Louise Kathleen Simonds (1883-1934)

Louise Kathleen Simonds (1883-1934) was, like her elder brothers, born at the family home, The Point, Bath Road Reading, the 3rd child of Louis de Luze Simonds and Mary Elizabeth Turnbull and their only daughter.

In 1907 she married Charles Francis Aubone Hare (1881-1928)


Known as John, he had a successful paints and flooring business, based in Bristol. John died suddenly whilst out on a family shooting party and his family spent much of their lives at the Family home of Audleys Wood. They had 5 children, the eldest Charles John Francis Hare (1908-1940)

Binny served in the RAF and was killed in action as a rear gunner with Bomber Command. Their youngest son Richard Mervyn Hare (1919-2002) was known as Dick.

Dick had an extraordinary life that is well recorded in his obituary

Taken prisoner when the Japanese invaded Hong Kong in December 1941, he survived the most extraordinary treatment and was finally released to return to the UK in September 1945.

Here are the letters he wrote home following his release;