Phyllis attended St Faith’s School and then Cheltenham Ladies’ College as a day girl.

The documents Phyllis kept from those days are mainly pictures, photographs and excerpts from letters.

Cheltenham Ladies’ College meant a great deal to Phyllis throughout her life.  She would cut out all newspaper references to the school, however trivial.  Attendance at Cheltenham Ladies’ College created an instant bond for her.

Hamley and John attended Cheltenham College.  Phyllis was amused that Cheltenham was the only English public school to have had an old boy eaten by a tiger.

Phyllis’s father, referred to by her as Pa and by me as Granpa, soon after the Great War left the family for Nellie, with whom he ran the Pyrenees Hotel in Bognor Regis, and had 3 sons and a daughter, Pamela, with whom Phyllis became close.

The break-up of the Fawkes marriage had a considerable impact on the family, making Phyllis, her brothers and mother a very close-knit group.

A letter from to Phyllis from Pa, and dated as June 2, 192,1 says:

I don’t want to disappoint you but don’t set your heart too much on a chameleon, from what I gathered they won’t be even available for some time yet, & never were easily got I expect.  Also I’m afraid it would need a constantly heated cage (tho I’m not quite sure about that) & I expect they always were very expensive, however I’ll make further enquiries for you, see?

Letter on 18^th April 1922 from Pa:

Jimmy seems to be getting on finely I’m so glad and I’m glad the tadpoles are doing well too.

I did laugh at the ‘awful trouble in your lands’ but equally I was very concerned about it and am anxious to know the latest despatches from the front.  I like the ‘Gujverino’ too, it’s intelligent looking.  You are an original little woman, you ought to keep copies of these beasties in a book which you might call ‘Peeps at nature on the Island of Quox’ they are natives of Quox, aren’t they?

Well, little woman, you’ll soon be starting at the College, eh cheer up I  know it will be rotten losing your old school friends, but I know you’ll be happy & I think you’ll find far greater scope for your varied interests there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letter on 26^th September 1924 from Pa:

So glad to hear Bruce & Jimmy are well (please remember me very kindly to them) and that you have a nice lot of caterpillar chrysalis, I hope the latter will hatch out.

 

Letter on 11^th June 1925 from Pa:

.. So you must first put the finishing touches to Bruce’s obedience lessons & tell him no play will be allowed indoors & that he must resist his ‘little sister’s’ playful advances then all I think all will be well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phyllis Fawkes’ 1926 diary:

In Phyllis Fawkes’ school file is a diary for the 4 ½ month period 29th January to 16th June 1926, when she was aged 14.  There is an entry for every day.  Not all could be included in this record, so I have selected 15 entries which for some reason stand out: Bruce’s third birthday (Bruce was Phyllis’s dog), the day at Cheltenham Races attended by the Prince of Wales, when Bruce escaped onto the course, drawing at College, and the County Cricket match between Gloucestershire and Glamorgan, in which Arnott scored 62 runs.

Certain themes recur.  Every day has at least one entry “Took Bruce out”.

Most days have an entry for the rats, Jim and Ben.  Phyllis recorded what she had for lunch, particularly at “Coll:” frequently with a comment such as on 25th February “Lunch at Coll.  Had a horrid pudding.  Sort of funny tasting small sago with watered jam juice over it.”

Phyllis played cricket, tennis and lacrosse (“Lax”), apparently with enthusiasm to effect.  She also did gym and vaulted the neighbouring fence (recorded on several occasions).  Transport to “Coll:” was by bike and into Cheltenham by tram, bus or on rare occasions by taxi.

Phyllis’ entries are peppered with observations of wild life from tadpoles to moths, to the horses and ponies that inhabited the field next to their home.

When not at college, lunch or tea was often taken at Brunner in Cheltenham.

Phyllis, her mother and two brothers were clearly a closely knit unit.  All appeared to pitch in to help, Phyllis doing gardening and painting her bedroom.

Certain expressions appear in the diary entries that Phyllis continued to use throughout her life, and that I frequently heard, such as “Curses”.  Other expressions were of the time such as “Ripping” and “Spiffing”, although adding greatly to the charm of the diary.

It is a pity that the diary is too long to be set out in full.

