Letters from Arthur Jolly, 1948

Arthur Jolly, 1960s
Letter from Arthur Jolly to C Massey in Auckland, New Zealand, 1948

Arthur Jolly (1892-1983) grew up in Eastbourne and moved to Hove with his mother shortly before the First World War. He raised nearly a million pounds for the First World War war effort through Victory Bonds and then served briefly in the army during the First World War.

He was a chartered accountant and worked for Nevil Hovey Gardener throughout his life. During his time in Hove, Arthur played a leading role in founding and maintaining many of the borough’s civic organisations.  He was a leading Freemason and was the Provincial Grandmaster.

Arthur wrote a number of letters to Masonic brothers in Australia thanking them for sending food parcels. The letters contain information about post-war conditions as well of news of the family.

A Christmas ham!

“Dear Bro. Earl,
“I had a most delightful surprise when I reached home yesterday to find your most generous and well-chosen parcel awaiting me. I do not remember ever receiving a gift which was so appropriate to the Christmas seasons as yours. If I might give examples of this, may I add that at the present over here, our bacon ration is one ounce per person per week, so the prospect of anything by way of ham for Christmas is entirely impossible. That tin, therefore, of boneless ham weighing practically 2 lbs. will make all the difference….”

Arthur Jolly’s letters and extracts from the diary of his wife, Flora Jolly, have been contributed to Letter in the Attic by Richard and Alison Jolly.

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