Letter to Dorothy Grant 1917

Withey
Graffhouse
Petworth
Sussex.
April 4th 1917

Dear Miss Grant

It seems so strange to think that my daughter should be one of those that the War has brought you into touch with, as of course the chances were so tremendously against it. But I feel so thankful for the acquaintanceship, since you have been so kind & helpful to her in her horrid illness & made the loneliness which I think illness always accentuates-less

lonely & much more bearable – I can never thank you enough for your friendly nursing & care

of my dear child & that you are one of our New Zealand band of friends makes the acquaintance all the more pleasant.

I knew that Mrs Harry Nelson’s sister was in Switzerland for when I was out there in 1913-14 I met that charming niece Constance & she was telling me about your work over here. But my memory needs reviving a great deal in these days of stress & pressure & I never dreamt of Dieppe finding you a worker there. I was so sorry that Mrs Harry & I never met

in spite of trying more than once. I stayed at Waikoko for 3 weeks with Constance there & I entirely lost my heart to her. She reminds me more than any of the Nelson’s of Sir Montague. She has the same quiet, self controlled, businesslike like ways & she is always equal to calls to anything that anyone wants. As for Mr Harry – of course I shan’t tell you what I think of him as he is my son’s partner at Pareroa & it might not be good for him to know it !! In Pareroa I am certain the partners have a very fine property & if only the wind was not my greatest enemy with my tiresome face, there is no place I would rather live for 8 months out of any 12 –

I suppose there is no talk of the Harry Nelson’s coming over – “Uncle” William Nelson will want to come of course. I knew for the last 2 or 3 years the firm have called for him in London.

But we shall have my son Sergt. Richard in July or August I hope – & if you are over in England I trust we may see you at Gloucester St., & that he may meet you there. I am truly torn between  N.Z. & England – but if Joan could come with me I think I should say New Zealand after my mother goes home – She is my greatest tie here & yet I do love my own country & this little village is so lovely. Yet Pareroa & the Kidnappers out to sea hold me very tight! Kia Ora – very many good wishes to Woodville when you write.

Yrs., sincerely

G.H. Schuchard