2nd February Tuesday 

College.  Lunch at College.  Gym at 3.0.  At Baths.  Better than last time; had ropes (climbing with 2 Ropes)   Met Mum afterwards at 4.0 and we went to tea with Mrs Jacks.  (Up Bath Road).  Mrs Guy Lidderdale was there.  Took Bruce out.  My microscope came from Gamage (3/6d).  Prep.  (Red Admirals)  Scales of wing and fly’s wing given with micro to look at.

4 February Thursday

College.  Rain.  Lunch at Coll:  Monica shoved a piece of her bad meat on my plate.  Lax:  catching and throwing at field at 2.30.  Marjorie and Joyce there came home with Joyce.  Saw Paget.  Took Bruce out with the Ball.  He dashed about in a pile of bushes in the field.  Prep.  Gramophone.  Played with the Rats.  John would sing “Yukelele Lady” while I was doing my prep.  (Math) so I shall probably get 0.

14 February Sunday

John & I went to Church.  Rain.  Took Bruce out.  Vaulted Fence 3 times.  Cleaned Rats out and Played with them.  Next Door said we woke them up last night at 11 or 12 by dragging baths about & slamming doors.

17 February Wednesday

College.  Prayers ½ hrs Latin (9.30) because of Ash Wednesday.  Came of Prayers because of Exam.  French Exam 2 hrs (took exactly one hour.  Did imperative 2nd pers S. Of aller wrong.  Curse !! (To think that one little word could spoil a whole day !! Lunch at Coll:  Fish.  Not bad.  Jam Tart (Cold, likewise stale)  Rain.  Went back with Pauline.  (No Games)  Had tea at Logans.  Played “Spelling Bee”.  (cards).  Took Bruce out.  Prep.  Forgot most important Physics book.  Played with Rats.  Mummie went to tea with Falconers.  On way home from Logans saw 1 taxi funeral, 1 horse funeral, …..

10 March Wednesday

Ripping day.  Dreamt of Maths all last night.  College.  Class meeting about Silence Rule etc:  Lunch at Coll:  Paul stayed.  Didn’t go to concert:  Watched Races from National Hunt.  A grey won one Race.  One jockey cracked his skull and will probably die.  Sewell came round after Races.  Took Bruce out with ball.  Horses came to ‘stable for tomorrow’s races.  Prep.  Mum went to see the Head & to a Conservative Meeting.

11 March Thursday

College.  Lunch at Coll:  Nancy stayed.  Was going to Singing Compots with Marjorie or Races with Paul.  Didn’t do either.  Went to Joyce with Nancy.  Waited with her for a little while then came home.  Saw last two races.  Prince of Wales was there.  At last Race Bruce got loose & cut across but didn’t catch ‘em up.  Took Bruce out.  Prep:  Miss Merewether came up.  Played with Rats.

20 March Saturday

College:  Nice day.  Drawing.  Started cutting Woodblock.  Met Mum at 1.10 (left my bike before Coll.  Re.  Puncture.  Fetched it & it went flat again)  Lunch at Brunner Steak & Kidney Pie & Pineapple & cream.  Called for Paul.  Sports at 3.0.  E were  10th W 4th.  Farnley won the cup (got it last year too) Had tea at Pauline.  Mum and I met Mrs Beattie-Crozier and Auriol by 6.15 at St James (GWR) Took Bruce out.  Prep.  Beatties are coming- for a week.

1st April Tuesday

Bruce’s Birthday.  He is 3 years old. Gave him some Cheese rind.  (Forgot about it yesterday) College.  Made Marjorie (twice) & Paul April fools & Ailsa did me (1/2) one.  Measured for Blazers at 1.0.  Lunch at Coll:  Called for Marjorie & we watched finals of House Lax Compets at 2.30 Us (DG) v St Helens.  Ripping game. Jolly equal.  We won 3-2.  Sent of Daddies & Duggarley’s Easter Eggs.

20th April Tuesday

Hamley has mumps.  I am in quarantine (more or less) for 3 weeks.  Heard from Cowans.  They are moving, so can’t go.  Rain.  Bill came round, but couldn’t stay.  Took Bruce out.  Wallie gave me two Balls I sent over & buggy about them too.  Rain most of the day.  Did Holiday Book (Tale of 2 Cities) Mallorie came round for 2 books to read.  He has two mice Games.  Piano.  Went into Vill for Sugar, Choc. Etc.

