War

Dear Tom: The Words of War

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During the early 1900s Charles Fenwick Thorp and his nephew, Andrew Fenwick Thorp, penned a series of letters discussing a diverse range of topics, from the First World War to horse racing. The Thorp family were deeply rooted in the affairs of Northumberland, and held large swathes of property across the county. They often sat on various council and governmental boards, and ran a prominent legal firm from their base in Alnwick. The letters penned by Charles and Andrew during this period had been addressed to, and received by, a “dear Tom” (most likely Charles’ younger brother.) These men were the uncles and cousins of Robert and Collingwood Thorp – decorated soldiers whose war-time letters we also hold in our collection. This  particular selection of letters, written predominantly from the home front, have been painstakingly transcribed and researched by our volunteers, and the originals can be viewed here.

Some of the letters pre-date the First World War by two years, and go on to trace the build up to one of Europe’s darkest periods. The letters penned by both Andrew and Charles are therefore hugely significant; as one writer pours out the emotions of a young man about to enter the First World War whilst the second relays the fears of an old man left behind. Andrew’s letters begin by giving us an unfiltered insight into the concerns and joys of a young gentleman in the year 1912. In these letters he discusses money, capital and prospects. He plans care-free excursions and debates the standard of horse racing. He considers his future, with a dose of melodrama, giving the pros of becoming a farmer or the cons of hiding abroad. But Andrew’s letters turn painfully serious as the years progress and he becomes acquainted with the fragility of life. In August 1914 Andrew is twenty-four years old, the world is on the brink of war and he has decided to write a will. Perhaps the most upsetting aspect of his correspondence is his sincere belief that “the war won’t last more than a year.” This is a 24 year old man actively preparing for his own death.

Charles letters, in comparison, predominately cover the period during war. Within them he informs his brother of the whereabouts of his two sons, referred to as John and Arthur, as well as the military activities of their common nephew Andrew. These letters provide small snippets of family news mixed with wry observations about turnips, the war effort and the physical weight of military uniform. Charles even gives a play-by-play account of the location and route of “Zeps” or zeppelins across the English countryside. How Charles feels about the impending doom of war is difficult to decipher. He is initially proud of his younger relatives for having entered the service of their country, and is eager for them to see action, but he also frets about the dangerous position of Andrew on the continent. He finds the process of war frustrating, labelling it “vexing,” and he tries to continue with his day-to-day life as much as possible. Charles is a complex character; full of paternal instinct, strong views and a haunting foreboding that the war will leave an irreversible mark on his family. These letters give us a fascinating insight into how ordinary Northumbrians were affected by war and loss.

Charles Fenwick Thorp

Charles Fenwick Thorp was born in 1857 at Ellingham, Northumberland. He was the eldest son, and first child, of Reverend Charles Thorp the elder and his wife Isabella Frances Fenwick. The Thorp-Fenwick’s had numerous children, all of whom were born in Ellingham. They were Mary Isabel, George, Robert Edward, John, Thomas, William and Frances.  In the 1871 census this huge household had eight servants; including a governess, two nurses, a groom and a gardener.

Charles Fenwick Thorp, and his brother Robert, studied at the Mount School in Northallerton under the Edwin Brittlestone MA Clergyman. Charles pursued his education and, like his father before him, became a reverend taking up residency in Beadnell in 1887.

He married his wife, Jane Booth, in her home town of Warlaby, Northallerton on the 13th September 1894. A few years later, in 1897, Charles was appointed Chaplain of the Northumberland Fusiliers, 1st Battalion situated at Alnwick. In 1901 Charles and Jane were residing at Beadnell Vicarage with their young son Charles Arthur Robert Thorp, whom had been baptised at Beadnell on the 18th July 1899. The couple subsequently went on to have two more children; Frances Victoria Thorp (born 1901) and John C Thorp (born 1904).

Charles moved his family into The Rectory in Ovingham at some point before 1911. This property had ample space to live and entertain, with ten rooms. Charles and Jane remained in Ovingham for almost fifteen years, and most of Charles’ war time letters were written from this residency. Charles died in 1935, at Aldbrough St John in Yorkshire, leaving behind effects equalling £226 2s 1d. The executors of his will were his widow Jane and Thomas Alder Thorp – presumably “dear Tom.”

