taggerty

During 1924-5 Harold grew a foot in twelve months and by his eighteenth birthday was 6′ 1½” tall.  In 1925 he was in his Leaving year at Melbourne Grammar, was a prefect and among other subjects was studying Greek and Roman History which remained a lifelong interest. Peg was a house captain at Fintona.  Around the time her friends issued that midnight feast invitation for her 16^thbirthday she cut off her plaits and assumed a fashionable bob. The first two of the photos below (all at Carron Vale) are annotated in an unfamiliar hand – probably by Archie’s friend Doug Perdriau.

Fintona Housemistress Vera Peters wrote another rather gushing letter to Con:

Fintona
Saturday

Dear Mrs. Beatty,

I really meant to write you back last night while I was waiting for the girls to come home from the dance; but my weekly washing & ironing of silks etc. took one until nearly 12 PM.

I only wish you could have had a peep at your little Peg as she went off to the dance – she really looked an absolute dream. I am just mad about her little frock it is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen – the only thing that was missing were the lovely plaits! But still she did look sweet and I couldn’t help feeling proud of them all as they got into their taxi.

Must fly to church now.
With love,
Yours very sincerely,
Vera Peters

The Blairs had a beach house at Mentone where the Beattys were frequent visitors. The photos below are probably 1925.

In October 1925, Harold turned eighteen. Peg has written “Harold in car 1925” on the back of this photo of the proud owner in his first car. Was the Hudson Super Six a Christmas present? Presumably it stayed at Carron Vale while he was at school during 1926?

According to his School Leaving Certificate, at the end of 1925 Harold had passed English, Mechanics, Physics, Greek and Roman History with honours in French. That should have got him into Melbourne Uni. Maybe Harold wanted to do still better though, because in 1926 and already eighteen, he went back to Melbourne Grammar.

He told us he did another year because he enjoyed being a prefect!  Prefects got to hand out cards like this one, duly signed by the parent of the recalcitrant and returned to the ‘master”. That’ll teach young Calthrop to loaf during “spares”!

On the back, Harold wrote out his test time-table, with reminders to swot.

Other joys of being a Melbourne Grammar prefect, or at least of being an older boy are illustrated below. On the left, HAP said they’re using the spider web of the obstacle course to hose the new boys. The centre picture is at the water jump during sports day in 1924. The new boys are in the water. Sturdie is on the left waving a stick, Harold himself is half visible on the right behind the structure. Calthrop and the others may have got their own back though: On the back of the right hand photo Peg (or Con?) has written: “1926. Harold in white in water being hosed – 2 prefects pushed in water by other boys end of year”

On April 24^th 1926, Stan Forster married Stella Hender, and both he and Gordon were less frequent Carron Vale visitors after that.

Peg’s closest friend by 1926 was Winnie Atkins. They seem to have been practically inseparable, and when apart, wrote to each other at least every second day for many years.  It looks as though in the May school holidays 1926, Peg went to stay with the Atkins family in Terang for the first time. With an envelope so addressed Hilda writes:

Carron Vale
Mooroolbark

 Pog darling,

You have arrived & I guess are feeling tired & excited & strange – but what a glorious time you & Winnie are going to have – the 2 little merry widows what!

Miss Wad is in the thick of your packing at present – there are little piles of your clothes all over the dining room & Miss Wad with a list of what’s to be sent pinned on her front.  Mr. Groth caught a possum in a tree they chopped down yesterday – it had got hurt in the fall so he killed it & this morning he made a fire in the yard & roast [sic] it for Mike. My dear I wish you could have seen him with it – he was a scream…

Must stop now darling – Petrie is just going – give my love to Winnie & ask her to give you an extra kiss tonight from me

Hilda

Some other things have clearly changed at Carron Vale. They have lost Stymie, now replaced with Mike, and Hogan has been replaced with Petrie

A few days later Hilda writes:

“My darling Pog,

Aren’t you having beautiful weather for the holidays & I suppose you have quite settled down into the bosom of the family & almost feel as if you were Peggy Atkins.

Did you know I had been brought to bed of the influenza? Inset is a picture of me in bed with a trained nurse attending me [very rough sketch]. We only had her for a day… She was an awfully bright, kind little nurse but oh my dear the horror of being sponged by a strange woman… however I will be able to get up tomorrow & mummy is very much better so we will be able to manage quite well.

Harold & Don have been out riding all afternoon & have just come home with a wonderful gallop over the paddocks. Don seems a very nice boy but I have really hardly seen him. I don’t think he’s much of a tennis player because I hear Harold out there giving him instructions how to take this ball & that. Mr. & Mrs. Outhwaite rode over on Saturday to see how we were & they have asked Harold & Don to go over for tennis one day.

