Description:Duchess Millicent's letters from her children tell us a great deal about the lives of children living in the early twentieth century. George’s letters in particular inform us about fashion and the types of sweets which were popular at this time. A school report enclosed with his letters home also tell us about life at school in the early 1900s.
George’s school report from December 1901 from Summer Fields tells us that he was seen as ‘fairly casual’ and that he ‘could do so much better if he tried his best’. The report concludes stating ‘he dislikes using his quite capable brains’. However, the report also describes George as ‘bright, happy & goodtempered’.
Many of George’s letters list in detail clothing which he wanted Duchess Millicent to buy for him. In one letter he writes ‘next holidays will you get me some of those collars, which are like Eaton collars but stick up much more like most of the masters wear, They are so nice and smart’. He also asks for ‘some white buckskin (not canvas) shoes’ and ‘a coat & waistcoat of white flannel to match my white flannel trousers’.
In another letter George lists the sweets which he liked including ‘chocolate caramels, caramels, marquis chocolate, barley-sugar, walnuts, roast chestnuts, assorted sweets’.
George’s letters are very amusing, particularly where he includes drawings. In one letter he sent his mother a picture of her with the Duke of Marlborough in which the Duke is described as ‘trying to shoot a bear’ with the Duchess ‘screaming with fright in the background’.