Historical information

The "letters to Lillie" show the international nature of the Mission to Seafarers. They are an important display of the handwriting style of the time, revealing courting attempts and give us an insight into life in 1925.

Page 1

S/S City of Norwich
Port Said

My Dear Old Lillie,
Well, I never got so much of a shock in my life, when your postcard turned up 2 days before my birthday, wishing me many happy returns, for which I thank you sincerely, and am sorry to say I had forgotten yours, or being very quiet about your various qualities, you would not tell me. Well to get on with the news, the next day I had a telegram to report at the Line head office, on the 15th Aug. early, imagine how I swore, as a little do was to [be] held at night, they immediately shored me on this ship S/S City of Norwich to go to Port Said, then join the City of Corinth bound for Boston & New-York so I may come out to “little Aussie” again from there with a little luck, any way we ought to be in New-York about the 19th Sept to stay a month, I will write you more in detail from there, if you feel inclined and have forgiven me for being so long about answering your last letter, could you write to S/S City of Corinth, C/o Norton Lilly & Co, New-York. U.S.A.
I would jump like L”l

Page 2

how is the cow milking going on, but still that joke is as unfair as the small joke about my age now, both afflictions being cured by now I hope.
Well really I am no letter writer and can find very little to interest you on paper Lillie, and my photo, I hate being taken as much as you, but will do my best, if you can wait a little please, hoping you are getting one that awfully exciting week with the mission as you call it. You must be A.1 actresses to amuse such a motley crew. Hoping you are all well at home, give Mr & Mrs Duncan my kind regards, sending my best love to you dear. Hoping you will recognize me if I can come along.
with tons of love,
Howard.

P.S. I hope to be a little more sophisticated when I come next time [-] you may be able to tell me.

Significance

Lillie Duncan was a member of the Harbour Lights Guild and this letter forms part of a collection of letters sent to her by different seafarers.

Physical description

Letter addressed to Miss L Duncan, 11 Paxton St, East Malvern, Melbourne, Australia from Howard in three parts:
Part 1.1 (0007.1) Envelope
Part 1.2 (0007.2) First page of letter
Part 1.3 (0007.3) Second page of letter
The pages, as is the envelope, are a creamy yellow colour with black cursive writing on one side of the page.
Page 1 of the letter begins with the salutation "My Dear Old Lillie...".
Page 2 of the letter concludes with "...you may be able to tell me".

Inscriptions & markings

The envelope is torn across the top for access to its contents. It has two stamps on the top right hand corner both with the text "Port Said 23AU25.4.5P".