Monthly Archives: March 2023

One day last week Papa had six teachers off sick. Flu is bad in Sy. again and there have been several deaths. Poor little Jack Ross is very ill indeed, and he has such a narrow margin of strength… Stornoway Feb. 20th 1919

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

Mrs Gibson tells of high rates of, and deaths from, influenza in Stornoway, whilst the health of Barrie the cat has worsened. Mr Gibson is still addressing shortages of teaching staff, but at least there has been some fine weather. … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson letters | Comments Off on One day last week Papa had six teachers off sick. Flu is bad in Sy. again and there have been several deaths. Poor little Jack Ross is very ill indeed, and he has such a narrow margin of strength… Stornoway Feb. 20th 1919

On Friday afternoon we went for a walk as far as the Market Hill to see the new sanatorium. It is being put up in the new method – the roof first on a wooden frame, then the wall built up double of thin concrete slabs set on edge… Stornoway 16th Feb. 1919

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson describes the progress of the new sanatorium. He has also been making toast, and assessing Ruskin’s social theories. There has been a letter from Canada, whilst Barrie the cat seems a little better. The next in our series … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson letters | Comments Off on On Friday afternoon we went for a walk as far as the Market Hill to see the new sanatorium. It is being put up in the new method – the roof first on a wooden frame, then the wall built up double of thin concrete slabs set on edge… Stornoway 16th Feb. 1919

Mamma is re-reading “The Little Minister.” Her previous book was Gissing’s “The New Grub Street.” I have been re-reading “Coriolanus” and “Hamlet” and marvelling anew at the greatness of the latter. Have you yet fallen under the fascination of Shakespeare?…Stornoway 13th Feb. 1919

Posted on March 10, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson worries that Jean is spending too much time at the theatre; he has also been remembering former pupils who died in the War. Mrs Gibson has had a varied literary diet, whilst both she and Barrie the cat … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson letters | Comments Off on Mamma is re-reading “The Little Minister.” Her previous book was Gissing’s “The New Grub Street.” I have been re-reading “Coriolanus” and “Hamlet” and marvelling anew at the greatness of the latter. Have you yet fallen under the fascination of Shakespeare?…Stornoway 13th Feb. 1919

I heard some time ago that the ex munition girls get 25/- a week for 13 weeks and think of me offering Maggie 30/- a month. I blush for my folly. Perhaps when the 3 m[on]ths are over she may come after all if I let her know. Should I? … Stornoway 9th Feb. 1919

Posted on March 3, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

Mrs Gibson tells of an acquaintance having a lucky escape from the Iolaire disaster. She realises that she’s underestimated the cost of domestic wages, whilst Barry the cat is feeling his age. The next in our series of letters from … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson letters | Comments Off on I heard some time ago that the ex munition girls get 25/- a week for 13 weeks and think of me offering Maggie 30/- a month. I blush for my folly. Perhaps when the 3 m[on]ths are over she may come after all if I let her know. Should I? … Stornoway 9th Feb. 1919