Nanny Barbara - Some of her Charges

When working away as a Nanny, Barbara regularly corresponded with her sister Eleanor and often enclosed pictures of the little one. Sometimes she wrote on the back of the photographs the names of the children, but unfortunately there are some she didn't, such as this one.

This is a very young baby, look at the beautiful clothes it is wearing it could even be its Christening Day. Again no name.

Barbara with Unknown Baby

One of Barbara's long term charges was a beautiful little girl called Philippa Davidson. A clue to where she lived is given by this lovely studio photograph of Philippa taken at the Derby studios of WW Winter founded in 1865 in Derby. Amazingly this photographic studio is still in existence, being the longest running photography business in Britain.

Philippa Davidson Original

Philippa Davidson Sepia

Philippa Davidson Less Sepia

WW Winter Photography Studio Derby

I think this photograph taken of Barbara with a little girl, wearing an exact copy of her uniform, could also be Philippa - again nothing is written on the back of the photograph.  

Barbara with Phillipa Davidson?

Again, this could be  Phillipa, well wrapped up playing with Barbara at the beach.  I wonder who took the photograph?

Barbara on the Beach with Phlippa?

This could also be Philippa, in the lovely hat and coat with her doll and pram.

Philippa Davison with her doll and pram?

This postcard sent from Sheringham on the 31st July 1931 some 86 years ago by Eleanor to her parents, mentions Jean, and we can see her in the following photographs. More than likely the photographs were taken by Barbara. The first one of 'Jean' having a pony ride on the sea front at Sheringham, being carefully held on to by Eleanor.  Eleanor must have travelled to Sheringham to stay with Barbara. 

Eleanor and Jean

Eleanor and Jean

There must have been a connection between Jean and Philippa, perhaps a family relation or family friend.


This postcard was sent from Waxham Hall around 1934 (dated through the Edward VII One Penny Red stamp).

Back of Waxham Hall Postcard

The postcard gets a little illegible near the end but I think it is as follows: -      

"c/o Mrs Harvey, Waxham Hall, Palling Norfolk.

Dear Mother and Father     Having a lovely holiday with the Babies.  Weather not bad, had two heavy showers yesterday, but very sunny in between.  Felt very tired and sleepy my first day here, my nerves seem better.  Would you try and send that letter which I had sent me.  While there may be a change if meeting that girl while I am here." 

I wonder what or if there was a "change"  

This photograph is of Henry Harvey, who would have been 8 years old at the time the postcard was sent, so more than likely he met Barbara.  Henry became a leading Norfolk Dairy Farmer who died at the age of 87 in 2011.