67. Interlude

Whilst I think where I am heading with F.A.I. I think it is time for some 'A Millions Book of Laughter' for a slight interlude

A comical story comes form Berlin. 2 ladies went to the Royal ball at the Opera House in a furniture van, no ordinary carriage could contain the immense dresses they wore

Jack: 'Auntie, does the rain come through the roof of your house much?'
Aunt: 'No, child why?'
Jack: 'Because pa says there is a tile loose in your upper storey !'

DANGER OF FRIGHTENING CHILDREN ~ It is a matter of course that no mother will allow any ignorant person to have access to her child who will frighten it with goblin stories or threats of the old black man. She might as well throw up her charge at once, and leave off thinking of household education altogether as permit her child to be exposed to suchmaddening inhumanity as this. The instances are not few of idiocy or death from terror so caused

The love that never speaks until it does on a gravestone doesn't mean much (very true)

The greatest pleasure of life is love, the greatest treasure is contentment, the greatest luxury is health, the greatest comfort is sleep and the best medicine is true friendship

Train leavingstation: traveller from cariage window to railway porter~ 'Is it raining porter?' Porter: ~ No it is raining water !! (oh my sides are splitting)

66.1916 - 1918 F.A.I. & Vi

All the time granddad was away at War I am sure his thoughts and heart were fixed on the girl he had met in Edinburgh, dear Violet.

The correspondence that has survived is in the form of postcards, unfortunately some are undated but clearly they were sent during WW1. Maybe there was more indication of his movements in the letters that were carefully wrapped and retained but were not kept after Granny’s death.

On the 28th February 1916 F.A.I.s service record states he was transferred to sea service. What or where this was exactly I am uncertain. But in 1916 it would seem from the addresses on the postcards he was on patrol of the coast of Britain between Scotland and Falmouth. Most certainly he was not serving in Japanese waters on a Japanese ship (well not that I can tell).
The first 2 postcards are numbered 1 & 3 (where 2 is and whether there was a 4th, 5th and so on I we will never know)

It is dated March 15 – HMS Settsu, A.M.O. Inverness, Scotland, NB. (I am guessing this is 1916?)

1. Dear Violet
Just a P.C. as I have just got some off a chum of mine on board here. Hope you got my letter of last week alright. I may tell you we have had a rough passage while on Patrol duty but I am alright am quite happy and am looking forward for the leave in a few moths time, I should think so. Write me soon as I have plenty of time to read (while I am on watch) …. Glad to see that he was watching for our interests with such dedication lol

3. And tell her I am writing to her soon. I must tell you we had a good time coming up from Portsmouth but was glad to get the boat from Inverness to Stornaway which is the Headquarters of the R.N. I came up with a big a Party from the Crystal but we have all got shifted on different when we got to Stornaway. All letters are got to be read by the chief but I have ???? all mine up to this Pesant ???? so you will know in future if I don’t say too much you know the reason why I cannot

29th April 1916
HMS
Oban July
D.V.
Just called here for an hour on our way to Stornaway where all the Cace is I don’t think so . Give my regards to Isabel & all. Its raining here. In Haste you F xxx

7th September 1916
HMS Settsu 7213 Naval Base Stornaway

Dear Violet
Just a card to remember you of the few hours we all had that Sunday. I am still in the pink. Trusting you are also all at No 10. Write soon. I have been very busy with the pen. So excuse in haste your F (your letter just to hand will write later of 1 Sept)

I wonder what he is referring to ‘I am still in the pink’?? Whether the card itself is a clue and they had a good old drinking session together and who knows what else?? Each hour/minute must have been precious
Also he refers to being busy with the pen … maybe it means writing to everyone or maybe he did write some more poems/thoughts that I do not have.

Although I did think this from his book was from his service time ‘When we’ve wound up the watch on the Rhine’
Die Wacht am Rhein -- "The Watch on the Rhine" was a German patriotic song popular during the Franco-Prussian war 1870s. It became so hated by the allies in WW1 that this version was written and obviously it must have amused F.A.I.

This one is dated 5th January … which year is anyones guess but it is pre 1918

Settsu, Falmouth

Why no letter we are going away Monday or Tuesday to Dock not just sure which one, (may get leave then) hope you are well, have not heard from you since Dec 18th (then a section scribbled out )
Yours with love F X regards to all
(just got your letter of Jan 4th no others, may be waiting at Penzance)

They must have written a lot to each other with such regularity that a lapse in contact really unsettled him. I suppose it was the same for all the lads/lasses away from home and their loved ones.

Again no year but pre 1918
Sep 14 Glass Island

Dear Violet
Just another to your collection have just received Isabels letter, will write later on, hoping you are quite well, give my best to Hetty & May. I it is getting cold up here so we will be wearing our coats soon. I am expecting my weekly letter from you, am writing to Maud, will send you a letter in a day or so, be good.
Yours with lots of wishes F

Search as I have, I have no idea where Glass Island was/is. There is one in Venice which is feasible but doubtful (the front of the postcard is the same as the one above... must have been a job lot on board!!)

