december 22nd 1912 elizabeth holloway nee wilshere to elizabeth wilshere nee fisher

reading, berkshire to bucklebury common, berkshire

10 miles

the message

“Dear Mother

I thought about 5 oclock from Reading , 5-30 at Midgham, Louie & Sid will come later

good bye with love

Lizzie

coming tomorrow”

the sender

Elizabeth Holloway nee Wilshere (1868-1951) was the daughter of William Wilshere (1838-1923) and Elizabeth Fisher (1841-1915). William was a farmer at Winchcombe Farm.

In 1889 Elizabeth married Henry Holloway (1866-1937). In the 1911 census, Henry is listed as a Mixing Room Foreman in a Biscuit Factory and they lived in Reading. They had four children Elizabeth (1890-1981), Sidney (1893-1913), Louisa (1896-1966) and Henry (1901-1984).

the recipient

Elizabeth Wilshere nee Fisher (1841-1915) was the daughter of Edward Fisher (1808-1851) and Hannah Sellwood (1805-1868). Edward was an Agricultural Labourer. After Edward’s death Hannah continued to work the land and in the 1851 census she is listed as Occupier of 9 Acres of Land.

In 1863 Elizabeth married William Wilshere (1838-1923). In 1871 William is listed as a Wood Farmer. In 1881 the entry looks like Bowl Farmer. In 1891 he is Farmer and in 1901 Wood Farmer. In 1911 he is a Farmer.

the tree

the places

Reading, Berkshire to Bucklebury, Berkshire (note the railway line from Reading to Midgham)

Reading, Berkshire

Bucklebury, Berkshire

what the card says to us

The picture is Christmassy as it features holly with berries and mistletoe. But it also features a golden windmill which may have been a festive symbol in 1912 Germany where it was made. The text is “With All Good Wishes” and does not mention Christmas and neither does the text of the message.

What the message does talk about is something very familiar to anyone making Christmas travel arrangements. Lizzie is telling her mother that she will be arriving tomorrow, 23rd, and arriving at Midgham station at around 5-30. Presumably she wants a lift to the farm. Would that be motorised or horse drawn in 1912 rural Berkshire.

Further more she is telling her mother that two of the grandchildren will be arriving later, whatever that means. There is no mention of the husband, Henry or of the other two children.

I hope they all had a good Christmas.