Gillian hammerton:Her Granfather Admiral Blacklers Naval Letters Written Between1898-1925
Also the granfather of Prof Robin Cocks and John Phillips of Southebys and great granfather of David Hammerton
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Letters From Admiral Blackler H.M.S.King Edward VII to his Wife
Letter From admiral Blackler H.M.S.King Edward VII
Letters From Admiral Blackler H.M.S.King Edward VII to his Wife
Very tender and sweet, written by a young man whose eyes are probably still to look in the face of the realities of battle, the agony, the taste of dust and the smell of death.
It is always interesting to read the private correspondence of officials, nothing really prepares one for it. You see "Rear-Admiral", or "MP" or "Chancellor of the Exchequer" and you immediately (and subconciously) create an image of an office-holder, rather than a live person. (Kings and Queens are often spared such a treatment of our minds, because their lives, in all their glory and scandal are often presented to us, with the help of both professional historians, and those awful popularist/ entrepreneur writers like Radzinski.)
And then you read the tender words of a young man in love, and the comments on mutual acquaintances or family friends, glimses of the private life so to speak... Little things, small details, like a mention of a bet, a truly English sport. He's expecting a child, she's concerned about her beloved's health. The little things... And reading about those in a letter is much more lively and real, than reading them in an often tedious modern scholarly work, that follows the trend of the past twenty or so years - history as sociology. Few people would find the history of the kettle fascinating, but take the casual mention of an incident that includes a particular kettle, and you have history in motion, it's alive, you can almost touch it, breathe it, taste it.
38 comments:
A nice letter !
I like the faded blue historical paper a real atmosphere !
I somehow liked this letter.A gentleman yr granfather.
I like those words,1914 has begun.Another age another time but the same human blood and emotions !
What troubled times lay ahead and still do !
Good letter !
What a gentle father !
Very tender and sweet, written by a young man whose eyes are probably still to look in the face of the realities of battle, the agony, the taste of dust and the smell of death.
It is always interesting to read the private correspondence of officials, nothing really prepares one for it. You see "Rear-Admiral", or "MP" or "Chancellor of the Exchequer" and you immediately (and subconciously) create an image of an office-holder, rather than a live person. (Kings and Queens are often spared such a treatment of our minds, because their lives, in all their glory and scandal are often presented to us, with the help of both professional historians, and those awful popularist/ entrepreneur writers like Radzinski.)
And then you read the tender words of a young man in love, and the comments on mutual acquaintances or family friends, glimses of the private life so to speak... Little things, small details, like a mention of a bet, a truly English sport. He's expecting a child, she's concerned about her beloved's health. The little things... And reading about those in a letter is much more lively and real, than reading them in an often tedious modern scholarly work, that follows the trend of the past twenty or so years - history as sociology. Few people would find the history of the kettle fascinating, but take the casual mention of an incident that includes a particular kettle, and you have history in motion, it's alive, you can almost touch it, breathe it, taste it.
10:39 AM
Good letter,ink a bit faded.
What an amazing letter!
good leters
good letter
a good letter
very interesting indeed a window to history
interesting
Nice letters
very interesting
A great historical source
Good letter touched me
Wonderful historical material.
I like the age
Amazing portal through time
Excellent letter
amazing piece of history
Good call
Excellent
Good letter
Interesting indeed
Good letter heartfelt
Thrilling to read his letters.
Its good to read my greatgrandads old letters.
Good letter though written long ago which makes it all the more interesting
Good Letter,human and humane
Good one
Good to see these letters
cool
Great letter
Brilliant thank you.
Really good.
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