05 Apr 1922: Maj. Caryl Annesley to Blanche, Countess St. Germans

Letter of condolence written by Major Caryl Arthur James Annesley (later 12th Viscount Valentia) to the Countess St. Germans. Major Annesley, at the time of this letter, was Private Secretary and Comptroller to Prince Arthur of Connaught, then Governor-General of South Africa.

Government House,
Cape Town.

5th April, 1922.

My Dear Blanchie,

I am terribly grieved about poor Mousie, and I can't tell you how deeply I feel for you.

The voyage out did him no end of good, and Professor Saint (Professor of Surgery in the University here and a fellow passenger on the ship), who was called in consultation on him by the ship's doctor and who saw him again after his arrival here, was amazed at the rapid improvement he had made.

He stayed here a week and looked very well, was in very good spirits, and by the time he left the wound in his side was quite healed. Our doctor, Captain Wilkinson, after consulting Professor Saint, decided that the dry and bracing air up-country would complete the cure and that, by the time he got home, he would be as well as he had ever been in his life.

The first intimation I had that anything was wrong with him was a cable, signed ‘Beaufort', asking me to make enquiries and report. Two hours later I got a wire from Johannesburg to say that he [Mousie] had died at 11.30 p.m. the previous night, Friday March 31st.

Since then I have received two letters from Mr. Barclay, a friend of mine, whom I had asked to be kind to Mousie during his stay in Johannesburg.

The following is an extract from the first of these, dated Thursday March 30th.
"Unfortunately, he motored over to Pretoria on Monday evening to see the new Gaiety Company in ‘A Night Out' and got a chill, which has turned into pneumonia, and he is, at present, (instead of going to Durban) laid up at the Dudley Nursing Home. Two of our best doctors, Watt & Rogers, are attending him, and he had a good night last night, but no one is allowed to see him. You may rest assured that he will be well looked after, and if he takes a bad turn I will wire you at once. The nurse who looked after me at the Dudley (Stokes) is looking after him and keeps me posted, and I trust all will be well."

The following is an extract from the second one dated Saturday April 1st.
"He was all right at 5 o'clock last night, and holding his own, the nurse told me, and as it was my birthday I went out to dinner and the theatre. At 8 o'clock, he took a bad turn and sank rapidly.
Dr. Watt tried to find me but couldn't, and it was not till 11.20 that I got the message, and then he was just dying – not that I could have done anything because Drs. Watt & Rogers and three nurses never left him and did all that was possible, unfortunately without avail."

These are the only details of his illness which I have received, and I quote them as I feel that it may be some small consolation to you to know that all that care and medical skill could achieve was done.

All his things are being sent down here, and Lord Lonsdale is very kindly taking them home with him this week.

Prince and Princess Arthur desire me to tender to you an expression of their very deep personal grief and heartfelt sympathy with you in your overwhelming sorrow.

I hope you will forgive me for sending this typewritten letter; my reason for doing so is that it will be easier to read than my handwriting.

Yours Very Sincerely,
Caryl Annesley

*Original letter is in the collection of Mousie's grandson – David Herbert, 19th Baron Herbert.

Some punctuation has been added for ease of reading.