My father, Lionel Shannon (Chandos 37), passed away in 2011 and it has taken me until now to find this letter amongst his belongings. My father’s engagement was listed in The Times on 15 January 1951, this caught the eye of a 63-year-old JF Roxburgh, who was not in the best of health at the time, and prompted him to write a letter of congratulations. It reads:
My dear Lionel,
It’s nice to find one piece of cheering news in The Times!
Congratulations on today’s announcement – and may all your dreams come true!
How wise you are to have decided to delay matrimony no longer – and how lucky you are to have persuaded the lady of your choice to share your view of the matter! Things do not always work out like that. Anyway, good luck to you!
Ever yours
JF Roxburgh
P.S. This note needs no reply
It amazes me that he not only recognised my father’s engagement announcement but that he also took the time, that day, to write to him. They certainly don’t make them like that anymore.
Nick Shannon (Walpole 75)