2nd june 1923 gladys ethel maud thornton to eleanor mary macey

whitchurch, stratford-upon-avon, warwickshire to warminster, wiltshire

59 miles

the message

“Dear Nell,

To wish you many Happy Returns of the day

with love from

Glad”

the sender

Gladys Ethel Maud Thornton (1901-1981) was the daughter of Edwin Robert Thornton (1866-1938) and Louisa Macey (1873-1950). Edwin was a Soldier in 1901 and a Labourer in 1911.

Gladys was at school in 1911. In 1939 she was liviing with her widowed mother. She did not have an occupation and she never married.

the recipient

Eleanor Mary Macey (1898-1973) was the daughter of Louisa Macey (1873-1950). It is not clear who her father was. Louisa married Edwin Robert Thornton 22 months after Eleanor was born. In 1901 Eleanor was entered into the census as Illegitimate Daughter. In 1911 she is entered as Daughter but with the surname Macey. In 1939 she is living with her mother and half-sister Gladys, under the name Thornton and she is an Assistant in a Florist. Prior to her marriage, Louisa Macey had worked in a Silk Factory (1891).

Eleanor did not marry.

the tree

the places

Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire to Warminster, Wiltshire

Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire

Warminster, Wiltshire

what the card says to us

The picture is a photograph of three ladies walking beside a lake with the sun setting behind them. It is entitled “The Homeward Way”. The words “Birthday Thoughts” have been added although there is nothing to connect the picture to a birthday.

This is a simple birthday card. There are no clues that might reveal why Gladys is in Stratford-Upon-Avon in 1923 away from the family that is based in Warminster.

There is interesting social history surrounding this card. In 1901 and 1911, the recipient Eleanor is clearly identified as being illegitimate and having a different surname from the head of the household. However, by 1939, Eleanor is using the surname Thornton. Was this done legally? Did Edwin Thornton formally adopt Eleanor? We may never know. But we do know that the card, from her half-sister, was addressed to Miss N Thornton in 1923.