Jean’s letter to her sister Mary was written over 2 days, started on Sunday 15 July in Aberdeen with ews of dancing and sightseeing, and finished and posted on Monday 16th July from Fort William with a much sadder turn of events.
“Mum and Dad stayed with Auntie Mary on Friday night ready to leave from Aberdeen on Saturday morning, and the three of us from Stonehaven were to stay in Aberdeen for the weekend. Nan and Jessie were looking forward to taking me to the Beach Ballroom on Saturday night. We went, and I enjoyed the night though it was too crowded to really enjoy the dancing, and I think Nan and Jessie enjoyed watching from the Balcony.
However, our weekend in Aberdeen was cut short on Sunday when we returned from a morning sightseeing. Auntie Mary had had a ring from Fort William – Dad was ill and he and Mum were staying on at the hotel there. So Auntie Nan and I came up and arrived late last night (Sunday).
Dad is very ill. On Sunday morning, he had a cerebral haemorrhage, before they left in the bus. Mum says he complained of feeling giddy, and went back to bed. Then he complained of his sight and speech being affected. Mum had sent for the doctor, and we are very lucky that he is a fine man. Dad was soon unconscious, although he realized what was wrong himself. The doctor was here talking to him before he was unconscious. The doctor thought there should have been some previous symptoms, and we think now it must have been a very slight stroke which affected him on Thursday night when we were playing cards – his left arm and leg became numb, but he insisted that he felt alright, and continued to, so we passed it off as being cramp at the time, as a result of getting wet on Thursday morning when we went to the bus office, thinking we might go into Balmoral.
He has been unconscious now since yesterday morning. He is very ill and there is little hope of recovery. Poor Mum was under a great strain being here on her own with him all yesterday. Dad was distressed that it should have happened here. It’s a large and comfortable hotel we’re in, and the people here are most kind, helpful and understanding. I think the doctor has been particularly helpful to Mum – he apparently fully realised how distressed she was to be here so far from everyone. He did the phoning to Auntie Mary’s for her.
Uncle John and Aunt Ida came up yesterday and arrived last night about an hour before Auntie Nan and I. Hotels are packed. Uncle John and Ida were lucky to get into a nearby hotel (the hotel people here arranged it), and the receptionist gave me her room and put up an extra bed in it for Mum and Nan to share as they take it in turns to sit up with Dad.
This Fort William is a beautiful place. Ben Nevis towers behind us, the lovely Loch Linnhe is on the other side of us, this quaint West Highland town between. The shops here have the most beautiful tweeds and hand-woven Shetland woollens. Mum and Dad enjoyed the lovely drive down by the Caledonian Canal on a perfect day on Saturday. It is the loveliest road I’ve been on.
I’m sorry I have to shock you with this news. Mum is very well and feeling much better now that Nan and Ida are here. We’re hoping for the best, but realise that the doctor can do nothing to help Dad. Mum’s miss you all now. Our love to all of you”.