Now darling I must stop. It is nearly dark & I haven’t a lamp yet. Give my love to Winnie & don’t forget to kiss one another for me every night.

Mikey [the dog] has been so sweet to me while I have been sick. He comes round & talks to me every morning. I do hope he doesn’t get influenza.

Hilda”

 In July 1926 Archie went to Woodend for a holiday with Lynn Kirk, and while their husbands were away, Con went to the Kirk’s home in Sandringham to stay with Marian. Archie kept the following letters:

 Lavengro
14 Jennings St.
Sandringham
Sunday 9 am 18/7/26

 I loved your letter sweetheart. I am so glad you are writing, for your letters are as good as a tonic to me. I read & read them.

What glorious weather you are having. Dear little Peggy & Winnie came down yesterday. Peg is looking so well & very bright. She loved everything & we had a picnic lunch out here. It was very nice. Frank came down & worked at wireless all the afternoon. Peggy & W. left here at 4.20. They tea[?] at half past 5 o’clock & I wanted them to get to Richmond before the football rush. Mrs. Blair has invited Harold & Peggy to stay the night. Yesterday Dorothy & Mrs. Sutherland blew in. They didn’t stay very long, D. looking well, but tires easily – brought a huge bunch of lovely flowers. I went to sleep early. I am getting an appetite, really feel hungry. I am sorry you did not write a day earlier about Harold. I think this is a spare weekend & how he would have enjoyed the trip. Next Friday he will be at the dance & couldn’t catch an early train Saturday morning – still if you want him to come up very much he could get the midday – but of course he might be on duty Sunday – you let me know darling. This week would have been ideal. You would be quite right sweetheart about May, but she only came the twice I told you about & has not been here since, so that is alright isn’t it? I suppose it was such a long time since May had seen me – she really hasn’t the time.  I have had lovely red roses & irises from C. Vale Miss Wad sent me. It is lunch now. Frank has been doing wireless; Marian dinner & I have been resting.  Marian is very strict with me but so sweet & when people ring up, she says I cannot see them etc.  It will be wonderful to see you again. If only we had a smaller property. Peggy was thrilled when I told her you might write to her. I suppose you sent Lillian’s gift – we must try & remember the date & send a wire. I do not know the date. Do you?  Love to Lynn & lots & lots for you darling & I am longing to see my adorable sweetheart.

Your loving little girl

  

Fintona Presbyterian Girls’ Grammar School
Camberwell (crossed out) Hawthorn
July 18^th

 My darling Daddy,

Just a little letter to let you know how I am progressing. Winnie and I went down to Sandringham yesterday and spent the day with Mummy and Marian – we had a beautiful day. Frank was down there for the week-end and we all had a picnic lunch out on the verandah. Tell Lynn that I am madly in love with his adorable little home. I am also very fond of Chummy and Paddy. In the afternoon Dorothy Blair and Mrs. Sutherland motored down. We left at about half-past four and in the evening Win and I played bridge with Miss Peters and another girl. This morning I got up early and went to communion with Miss Peters – we had a beautiful service, and it seemed to be quite different from the one we have in our church. I went to church at eleven o’clock with the other girls – Charles Hudson, Chaplain of the navy was preaching.

I suppose you know that Harold and I are going to a dance that Winifred and Alison are giving next Friday night.

It is nearly time for Sunday School so must close – Hoping that you and Lynn are having a beautiful holiday together, and that you will both be all the better after your change.

With my very best love to you both
From your loving daughter
Peggy

Win sends her love to you Daddy

 

14 Jennings St.
Sandringham
24/7/26

 My dearest sweetheart, I am sure it must be very cold at Woodend tonight & I just wish I was there with you. The weather is cold here but most enjoyable after Thursday – wasn’t it a day? Harold & Peggy rang me up today. They enjoyed the dance very much. Peggy went home by the 1.15PM & Harold went back to School & is coming down to see me tomorrow afternoon. I am so relieved because he will not be on that awful motor bicycle. Last Saty he and Stan[?]went to golf on it & had an awful time coming home, had to come home past Dr. Cross’s & had to walk most of time. Next week he will be with you, so that will be a great relief. I hear you are coming back on Monday week. Could you arrange to get Mr. Groth or Mr. Parkinson to come down with Lynn here & take me back to Melbourne? I would like to be in Melb on Monday so I will not have any rush – in case my teeth take longer & I do not want to have more than one appointment a day – dearest do arrange this for me – I think it is easy – Lynn could drop you at the mill & pick up Mr. G or Mr. P.