The Rectory

Ovingham-on-Tyne

Northumberland

April 3rd 1916

 Dear Tom

 I have sent Mother’s cheque by this post to Office, and asked them to pay in balance £10 to my acct on 14th. Very many thanks; I fear I shall be asking you for some help for last half of this month and then shall be clear, but will write you.

 Andrew and a party of 40 had another walk out 8 miles and were all stiff after it.

 These beastly Zeps been about 3 nights, last night only 6 miles away from here at Stamfordham and Ponteland then Northwards, did you have them.

 Yours ever

 Signed:  Chas. F. Thorp

 

A crater caused by a bomb during the Zeppelin Raid at Bedlington, Northumberland on 14th April 1915. NRO 07990/2/32. Letters from Charles, REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT

 

The Rectory

Ovingham-on-Tyne

 May 1st 1917

 My dear Tom,

 Can you help me to get these papers put in order again.  Off Bigge’s payment comes 5 shilling Inc tax he deducts it before he sends it. Papers came this morning.  Both boys left this morning for Bradfield we had to be up at 5. On acct of trains. It was vexing!  Arthur had to go up to London last week and back again, to have his interview and medical exam at Admiralty, they began last week and were taking those who would go either into Navy or Marines first.

 A nice little expense!!  But he traveled up by night and spent one night at Pinner.

 Yours ever

 Signed:  Chas. F. Thorp

 I sent Mothers cheque to Office today to redeem mine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letters REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT

The Rectory

Ovingham-on-Tyne

 July 15th 1917

 My dear Tom

 Do you think Office can advance me £20 into Bank till Aug 1st to keep me right there and carry me on. On Tuesday will do I expect I shall be 4 or 5 overdrawn there by then.  I enclose cheque for £25.

 Jenny saw some of raid in London she was at Lord Roberts workshops, seeing over … at the time; lot of damage done.  Arthur and his companions at … in Burlington House were sent into basement and not told reason, much disgusted saw nothing.  Arthur went up top of St Paul’s one evening and saw the damage to GPO and other paces.

 We are getting parched up here hardly any turnips.

 Yours sincerely

 Signed:  Chas. F Thorp

 Andrew and 400 been removed from Criffeld into Hanover!!!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letters, REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT

The Rectory

Ovingham-on-Tyne

Sept 6 1917

 My dear Tom

 Can the Office help me with £20 this month. Arthur has gone off to the R N College Keyham, Devenport as a Cadet, will be there till Feb. before going to sea proper as Mids. They are crammed there and on board the “Vivid” in the time and if satisfactory are passed on as Midshipmen. He passed his exam quite well.  7th for Navy of the 50 accepted, 90 were in. 1st out of 20 for R Marines and 8 for Indian Army “Quetta.” His outfit is heavy in clothing line etc. And has to have sextant and telescope as soon as he begins work at College.  Mother is helping with outfit but Mary says they are very short till Nov. So I may have to ask for help in Oct. too in advance. And the times are awful.  If the £20 can be paid in by Sat will do. I still have to allow it, rate of £50 a year while at Keyham; ? ? …. pay it.

 What a mess these Russians are making of it.

 Yours sincerely

 Signed: Chas. F. Thorp

 

Andrew Fenwick Thorp

Andrew Fenwick Thorp was the only child of Robert Edward Thorp (the younger brother of Charles Fenwick Thorp.) His father, Robert, had been born to the Reverend Charles Thorp and Frances Fenwick in 1861. He had married Andrew’s mother Alice Maud Hanning, a Gateshead native, in the October of 1889 at Newcastle Upon Tyne. In the following year the couple welcomed their only child, Andrew. Sadly Andrew was orphaned young in the most tragic of circumstances, with his mother dying soon after his birth and his father being lost “at sea” in 1899. Following the death of his parents Andrew was placed in the care of his grandmother, Isabella Frances Fenwick Thorp, and brought up in the family’s spacious seat of Dene Head House in Ryton. In the 1911 census this house was listed as having 17 rooms, including a kitchen, and a large body of staff.

