck has taken her 7 month old son Frank from Worthing to Burpham. Presumably this is a visit to her parents, Stephen and Susan Whittington. The card lets her husband Sidney know that they have arrived safely although they had to wait in Worthing. How did they travel? It was only 12 miles. Was there a station in Burpham? I don't think so. What were bus services like in rural Sussex in 1909?

The message also says that they have had a photo of Frank taken. I wonder what happened to it. Is it out there somewhere?