July 2025

Appendix 6

Letter form Lionel to his brother Rex

Avondale

Grosvenor Avenue

Carshalton

19.4.23

Dear Rex

Just a line to ask how you are getting on and to wish you the best of luck and that you may soon put on a bit more ways and feel fitter.

I shall be glad to have hear how you passed your time and if you are a comfortable, and if there is anything inexpensive that you want.

I hear from father that you are better and that he sends cigarettes.

Do you get about much all greed.

We are all well here and I hope if I get a good month financially to be able to run down and look you up one week end. 

Marian is better and has heard good news from Paul.

Margaret is still waiting and I’d keep busy and am looking forward to the summer weather which is better for my job.

Well best of luck and good wishes old man, I shall be glad to hear from you soon

Lionel

From Marian to her brother Rex from Australia

20 Bruce St

Toorak

Australia

My Dear Rex

My love to you and very best wishes for Christmas.  If we hear of you and your work from earth mother fell to do write if you can. I hope Joe is with you and you find him well and cheery.  Out here and we feel sharply away from things; one gets the echoes of discovery and progress but our press gives little of the interest.  I am much pleased you are so if this he.  You would like Asian he has a keen brain which is very inventive already at present he is making up a if patter song if about the real life keen off and a magic queen if move will be here.  He is probably up to mischief with the aid box of cigarettes if kept for visitors.

I expect you see or hear my letters to mother with what news there is to tell.  Not much.  I could write on manners and customs endlessly but I will reserve it.  Perhaps in a little while I shall dislike them less.  There is a lot that is good especially if fifth for the life of the general worker, not his children if I fear.

Look out for this staff Amory stiff determine if he may have something to say.  If

My love to you and my best wishes for you for your work.

If ever you’re loving sister Marian.

From Ethel Rex’s sister

516 Orchard Avenue

Bellvue Pittsburgh P.A.

25^th July 1933

Dear Rex

Please old boy, forward the enclosed to Joan and Peter and Joe asked me to return the photos to you.  I hope one day Mr. Gele will be able to do the same for me in a niche near Mother and Dad’s.

The shock just stumped me and Joe felt it very much.  Leo has been so good to him and his last letter to me begged me to come and stay with him and Cecily for a while.

I would appreciate any Sutton Paper and London Paper cuttings to keep with those that mother sent of Dad.  The above address will reach me, or if later than August 31 better send-  c/o Charlton Nursing Company, Cutler Building, Rochester New York. as we may be there at the home again.

You know, as I know, old man, there’s not much in need of letters or words between us.  I never forget how you and Leo said goodbye to me the day before I left England and you are still each standing beside me now. 

?...? !  and good luck to you, dear old boy, until we see each other again.

As always Ethel

From Rex to a Solicitor regarding
Partnership with his Father   And reply

From The old manor Salisbury

16 July 1923

Bernard Dale esq.  Messrs Dale and co Solicitors

Cornhill

Dear Mr. Dale

I desire your advice as to what action can be properly taken to enforce my agreement of partnership with my father, and my agreement of division of profits from the sale of slate to Biologicals Slate Beds Limited (the company which acquired my brother’s business under licence from my father).

The position is as follows:-

Partnership: in September 1914 I waived all drawings on Dibdin and son and served in the Forces.  On my return to civil life in 1916 I was met by the attitude that their was not sufficient business to support my wife and myself as well as the others dependent on it.

I have therefore, with varying success, earned my living in other ways until last Christmas………. 

Rex Dibdin

From Dale and Co.

Dear Dibdin

This is to acknowledge your letter of the 24th instant, the contents of which I will give my attention when digested.  It was a pleasure to me to hear from you after our long absence, brought about by the outbreak of war.