29th September 1909 henry james elphick to laura louise elphick

blackpool, lancashire to hadlow, kent

229 miles

the message

“11 Newton Drive

Blackpool

Am having a jolly time in Blackpool. Came here last Saturday. Am staying with my friend Mrs ????.

Saw The Earl & The Girl last night. Besses O’ Th'e Barn (Sun). Skating today. Circus last night.

Am just off to the ????????????

Love to all

HJE”

the sender

Henry James Elphick (1877-1954) was the son of John Elphick (1839-1924) and Anne Mant (1839-1933). John was a schoolmaster.

Henry was a Civil Servant in the General Post Office. In 1917, aged 41, he married Elizabeth Sarah Mabel Cooper (1880-1965) who was a Teacher.

the recipient

Laura Louise Elphick (1869-1927) was the sister of the sender. She was a School Teacher. She did not marry.

the tree

the places

Blackpool, Lancashire to Hadlow, Kent

Blackpool, Lancashire

Hadlow, Kent

what the card says to us

The picture is entitled “Love’s Delight”.

The 29th of September 1909 was a Wednesday. Henry reveals that he arrived in Blackpool on Saturday 25th September. He has packed a lot of activities into those few days. He sounds as if he is having a great holiday. He is 32 years old.

He went to see musical comedy The Earl and The Girl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Earl_and_the_Girl)

He went to see the Brass Band Besses O’ The Barn 9https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Besses_o%27_th%27_Barn_Band)

He went to the Circus.

He went skating.

Who knows what else he did?