A note from the Editors:
When we first read these letters, this one was the only clue we had to Olivers fate... Missing, presumed a Prisoner of War?
It is written by Oliver's Headmaster from his old school in Nottingham, The Rev. Kirsopp. Grosvenor School was a small independant and some history can be found here. The link is well worth a look and mentions both Charles Kirsopp and C.B. Brookes, who is mentioned in this letter.
We have been in contact with the school who were extremely interested in these lost letters from one of their Old Boys. Not only because of their obvious historical importance, but also their potential as teaching aids for the students. What better way to bring the Great War alive to their students?
Aubrey is Oliver's younger brother, (We think Oliver calls him 'Jim' in his letters) and also attended Grosvenor School. Aubrey is also the father of Francis, the descendant found by Dan, who we hope to return the letters too in the not to distant future.
Grosvenor School,
Waterloo Crescent,
Nottingham.
September 18. 1917
Dear Mrs Pearson :
We are exceedingly sorry to hear the sad news about Oliver. Strangely enough by the same post I got a letter from Aubrey containing the same news. I have an idea that Oliver was in the Flying Corps & if that is so it will be better for him as the tradition is that the Germans treat the flying men much better than other prisoners and certainly Aurther Hallam – another old boy – who has been a prisoner since last October seems to be very well treated if we can judge from his letters.
Mr Brooks was taken prisoner on April 14th. It was seven or eight weeks before we heard from him & then his mother & I both had cards almost the same time. He said he was being made to work hard behind the German lines, but expected he would soon be moved to a camp & gave as his address:
C.B.Brookes, 257,
Gerfangenen Lager
Wahn.
I write to him about every three weeks but have had no further card from him. The last time I heard from Mrs Brookes she said she had had another card saying he had written 7 or 8 cards to her, but only two had arrived.
I am awfully sorry for him as he dreaded being made prisoner more than anything else.
He was quite 8 weeks I think before the Hallams heard from Aurther but since then they have heard fairly regularly.
The suspense must be terribly trying for you and we sympathise most deeply with you and Mr Pearsons & hope that you will soon hear from him. Please let me know when you do hear.
When we first read these letters, this one was the only clue we had to Olivers fate... Missing, presumed a Prisoner of War?
It is written by Oliver's Headmaster from his old school in Nottingham, The Rev. Kirsopp. Grosvenor School was a small independant and some history can be found here. The link is well worth a look and mentions both Charles Kirsopp and C.B. Brookes, who is mentioned in this letter.
We have been in contact with the school who were extremely interested in these lost letters from one of their Old Boys. Not only because of their obvious historical importance, but also their potential as teaching aids for the students. What better way to bring the Great War alive to their students?
Headmaster Charles Oldershaw has supplied some interesting information from the school, to help fill in the some of the missing pieces of the jigsaw of Oliver Charles Pearsons life.
Aubrey is Oliver's younger brother, (We think Oliver calls him 'Jim' in his letters) and also attended Grosvenor School. Aubrey is also the father of Francis, the descendant found by Dan, who we hope to return the letters too in the not to distant future.
Grosvenor School,
Waterloo Crescent,
Nottingham.
September 18. 1917
Dear Mrs Pearson :
We are exceedingly sorry to hear the sad news about Oliver. Strangely enough by the same post I got a letter from Aubrey containing the same news. I have an idea that Oliver was in the Flying Corps & if that is so it will be better for him as the tradition is that the Germans treat the flying men much better than other prisoners and certainly Aurther Hallam – another old boy – who has been a prisoner since last October seems to be very well treated if we can judge from his letters.
Mr Brooks was taken prisoner on April 14th. It was seven or eight weeks before we heard from him & then his mother & I both had cards almost the same time. He said he was being made to work hard behind the German lines, but expected he would soon be moved to a camp & gave as his address:
C.B.Brookes, 257,
Gerfangenen Lager
Wahn.
I write to him about every three weeks but have had no further card from him. The last time I heard from Mrs Brookes she said she had had another card saying he had written 7 or 8 cards to her, but only two had arrived.
I am awfully sorry for him as he dreaded being made prisoner more than anything else.
He was quite 8 weeks I think before the Hallams heard from Aurther but since then they have heard fairly regularly.
The suspense must be terribly trying for you and we sympathise most deeply with you and Mr Pearsons & hope that you will soon hear from him. Please let me know when you do hear.
With kindest regards,
I am,
Yours sincerely,
Charles Kirsopp.
I am,
Yours sincerely,
Charles Kirsopp.
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