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Nella Last's War
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January 2021: Nella Last's War: Thoughts While Reading
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I finished watching The 1940s House and really enjoyed it. I’d never seen it before and for me it was a good tie in to the book. In 9 weeks they experienced life from the beginning to end of the war. I liked getting a better visual of what life may have been like, especially hearing how it affected them. Even though it was “make believe” sitting in the shelter and hearing the sounds of planes and bombing for instance. Understanding their descriptions of the hardships coming from our 20th century mindset was also very interesting.
A “fun fact” I learned... they said hats were never rationed during the war since it covered the inability to wash the hair and lack of washing soap.
Mod
Hi Tania, I haven't reached that far yet, but I
also assumed it had been around longer
than that. Come to think of it, I don't recall
any reference to free healthcare before 1943.
Mod
Ladies,I am enjoying your comments and learning
so much from you. I still have a ways to go
before I finish the book, but good things are
not meant to be rushed.
I can honestly say, had I read Nella Last's diary
before the pandemic, I don't believe would be
as effected as I am now.
Her words reach me, I am more emotional than
I expected to be and privileged that I am getting
to know her- as if she has handed me/us her
story personally.
Various thoughts are running through my mind,
such as :
What goes through William Last's mind as he
sees his wife busy with her work at home, trying
to remain cheerful, committed to doing her part
in the war effort, being resourceful, springing
into action when there is an immediate need
(i.e. the baby)? Does he not feel some sort of
conviction for not doing more? Anything for
that matter? I guess it isn't something I can
comprehend. As Nella says, "thank God for
work." It is a statement that comes from her
depths, like a silent prayer or a saving grace.
She also mentions a "queer numb feeling",
isn't that temporary respite needed from all
of the intense emotion plus her "mean uglies"?
It is the only way to cope.
I had made note of this earlier this month and
wanted to know what you thought of it.
Thursday, 14 March 1940
"...act as if you were a grown man and not a
child of ten..." to William
"I suit me a lot better!" ⬅
How long has she wanted to utter these words?
I just left Nella Last arriving home to find no
letter from Cliff, on chapter 9, page 242.
Tuesday, 23 March 1943
A woman walked into Nella's shop and
breaks down, I was thinking of how Nella
is a safe person to talk to.
Hi Ruth, Nella talks about her husband and his family and maybe you’re not there yet, but it gave me more insight into him and his character. Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. To me, I feel like Nella and her husband operate from two different driving forces, hers seems to be strength and perseverance, his seems to be fear.
I agree, going through the hardships we’ve endured with the pandemic has given a bit better understanding. Life certainly hasn’t been carefree or normal here for some time.
I think Nella was extraordinary. She did so much for other people without a thought. Just brushed it off as nothing. Maybe that’s another difference between her and her husband, her empathy. He doesn’t seem to know that one very well.
Mod
Yes, Tania, they do seem so. They married so young, maybe they just didn’t realize. I often wondered if they were ever really in love or marriage was just part of life? I agree, Nella I think wanted to be sure they didn’t know the life she endured.
message 110:
by
Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.
(last edited Jan 27, 2021 05:24PM)
(new)
-
rated it 4 stars
Mod
I think that sounds right.
Tania wrote: "They do seem rather a mis-matched pair. I also thought the roles were reversed when he was the one wanting the boys to stay home and be safe, while she understood their need to get out there and ex..."To be fair to William, remember he had been in World War I & experienced the horrors of war. It was very different from the one under discussion as people who stayed here weren’t under threat in the same way. They worried about their sons or others who had gone to war, but saw little of it themselves & were safe at home. Without the relentless news we have now, they knew relatively little about the details, though obviously were aware of the huge death toll. Many of the men who eventually returned home never spoke about their experiences. I can see why some, like William, didn’t want their sons to fight. But those in the correct age group were gradually called up so had no choice. Many chose not to wait but to volunteer as that way they chose which of the forces they wanted to join.
I am trying to come up with an explanation to why we don’t know so much about what goes on in William’s mind. Maybe it is technical: This is her diary and her job was to chronicle her thoughts. Or maybe psychological: Her diary is her own private place and she is happy about making it all about her. All the goodness in her and her efforts in the community are awesome. Is there also more to it? Are there women who work like this - also bake, cook and do household chores - in a vigorous way in order to forget about present, daily worries? I am not that type - I would just like to make an enquiry into it. The more we get into the war, the more Nella talks about recipes and the various day-to-day tasks. I guess this has many reasons. It could also be a way of doing something, when she feels frustrated and can not go into war and fight herself.
Trisha, so very true. Thank you for the reminder on that. It could also explain why he seems in his head a lot.
Mod
Very good point Tricia. He isn't cruel in any way, I get the impression that he does try to be a good husband to Nella, but she lacks patience with him. She seems to have suffered her breakdown through the stress of having to nurse him; presumably from the after effects of his war experience.