Con at Carron Vale

Pip came down for tea tonight. He is well & would like to come to C. Vale when you return. Clovis Brelay[?] rang up Friday & she wants to come down tomorrow – so there will be Frank, Harold & Clovis. Harold hasn’t seen the latter for years has he? No word from Lillian re presents – did the firm send a note saying they were sending them? Now darling I must close. I hope you are feeling better & better. It will be wonderful to see you again. I wish I could return strong & well too. Last few days not very good. I think Thursday knocked me out, but I cannot expect to get quite well in a fortnight can I? Do let me know about Monday darling & try to do what I ask, please.

Love & kisses sweetheart from your loving little girl

[On back of envelope] Harold coming

 Melbourne Church of England Grammar School,
Domain Rd.
South Yarra
Wednesday 10.45 p.m. [28/7/26]

 Dear Dad,

I am sorry that I did not write to you earlier, but I have had two exams this week, and been very busy, and Mummy told me she would let you know that I was coming, so I thought it would be all right. I will catch the 4.50 train from town on Friday afternoon. I don’t know what time it gets to Woodend, but I hope somebody will be there to meet me as I haven’t the faintest idea where your hotel is. I think I had better go to bed now as it is just eleven o’clock, so goodbye till Friday

From your loving son
Harold

 

14 Jennings St.
Sandringham
Thursday 29/7/26

 My own dear love, I was pleased to receive your letter. I am ever so glad to hear you are enjoying yourself & I hope you are feeling quite fit. I hope you will write to me before the weekend. I do hope the Dr. will help me, but I think it is the old intestines & I think the life I lead is the wrong one – my head is so much better, free from a head[ache?] nearly every night & I am feeling better this week & I think you will be pleased when you see me. Stella & Stan came down last night both looking splendid. Frank came down. He was at the Semco[?] – I made an awful faux pas – I said to Frank “Are you going to the Kemico[?] in the morning?”!!  Well anyway I always get mixed up & they should not have a name like Kemico – now don’t you tell Lynn because I do not want anyone to say it to Frank, don’t darling –

I hope you are good & not telling anyone I am going to see a Dr., only the dentist. Isn’t this a perfect day? Perfect for golf. The hospital cannot have me until 5 o’clock Monday. It will be glorious to see you darling.

This is just a note & I hope I will receive one from you on Friday or Saty – my love to Lynn & I will see him on Monday about Marian’s gift. Lots & lots of love my very dear adorable sweetheart

From your loving little girl

Had a note from Mrs. Outhwaite. She misses you on the train & hopes you will not give up tennis for golf!!

xxxxxxxxx I am out of envelops [sic] so pardon this

 

Mrs. Outhwaite’s fears about Archie’s sporting interests expressed above were well grounded. In August 1925, Archie was a member of the committee which voted to take up the offer to purchase land to establish the Croydon Golf Club which became a major interest for the rest of his life.

 At the end of 1926 Harold left Melbourne Grammar, later remembering his schooldays fondly as the happiest time of his life.

He kept his school cap and a metre long blue ribbon embroidered with the school crest. Like his father, Harold was naturally athletic and good at many sports. At school he was the captain of shooting; rowed for the second “Eight”; was the school breaststroke champion; competed for his house in athletics, football, swimming, boxing and tennis and won the “House colours”. Maybe that’s what the blue ribbon represents?

Presumably he passed additional subjects and earned other honours by repeating his last year of school, but I can’t find another certificate.  In any case, his thoughts about the future didn’t include academia. He loved the outdoors. Gwen said the extended family had all assumed that Harold would go to university and were surprised and disappointed that he didn’t want to.  She said someone remarked “It’s a pity Harold was so spoiled”, which someone else seems to have (not so kindly) passed on to him. He looked at it quite differently though, and said to Mum much later “In what way was I spoiled? My mother neglected me and I was packed off to boarding school at age eleven!”

In winter 1927 he went skiing at Mt. Feathertop with some friends from his school rowing crew. They stayed at the new Feathertop Bungalow on Bungalow Spur, 1,000 feet below the summit. It had eight bedrooms with four beds in each, a large dining and lounge room, two bathrooms and a kitchen, electric light and hot water. During the evenings there was, according to the brochure, “Dancing, Gramaphone, Wireless” The weekly tariff of 8 pounds 8/6 included 1^st class return railway fare from Melbourne and transit to the bungalow.