Gertrude Codman Carter’s Diary, November 1917

Today we return to the 1917 diary of Gertrude Codman Carter. You may read the previous entries here:

Introduction | January | February | March | April | May

June | July | August | September | November | December

 

We are nearing the end of Gertrude’s year as a featured diarist at The Beehive. While the month of November 1917 began with “great fun” and a whirl of social activities, it ended under a dark cloud as the Carters found out that one of Sir Gilbert Carter’s sons from his previous marriage was killed on November 28th, 1917 when a German submarine torpedoed a boat, the Apapa, on which he was traveling as a passenger. “Today should have alas had a dark cloud had I known it for the war was to cast yet another shadow on our lives,” writes Gertrude as she gathers her thoughts and fills in her diary pages.

In December, I will be closing out this year of reading alongside Gertrude Codman Carter as she chronicled her life as an upper-class white woman in British colonial Barbados one hundred years ago. Stay tuned for a new diary read-along in January 2018!

 

* * *

Nov. 1

Laddie took me out to Spion Kop to swim. Great fun & as always amusing. We went on to the Charles Sealys afterward & danced. [Illegible] haze of tobacco spoke & little Laurie John on the table as a center piece. “What use is water, when you’re dry - dry - dry -” An appalling but amusing ditty on the gramophone. And Nell Manning being pulled as she swam, by a boatman in a wherry.

 

Nov. 2

To Sweet Park to Help.

 

Nov. 3

Great Eastern fete. Huge success.

Lady Probyn gave a big dinner party & I gave a supper party.

 

Nov. 4

 

Nov. 5

To Park cleaning up.

To Charlie Hayes to sketch baby.

 

Nov. 6

Tea at St. Anne’s to meet the new Mrs Hancock.

 

Nov. 7

1. Help Society

Government House tennis tournament.

 

Nov. 22

Savannah Club meeting of [illegible].

 

Nov. 23

Burtons party to meet the Hancocks.

 

Nov. 24 [numbered but left blank]

 

[Nov. 25]

Chart of [illegible].

 

Nov. 26

To swim with L. at the Sealeys.

 

Today should have alas had a dark cloud had I known it for the war was to cast yet another shadow on our lives.

 

Nov. 29

[Illegible] all to tea with the [illegible] boat men. Most amusing.

 

Nov. 30

Church parade at St. Mary’s a depressing one.

 

* * *

As always, if you are interested in viewing the diary or letters yourself, in our library, or have other questions about the collection please visit the library or contact a member of the library staff for further assistance.