| Description | Letter from Amelia Nyasa Laws, 7, Via Venti Settembre, Rome, to her relatives, trying to rest with Aunt after all the arrangements and business of the funeral, visit from Miss Lexie Ross and Adele has exhausted Aunt, she is better than expected, telegram received to 'Come at once' on 1st. March but delays because of railway strike and trying to get permission to leave, telegram saying 'Double pneumonia' then arrived, the Med.-Chef. helped her all he could, seen off by some of the nurses, comfortable journey, further delays in Paris, onward journey would have been bad but an American marine corps of 46 looked out for ladies in uniform and gave up seats to them, hurried to the manse but was too late to say goodbye to Uncle, encloses the intimation [MS 3290/2/345] that was on the noticeboard downstairs, Aunt was not expecting her so early but Maria broke the news gently, visit from Mr. Webster and Mr. Street to take them to the Testaccio for the interment, Amelia very sorry that she missed the Friday service, beautiful Italian address by Signor Giampiccoli, Mr. Gibson and Mr. Benton did everything and Aunt was well-supported, Hale Benton, Paul and Guido Rossi and Signor Vita were the pallbearers of the 'loved burden', the service was attended by the Ambassador Sir George Buchanan, Archdeacon Sissons, and representatives from 'every Italian church', the mourning drapery which Amelia had made two years before was used for the first time but could hardly be seen behind the floral tributes, description of the simple service at the Testaccio, Uncle had been determined to go to Malta, he was in good humour and has given them happy memories, Aunt has been wonderful and their friends have been supportive, and the end was merciful and quick, wondering how her parents have taken the news. |