Doris Victoria STOKES [432]

   Cause of her death was Leukemia.

  General Notes:

1897 Doris Victoria Stokes born Windsor Q3 Vol 2c pg 445
1959 SA Deaths 889/2294 ANDERSON Doris Victoria Henry Gunter ANDERSON [H], Adelaide

Doris' family celebrated her birthday on 3 June.

Image: 327,328,329
14 Feb 1918
5 West St Cottages
Brighton
Sussex
England
14.2.1918
Dear Auntie Polly
I expect you will be surprised to hear from me. The fact is Harry asked me to write to you. On the 6th of Feb I received a card from him from Germany. This is what he said:
"Dear Dot
I am still in hospital, & am going on well, please send me something to smoke, my address is on the other side. I hope you are all well, Give my love to all, please tell Eric about smokes, Harry."

Today I received a notification from the War Office & a letter enclosed that I should have had first. He asked me to write to you & sends you all his fondest love & please not to worry very much. He was captured on Dec 29th & was wounded in the right-leg, but its going on well. We can thank heaven its not a body wound or his eyes. I am indeed, Auntie, sorry that my first letter to you should bear sad news. However we must hope for the best & trust his luck has dropped him in a decent Camp. I bought some smokes for
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him, but they would not take them in at the P.O. Told me I must take them to P. of W. Fund. They were not-able to take them their[sic] either. They only send to Regls & Harry being a Marine is in a Division. An interview with the Mayoress (Lady Otter[sic]) helped me no end. I then wrote to the D.A.A.G. Of course the wrong person, but he had the sense to redirect my letter. I had a quick reply from the Lt Col, a very nice letter indeed. Said mine was the first intimation he had had as to "Ritchie" being a PofW. That a parcel containing, tobacco Cigarettes & food should be sent to him without delay
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so that's that & I've just sent the letter & thanked the gentleman very much. Anything I can do for Harry I will do & we must hope for a speedy terminationation[sic] of the War. The General Public seem very sure of it here. Any further news Auntie I will acquaint you with at once. I've written all the letters he (Harry) asked me to write. We all send our fondest love to you all.
I am Your Affec. Niece,
Dot V. Stokes

Image: 332,333,334
Postmarked Brighton 13 May 18
Addressed to: Mrs Anderson George Street Hawthorn SA
5 West St Cottages
West Street
Brighton
Sussex
England
12.5.1918
Dear Auntie Polly
A few lines in hast. Had a card from Harry & he asked me to write to you often & to ask you not to worry. His wounds are healed & everything is going on nicely. The card was dated March 10th so that's not too bad. During the week I received a card from the record Office with his change of address. In the cover was written "From a German List 18.4.19189". So let's hope he's all he's all right up to that date. My brother-in-law is a prisoner of War also. Was captured on March 24th on the Cambrai & St Quentin front. Reg came home last weekend. He looked white & shaky. I wonder how much nerve our men will have left after the War. If ever there will be an end to it. A (Mr Lionel Pyke) who has been interned in Germany for 2½ years gave a speech at the Brighton Hippodrome last week. Unfortunately I was not able to go, but my friend went & says he gave
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a description of Berlin & suburbs also other well known towns. They appear to be in a terrible plight. The Austrians are anxious for peace, and glad somebody is. The majority of us here have got beyond believing there ever can be peace. Now we are rationed for food we are much better off. We were allowed three meat coupons 5d each total 1/3 but have been reduced to two 6d ones, but we are allowed more bacon for our fourth coupon & all offal ie Liver, heart, tail etc. we are allowed double quantity. Then 1 coupon is good for ½lb sausages. We are allowed ¼lb butter or marg. & 1/2 lb sugar. Out of my own allowance of sugar I've saved 4¼lbs since it started to help make jam. I think they are going to allow 5lbs pr head for preserving. That will come in handy for the writer. Potatoes are heaps more plentiful than are required & are a 1d pr lb. New Potatoes are 10d per lb. Last year they were 2/6. French beans this year are 2/9 pr lb last year 3/6. Cheese is being held up because its too new. Eggs are cheaper, prices
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ranging from 3/6 to 4/6 pr doz. Boxes of dried eggs are 2/- doz. They answer the purpose quite well for omelettes[sic], scrambled eggs, custards & cakes. So taking things all round auntie we are not so badly off. Of course every one has their especial grievance over the food. Mother manages at home quite well. How are all your large family. I think Harry told me Annie was well on the way to getting married. Don't you feel sorry to part with them Auntie. The Australian girls need not worry their heads now re the Anglo-Aust-marriages. Not now the Yankees have put in an appearance. They are a conceited lot & I should have to be jolly hard up for a man to look at one of them. They wear stupid little spats the colour of mustard. Yesterday they marched through London & some were standing by the Palace Pier this morning buying the Sunday Pictorial looking at themselves. They'll not get a warm reception from our boys say what they will, Mother sends her fondest love, also Reg & the others to all, hoping you are all keeping well,
I remain Your Affec Niece, Doris V. Stokes.
P.S. Uncle Charlie has returned from Italy & is now in France.

