My Dear Chick: A New Zealand Love Story, 1911-1948

(Paperback)

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Description

The story of a 10 year courtship told through diaries and letters from the Great War and rural New Zealand. Between 1916-19 Len Wilton, a young Wairarapa farmer, was 'away at the war', serving on the Western Front, including at Passchendaele. Unwell, and close to a breakdown, he later spent time at Brockenhurst Hospital in England. Meanwhile, at home, neighbouring farmer's daughter Ilma McLachlan carried on with her life which she recorded in her diaries. Len's letters to his 'Chick' and Ilma's diaries form the heart of this book which also records their early and later lives.

Author Bio

Beth Sutherland has always been keenly interested in her family's history. A farmer's wife for 30 years, a passionate gardener and artist, she is Ilma and Len Wilton's youngest daughter.