More Confessions to Gertie Grimmer

Confessions of Sydney Hutton [X291/498]

Thursday 11th February 1915: Gertie Grimmer [LINK] has been adding the “confessions” of some of her military patients to her album. Here are the contributions of Bugler C.Denn, Sydney W.Hutton and George Norman Osborne: [1]

Of what country are you a native?

Charles:  England

Sydney:  England

George:  England, of COURSE

Who is the greatest state man living?

Charles:  Lord Kitchener

Sydney:  Sir Edward Grey

George:  None of ‘em worth calling great. Lloyd George the best – so far

Should bachelors be taxed?

Charles:  Why not

Sydney:  No

George:  Worth it, anyhow!

Who is your favourite hero in history?

Charles:  Nelson

Sydney:  Lord Nelson

George:  Henry VIII

Who is your favourite heroine in history?

Charles:  Mary Queen of Scots

Sydney:  Mary Queen of Scots

George:  Portia, from the Merchant of Venice

Do you prefer the Town to the Country?

Charles:  Yes

Sydney:  No

George:  Country, preferably shady nooks

At what age should a man marry?

Charles:  27

Sydney:  29

George:  When he can’t wriggle out of it

At what age should a woman marry?

Charles:  28

Sydney:  22

George:  When she’s sure she’s got him

Are you in favour of “Votes for Women”?

Charles:  Of course Yes

Sydney:  Emphatically No!

George:  Yes! If they can manage it.

What is your life’s ambition?

Charles:  Cannot state

Sydney:  To lead a quiet life

George:  To die single

Do you object to women smoking?

Charles:  Yes

Sydney:  No

George:  Certainly not

Where would you like to live?

Charles:  A place where the sun always shines

Sydney:  On the sea

George:  In a frame

What is your favourite Outdoor Pastime?

Charles:  Lifting pint pots

Sydney:  Yachting

George:  Depends on how much money I have

What is your favourite Indoor Pastime?

Charles:  Bags to eat

Sydney:  Sleeping

George:  Meditation (sometimes known as “Sulks”)

Do you consider yourself to be useful or ornamental?

Charles:  Neither

Sydney:  Useful

George:  Sometimes useful. Always ornamental.

What are your favourite Christian Names?

Charles:  Charles, Edward

Sydney:  Barbara and Basil

George:  George Norman

Source: Confessions Album of Gertie Grimmer[X291/498]

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[1] These would appear to be Bugler Charles T. Denn of the 3rd Rifle Brigade; Sydney W.Hutton of the 9th London Regiment (discharged 29.11.1916 due to wounds) and George Norman Osborne  of the Denbighshire Yeomanry (discharged 7.9.1916 due to sickness).

Confessions to Gertie Grimmer

Confessions of Betty Benfield

Monday 4th January 1915

Gertie Grimmer, currently nursing at the 1st Eastern General Hospital in Cambridge, received a “Confessions” Album for Christmas from her friend Ethel.[1] Here are some "confessions” from three of her friends: Betty Benfield, Isabel Campbell, and Ruby Whytock.

Of what country are you a native?

Betty:  England

Isabel:  India

Ruby:  Bonnybridge, Scotland

Who is the greatest state man living?

Betty:  Sir John Jellicoe

Isabel:  Earl Kitchener

Ruby:  Sir John Jellicoe

Should bachelors be taxed?

Betty:  Good heavens yes!!

Isabel:  No

Ruby:  Certainly not

Who is your favourite hero in history?

Betty:  Nelson

Isabel:  General Gordon

Ruby:  General Gordon

Who is your favourite heroine in history?

Betty:  Bloody Mary

Isabel:  Grace Darling

Ruby:  Grace Darling

Do you prefer the Town to the Country?

Betty:  Town rather

Isabel:  Town

Ruby:  Yes

At what age should a man marry?

Betty:  It depends on his stability

Isabel:  28-35

Ruby:  28-30

At what age should a woman marry?

Betty:  When she feels inclined and gets the chance

Isabel:  25-30

Ruby:  When she is asked and feels like it

Are you in favour of “Votes for Women”?

Betty:  No

Isabel:  No

Ruby:  No. No. No.

What is your life’s ambition?

Betty:  To travel

Isabel:  Ain’t got any

Ruby:  To get married and have children

Do you object to women smoking?

Betty:  Certainly not

Isabel:  Certainly not

Ruby:  No

Where would you like to live?

Betty:  On the top of the car

Isabel:  Glasgow, Scotland

Ruby:  Capital of Scotland, Edinburgh

What is your favourite Outdoor Pastime?

Betty:  Boating and ….

Isabel:  Golfing

Ruby:  Tennis

What is your favourite Indoor Pastime?

Betty:  Music and ….

Isabel:  Sleeping

Ruby:  Cuddling

Do you consider yourself to be useful or ornamental?

Betty:  Both. Am absolutely necessary.

Isabel:  Neither

Ruby:  ?

What are your favourite Christian Names?

Betty:  Ebenezer and Sophia

Isabel:  Lionel and Eileen

Ruby:  Ormond and Jean

Source Confessions Album of Gertie Grimmer[X291/498]

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[1] Gertie Grimmer was the aunt of well-known Ampthill local historian, Andrew Underwood.