October 1914 William to Gwendoline Bragg

In the Autumn of 1914 William Henry Bragg was invited to give a lecture tour of North America. While it was obviously a great opportunity, with the nation at war he must have had mixed feelings about going abroad and leaving his family, particularly with Lawrence and Robert in the army.

Oct 25

My dearest Gwen

We have a pilot I find who takes letters ashore at Dover, so I am writing to you to send my love.

The boat is awfully nice, very roomy & comfortable: good meals and cabins. I have one to myself, with a wardrobe and sofa & even nests[?] of pockets, right in the middle of the ship.

There is a young American who seems anxious to chum up, he is an electrical engineer who has been working near Zurich in Switzerland. He is rather a prig but quite lively and keen. There seem to be a good many nice people on board and I expect to meet they presently. Several are French or Belgian. There are 100 passengers all together, which makes the ship about two thirds full: there are only 1st class passengers. The decks are very [unbroken]: it gives rather an open, ample feeling.

Just seen a monitor, a submarine and four destroyers. I expect we shall see lots more about Dover; if it is not too dark, but we are not there by any means yet & it is 5.15.

I sent a message by Charlie about proofs. I thought if Bill could let me have a set as soon as convenient, I could see to the references & papers being correct and moreover I should find them very useful.

I sent a pc[?] to Roger Rillhorn: told him to call at Rough House in a fortnight’s time for orders: & said he would have to take you out two afternoons a week.

Goodbye you dearest of things. I know you will take care of yourself won’t you. My love to Gwendy.

Will

Photos courtesy of the Royal Institution of Great Britain. RI MS WLB/95f/1

Notes and General Information

This is a quick note written just as they set sail. Mostly describing the ship and his fellow passengers rather than questions about home which would not be answered for several days.

The reference to Rough House is their home address, although Gwendoline is currently staying in London.

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