Charlotte, I think the war brought on extra work. Not only taking care of your own home, but they were encouraged to volunteer, also many did side projects at home in addition like knitting socks or the like and then many were forced to work. I think it finally gave Nella the opportunity to get out of her house and around other people too, in addition to being helpful. I don’t think her husband liked to go out. Plus, if you are busy you can try to avoid thinking, between the war, her sons and friends etc, I think it was a good diversion to keep busy maybe.
Perhaps there was a script or suggested topics sent from the people sponsoring the diary that prompted her to write recipes and the like? She was praised for her ingenuity in making something out of nothing so maybe that was a way to show that and also how meager the resources they had to work with? I rather liked it as it gave a lot of dimension to the diary I thought.
I’m glad the point about her husband came up, I’d had a different impression but I forgot all that both of you, Trisha and Tania said. Both wars really took their toll. Living in the states one feels very far away from it, especially since it all happened so long ago.
Brenda wrote: "I’m glad the point about her husband came up, I’d had a different impression but I forgot all that both of you, Trisha and Tania said. Both wars really took their toll. Living in the states one fee..."I was thinking about my grandad during this discussion. He was already a professional soldier so went straight to war in 1914. Apparently he was injured 3 times - treated, sent home to recover, then returned to war each time. He stayed in the army until the early 1920’s. I remember him as a kind, very gentle man. He lived until about 1961, but the effects of war remained throughout his life. He suffered from shell shock, now called PTSD, & always shook very badly. I was only a child so obviously he never discussed it with me, but he never told my dad about the war either. Very sad.
Oh Trisha, that is very sad. It’s just unimaginable. I always think it’s so sad that so many of these veterans never talk about the war. I suppose they fear its too awful for people to bear. But then they just carry the horror inside them forever.
Hi Ladies,I have been pondering on this too.
We have learned of wars between countries,
but looking back at the turn of the last century
there was a shift and something that has not
been seen before took place, a World War,
which is frightening.
After a twenty-two pause
The second World War was to be fought by their
sons, against the most advanced and sophisticated
legions of evil man has ever seen.
These soldier had to learn a new way to fight against
a formidable foes with hellish stradegies.
This is the Hallmark of war that has shaken the earth,
all of the soldiers that fought are still there, even
the ones that made it home, their souls are still
on the battlefield. They cannot speak of it, those
that do can help us to see some of what they fought
and suffered. The horrors are still there, isn't that
what their silence is speaking? We look at their
medals and see their honor (as we should) for them
it frozen in time. It is a wonder how they got through
from day to day.
This war is also mysterious, because for all that we
have heard, there is a great deal more we don't know
about that remains hidden.
Tania raised an excellent point about free healthcare
in message #103,
Had it occurred to them at that time?
_______________
Trisha wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I’m glad the point about her husband came up, I’d had a different impression but I forgot all that both of you, Trisha and Tania said. Both wars really took their toll. Living in the..."Hi Trisha,
How sad for your grandad. I imaging it
was difficult for your grandmother not
knowing how to help him. It is pretty
amazing you remember him as a kind
and gentle man, he wanted that for you.
Mod
I did try to find out more about my grandmothers experiences driving the ambulance, but she also didn't talk about it. All I know is the bare bones. I did find out that my great-grandfather on my dad's side lied about his age and went to the front (WW2) at the age of 14. Can you imagine!
Tania wrote: "They do seem rather a mis-matched pair. I also thought the roles were reversed when he was the one wanting the boys to stay home and be safe, while she understood their need to get out there and ex..."Hi Tania,
The role reversal is curious, William's
war experience and presentiments
of this war, doesn't seem as though
he slept very well.
Nella was conflicted on this, supporting
and encouraging her son's to be their
own men at the same time wanting to
hold back her little boys.
Tania wrote: "Very well said Ruth. They both took such a huge toll on so many people.I did try to find out more about my grandmothers experiences driving the ambulance, but she also didn't talk about it. All I..."
Tania,
These are ghosts that will never leave us and
these wars will always haunt us.
Fourteen?!? Good Lord! His poor parents to find
out their son left for war, they must have been
sick with worry.
Where did your grandmother serve as ambulance
driver? If you don't mind my asking, what division?
I was reading about it in this website, their slogan
was
“the nights with the wounded, the days with the dead”
That must have been gruelling for her.
http://museumstjohn.org.uk/behind-whe...
Does anyone know if your grandmothers kept a
diary?
Mod
I remember that in one of his memoirs Stephan Fry wrote about my Grandfather (who was his teacher) he said that they would never talk about his war experiences despite all their questions.
Mod
Charlotte wrote: "I am trying to come up with an explanation to why we don’t know so much about what goes on in William’s mind. Maybe it is technical: This is her diary and her job was to chronicle her thoughts. Or ..."Hi Charlotte,
This was solely wondering on my part,
I would like have known from a man's
perspective his thought during this time,
it isn't something we hear about.