To FAI

with all the very Best Wishes for a Merry Xmas and a Prosperous New Year ...Tom & Ada (whoever they are ?)

65. 1916 (or there abouts) & the family

Edward and Mabel were still in Australia and they remained there with their families for the rest of their days. From what I know Edward had a son and Mabel a son and daughter.

There are a few postcards knocking around between F.A.I.s sisters Ethel, Florrie and Ivy in and around 1916 (thank you PM, the great grand daughter of Ethel) but strangely enough nothing from Mabel or Edward

There is one that must pre date 1916 though that I had missed previously…. It is from Arthur to his sister Ethel (looking at it closely it appears to be 1912 when Ethel was at the Angel)

Dear E,
We will be pretty busy this weekend down here. I hope you enjoyed your Xmas. Thanks awfully for the card and tie pin, which was very nice of you indeed. What awful weather we are having down here. Ta Ta with

Love from Arthur

There are also couple pre the awful loss of Siddy in Feb 1916

From Maud
Dear little Dorrie
How are you getting on in school. I hope you are a good girl and kind to your little brother. How would you like to be in Canada, it is very hot in the summer and the reverse in winter. Write me a nice little letter won’t you. With lots of love and kisses for my little niece and nephew. Some day you will see me and be able to tell me al news about your little selves. So bye bye and god bless you my little darlings, from Auntie Maud

Dear Ethel
I received your P.C. some time ago and wanted to answer it in order to send you enclosed photo I hope you will like, if although I tried my best to look nice I did not succeed, I went to a good photographer & got half doz done & sent one to Arthur. How are dear babes, must write them separately soon the little dears, give them my love. Have not heard from Ted or F.A.I. All I know I am sure of is that Ted is broke & I awfully sorry but I think he is extravagant don’t you? Well so long from your affectionate Maud.. Write soon xxx

9th April 1916 Posted in Dublin
From Ivy to Ethel

Dear Ethel
I hope you are alright & little Dorrie (Babs)
I am wondering if you are still at Hampton
Yours Ivy

This one to Ethel from possibly Ivy (although it looks like an ‘H’, posted in Ireland post 26th April

Opposite Liberty Hall Headquarters of Rebels. Ship on this river blew it down.

The reference is to the Easter Risings. This was a rebellion staged in Ireland Easter week 24th – 30th April. The rising was an attempt by militant Irish republicans to gain independence from the UK.

8th Sept 1916 Buxton
From Florrie to Ethel

Dear E
Having an enjoyable time. Came here Saturday leave tomorrow ??? again Monday. Ascended the Heights of Abraham Tuesday & lovely it was. I guess you are preparing for you ??? bye love Florrie


26th December 1916
From Florrie to Ethel

Dear Ethel
I forgot to put address on note but I will be at Waterloo Station at 12 o’clock where I said. If you get this in time will you write me at the address below. I should be staying there Friday
Washington Hotel, Belize Park, South Hampstead

64. 1916 F.A.I.s Posting

F.A.I. signed up at the end of 1915.

His service record is very brief, not many details (not like some I have seen)

16.11.15 – 22.11.15 – Clyde R.N.V.R. Headquarters
23.11.15 – 30.11.15 – 5th Battalion C.P.
01.12.15 – 28.02.16 – Misc Sea Batt, C.P. Trans. To Sea Service
29.02.16 – Drafted from misc., Battn. Depot, (524MT) to Portsmouth
13.03.16 – Enrolment form sent to A.G.9 also employers consent.

I am able to piece some missing bits together by his postcards but I there no writings in his book for this time (he was obviously too busy fighting)

The postcards that I have from & to F.A.I. say he was on the HMS SETTSU. Granny said he was on a minesweeper that got torpedoed!!)




All reference I can find about the Settsu relate to a Japanese deadnought type battle ship of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
This Settsu was launched in 1911 and completed in 1912.
Due to world economic depression she had to acquire her 12 inch guns from Britain.
In WWI she patrolled the sea lanes of South Japan.




How odd? No mention any where of a British Naval ship of that name!

I wrote to the Imperial War Museum and they told me that ‘HMS Settsu was a 231 ton trawler, built in 1912 and hired by the Admiralty from 1914 until 1919. She was armed with one 6pdr gun’

So the Japanese Settsu was completed in 1912 and the Admiralty hired HMS Settsu in 1912?? Could this be co-incidence?
Everything I have found relates to her being in Japan during WWI…… so was F.A.I. there too? Or was his Settsu a completely different ship.

I fear I will be forever in the dark unless I get the chance to spend hours delving into the Admiralty records at Kew.
(if any one reading this can shed some light I will be forever grateful)

From F.A.I.s collection