Letter from Marian to Peter Haycraft Dibdin at the time of
Lionel and Cecily’s premature death in a plane crash.

20 Bruce Street Toorak

April 10 1933

My dear Peter

It is hard to write when I could have so much better shown my sympathy f I were near. When you were a baby, I had been through a great sorrow & went to see you all.

Your dear Father took me by the arm & walked me away round the garden & spoke in his old immutable way to me & comforted me as I had not known to be comforted before. So now I feel as if was still here & as I know he is with you in spirit – urging one be brave & go on as he did. I think he was finer for his brave clean spirit than for anything else. The night before he was married I remember him saying that it was good for a man to know he had ancestors behind him it helped in difficult times. He made a speech that I have never forgot – with all his so called erratic character he had an intense fine character and high ideals. More at home know the last ten years of his life I have missed but I know him best as a boy and all his brave struggle against ill health & medical neglect. I think too his heart was nearly broken when Stanley died but he had a sure faith & belief that helped him to carry on. He may not have left you material wealth but he has left you a wealth of happy memories and your mother’s faith & love for him. I need not worry for Joan - I know she has so many dear relations & friends, but my dear boy, as I found your Father closer to me than anyone at times of terrible so keep Joan’s closeness to you. She needs you to be that one she can always hold too –

You won’t be able to write yet awhile but after your lives have readjusted, keep in touch with a word now & then or a snap or something even a post card. Good luck to your work I wish Uncle Joe were in England, He could have helped you most of all.

My love to you behave & be happy too, your dear mother would wish it. I knew & loved her since we were girls

Ever your loving Aunt Marian

The day I left the Studio after Uncle Paul left for Australia, your mother & Father stayed with me all day & looked after me. I never forgot her kindness. She was a real sister to me & I loved her & will always love her for it.