We are seeing William through Nella's
eyes and experience. You are right, it is
her story, the only opportunity she had
to open about herself.
Hi Tania,That would be great if you grandmother
kept a diary, though I can understand if
she didn't. At the very least, based on
the job description in the article, her story is
in there- you know what she was up against
in the war. Both in France and Germany,
good Heavens. Is there an agency or
government department you can write to
about her service?
If you should find out I'd love to hear about
her.
You're welcome, these women were amazing!
Wow! Stephen Fry wrote about your grandfather!
How did you find out about it?
You must have been over the moon to learn that
someone knew and remembered your grandfather.
My mother was sharing with me storiesof her grandmother and her rituals,
each day of the week she had specific
chores to do:
Monday- laundry, menu and shopping list
soup for dinner
Tuesday- shopping day
Wednesday- ironing, sewing, mending,
Thursday- clean bedrooms and bathrooms
Friday- sweep, mop, and dust
Saturdays- cook big meals for two days
Sunday- no work (except for dishes/clean up)
I gather it was the similar for Nella Last as well.
How about you?
My mother has similar rituals, which I assume were passed down from her mother. Monday is laundry day. Friday is shopping day. Although I’m afraid that’s all that was passed down. 😂😂
It’s fascinating to read about different people who had such similar routines. Ruth, both my grandmothers & then my mum used to cook a roast dinner on Sundays. As a small child I remember enjoying Sunday meals but not liking Mondays when we ate leftover cold meat, usually served with bubble & squeak (the remains of cooked potatoes, cabbage etc from Sunday, reheated in a frying pan). Any meat left was usually minced & made into shepherd’s pie the next day. Unlike now, the most expensive meat was chicken - so my mum used to save a few pence every week then buy a chicken for our Sunday dinner when she had saved enough. It was a huge treat, part of the excitement was going to the shop together as a family to collect the chicken! For the Sundays when we had other meat it was less exciting. But writing this made me realise that it wasn’t just the housework that had a set routine, it was food too. Certain foods were eaten on the same day each week - perhaps it made shopping easier.
Brenda wrote: "My mother has similar rituals, which I assume were passed down from her mother. Monday is laundry day. Friday is shopping day. Although I’m afraid that’s all that was passed down. 😂😂"Hi Brenda,
😄 It's still tradition, abridged.
Trisha wrote: "It’s fascinating to read about different people who had such similar routines. Ruth, both my grandmothers & then my mum used to cook a roast dinner on Sundays. As a small child I remember enjoying ..."Hi Trisha,
Great family story!
I had no idea chickens were expensive.
How did your mum dress her special chicken?
I too enjoy reading about routines from past era-
rituals, precision and order. My mother broke
tradition by having Sunday roasts, a standing
comfort. My mom was also telling me about how
she and her grandmother, after the butcher,
they would stop by the a neighborhood chicken
coop, choosing the right hen the way we do a
Christmas tree- often times it came with an egg
inside. Great grandmother always had her plans,
she too save a bit extra on the side, she had bought
my wee mother a yellow smocked dress-
remember those?
With her leftover potatoes, she made fritters
with ham.
I remember hearing of leftover complaints, making
hash. Of course one had to eat what was in front
of them and to be grateful because there people
who didn't have anything to eat- it was a repeated
lesson in humility.
I like to read about food history of wartime cook-
books, domestic history is as important as the war.
Were your grandmother and mother industrious
handy with a needle, making whatever was needed,
nothing wasted?
Oh Ruth! I’m a town person, I couldn’t bear to go to choose a live chicken! As far as I remember, we had lamb, pork or beef in turn for our Sunday roast so I assume they were a reasonable price. I’m not sure, but think my mum had to order a chicken in advance rather than just going to buy it like the other meat. It was definitely more expensive, it was a rare treat perhaps only once in a couple of months. It was usually roasted just with some fat, surrounded by potatoes, carrots etc. None of us liked stuffing very much, but she made sage & onion stuffing sometimes & cooked it separately so it was crispy. Chickens then came with giblets, so she & I always had a giblet casserole another day - my dad wouldn’t eat it!Without the farmed fish we get now, fish was a very rare treat. I never understood why fish was a penance - fish on Good Friday was anticipated with great excitement!
My mum’s mother was good at sewing & started my own interest, helping me make dolls clothes from scraps of fabric.
Afternoon Tea and Scones with the Lovely Ladies
Books mentioned in this topic
Victory in The Kitchen: Wartime Recipes (other topics)Nella Last's Peace: The Post-War Diaries of Housewife, 49 (other topics)
Nella Last in the 1950s: The Further Diaries of Housewife, 49 (other topics)
Utterly fascinating! Yes, please do find out more if you can. Just reading of what people went through at home was shocking - air raids, and bombs going off... I can't imagine what she must have gone through with a job like that.