In Andrew’s letters he frequently refers to a ‘G.’ This appears to have been an affectionate nickname for a woman to whom he is very attached, but not yet betrothed.  In a draft of Andrew’s will, dated the 15th February 1912, her full identity is revealed to be Gwendoline Katherine Leonore Maclean. In this particular draft he leaves all his worldly effects to ‘G’ and, if she should pre-decease him, his cousin Charles Arthur Robert Thorp. A Gwendoline Maclean can be found residing in Northumberland in the 1911 census. This Gwendoline had been widowed in 1909 and had returned to the family seat of Shorestone Hall, along with her young son, to live with her father, brothers, sister-in-law and six female servants. One of her brothers was a theatrical actor. Gwendoline’s son had been born in Bangalore India; this was perhaps explained by her first husband coming from a family of British military personnel. This Gwendoline was most likely the ‘G’ in Andrew’s letters, as her brother is named as an executor in drafts of Andrew’s will and often referred to by Andrew as a “close friend.”

However the relationship between Andrew and “G” did not last the war. Instead, at some point between October and December of 1919, Andrew married Mary Primrose Deane in Dublin. Their only child, Juliette Maeve Isobel Primrose Thorp, was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 1925.

Dene Head House

Ryton on Tyne

 Sunday March 31st 1912

 Dear Tom

 I am sorry I have taken such a long time in writing to you but I haven’t had any real time to do things during the week.  I have been carefully over the draft you sent me several times and I am quite sure now that it expresses my wishes exactly and I can think of no alteration or improvement to be made in it.  I never saw you at the Point to Point but I saw your sister and Colin.  Were you there?  The racing was a bit poor I thought. But there was plenty of rank and beauty about.  Roger Marshall and I had a great time. 

I am coming down to Monkhouse at Easter.

 Yours affect

 Signed:  Andrew Thorp

  Northern Conservative Unionist Club

Newcastle upon Tyne

May 29th 1912

Dear Tom

Can you give me any idea of exact amount of capital I am ever likely to have. After five months in the works, I am afraid I don’t think I can go on with it much longer.  Certainly not for 5 years.  At the end of that time I should either have to sit for several exams which my maths would plough me in I am afraid, or else I should have to go to sea and take my tickets which is not much of a life especially down in the engine room. Can farming be possibly made to pay in England. I don’t want to go abroad.  It seems to me that quite a fair average of farmers, who had nothing very much to start on, have managed to make a living out of it.  Do you know what sort of price I ought to pay for mud-pupilling.  I have not told my people of this at present, I am afraid it will be a great disappointment for them my not getting on with the works as I think they had visions of my becoming a manager in 5 years. 

Yours sincerely

Signed:  Andrew Thorp

 Patten Arms Hotel Warrington

Dated Aug 6th (War-Time – assumed 1914)

 Dear Tom

 I am quartered here till Saturday night when I(crossed through), we leave for Blundelsands.  I shall send my address there to you as soon as I can.  I am in the 3rd bat. of the South Lancs regiment.  I feel I ought to make a new Will.  It is not fair to my people to leave everything to G before I am even engaged really to her.  One never knows what may happen in times like these.  So will you draw one up leaving everything I’ve got to Mary in the 1st instance and if she is dead to Arthur, yourself and Frank Long had better be executors as the War won’t last more than a year or so and I can make a new one if I come through.  The executors had better have £100 each.  I will tell you where to send this for my signature as soon as I know.  At present it will only be police work and guarding the Mersey but we expect to have all to go to Belgium.  We have sent off two drafts already to the other two batts.

 Yours affect

 Signed:  Andrew Thorp,  2nd Lieut, 3rd batt, South Lancs

 

We would like to extend a special thanks to the volunteers who have transcribed and listed these wonderful letters, and for their brilliant research which has brought these individuals to life.


 

Eugene and Emma – An Intercontinental Love Story

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Eugene Sullivan was born in Bangalore, India in around 1833. His parents were British subjects, and his birth place suggests that his father may have held either military or governmental positions in the ever-expanding British Empire. Eugene appears to have continued the colonial legacy of his parents by joining the British army at the age of 18. His active military career lasted eighteen years before he requested to be discharged in 1870. During the discharge process a Manchester-based military hearing was given a synopsis of his career. The hearing was told that Sullivan had spent over twelve years of his military career stationed abroad. Through piecing together Eugene’s war record it would appear he witnessed both the Crimean War (in 1853) and the Indian Rebellion of 1857 (also known as the Indian Mutiny or The Great Rebellion). Eugene’s military postings had taken him to the farthest frontiers of the British Empire – often into dangerous and politically dubious areas. Greater detail of his posts were given as follows; three and a half years in the East Indies, just under five years in the West Indies, seven months in the Mediterranean, a year in Crimea and five years in Canada.

