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The CBB -> St Agnes' House

#1: The telegram - short and complete Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 3:38 pm
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He’d been willing to come out of retirement and do his bit. He only wished he were a few years younger and could actually go and fight. But his fighting days were done; all he could do now was his bit to help out here. And he’d always enjoyed his work; he liked getting to know the people and the chance to chatter with them as he went round.

It was days like today though, that he hated his job, Old Griffiths thought as he made his way along the road. He’d had another such day a few weeks ago when he’d gone to Anghared Owen for the third time. He wouldn’t have to take one there again, but there was no comfort to be derived from the thought.

And now …

He knew it had to be done, but he wished it didn’t. Those three little girls, not much more than babies, and such sweet little things. And another on the way if Mrs Parry-the-shop was to be believed and she was usually right about these things.

He’d been here many a time since they’d moved here. And with letters addressed to many strange names. Right friendly they were there and always taking in someone in need. Two little Scottish girls it was at the moment, and rumour was that the lady who’d been there not long ago was some kind of foreign princess. Poorly and worn down she’d been when she’d arrived, princess or no.

This wasn’t addressed to any of the foreign visitors though; this was for the doctor’s lady. A real gentleman the doctor was, he’d sorted young Daffyd’s leg when the lad was fool enough to fall out of a tree and not asked for a penny in payment. Yes, a real gentleman. And his wife was a lady too. Always a friendly word and a smile, always ready to offer a cool drink on a hot day.

And now …

He could hear shrieks of laughter as he walked up the front path, and thought sadly that they wouldn’t last much longer, nor be heard again for a while. It just didn’t seem right, but then when did it? Nobody’d want to take this to anybody.

It was the maid who answered the door. She gave her usual cheery smile as she greeted him, but today he did not have an answering one. All he could say was “I’m so sorry” as he handed over the little orange envelope, and turned away to leave them to their grief.

#2: Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 3:44 pm
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Crying or Very sad

I am glad we know how it turned out in the end, but this is still so sad and feels so real.

Thank you Liz.

#3: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 3:46 pm
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Thanks Liz, that was so moving and so realistic

#4: Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 3:47 pm
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A moment I'd not thought of but one that captures the feelings that must have been there. I especially like the descriptions of Joey and Jack here. We never did see enough of them with people outside of the CS.

Thank you.

#5: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 3:48 pm
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So sad - yet so nice to see how much they are loved in the village. Crying or Very sad

Thanks Liz.

#6: Author: arky72, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 4:31 pm
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I really enjoyed this - thank you Liz

#7: Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:31 pm
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thanks liz.

that was so sad and so thought-provoking

#8: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:33 pm
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Thanks, Liz - that was really sad. What an awful job to be the bearer of such news.

#9: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:39 pm
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Poor Griffiths - what an awful aspect to his job.

Thank you, Liz

Ray *off to find a tissue*

#10: The Telegram Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 7:32 pm
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This was great. It must have been so awful for the people delivering the telegrams. This was so moving. I was reminded of the movie Once We Were Soldiers and the wife of the commanding officer and another lady went around delivering all the telegrams that had arrived and they didn't dare look to see if their was one for themselves in it. It was so sad

#11: Author: Squirrel, Location: St-Andrews or Dunfermline

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 8:38 pm
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*big sigh*

I'm stuck for words here - that was lovely. Thank you.

#12: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 8:49 pm
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What a job. Sad

Odd -- it just occurred to me that my grandfather delivered telegrams during WWI, until he "resigned." That's the word he used. I'd assumed it was to put more time into school and his dad's feed store, but -- hmmm. It's only just occurred to me that casualties might have made up a significant proportion of telegrams, in what wasn't exactly a big city.

Thank you, Liz.

#13: Author: JoS, Location: South Africa

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 9:00 pm
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Thanks Liz - so sad - but pleased I know the end result.

#14: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 9:40 pm
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Crying or Very sad

Oh, that was so sad! I know we know it all turns out okay, but still...

Thanks Liz.

#15: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 11:34 pm
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Thank you Liz; that was very moving.

#16: Re: The telegram - short and complete Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:31 am
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LizB wrote:

He’d had another such day a few weeks ago when he’d gone to Anghared Owen for the third time. He wouldn’t have to take one there again, but there was no comfort to be derived from the thought.

#17: Author: Mrs Redboots, Location: London, UK

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:39 am
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Thank you.

Of course, telegrams did sometimes just say "wounded", which in many ways could be a relief, especially if the casualty could be shipped home to recover.

I'm glad we know how the story ends - but they had no way of knowing that then.

#18: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:51 am
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Thank you Liz, so poignant.

#19: Author: Katherine, Location: London, UK

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:14 pm
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Liz, that was so sad. And lovely to see his views of Jack and Jo.
Ray, will you hand me one of those tissues, please.

#20: Author: Lottie, Location: Humphrey's Corner

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:59 pm
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Lovely to see the Maynards through his eyes. Poor Old Griffiths - not a nice task at all. I suppose some of the telegrams would have been people getting news of someone coming home on leave, but probably Griffiths would have known what they said; it must have been hard taking news like this to people.

Thanks, Liz.

#21: Author: Alice, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:27 pm
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That must have been such a hard job.

Thanks Liz.

#22: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2006 8:58 pm
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Something I'd never thought about at all

What a horrible job - especially when you knew all the people you were delivering to Crying or Very sad

#23: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth

Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:10 am
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Oh, so sad Sad

Thank you Liz - it's lovely to see how they were loved in the village, and at least it turned out right Very Happy

The CBB -> St Agnes' House

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