Letter from Andrew Alexander Pettigrew to Ivor Miles Windsor-Clive, 2nd Earl of Plymouth, 29 July 1928

Copy

The R.H. the E. of P.,
29/7/28

My Lord,

You have, no doubt, received a letter from my brother Hugh by this post asking your Lordship to grant him leave of absence during the month of August, to enable him to take a holiday with me in Germany.

He is in a condition of health at present bordering on a nervous breakdown, which, he thinks, is due to a recurrence of malaria contracted abroad some years ago. He has had no holiday, excepting a few odd week-ends, since the war, & I am confident that the proposed holiday, with an entire change of surroundings, and in my company, will be beneficial. It is not possible for me to get away at any other time than August, our vacation month.

When I first proposed it to him on Friday, he refused utterly, on the ground that he could not be away at a time when your Lordship is in residence. He was, however, obviously attracted by the prospect of such a holiday & change, & after some argument on my part, backed by his wife, he agreed to accompany me, provided he obtained your Lordship's consent.

I sincerely hope that your Lordship will not only give this consent, but will make it clear to him that it is your desire that he should go with me.

I may say that I had already completed arrangements for the trip, with young Andrew [Andrew Hugh Pettigrew (1912-1994)] as my companion, leaving next Thursday, & returning on the 28th August. The time will be spent mainly on the Rhine (& its neighbourhood) between Cologne & Baden Baden.

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Under the circumstances Andrew will not accompany us.

I have not informed my brother that I am writing to your Lordship.

(Doc Ref: 2008.035)