10. Neville Terrace
Onslow Gardens
London S.W

20.5.15.

Dear Mrs Berryman

I was so very sorry to see poor old Ted’s name among the wounded this morning. I do hope it is not serious & that you will be able to have him home soon to be nursed.

Poor you must be in continual anxiety with so many sons serving- & I do hope you get good news of the others – I should so appreciate a post card from one of you, to let me know how Ted is going on.

We have Reggie at home now, also wounded – it is such a blessing to feel they are safely in England & receiving the best attention. The dear old boy is very cheerful, but in a good deal of pain as his sciatic nerve has been injured in some way.

I am thankful to say my husband has not been in it very much lately & is quite well, but I expect their turn will come soon.

I hope you have been keeping well & that the girls are all well too. It is a most horrible time to live through & the only thing is to keep as well & as cheerful as one can, by being busy.

I am staying up here for a few days- but go to Mother soon & hope to live with her until the end of the war.

With very much sympathy & I do so hope your news of Ted is as satisfactory as possible.

Yours v. sincerely

Kathleen Broadbent

Lucky, wounded, cheerful, Reggie.

And a note from Chris who transcribed these letters for posting online: “Idle curiosity led me to Google the address, now 10 Neville St, South Ken SW7, later occupied by Harold Nicolson, husband of Vita Sackville-West”. Nicolson described it as “A Victorian house of unexampled hideousness which they christened Devil Terrace” I have to say, it doesn’t look hideous to me.