Image: 335-336
8 June 1918
Letter written to: Mary Ann Anderson nee Gunter
5 West St Cottages, West St, Brighton, Sussex, 6 St Aubyns Gardens Hove, England
8.6.1918
Dear Auntie Polly
A line in haste to let you know I've received some very good news from Harry. I'll enclose a copy of the letter that I received yesterday.

"Dear Miss Stokes
In writing to you I hope I shall be doing two things, one is keeping a promise, & the other is giving you a little good news from H. Ritchie, with whom I have been acquainted since Jan last, when we met as Prisoners of War in Germany. I was exchanged on account of partial disablement to my right arm & arrived in London on Sunday. Harry has got over his injuries & goes to work at a Printing factory in Munster town returning to the camp every night. He is in very good health & is receiving his Red Cross parcels regularly. His message to you is that you are not to worry or be downhearted but to keep smiling & be cheerful, and he hopes the time won't be long before he is able to return to the dear old homeland. It is a trying time when one is first taken prisoner, but I think he has gone through the worst part of the ordeal, & looks ahead for brighter prospects in the future. I trust these few lines will be welcome to you & that my wishes may be added to Harrys for a speedy return, closing with my kindest regards
I remain Yours Sincerely
W. Banfield"

Perhaps you will get a letter, anyway mother thought you would like to have this. Please give my love to all, may see you some day soon. At present I am having three weeks holiday. The weather is gorgeous. I think I've been everywhere & every place. Mother sends her love & hopes you are all well. From your affec. Niece,
Dot V. Stokes

Image: 337,338
No date
Letter appears to be written by Lily(?) to Harry with a note from Dot along side edge.
British Prisoner of War,
Ply14431
Private Harry G Ritchie R.M.L.I.
223rd Machine Gun Company,
Kriegsgefangenenlager 11,
Reunbahn???
Munster in Westfalen
Block 4 Room 12
Germany
Written along side edge:
Please excuse paper, run out. Dot.
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. . . see you on Wed. or not . . . George is home & he wants me to get off on Tuesday as he returns to Norfolk on Wed so if I don't turn up perhaps you will come up here, am going home on Sunday, as Mother is very down, Len has gone to France, at last he wrote & said he was going that Day. Has Edie's husband come home yet. Must close, or I shall fall asleep my love to your mother hope she is better. Fondest love from yours as ever, Lily

