London, 28.2.15
Sir and Ladies
Forgive me for having taken so long to write to you – time just didn’t allow it, especially when I have to work until 9 pm, but please believe me when I say that I haven’t forgotten you and have often intended to send you news of me, but every time something came up which prevented me from doing so, as a result of which I shall give you a small résumé of my little journey.
Leaving Evesham I soon got into conversation with a really nice gentleman who had travelled in Belgium a great deal and who talked to me about the evils and incidents of the war, who gave me newspapers and even some lozenges for my cold. In addition, he gave me an English–French dictionary as a present. After having taken my address in Contich (Belgium) so that he might honour me with a visit, and after we had arrived in London at about 11.45 he invited me to go and have a glass of ale and stout, which was swiftly followed by a good dinner. By chance he had business to attend to on the route I had to take. He took me to the Underground, bought two tickets and in addition gave me a large gold coin. He left me with tears in his eyes, after having explained to me where I had to change trains. When at last I arrived at the General Building Committee, I completed the necessary formalities and I managed to complete the errand given to me by Miss Catherine. I gave the address of your residence and at 6 pm I was at Dulwich Baths, which that very evening was celebrating in the presence of the last Lord Mayor of London but one, and his daughter, the covering in of that establishment (you should know that there had been a misunderstanding as a result of the last election between him and the current Mayor). I can already hear you asking me what Dulwich Baths are? They are enormous halls covered by a roof, under which is a large swimming pool surrounded on three sides by changing cabins. This pool used to be covered by a floor, which was about to be removed because the season is approaching. This makes the Committee even more interesting for me! The following day my friend and I went to our lodgings, which were situated at 65 Vauxhall Bridge Road, City of Westminster, SW. I pay 14 shillings per week, washing included. I live seven minutes away from my work, which is on Grosvenor Road, the Van Den Plas Company, building motor vehicles for the Belgian Army. I now earn tenpence an hour and the manager has promised that if I work well he will give me a rise from the end of this week to a shilling, but then I shall have to help as an assistant designer.
Although at the moment it is not possible for me to attend English lessons, I am already starting to talk to people around me and I can assure you that when the time comes for me to return to my native country I shall already have quite a sum put aside.
So, Sir and Ladies, there you have a summary of what has been happening since I arrived in London and now I still have one noble task to perform, namely to thank you with all my heart for the great care you provided me in Badsey, especially for the money that you gave me on the day of my departure, and if at any time I caused any difficulty for you I humbly beg your pardon and offer my apologies. Be assured that I shall always remember the devotion which you, and in particular the lovely behaviour, politeness, courage and enthusiasm of Miss Catherine and Miss Ethel, for, once I am back in Belgium (if God wills that I should find my dear mother, my married sister, my brother-in-law and their children) I shall be able to say that in Badsey there are souls who know how to console and offer relief to the sufferings of their brothers, the Belgian refugees, who are being robbed and devastated by an uncivilised people for having done nothing but their honest duty towards the Triple Entente.
I am finishing my letter in the hope that I might one day see Badsey again, this lovely little village.
Yours very sincerely and with gratitude.
Alphonse De Ridder