During one of his postings abroad Eugene married his English-born wife Emma Parsons. They were joined together on the 4th March 1857 within an Anglican Garrison in Canada. Together the couple had a total of eight children over a twenty-four year period, with Emma and the three eldest children having followed Eugene across the world.

Their eldest child, Hannah E, was born soon after their marriage in 1858. Following her birth the family moved to Bermuda for a short period, where William J was born in 1861. They then returned to Canada and in 1868 Eugene D was born. Eugene the younger would grow up to become a reverend with a keen eye for financial sales and shares, whilst William would become a skilled workman crafting cabinets. Both brothers would subsequently die in the same death year: 1923.

Following Eugene’s request to be discharged from the army the Sullivan’s settled in Northumberland.  A third son, Ernest Lewis, was born soon after their return to England in 1871. He was baptised at St Paul’s church in Alnwick, near the family’s lodgings at Alnwick’s militia depot on Hotspur Street. From census material it would appear the family lived here whilst Eugene was working as a Drill Master on the site. A second daughter, named Emma Jessie Parsons, was born in 1873 and baptised at the same church as her brother but she tragically died during infancy.  The family’s grief over the death of their youngest child was soon replaced with joy as a third daughter, Amelia Gertrude Edith, arrived in 1878. She was followed in quick succession by two more girls; Ada Madoline in 1880 and Mabel Violet Florence in 1883. But the birth of Ada was overshadowed by the death of the Sullivan’s eldest daughter, Hannah, occurring in the same year.

 

A solicitor’s notes on the Sullivan case, showing the ages of the youngest daughters and the address of Emma’s elected trustee. REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT

 

By 1885 the Sullivan’s marriage had spanned almost thirty years. It had created eight children, and endured the death of two. It had survived extreme warfare and stretched its affection across three continents. Perhaps the marriage had run out of steam, or perhaps the recent death of their eldest child was too great for the couple to overcome. Whatever the reasoning behind their decision the couple decided to amicably separate in 1885. They hired the Dickson, Mornington and Archer firm (as the Dickson, Archer and Thorp firm was known during a short period in the late nineteenth century) to settle any legal issues relating to the custody and financial support of their remaining children.

Separation and Agreements

The Sullivan’s separation was a unique one, and their micro-case can be used to trace seismic changes occurring throughout the nineteenth century with respect to divorce, women’s rights and familial settlements. Neither party sought a full legal divorce, perhaps because they wished to avoid any reputational shame or financial demands, but instead opted for a legally-supported separation. During their separation neither party received blame or vilification for the breakdown of the relationship. Contrary to the perceived character of an estranged husband, Eugene Sullivan penned letters to his lawyers filled with warm and affectionate words for Emma. However Eugene’s strong emotions were muted within official separation documents, and his actions were revealed to have been more complex. What therefore follows is an analysis of the couple’s official and private documents, framed within the greater concepts of nineteenth century divorce and marriage.

 

Correspondence regarding the settlement. REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT

 

The indenture outlining the terms of their separation cites “unhappy differences” which “have arisen between E.V Sullivan and Emma his wife” as the reason why “they have consequently agreed to live separate (not under the same roof) from each other for the future.” The document was made in the presence of a witness, William Bean, who was to act as Emma’s trustee. Parting to live under a separate roof was important phrasing which Eugene pushed to have included. But the inclusion of the phrase becomes confused when one reads his personal correspondence with the solicitors. In this series of documents Eugene repeatedly emphasises, and encourages, his assumed responsibility to furnish and finance Emma’s new lodgings.

 

Notes amending the legal separation, discussing the clause “to live apart.” REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT

 

Only four of the couple’s children were subject to the document’s conditions (and a potential custody battle) as, by 1885, two had predeceased the settlement and another two no longer lived in the family home. The document decided, and ultimately divided, custody over the children with the following statement;

“E.V Sullivan shall have custody and shall also maintain and clothe the said Ernest Louis Sullivan and the said Emma Sullivan shall have the custody of Amelia Gertrude Edith Sullivan aged 8 years, Ada Madoline Sullivan aged 5 years and Mabel Violet Florence Sullivan aged 3 years. And that the said E.V Sullivan shall have access to the said Amelia Gertrude Edith Sullivan, Ada Madoline Sullivan and Mabel Violet Florence Sullivan and the said Emma Sullivan shall have access to the said Ernest Louis Sullivan under such arrangements as shall to be made between them for this purpose or if they are unable to agree under such arrangements as shall be made by the said William Bean.”

