Description:Marian Janet Greeves (née Cadbury) enrolled with the British Red Cross in April 1915 at the age of twenty-one. Like her brother Laurence she saw service in Belgium during World War One. As a Red Cross nurse Mollie served with the 22nd Division of the Worcester Regiment until September 1917. This letter is one of only a few written by Mollie Cadbury to her parents that can be found the Cadbury papers at Birmingham University Special Collections. The letter is dated 26 April 1915 and was written shortly after her initial arrival in France to work at Queen Alexandra’s Hospital, Abbeville. Prior to enlisting, Mollie underwent nursing training at The Queen’s Hospital, Birmingham, which she began in January 1915. Evidence of her progress is recorded in Elizabeth Cadbury’s family circular, and from these letters we learn that Mollie was assisting in operations whilst based in the Men’s Surgical Department within her first month of enrolment.
Portions of this letter were censored. This was a common occurrence when the author recorded details that were deemed inappropriate such as locations of hospitals and details of casualties. This process caused great frustration for those sending letters back home as well as for family members receiving them. Laurence Cadbury was particularly frustrated at the level of censorship applied to his letters.<small><sup>1</sup></small> Even with censorship, Mollie’s letter is still fairly detailed. She gives a short account of her accommodation at a local villa, which she shared with her friend Olga, and she also gives an indication of what leisure time was available. Mollie’s referenced the Bournville works on two occasions, firstly regarding a high ranking French military officer who had visited the works and published an account of his visit, and secondly Mollie requests some home comforts which included ‘some little red and blue Bournville and Milk Neapolitans’.<small><sup>2</sup></small>
Marian married Bill Greeves, a member of the Friends Ambulance Unit, on 14 February 1918. They moved to Ireland during the same year when he became Managing Director of the Portland Down Weaving Company.<small><sup>3</sup></small> It is here in Ireland that Mollie became a prominent politician. Whilst her brothers', Laurence and Bertie, war services are recorded in Bournville Works and the War: 1914-1919 Mollie’s war service is not mentioned - this might be because Mollie did not play an active role in the company.
<font color="#666633"><small><sup>1</sup> Letter from Laurence Cadbury to his parents, 29 April 1915 [UBSC: MS327/A/1/13]
<sup>2</sup> Letter from Mollie Cadbury to her parents, Monday 26 April 1915, p.2
<sup>3</sup> Meaburn Tatham and James E Miles (eds), The Friends Ambulance Unit 1914-1919</small></font>