24 April Saturday

Decent Day.  Sally came round.  Dr Frank’s Wedding today (1.20)  Shopped with Mum.  Had lunch at 1.0 at Brunner with Mum & John & Marian.  John & Marian & I went to “Adventure” at the Palace.  Quite decent.  Saw Steve as well (Donaghue) in something feeble.  Puncture.  Had to walk home.  Took Bruce out.  Read.  Marjorie came round to ask if I could go to a picnic with them.  Hang mumps.

4 May Tuesday

General Strike began last night at 12.0.  Only a few volunteer trams.  No paper.  John can’t go back to school because he is still in quarantine.  Ripping day.  Took Bruce out.  Old man came & gardened.  We went to the Polo.  Took Bruce.  Saw Elsie Yeo there with a kid called John.  MEM came & we went with her in the Pit to the “Creaking Chair” Spiffing.  Bit late.  We biked.  Flat tyre going.

9 May Sunday

Church Decent day.  Took Bruce out.  Mallorie & Sewell came to tea.  Played French cricket & cricket.  HMF’s voice is broken.  Sally & I played consequences.  Fried Egg for supper.  Found a Poplar Hawk Moth after supper.

15 May Saturday

College.  Decent day.  Practice & Jaw from old Moses (Psalms & Hymns) Drawing.  Had a Cock & Hen.  Came home with Paul:  Took Bruce out.  Some boys came up from Holman’s for a bit (Glyngarth boys) Played with the rats (Ham & eggs for lunch)  Prep:  went to “No No Nanette”.  Trammed in, Bussed back.  Spiffing !!!!  Dress Circle Paul just behind.  Saw Sally & Duvals.

 

31 May Monday

College.  Lunch at Coll.  Paul couldn’t stay(Meat and funny onion sauce, & milk pudding (nice) & jam).  Met Pauls, Jupp & Logan & Sheila & Eileen at St George’s Archway at 2.15 for sketching.  Sketched part of Wiggitts farm, from behind  Came straight home (with Paul: a little way) Took Bruce out.  Games at 6.10 (Tennis with Ailsa and Joan)  felt sick, & looked green (according to some)  started cricket at 6.50 but rain.  Ripping double rainbow.  Prep.  Took Bruce out.

14 June Monday

Took Bruce out.  Went with John & Sally to Cricket.  Arnott made 62 (3 sixes)  Lunch at home.  John is playing cricket at Holmans.  Mum & I watched County Match.  Rain.  Tea with.  Played with Rats.  Played cricket after Supper with Sally & Procter & Mead.  (Ham & John)

 

A letter from Helena Garlick in India to Phyllis Fawkes.

THE SATURDAY CLUB

27.12.28 (received 12th January 1929)

Sorry my writing is so appaling blame this Club pen.

Dearest Phyl

Very many thanks for the dear little manicure set.  It was sweet of you to remember me, honey.

We are having such a gay time over Christmas, scarcely ever at home!  Last night we went to the Viceroy’s Ball.  My dear, I never felt so important in all my life.  I went with a man all dressed up in uniform, clanking round in spurs don’t you know.  When we arrived at the Viceregal Lodge there were gorgeous natives in blue & gold pugrees & scarlet coats at the head & foot of every flight of stairs.  One walked up these feeling like Lord God Almighty!  The Ball was very formal, we all wore long gloves & carried fans.  I have got a gloriously long ostrich feather plume with an ivory handle.

The same afternoon we went to the Viceroy’s Cup.  This is the equivalent of Ascot at home.  The  state entry by the Viceroy was the most picturesque sight I have ever seen, all scarlet & gold & the jingle of horses’ bits.

Such fun.  Our cook’s son has given me two live geese as a Christmas present!  Question is, what does one do with them?  Every night this week we are going out to dinner, so they will have to keep.  Another Indian, who I have never met, sent me an Xmas card with much affection.

A whole crowd of us went for a river picnic on Xmas day.  Does not sound much like this does it?  It was glorious fun, the launch was quite big & we fooled about & ate various meals.  We landed after lunch but it was too hot to do much.

On Xmas Eve we went to a dance to meet the officers of H.M.S. Emerald, fastest cruiser in the Navy.  They are having a dance on board which should be rather fun.

I am afraid this is rather an egotistical letter, but one gets like this here.  Girls are in such demand they get thoroughly spoilt.  You will hate me when you next see me.

Much love to you & the family.

Helena.