Aunty Rosie's Teaching Certificate

This preliminary examination for the English Teachers' Certificate was issued in 1930, when aunty was only 21. She had "satisfied" the examination in English Language & Literature, Elementary Mathematics, History & Geography, and in the following optional subjects: Drawing and Child Literature.

On the back is a list of the schools where aunty taught. From 1931 to 1939, she taught at St. Mary's Girls" English School, Negombo. After a break of two years (possibly for her marriage), she taught at St. Mary's School in Avissawella for two years. From 1946 to 1950, she was at St. Anne's Girls' School, Wattala.

She retired on July 14 1968 from Zahira College, Gampola. 

Letter from grandpa to daughter Rosie

Lewis Place

13.11.43

Dearest Rosie,

Thanks for yours, & glad to say I am still keeping fit. We had some very heavy rain here yesterday afternoon and the 11^th. This am is very bright.

Wonder if you will have any floods this year, seeing not as so much rain has fallen as continues upcountry & no big storms. Bad luck Marie having those sores, she should take some blood purifier, and external treatment, and or change to the Hills. I told Ted this and to tell Mum. I wanted her to take a holiday. I told Ted to speak to Jayatileke but I am told he is a hard drinker, which is not good company for Ted.

It is quite out of the question my writing for Ben’s discharge because they are calling every day for more recruits as the Ceylon Corps are all short of men. It is not all beer and skittles when you join the army, but steady hard work till you are efficient. Ben should put his heart and soul into his work and try to get promotions, a slacker will never rise – whatever job he is put on to he should do his best at it.

He should consider himself lucky as he is in the land of his birth and can see his relations. Whereas all the young chaps from overseas have no chance of home leave till after the war. Many have children they have never seen. Japs would have this island in no time if it was not for these chaps. They keep on sending planes across to try and catch us napping, and may make a try with their ships one of these days.

Tell Ben to look on the bright side of things, and after work, join others in having a good time with “sing songs”, entertain the troops with his dances etc. There must be others who will go in with him and make a good show.

Give him my love when you write, and love to yourself.

Yours,

Father

Comments from George:

Rosie, grandpa's eldest child, was teaching at Avissawella at this time. Her 1-year old daughter Marie was with her. (Rosie was having marital problems.) Grandpa was recuperating at Lewis Place in Negombo, but perhaps not at "Stanlodge", the house he owned there.

Reading between the lines, I assume Rosie had written to him about her brother Ben's hardships in the army. Ben had a reputation for being lazy and irresponsible and may have told Rosie to intervene on his behalf to get out of the army. Going by the letter, grandpa has no sympathy for Ben.

Grandpa passed away within a year of writing this letter.

Grandpa C.S. Braine at Negombo beach

This is a lovely photo of grandpa, most probably at the Negombo beach. He spent his last days here, sick and drawn, but this photo may have been taken earlier because he looks healthy and happy here.

Aunty Alice had given the original to my sister Beaula, but a (female) cousin who has no interest in family history had grabbed it. So, this is only a photo of the original.

Marie at 75

On February 17, Marie celebrated her 75 birthday. The only child of Rosie Braine, Marie is also the eldest grandchild of Charles Stanley and Engracia Braine.

Marie lives at Boralessa with her husband. Her only child, Charles, lives nearby with his family.