Wright Family Album

Abbots  Langley and Mombasa (1911-1915)

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We came to England in October for our first furlough and made our headquarters with father's mother and sister at Abbots Langley.  His mother was an invalid and naturally was much cheered by having her eldest son with her.

Father was much in demand as a preacher and speaker at missionary meetings.  I remember how proud I was when I heard him speak at a crowded C.M.S. meeting in the Albert Hall.  There were no amplifiers in those days, but he was heard in every part of the Hall.

On Sept. 5th 1911 Gordon was born and what .a perfect baby we thought him.  When he was six weeks old we returned to our work in Mombasa. It was sad for father saying goodbye to his mother.  She was still an invalid and died the following January much to his sorrow.

The next four years were spent in Mombasa. We had most enjoyable holidays from time to time in the hills where the air was cool and most invigorating and where the colour came back into the children's cheeks.

Elizabeth (Betty) was born the following year in October and Philip in September 2 years later.  We had two ayahs to help with the children so I was able in a small way to devote some of my time to missionary work.

Pictures of Gordon and Betty with GWW
Betty GWW Gordon  Betty and Gordon Betty & Hugh  Betty  Betty and Hugh with GWW 

Gordon,  Philip and Betty (with AMW and rickshaw)
Gordon, Philip and Bety  AMW, Betty, Phil, Gordon in rickshaw

Father's days were spent in visiting Europeans and Africans, having classes for instruction for the latter - open air meetings and night school in the evenings.  I remember, so well, how he used to come home in the evenings about 8 p.m. tired out he must have been after the day’s work, but without a thought for himself he used to take the baby from me and walk up and down the veranda till he or she was asleep. He took part in four services on Sundays - 8 a.m. Holy Communion, Morning and Afternoon Services for Africans, Evening Service for Europeans, as well as holding a Service in the gaol.

As well as all this work in Mombasa., he did a good deal of itinerary work during those four years, travelling amongst the people in the Digo Country, south of Mombasa, preaching and giving out simple medicines. These people had not been brought into contact with Christianity before and were eager to take in all he had to tell them.

Doris was on the way when our next furlough was due and we left for England in October 1915.  Not a very comfortable voyage with three small children.  We had to tranship at Durban, and when nearing England expected every day to be torpedoed, as the first world war was on.


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