Image: 339,340,341
21 June 1918
5 West St Cottages
West St
Brighton
Sussex
21.6.1918
Dear Auntie Polly
A line in haste. Harry asked me to write to you again & let you know he is quite well & fit. My chief object in writing to you is to let you know you can send "personal parcels" to Harry once in three months. Col Brooke has let me have the coupon this month & another in August if I cannot get a letter to reach you in time. Col. Brooke is a jolly decent sort he has favoured me in every way & given me heaps of information concerning Harry & every list he receives from Germany writes & acquaints me with the poor kids health etc. But the contents of the parcels drive one into fits. Edie has been buying the things for Scotties this week & its cost about 30/- so far & the only eatable is ½lb sweets.
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Mrs Robertson is going to send me some things to put in Harry's. Last week she sent another P.O. for a parcel & as this soldier that wrote to me says he gets them we might just as well send them. I'll give you the Col's address Auntie & then perhaps you would like to send them. All important things. Thanks for Don's photograph. Isn't he like Eric? You have some nice looking boys we've only one. I've just come back from three weeks holiday & I can't say exactly I am pleased to be working. My hands are all blisters & I had such a royal holiday. I've asked Mother to write you but she's not very grand & to cap every thing, a friend of hers in London has had her house smashed up in this raid & Mother sheltering her & her 5 kiddies ages are 1, 2, 5, 7, 9. So you can imagine where Mum is. Houses are unobtainable in Brighton now. You see we are packed with Jews. The Jews are a grasping lot
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I've no wonder the Pharoah got fed up with them. There will be another one in Brighton soon if they don't clear out. Food isn't at all bad now we get more then enough. Government has commandeered all fruit. We had a few strawberries at 5/6 per lb. In peace time they are 3d. Hard times. Must draw to a close now hoping you are all well & we all send heaps of love.
I am Your Affectionate Niece, Dot. D.V. Stokes
P.S.
Mother heard from Uncle Charlie in the week. He has recovered from his gas attacks & was going over the top on Sunday morning.

The Advertiser (Adelaide) Thursday 16 & Friday 17 April 1959
Death Notice:
ANDERSON. -- On the 14th April, at Adelaide, Doris Victoria, the dearly beloved wife of Henry Gunter Anderson, of Barmera, loving mother of Marjorie (Mrs. Preece), fond mother-in-law of Allan and loved granny of Christine and Neville. In her 62nd year.

Funeral Notice:
ANDERSON. --THE FRIENDS of Mr. HENRY GUNTER ANDERSON, of Barmera, are respectfully informed that the Funeral of his late beloved WIFE (Doris Victoria) will leave St. Edmund's Church of England, Barmera, on FRIDAY, after service commencing at 2.30 p.m., for the Barmera Cemetery. Floral tributes to 193 Unley rd., Unley on Friday by 9 a.m. Alfred James & Sons Ltd AFDA Unley and Mile End.UA1128.

Berri Barmera Council
Surname: Anderson
Given Names: Doris Victoria
Cemetery: Barmera </page.aspx?c=9729>
Denomination: Church of England
Section: Barmera Old - H Plot/Grave/Niche 49 N
Last Residence: Barmera
Age at Death: 61y
Date of Burial: 17/04/1959
Minister Officiating: Rev. Hopton
Funeral Director: Alfred James and Son
Grant Number: F 34
Burial/Order Number: 452

  Research Notes:

Image courtesy R Filsell

  Other Records

• Census: England, 31 Mar 1901, Gordon rd, Ashford, Middlesex. Doris is described as daur. age 3yrs

• Census: England & Wales, 1911, 5 West Street Cottages, Kings Road, Brighton. Doris is recorded as daughter age 13.

• Residence during: WWI, 1918, 5 West Street Cottages, Kings Road, Brighton. Sussex-by-Sea, England

• England & Wales: Marriage Index, 1919, Steyning District.

• Australian Electoral Rolls 1903-1980: married, 1939, Block 278, Loveday, South Australia.

• Australian Electoral Rolls 1903-1980: married, 1941, Block 278, Loveday, South Australia.

• Australian Electoral Rolls 1903-1980: married, 1943, Block 278, Loveday, South Australia.

Doris married Henry Gunter ANDERSON [423] [MRIN: 144], son of John ANDERSON [420] and Mary Ann GUNTER [421], on 11 Dec 1919 in St Patricks, Hove, Sussex, England. (Henry Gunter ANDERSON [423] was born on 15 Feb 1890 in Unley, Adelaide, South Australia, died on 24 Nov 1963 in Loxton, South Australia and was buried on 26 Nov 1963 in Barmera Cemetery, South Australia.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Photograph: Wedding, 11 Dec 1919, Hove, Sussex, England.

  Marriage Notes:

1919 E&W Marr Index ANDERSON Harry G STOKES Steyning Sussex 2b 806