Various letters between PJH and his wife and relatives and friends during the Second world War. Also newspaper cuttings about his relatives and himself. A set of utility bills relating to his house "Clifton" in Ovingdean during the war years and shortly afterwards.
Percy John Harwood was born in 1887 at Clifton in Bedfordshire. His father was a grocer and draper whose shop was on the South Henlow Road close to Clifton and Shefford. PJH served in the Great War with the Royal Marines Artillery and afterwards worked as a teacher. He gave up his post with The Swiss Cottage School for the Blind in 1926 to devote himself to astrology and low key property development.
He had purchased a 2-3 acre field after discovering it during a walk on the Downs. He built "Clifton" and several other houses in Ovingdean, Brighton and had a hand in the design and actual construction.
He served in the Home Guard during the Second World War and subsequently went back to teaching. He married Julia Tucker in 1936 and they had three children. Part of the correspondence deals with Julia's Aunt Titta (sic) who disapproved of PJHs' astrology and building projects. PJH died in 1951 and is buried in St Wulframs, Ovingdean.
Harwood, Percy John; others
The material consists of letters written to and from family and friends during the war. There are newspaper cuttings about PJH and his brother as well as a set of utility bills covering the war years and shortly afterwards.
Restricted, pending approval from the family.
Originals to be donated on loan to East Sussex Record Office,subject to family's approval (stil pending)