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Title: Letter from James Smith to Vivien Beer, February 8th, 1919
Description: Consists of a letter written by James Smith to Vivien Beer. Item includes envelope. Transcription is as follows: [Parkison], Hamilton 8th Feb. 1919 Dear Miss Beer I have just been writing to Miss Allan, so will send you a few lines too. Miss Allan mentioned in her last letter that you had written me, but I did not receive it. I hope you are keeping well & I feel sure you have been busy with war work &c. I seem never to have a spare moment & my correspondence is sadly in arrears. Two of my [Bank] lads are in India & another East & I wish they were home. I often wonder how you are getting along. I was so sorry to hear that you had lost your brother on the field. Truly you have had your share of sorrow, wave upon wave. And yet I know that your sorrow is deeply tinged with pride for the gallant lads, who so bravely fought & died for us. A friend of mine here had news last Nov. of the death from wounds of his third & last son, all fine boys & now how desolate is their home, but never a word of complaint. He goes about as usual, only there has come into his face |page 2: a wistful, far away expression which is so pathetic. I keep Jim's photo above with those of some other boy friends of mine also "gone west" on my mantelpiece & I often think of pleasant hours spent in their company & wonder if we are worthy of their noble sacrifice. I like to have their happy faces smiling down on me & sometimes wonder if they can see me. Do you ever read Tennyson's "In Memoriam"? I think it is fine & you remember in his "May Queen" how she says on her death bed "I'll be often, often with you, when you think I'm far away." Sometimes when you have time perhaps you will send me a line or two, & please address- Clydesdale Bank Hamilton Scotland With all good wishes Your very sincerely James Smith
Type: text
Fonds: Beer family fonds (F0375)
Accession / Box: 1994-031 / 001 (05)
Date: 8 February 1919
Identifier: ASC27645
Identifier (PID): yul:271015

Title: Letter from James Smith to Vivien Beer, November 10th, 1916
Description: Consists of a letter written by James Smith to Vivien Beer. Item includes envelope and a photograph. Transcription is as follows: Clydesdale Bank Hamilton, Scotland 10.11.16 Dear Vivien Beer Thanks for your kind letter & I am glad I know that you are bearing up so bravely under your crushing blow. How splendid all you women are! I know from experience how desolate the world will appear to you at present, but I also feel sure that your grief is deeply tinged with pride, which will help to tint the grey days as they pass. It is hard to think of him so far away from you, & yet, don't you think that his spirit is hovering over you? Tennyson expresses that so beautifully in the "May Queen". & I know you will also agree with him that "[It] is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all" With regard to the ring, I never dreamt of it having such hallowed association, to you it must be priceless! I really do not need anything to remind me of Jim. I have his photo & letters which I shall treasure. |page 2: His photo sits facing me in my lonely room & I somehow cannot think of him as "gone west" as he beams down upon me. I seem to hear his merry ringing laugh as I look at it. He proposed bringing you here on your honeymoon & insisted that I was to accompany you on a tour of the Highlands, though I protested that 3 people didn't go on honeymoon. It was good of you offering me the links but I had rather that you gave them to Jim's brother. I shall post the ring direct to you. The locket, links, diary &c I have already sent to his Mother. If not too much trouble I should like to hear from you occasionally, how you are getting along. May our Heavenly Father comfort & console your poor young heart! You will find work, & hard work, the only antidote & the time will soon pass. Only think of the Endless days you will have together, after this short pilgrimage is over. I have batches of wounded men for supper weekly & they are all so splendid. Kindest regards & boundless sympathy. Yours sincerely, James Smith
Type: text
Fonds: Beer family fonds (F0375)
Accession / Box: 1994-031 / 001 (05)
Date: 10 November 1916
Identifier: ASC17726
Identifier (PID): yul:271004