From Buckingham Palace to Pitcairn Island

Mrs. Myrtle L. Ward, of the SDA Mission, Tells How She Received Some Unusual Letters

DURING the years 1938 to 1944, when we were stationed on Pitcairn Island, mail was of great importance to us.

It was seven weeks from the time we left Sydney until we received our first letters from home, and we thought that was a long time. But later, we entered the Pacific war period and we were to have no mail for seven months; and at another period none for fourteen months!

After the seven months mail famine there was compensation in the fact that we received a bag of 300 letters. Three hundred letters just for ourselves! That was in June, 1941.

Immediately afterwards we entered the 14-months drought, but during that long period we comforted ourselves with cal culations as to how many letters we would ultimately receive after the long break. Surely, we anticipated, there would be nearly 1,000! We would need a barrow to get them home from the post office.

Imagine our feelings, on the fateful day, when we received only five letters.

That mystery was cleared up two years later, when, after writing to Sydney, Wellington, Panama, and Suva, we learned that our accumulated mail had been taken through the Panama Canal, and had been sunk in the Atlantic.

BUT, to be appreciated, we should have been seen trving to read all of those 300 letters at once in June, 1941.

We would look over several dozens to see from whom they had come. We would open a few feeling that we just must see what “so and so” had written. And here was a letter from Midge—we had to read hers. “Oh, and here’s one from dear old Lil, and one from Alice!” Excited ex clamations followed one another.

We were part way through one letter when, noticing quite an ordinary-looking letter, I shouted excitedly, “Oh. look here! See what I have found!” There was the Royal Coat of Arms, and the date stamp showed that it had come from Buckingham Palace! For the moment other mail was laid aside, for this letter demanded immediate attention.

BACK in October the new Pitcairn stamps had been issued. Until the 15th of that month New Zealand stamps had been used. Pitcairn Island having been only an agency for the New Zealand postal administration. Now we had a set of eight beautiful stamps pic turing incidents of island history (the

“Bounty” mutiny) and features of local scenery and produce. Thinking how the Princesses would love to have a set of these stamps sent direct from the island, we had prepared special covers and had written Their Royal Highnesses an ac companying letter.

Now we had actually received a reply telling of their arrival in England. Her Majesty the Queen expressed appreciation of the letter and the First Day Covers.

The Lady-in-Waiting wrote:—

Buckingham Palace,

January 25, 1941.

Dear Mrs. Ward, — Your letter of October 15th has just arrived, and I am commanded by the Queen to thank you most warmly on behalf of the Princesses. The beautiful new stamps have been a great thrill: no one had seen them, and they are so impressive—so gay, which is good for the times!

The Princesses are delighted with the most interesting soap-seed tree and “Hattie Flower” leaves; altogether your letter and all of its contents have given enormous pleasure.

On this grey and rather foggy day it is good to be reminded again of our brothers and sisters who are serving God and the Empire overseas. I hope that this letter will reach you safely, and find you well, and that by the time it does reach you, yet further steps towards vic tory and peace will have been made.

I am, yours sincerely, (Signed) DELIA PEEL, Lady-in-Waiting.

THE “soap-seed tree and ‘Hattie Flower’ ” leaves referred to are leaves which are skeletonised and handpainted by the Pitcairn Islanders.

Later, we thought it would be interest ing for the Princesses to have some small souvenirs into which was built some tim ber which was part of the organ that their great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, had sent the Islanders about 100 years ago. There was but little of the organ left, as it had fallen to pieces, through the years.

In having the souvenirs prepared, it finally came about that we had something for each member of the Royal Family. We had an exciting time preparing and wrap ping the several pieces and writing the letters which went in the same mail—a letter to the King, one to the Queen and another to the Princesses, as well as one

to the Lady-in-Waiting who had written to me.

About five months later we were thrilled to receive a registered letter from the King’s Private Secretary expressing the thanks of the Royal Family;—

Buckingham Palace,

July 28, 1943.

Dear Madam, — The King and Queen have received with much pleasure the souvenirs of Pitcairn Island that you have so kindly sent for their acceptance. They desire me to thank you sincerely for them and for the good wishes contained in your letter which Their Majesties much appreciated.

The King and Queen were greatly in terested to read the details that you give regarding the wood from which these mementoes are made.

I am also to thank you for the nresents that you have sent to Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, Their Royal Highnesses were verv pleased indeed with them.

Yours truly, (Signed) A. LASCELLES.

By the same mail we received the fol lowing letter from the Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen: —

Buckingham Palace,

July 18, 1943.

Dear Mrs. Ward, — Your letter of May 16th, for which many thanks, has arrived with amazing speed, compared to mine of January, 1941. . . .

I have put your letter before the Queen who has read it with great interest, and desires me to tell you how much Her Majesty appreciates your kind and loyal expressions and that Her Majesty thinks of you with great admiration, doing your work in your far-away part of the Em pire, and sends many very good wishes.

It must be hard to keep up such a spirit as you so gallantly do when mails are not forthcoming to supply the outward and visible links with home, and the Queen hopes that you are helped by the radio.

I am to enclose some little photographs and to thank you for the most interesting curios, which Her Majesty is graciously pleased to accept. . . .

It is to be hoped that this letter will be less dilatory in reaching you than my last.

With all good wishes, I am yours sin cerely* 3 (Signed) DELIA PEEL, Lady-in-Waiting.

CAN it be wondered that I value these letters and the gracious interest of Her Majesty in our affairs and con ditions on Pitcairn Island! May God continue to bless our beloved King and Queen and all the Royal Family.