Elizabeth Rebecca Ward facts for kids

Fay Inchfawn (Elizabeth Rebecca Ward)

Freshford, Somerset

Elizabeth Rebecca Ward (born December 2, 1880 – died April 16, 1978) was a very busy English writer. She wrote many popular poems, religious books, and stories for children. She used the special writing name, or pen-name, Fay Inchfawn. Her stories and poems were often printed in women's magazines. Because of her focus on home and family, some people called her "The Poet Laureate of the Home."

Early Life and Family

Elizabeth Rebecca Daniels was born in Portishead, Somerset, England, on December 2, 1880. In 1911, she married Atkinson Ward. They moved to Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire. In 1913, they had a daughter named Mary Arundell Ward. Mary was lovingly called "Bunty" in Fay Inchfawn's books.

In 1927, the family moved to a house called Innisfree in Freshford, Somerset. Elizabeth lived there for the rest of her life.

Fay Inchfawn's Writing Career

As Fay Inchfawn, Elizabeth Ward wrote many popular poetry books, especially between the two World Wars. Her work appeared in women's magazines, which is why she was known as "The Poet Laureate of the Home." She also wrote books for children. Sometimes, she even wrote with her husband under the pen-name Philip Inchfawn. She also wrote many books about religion.

Salute to the Village

One of her books, Salute to the village (published in 1943), shared her own experiences during the Second World War. It described how the war affected a regular family in a small town. The book used made-up names for places and people, but it is thought that the village was actually Freshford.

The book talked about many things that happened during the war. It mentioned people moving to Freshford to escape the bombing of nearby Bath in 1942. These bombings were part of the "Baedeker raids" where German planes targeted historic cities. The book also described shortages of goods, the blackout (when all lights were turned off at night), and people watching for fires. It even mentioned building small forts called pill-boxes and barriers in fields to stop enemy gliders from landing.

The famous artist Alfred Bestall drew pictures for Salute to the village. Alfred Bestall is also well-known for drawing the popular character Rupert Bear for The Daily Express newspaper. In 2010, the book was printed again by Folly Books.

Later Memoirs

Fay Inchfawn also wrote books about her own life. Her first memoir, Those remembered days: A personal recording, came out in 1963. She followed this with Something more to say: A personal recording in 1965, and Not the final word: Or, a joyful tribute in 1969.

Death

Elizabeth Rebecca Ward passed away on April 16, 1978. She is buried at St Mary's church in Limpley Stoke. A special event was held at St Mary's to celebrate her life on what would have been her 100th birthday. This event was written about in This England magazine.

Selected Publications

• A book of remembrance
• As I lay thinking
• Father Neptune's treasure: The adventures of three children and a golliwog under the sea (with Philip Inchfawn)
• Having it out: Talks and readings for women's meetings
• Homely talks of a homely woman
• Homely verses of a home-lover
• Little donkey
• Living in a village
• Not the final word: Or, a joyful tribute
• Picnic on the hill
• Poems from a quiet room
• Salute to the village (illustrated by Alfred Bestall)
• Senior reciter
• Something more to say: A personal recording
• Songs of the ups; downs
• Sweet water and bitter
• The adventures of a homely woman
• The beautiful presence in the garden of the soul
• The day's journey
• The Golliwog news: A story of three children and a toy newspaper (illustrated by T.C. Smith, with Philip Inchfawn)
• The journal of a tent-dweller
• The life book of Mary Watt
• The little donkey
• The verse book of a homely woman
• Think of the lilies (Lakeland)
• Those remembered days: A personal recording
• Through the windows of a little house
• Unposted letters
• Verses of a house-mother
• Who goes over the sea
• Who goes to the garden
• Who goes to the wood
• Will you come as well? (illustrated by Treyer Evans)