Lady Mary’s diary 26.12.18

Ethel and Collingwood looking well and happy. President Wilson is met by King George and taken to Buckingham Palace, this brilliant day. I walked up to Hackthorne, nearly four miles.

To Mrs Partridges clever acting in the evening. “1 Contrasts: 2 Backward Child: 3 Don’t let the Lady go.” Hall packed. I congratulated Mrs Partridge and walked up the hill and saw a most magnificent sunset. “The heavens declare the Glory of God.”

Lady Mary’s diary 28.12.18

The Elections declared Saturday night. An astonishing majority for Coalition ie Lloyd George. Asquith and his party out. Pacifists out.

Tuesday 31st December I am too near it at present to estimate what we have lost and gained by the Great War. We know that a new world has opened. There is not one of us that has not suffered agonies. All our soldiers - in the family - have returned except dear and clever James Usborne. His body lies near Arras.

Monday 30 December

Ethel and Colingwood drove with us to meet at Hook (Cattistock Hounds) We saw them throw off and heard “the music”. Within 300 yards of home, Ethel discovered she had lost her precious beautiful wrist watch. In great agitation we returned the four miles and there in the mud in the lane we found it, quite clean and uninjured - a small miracle!

Lady Mary’s diary 1.1.1919

Went to village Fancy Dress Ball in hall. Met my friends, tradesmen and cook disguised beyond recognition. Danced Lancers with Mr Kit in uniform. Much amused. (public much pleased) Read précis for this last awful and wonderful year. Victory and Peace.

Jan 2nd 1919 To Mrs Pinney’s party at hall. Children of all ages from Mr Kit (75) with whom I danced Pas-de-quatre; some 50 of them, also Lady Peto, Pinney and her children. Gertrude in blue looking pretty, most of them in white w floating hair. Berlin threatened by Bolshivism “the Chickens indeed coming home to roost.”

4th Jan 1919 Rain and snow.

This worst day of the winter I met old Dr Daniel (he has been in bed w. an influenza cold lately) I said “Oh Doctor are you wise to be out?” He replied with a cunning smile: My dear lady, If I stay indoors today, what shall I do when I am old ?” Dr D is 82 !

Tues 7th Jan 1919

Sailor Sidney Pomeroy came to see me: he was at Rosyth and Scapa Flow and saw the German Navy surrender. He helped search a big German warship, armed with a revolver and gas mask ready.

Weds 8th Jan 1919 - Letter from Agnes Phillimore inviting me to Carn House for the opening of parliament. She writes: “I don’t know when it will be or how we are to dress. We intend going but there will be a great rush for places.”

[Mary's friend Agnes is wife of High Court Judge and Peer, Walter Phillimore and mother of Godfrey who had just been released from a German prisoner of war camp and wrote a book about his experiences.]

Lady Mary’s diary Sat 11 Jan 1919

Small fancy dress party Doreen J’s, she in Egyptian dress, BVJ as cook. I took the great trouble of getting into my Queen Katherine of Aragon black velvet dress, tiara and veil. DVJ’s eyes gleaming green, excited. Supper and games

Lady Mary’s diary: Jan 16th 1919

To Maiden Newton to meet Robert. He looking much better. Fine walk with him thro’ Parnham, we sheltered in stable, up hill to Netherbury - saw the splendid golden sunset and talked about the Victory, the family, little Lorna. A capital good hour. Rt in little dressing room: quite comfortable. So nice to have him sitting here. My heart lightened.

Lady Mary’s diary: Friday 17th January 1919

Had a fine walk with Robert, the dark lane, Warren Hide. The view as beautiful and more strange than on a Summer day: 11 to 1. Have not been up there for months.

Lady Mary’s diary: Saturday 18th January 1919

Robert returned to Weymouth, taking with him some London clothes - an excellent sign. His appearance altered, moves briskly, he is much better: brought in writing things and worked a lot at something.

He has now been home about 19 months. I think his worst moments were at Seatown in June. He speaks of attending opening of Parliament of finding a house or flat in town!

I drove with him to Maiden Newton & on the ridge on my return, I met the Cattistock hounds, delightful sight, the master Mr Milson a daughter and two whips in pink, little Loo sitting on my lap barking furiously. Splendid sunset.

Lady Mary’s diary: Tuesday 21st January 1919

At the end of last month, Ambrose Pinney wrote “I am quite certain the if the Huns were to attack tomorrow and we were ordered up to “take them on” there would be an extraordinary wave of cheerfullness over the whole BEF”

Jan 22nd 1919 Three woodcock from E. To Mrs Hann about daughter Constance’s VAD letters from Boulogne: she poor thing heartbroken by son Cecil’s death: told me long interesting story of her clever brothers. Seemed so glad to pour out

Lady Mary’s reflections on 1918 in her 1919 diary

I am too near it at present to estimate what we have lost and gained by the Great War. We know that a new world has opened. There is not one of us that has not suffered agonies. All our soldiers - in the family - have returned except dear and clever James Usborne. His body lies near Arras.

I am very nearly ashamed but not quite ashamed of the way I have behaved. I said to myself during the first terrible months August 1914 - January 1915 and during the last German advance March 21 to July 18 “There is nothing you will regret so deeply as to have thought that England will not be Victorious - keep out of that whatever happens” and I did.

This year (1919) I have entered my 70th year, the limit - and must stand close up to the Golden Gates. I have as it were walked twice through all the emotions. Once in myself and once in my children. I don’t want to have to go through it again in my grandchildren.

What I want: the wide smooth sea, the rapture of Spring, the sunset, light on the snow, the starry heavens, the beautific vision...

Lady Mary died in her 80th year in 1930 and is laid to rest in the cemetery in Beaminster - surrounded by many of the friends and family she writes about in her diary.