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Admiral William Oswald Story
1859 - 1938 (78 years)
Oswald Story RN - Letters 1908
November 1908
H.M.S Canopus
Mediterranean Fleet
November 25/08
My dearest Mother
Flore sent me on a letter from Charlie which told of your safe arrival at Bordigera & I am glad to think you are all settled down nice & comfy for the winter. But sorry to hear you had picked up a bad cold. I am afraid you must again be suffering from lack of water, as I see that at Gibralter there is almost a water famine. The usual October rains not having condescended to descend - so I hope your garden has not suffered much.
I wrote from here I think shortly after we arrived. Now by jove I fear I did not but am not certain - I used to keep a letter book & enter the dates of my letters & must start one again.
I know I wrote when we were coming here to Marmaris where we have remained except for a week. At first one got very sick of it but by degrees I got into a regular groove & felt quite hurt when ??? to go to Rhodes. I went there on Friday 13th & had a gale of wind from the North for nine days with steam up - thermometer down to 37 & a very anxious time of it. This cold brought the woodcock in & so I made up a party of three & started early morning - alas the wind had got into the South quarter and we ??? all day & caught nothing. The early birds having returned to their fastnesses with the advent of hot wind - ??? it was hot work. I should have liked to remain here but the weather is so uncertain at this time of year that I have withdrawn & return here on Friday. The consul gave me an old jar in perfect ??? ??? 3000 years old - a bit of a treasure. Rhodes seems to deal in antiques - the brother who brought ??? the ??? at church only required a ??? & hour glass to pass for time - 95 years of age & the Fr Superior appeared equally ancient. The Consul (66) took me for a very lengthy walk one day - kept on saying he hoped I was not tired which amused me vastly.
So here we are back again & a gale from the south has been blowing for two days. But the harbour is so landlocked it doesn't do us any harm - except one cannot go ashore.
You will be sorry to hear I have not got the appointment I hoped for. It meant everything to me & I am most deeply hurt over it as it has gone to a chap junior to me - ??? who has never done anything except be the son of his father, an accident. ??? I suppose he could not help. Now there is nothing to be had for a year. Such are the ups & downs of a donkey's life. But it is beastly hard luck - and one cannot say any thing or demand explanations.
How much longer we remain here goodness only knows.
I send you a few photographs of myself in my cabin. You will see yourself up on the wall. A group of Officers taken on the King's birthday & some Turkish Officers who came off to offer their felicitations on the occasion.
They are ??? on England at present & I hope they will not be deceived.
Much love to all
From your affectionate son
Oswald Story
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