Dispatches

In the summer of 1934, the staff of CW Bailey & Son receive two telegrams…
 

WESTERN UNION
1934 AUG 31 PM 6
TO: ANN BAILEY C/O CW BAILEY & SON STACEY ST LONDON=
 
HULLO MS BAILEY ARRIVED IN CAPE TOWN STOP UNEVENTFUL VOYAGE STOP QUITE UNLIKE LONDON HERE BUT HAS A CHARM STOP MOST INTERESTING LOCAL CATTLE PRODUCE EXCELLENT QUALITY DAIRY BUT LOCAL TEA IS AWFUL STOP VISITING FLETCHER LABORATORY TOMORROW IF I CAN FIND A GOOD DRIVER STOP TRUST ALL IS WELL AT BOOKSTORE PLS GIVE RGRDS TO OUR COMPATRIOTS STOP YRS,=
CQ HANDLY

WESTERN UNION
1934 SEP 4 PM 11
TO: ANN BAILEY C/O CW BAILEY & SON STACEY ST LONDON=
 
CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES NECESSITATE EARLY DEPARTURE STOP PROFESSIONAL DISAGREEMENT RETURNING IMMEDIATELY VIA ALTERNATE ROUTE STOP MAY BE SOME TIME STOP NOT IN SENSE OF CPT OATES NO CAUSE FOR WORRY STOP RGRDS=
CQ HANDLY
PS DO NOT SELL MEGAPOLISOMANCY REPEAT DO NOT SELL