Letter from Roy Chadwick to Mary Chadwick

Letter from Roy Chadwick to Mary Chadwick

Writes that he is enjoying Greece more that Turkey and that as finished most of his business in Turkey, he wished that she could be with him for sightseeing. Writes of his arrival in Athens and meeting British official and a cavalry officer on leave from Cairo. Continues with account of meeting Greek officials and visit to government aircraft factory as well as entertainment and sightseeing.

1933-08-05

Eight page handwritten letter and envelope

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EChadwickRChadwickM330805

HÔTEL
DE LA GRANDE – BRETAGNE
ATHÈNES
[underlined] Sat. evening. 5th Aug 33 [/underlined]

[underlined] My darling Mary. [/underlined]
I am enjoying my stay in Greece more than I did in Turkey but I find Sweetheart that there is not so much pleasure about seeing new places & visiting ancient ruins when you are not there to enjoy it with me
Since I finished the real object of my journey in Turkey I’v [sic] felt that if only you were with me [deleted] indecipherable word [/deleted] we could have a really jolly sightseeing holiday but alone all the kick is taken out of it.
However this is a most valuable experience for me & I appreciate it a lot & only hope dearest that you & the children are quite all right & cheery.
When I arrived in Greece (at Pireus [Pireas] which is the port to Athens)

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[underlined] 3 [/underlined]
Take a siesta which I did after having a shower bath in my posh bath room (I made full use of the shower as I get so hot & clammy during the heat of the day).
After having afternoon tea I went to the British club & met Mr Hillier the British Commercial secretary to the Embassy to whom I had a letter of introduction from Vaughan-Scott who is an old colleague of his.
We had an interesting talk & a drink then I strolled back to the hotel for dinner which I found they take very late here.
In the hotel I met a British Cavalry officer Capt Greenslade who was on leave from Cairo he was a very nice chap & we had dinner & then went to a Cabaret.
This Cabaret was the best I’v

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[underlined] 2 [/underlined]
I got thro’ the customs & took a taxie [sic] to this hotel which had been recommended to me by Vaughan-Scott.
Its a beautiful hotel & I’v got a topping bed-room & beautiful bath room.
I rang up Triandaffilidis & found that he had gone to meet me & the silly people on the boat said that I was’nt on board, I suppose that they got mixed up in the pronunciation of my name which the latins find difficult, Triandaffilidis is a Greek & the people on the boat we [sic] Italian, however it did’nt matter.
Triandaffilidis came round to the hotel with his car and after we had talked a bit he took me to the Government aircraft factory which is run under contract by the Blackburn Co., this took until lunch time & the heat was terrific then.
I had lunch & decided to follow the custom of the country &

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[underlined] 4 [/underlined]
seen the dancing & costumes were excellent & we both enjoyed it.
There were some Spanish dancers which reminded me of our visit to Sevile [Seville] sweetheart.
After the Cabaret Greenslade & I got a taxie back to the hotel had an iced lemonade each & went to bed.
Today (Sat) I went to visit the famous Acropolis & it must have been a wonderful place in the ancient times.
I got a most interesting old guide & spent the whole morning there whilst he talked in a very slow voice & told me all about it.
Whilst there a fellow took a couple of snaps of me when I was’nt looking (you know the chaps who take a photo & print it on the spot) they are not much good but are rather amusing as they show me listening very [indecipherable] to the old guide.

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[underlined] 5 [/underlined]
HÔTEL
DE LA GRANDE – BRETAGNE
ATHÈNES

After visiting the Acropolis I returned to the hotel & rung up Triandaffilidis to see if he would come to lunch with me but he could’nt do so as he had an American Mr Ford of the Irvin parachute company with him& they were busy at the Air Ministry trying to sell Chutes.
After lunch I went round to Triandaffilidis’ office & met Mr Ford and told Triandaffilidis that I was thinking of pushing off, he said that his wife & himself were starting off on a holiday themselves on Monday morning & would I travel with them as far as Rome.
He said the train journey thro’ Greece is terrible at this time of the year so that I really ought to go by boat to Brindisi with them & then travel up thro’ Italy via Rome.

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[underlined] 6 [/underlined]
As it does’nt cost any more & is of course extremely interesting, I’v decided to go with them dear.
I hope that you will not mind the few extra days that I shall be away sweetheart although I’m trying to be back with you and the children.
Still this is a wonderful opportunity to see some of the world is’nt it? & I feel that I should do so whilst I can, [indecipherable].
Fixing up details, tickets etc: took some time then Trianda: kindly placed a car & driver at my disposal to take me to the bathing beach about ten miles away.
I had a nice bathe & returned in time for dinner after calling to collect my boat & train tickets.

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[underlined] 7 [/underlined]
Well dearest that about accounts for my time up to the moment
I dont think I’ll go anywhere tonight as Greenslade sailed for Cairo this afternoon.
Tomorrow being Sunday I think I’ll go & spend the day at the sea-side I’m told that its the thing to do here during the hot weather & believe me it is hot.
I expect dearest that you are all back home again now & I hope that you are all feeling better for your holiday.
I’m very fit but a bit sore in my back & elbow as I slipped on the marble staircase & came a wallop on my back [deleted] ye [/deleted] today I have’nt done any damage so dont worry dear

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[underlined] P.S [/underlined] I enclose a little map which I have marked [inserted][underlined] 6 [/underlined][/inserted] with X to show my route.

My pen has run out of ink dear so I’ll have to finish with pencil, I’v been trying to [deleted] indecipherable word [/deleted] calculate when I shall get home.
I think we arrive Brindisi Tuesday & Rome Wed morning and if I spend Wed: & Thursday in Rome I should be home on Sunday next darling.
It will have been a long time since I left you Mary dear but you are constantly in my thoughts dearest.
Please give my love and kisses to Margaret and Rosemary & tell them that I am on my way back to them & want to see them both very much.
love to aunt Nellie if she is still with you.
My fondest & dearest love to you Mary yours ever Roy.

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HÔTEL
DE LA GRANDE – BRETAGNE
ATHÈNES
[part postmark]

Mrs Chadwick.
“Kingsley”
Gilbert Road.
Hale. Cheshire.
England.