| Transcript or Index | Translations (for items 2 and 3 the translation is provisional as the original French text appears to contain idiosyncratic spelling and limited punctuation)
D6287/5/10/1
02-4-19
42 Hofter Beke Street
Antwerp
Dear Madam,
We have arrived safely in Belgium. At noon on Sunday our whole family were at the boat to meet us. We had caught a cold but are much better. Life is still very dear and there is not much work but I really hope it will get better in a short while. My father and my sisters ask me to thank you for what you have done for us and little Edwin. I'm hoping for the sight of a short letter.
Good wishes
Louise
D6287/5/10/2
20/4/19 Ostend
Place des Pecheurs
Belgium No 10
Dear Madam, I am writing you a few words that I have arrived at Ostend safely and in good health but I cried so much when I got back to my house as all is gone and what remains in my house is broken in pieces. I had a lock of my dear mother's hair and of my daughter Justine and a little lock of hair of my daughter Jeanne and both my pianos are broken. Dear Madam it is good that my books remain as there are six different families who have lived in the house and everything was stolen and I was at his house it was said that nothing had been taken and I find nothing at all. I do not know what I should do. Dear Madam I would like you to write what you have been [? word omitted] at the English consul in Ostend. It wa said at the office that we must go there and that I must write to the English consul at Antwerp and he has written when we have no news soon I must write to the London office: The Superintedent, Pension Isssue Office, 161 Great Portland Street, London W1. I have had a reply the 9th April from the English consul in Antwerp. Dear Madam would you write to me what I must do. On 26th March Victorine paid for the last time at Old Whittington. Please, dear Madam I am hoping to have a short reply and at the same time I thank you in advance a thousand times. Things are going well with us all I hope it is the same with you all Say good day to Mr Swanwick from me and my husband
Mr and Mrs
Ch. Corveleyn
Place des Pecheurs
No 10 Ostend
Belgium
D6287/5/10/3
Sunday 8 July 1919
Dear Madam
I am letting you know that I have received your letter with much pleasure and I hope you are continuing in good health, as for me I have already suffered much but I am getting better. I really think, Madam, that it was tiredness and weakness because I have not nourished myself properly during this week we have white[?] bread and yet it still costs 8 and a half "fennings" for a loaf. Dear Madam we are going to move house because we are not able to stay where we are now as all the windows are broken but we are not going far from here it's not far to get a move. In the end, Madam, we have found something better [some words not discerned] Madam I send my letters and my parcel to my shop where I work. Your lettter has arrived safely the ????? for me is very nice. Also Madam I thank you very much that you will be good enough to send what I ask you to send me and to take my money [some words not discerned] Dear Madam I am going to explain better to you what I wish to say that are the legwarmers I believe when said in English the leggings (?) they are like the officer wears on his shoe or leg and his toes to be yellow but not with some ????? Madam I would like you to have the kindness of the rest of my money that you have to buy for me all the shirts for my husband a khaki shirt with a collar when to put a shirt front ??? that is to say when there is no need of a collar. Dear Madam I hope that you have now well understood they are the yellow legwarmers and they are just opposite woulaitse in Chesterfield the price is 11 shillings and if it comes to a bit more that is no matter and buy with all the rest of my money some shirts for my husband one in khaki which does not need a collar and send me the things as soon as possible and soon when all the things arrive more or less I would like to send you a small present Madam please be kind enough to give my good wishes to Mrs Brearley and to all the ladies of the committee and I thank them greatly for what they have done for us Lots of good wishes too to your husband and your children I wish to write to you from time to time Madam it is awfully hot here it is very different compared with where you are Now I am finishing please accept, Madam my best wishes of your very grateful Belgians who will never forget you and I hope to have my parcel as soon as possible
Madam I am well ???? that Mrs Moseley has still not written to me although I have allowed her my news [?]
D6287/5/10/4
Edechem 22 December 1919
Dear Mrs Swanwick,
I am taking the opportunity of the season to wish you a good and happy Christmas with our good wishes for the New Year. I hope, Madam, that you and your family are all in good health. We often think about you, Madam, and pray the good Lord to bless you, above all for the hospitality which you gave us at Chesterfield. All is well with us, Madam. We are all in good health and our children are big and growing strong. We are now moving to a village because we have not found a house in town it consumes lots of houses. There is a great contrast between living here and in Chesterfield. Life is very expensive here, Madam, and one needs to have a good wage to rely on but I hope, Madam, that things will be better before long. Please accept, Madam, my respectful greetings along with those of all my family
Mrs Louis van Oudheusden
25 Eon Straat, Edechem, near Antwerp, Belgium
D6287/5/10/5
Antwerp 30 March 1920
Dear Madam
Today is the anniversary of our arrival in Belgium. I can never forget, Madam, to write to thank you, in the name of my family too, for the hospitality you gave us. I have safely received your nice letter and thank you with all my heart for the good wishes. We are all in good health and everything is going well. My children are very big and growing strong. I am sending, dear Madam, pictures of my two daughters, Maria and Germaine: I really think, Madam that they will give you a little pleasure. Please accept, Madam, my respectful greetings Mrs Louis van Oudheusden
25 Eon Straat, Edegem, near Antwerp, Belgium |