Hard Times

Hard Times

March 1931

It has been 2 weeks since my husband, Bruce, was shipped to Nelson with a group of other men to get money for their families. So I am staying here in Wellington with seven demanding children trying to keep the house and survive. It’s hard with the kids; they are a real handful, always jumping around and always hungry which is a shame seeming we don’t have enough food to make a sustainable meal for each of us.

April 1931

It has now been 6 weeks since Bruce left, yet - he has no money for us yet. The kids are getting bigger and I need to mend their clothes.

May 1931

Eight weeks have past since my darling husband left. I made new clothes for the kids.

I’m sorry but it pains me to say but I have started stealing. I stole wool from the wool shop and food from the market. Me and my friends have been begging for money on the streets and my life is going down hill. I miss Bruce and hope he comes back soon.

June 1931

I received good news in the mail today. Bruce said he was coming home in September. My face instantly lit up. Looking in the envelope again I saw some money that would last for about a month.

When my children got home I told them that we were eating properly tonight. They were thrilled and that night I read them the note. We decided to write back and this is what we wrote:

Dear Bruce

We all miss you and can’t wait till you come back. The children and I are very grateful for the money. Little Bobby lost his first tooth today and Margaret learnt how to ride her bike  Tony is learning piano at the church, Dorothy broke her arm but is ok. Malcolm has got a job ringing the bells at church. Roger wants to play the violin but we have no money. Heather is singing all the time. I found out that I am 5 months pregnant.

Love you always,

from Anne, Margaret, Tony, Dorothy, Roger, Malcom and Little Bobby

August 1931

I woke up to the sound of glass shattering and people yelling. At the window, I saw a riot going on. Everyone was screaming outside. It was havoc. All of a sudden Little Bobby started crying; the riot must of woken him up. Bruce is back tomorrow.  

September 1931

Bruce came back 5 days ago. He brought enough money to last us a while, but with the always-hungry children it will most likely be gone in the next week. We had an argument the other night about him leaving again. He said he was departing in a few days but will come back soon.

By Isabel Hutton,

Clyde Quay School, Year 8

Isabel@clydequay.school.nz