Fred and Nance Found

Lawrence Frederick 'Freddie' Heald & Annie 'Nance' Warwick Wilson

Back in March we introduced you to a cache of secret love letters that came into our saleroom. Found slumbering in an old writing box, tucked away in the back of an airing cupboard; they had been untouched by sixty swift years, slipping past their wooden walls. These papers were penned by Lawrence Frederick Heald and his beloved Nance, whom we came to the conclusion was named Annie Wilson due to a small cluster of ephemera associated with the stash. 

We asked for help finding the family in our local papers, and we even made the evening news. Thankfully a number of you recognised our pair, and got in touch, not least Fred and Nance’s nephew. So this is the conclusion to our love story, and like all good ones, it ends with a happily ever after. 

Let’s begin with Nance, who was indeed Annie, or to give her full name - Annie Warwick Wilson. Many of you contacted us to say that ‘Nance' or ‘Nancy’ is strangely an accepted hypocorism for Annie, just like John can be ‘Jack’. Presumably in the case of Annie this is based on the phonetic results, rather than the conventional first letter of name, or abbreviation. To her nephew however, she was known simply as Nan. 

1940s knitted bathing suit with county badges  

A very kind genealogist named Grace also got in touch via our Facebook page, and filled in the missing birth years for Annie - 4th March 1916 - making her 24 years old when she married 31 year old Fred in 1940. Many of you reached out to tell me that Annie was a music teacher, and had taught piano, both during the war and after. One very kind gentleman called to say he remembered her clearly, and that he could still play piano very well to this day. 

Annie was also a strong swimmer, and was indeed the focus of a newspaper clipping found in amongst the contents of the box. It featured a young girl; seated in the front row, wearing knitted costume and cap. I happened to be the auctioneer when one of these swim-suits came under the hammer a few years ago, and can share with you a detail of the badge. Chances are though, that Annie swam a few years earlier than the recipient of this bather (illustrated), as it dates to the latter years of the 1940s. Vintage swimwear does have its own particular market, and fashionable suits from the 1920s and 1930s can be sought after at auction. 

Identified: Annie (front) in a similar bathing suit

Fred and Nance’s nephew, the son of Annie’s brother Bobby, whom I previously described as ‘elusive’ due to his fractional mentions in the letters, was able to shed a little more light on the pair. Perhaps the most poignant question of all - did Fred return safely home? He did by the way, following the end of the war. According to Mr Wilson, Fred and Nance only saw each other once more following their 1940 wedding, right up until the end of the war was declared. He also provided a charming anecdote regarding Fred and Bobby, who met coincidentally, one being on his way out of the country, and the other on his way in. Fred and Nance lived together in Carlisle, where they remained until their passing. 

While love letters are instinctively private, by sharing those written by Fred and Nance we have not only re-united them with the family, but have also brought back to life a small moment in history. The past can seem so long ago, but through the words of our ancestors, and those of strangers, we can remain connected, and they can live again. In the words of notable philosopher George Santayana ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it’. 

Mr Wilson, Annie’s nephew, had the benefit of being close to Fred and Nance, who had no children of their own. He described them as dignified and private, which is why I will share no more now, other than the delightful photographs which he has provided. 

Georgina 

Fred in uniform at Nance's garden gate   -   Fred and Nance at a wedding   -   Nance and little brother Bobby

A happy ending: Paul hands over the letters to Fred and Nance's nephew