36 Straight Road
Lexden, Essex
June 26, 1915
Dear Horrie
I thought of sending your letter off quick and here it is now. I do hope you are not getting very dry weather like we are. We have had cold, drying Northeast winds for the past 7 weeks or more. Today it is due West. It will be 7 weeks come Tuesday since we had any rain. Until last evening. We had just a little. Not enough to lay the dust.
I should like for you to see our gardens and the houses. Every flower is dusty. The tiles look as if someone has shaken a lot of white pepper over them.
I had a letter from Louie on Monday. Poor Louie was taking on terribly about the weather. She says it will be pounds out of their pocket. Just for the want of rain. Will says it is enough to break the bank. The cold winds has done more damage than if it had been hot and dry. There are a lot of trying times to put up with when you have to get your living on the land. You know that don't you.
Annie Lusted was married on Wednesday. It was quite a smart affair. Mother and I watched the proceedings from the bedroom window. They had two motors trimmed up with red and white rosette. There were between 20 and 30 of the guests went down to the Church from the house. A number of men from the National Reserve also. They took a large cart rope with them and when the newly married left the Church they fixed the rope to the motor and dragged them home. Each man wearing a cream rose in his cap. They cut them off Mr. Lusted's tree on the shed in the garden. There were nearly 30 men. When they reached home the wedding party had their photos taken sitting back to the palings near the orchard facing the house. The men of the National Reserve stood lining the road on their right. Next the men were taken with the bride and bridegroom in the centre front and the Colonel and Captain, Sgts. etc. on either side.
Afterwards the Colonel presented Mrs. Moore with a green marble timepiece and a picture from the men. Annie was dressed in a white satin (walking length) veil and orange blossoms and carried a sheaf of white lillies. The two bridesmaids were in pale blue with blue mob caps and had bouquets of pink carnations. 2 little boys were in blue tunics and knickers, hats and carried walking sticks tied with blue ribbon. Mr. Daniells sent a barrel of beer and Mr. Lusted gave another so you can guess the men were alright. We heard plenty of their singing. We do get plenty of noise now there are so many men about.
Since I started this letter I heard that Fred Denton is going to be married. Charley Bibby, Frank Bibby's father, is to be married to his housekeeper next Tuesday.
Wednesday..
Dear Horrie
They finished up the week of the wedding by having a free fight on Saturday night in the front yard. It started between a National Reserve and a soldier (invalided from the front for the second time). He has a very bad leg and didn't know how to stand so his brother took his part, then they knocked him about and their father also who was with them. It was disgraceful. They are to blame for serving them with so much beer. They get mad drunk and don't know what they are about. There were 3 rows last week but only one fight. It is not at all unusual to hear them fighting now. We don't like it I can tell you. Nor do our neighbours.
The rest of this letter is missing. Written by Emily Nevard (sister to Horace
Emily (front left) and the rest of the Nevards at 36 Straight Road in 1903.
I reckon everyone can use a little excitement, as long as no-one breaks a window!
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