Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell

Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell of Beaminster - a lady in the know writing for @VoicesFrom1918 an arts project by ScreenPLAY See my blog for more

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

I know all about that - my dear husband Robert was Minister of War in his government. Read my diary at the Dorset History Centre @DorsetArchives @BeaminsterMuseu https://t.co/NMm6YpmDl3

[LRM @Elarem75]

I note the last #PrimeMinister to lose his first vote was Lord Rosebery in 1894, which is fitting since that’s about when @BorisJohnson is planning to return the #UK to with his reckless #nodeal catastrophe plan

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

You can listen to my 1918 diary - voiced by the wonderful actress Miss Margie Barbour @margiebarbour by downloading my podcast on iTunes - whatever that is! https://t.co/sWADO4SuAV @HeritageFundSW @shascreenplay @NerysW @artsdevco @ActivatePArts

[Dorset History Centre @DorsetArchives]

This week we have a guest blog from @VoicesFrom1918 and @LadyMonkswell about the wonderful diaries of Lady Monkswell which give an insight into local experience during the First World War.

https://t.co/YQLOXxtKXt

[Alastair Nisbet @alastair]

Looking for absorbing poolside listening this summer? Stories from a Dorset village in 1918 to download free on your phone or tablet: https://t.co/AN7PG0lIRj a ScreenPLAY project supported by the National Lottery @HeritageFundSW @NerysW @ActivatePArts @shascreenplay @artsdevco

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

Take a bow @margiebarbour for bringing my diaries to life so beautifully. Thank you my dear.

[Alastair Nisbet @alastair]

“great listening experience”... “brings personable accounts of life in First World War Britain wonderfully to life with enormous wit, passion and emotion.” 1918 The Year the World Changed - download and listen in iTunes https://t.co/ysX5RoqoOt @margiebarbour @HeritageFundSW

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

100 years on and I'm all over the newspaper - quite astonishing

[Voices from 1918 @VoicesFrom1918]

Hold the front page - double page spread about Voices from 1918 in today's Dorset Evening Echo - more on our blog www.voicesfrom1918 tomorrow @DorsetArchives @HeritageFundSW @shascreenplay @LadyMonkswell @NerysW @Dorsetecho @margiebarbour

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

If you have a minute, listen in to my podcast: 1918 The Year the World Changed with the voice of @margiebarbour production by @alastair and @shascreenplay - we'd love it if you could leave a line of feedback https://t.co/G2nutdWeqb

[Voices from 1918 @VoicesFrom1918]

You’re so far ahead of your time Fred. Letters and diaries are an extraordinary resource. Have a look at some on our blog: https://t.co/H33O2oWKrx from our 1918 writers @LadyMonkswell @mariestopes1918 @OliveHarcourt @JamesSansom230 produced with support of @heritagelottery

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

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

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

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 James Usborne. His body lies near Arras.

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

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.

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

Jan 22 1919 Three woodcock from E. To Mrs Hann abt 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 @ThisDayInWWI @DohertyTA @DorsetArchives

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

I am delighted to announce that my review of the past year performed by the charming Mrs Margie Barbour of Bridport is available to “download as a podcast from iTunes” whatever that means. It’s entitled 1918 The Year the World Changed @margiebarbour @HLFSouthWest @DorsetArchives

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

At the end of last month, Ambrose Pinney writes “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 mover the whole BEF” @IWM_Centenary @DorsetArchives

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

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.

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

January 18th 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 abt 19 months. @DorsetArchives @ww1lives

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

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!

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

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. @DorsetArchives

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

Rt in little dressing room: quite comfortable. So nice to have him sitting here. My heart lightened.

[Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell @LadyMonkswell]

Jan 16th 1919
To Maiden Newton to meet Robert. He looking much better. Fine walk 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. @DorsetArchives @margiebarbour