It is perhaps telling that, whilst custody of the children takes up two pages of the document, references to the settlement of property take up three and a half pages. It was agreed, as part of the separation, that Emma would receive a weekly payment from Eugene, to be handled by her Trustee. However, the payment would be forfeited should the marriage be permanently dissolved by “any other jurisdiction.” This clause acted to prevent Emma from pursuing a total divorce. Regarding the inheritance of property, should Emma predecease Eugene, it was stated that he would inherit as was his “marital right.” The document also noted that Emma should not expect, and would not be given, any further financial support for the payment of future debts or every-day expenditure from Eugene.

But Emma also maintained her own conditions; rooted in her personal freedom and independence. She added a clause that, upon following the separate living arrangements, Eugene could not “molest or interfere with the said Emma Sullivan in her manner of living or otherwise.” This clause throws Eugene’s ‘caring’ letters into question. Was he really trying to provide for his estranged wife, and the children she maintained, by keeping her financially and furnishing her new abode? Or was it a way to maintain a level of control over Emma? The inclusion of so many specific clauses appeared to insinuate that, at least for Eugene, the bonds of marriage relating to property and name remained – even if the couple occupied separate lodgings.

Nineteenth Century Divorce and Marriage

During the nineteenth century the concept of divorce and marriage underwent drastic legal change. Marriage became more secular following various parliamentary acts. This drove separation and divorce out the ecclesiastical courts and into the jurisdiction of secular judges and solicitors; such as Dickson, Archer and Mornington. Married women were also afforded greater legal status as the century progressed, with specific regard to the custody of children – developments Emma clearly capitalised upon.

Prior to the latter 1800’s ecclesiastical divorce could be granted in extreme cases of adultery, cruelty or desertion although no party would be allowed to remarry. In 1857 the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act created a Probate and Divorce Court in London which allowed civil divorces. When using these courts parties still had to prove, with sufficient evidence, that serious adultery, cruelty, incest, bigamy or other heinous offences had occurred. Unfortunately, evidential proof was often difficult to establish and pursuing a divorce case could be costly to ones finances and reputation. There was no reference to ill-treatment or adultery in the Sullivan’s case, and perhaps this lack of vilification can be attested as the reason why a full legal divorce had not been sought.

The Married Woman’s Property acts of 1870 and 1882 gradually gave married women the right to hold property in their own name. The 1882 act gave women possession of all property held before or after their marriage – thus allowing women to become independent financial entities. But this still did not entitle married women to sue their husbands (as they remained one legal person) or be allowed to keep a legal residence apart from her husband. Thus Eugene’s acceptance of his wife’s second residence, forming part of a legal separation, was a double-edged sword. Although it allowed Emma to live a separate and more autonomous life, it would doubtlessly have been poorly judged by their contemporaries.

 

A letter from Eugene discussing the furnishing of Emma’s new lodgings. REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT

 

The Sullivan’s settlement had been carefully crafted by both sides to suit the middle ground between marriage and complete divorce. The document mediated between both sides, by allowing Emma to keep a separate residence and splitting custody of the children, as well as feeding into broader changes and trends. Emma therefore benefited from legal change and shifting social perceptions.

A Happily Ever After?

In the years which followed their separation neither party pursued an official divorce. Eugene retired as a Drill Master in Alnwick and moved across Northumberland; from 65 Beaconsfield Street in the ward of Arthur’s Hill, Newcastle Upon Tyne to Westgate.

In 1891 the couple appear to have either reconciled, or at least agreed to cohabit, with their extended family. The couple can be found on the census living in Westgate with their son Ernest Lewis. Ernest had returned to the family home having been married at 17 and widowed, during the birth of his son, at 19. Also living in the new family home were daughters Amelia, Ada and Mabel.

The family did not live in the Newcastle area for long, as they subsequently moved onto Alnmouth. Eugene died shortly after the move, in 1896, whereas Emma was still living in the area in 1911 at the age of 71. She peacefully lived out her final days under the care of her eldest son, William, in Alnmouth’s Percy Cottages on Front Street.