A FORTNIGHT ago we delved into the remarkable life of Marjorie Piggott, the Dorset Echo's first female reporter, who, in the 1940s, paved the way for women journalists in the newsroom.

She worked for the Echo from 1944 to 1948 and left when she married and moved to London.

There are so many memories avid writer Marjorie recorded that it is hard to be selective.

But playing a large part in her correspondence were her letters to her beloved brother Philip, who was tragically killed on Boxing Day 1943 whilst serving in the Navy in the Second World War.

At the same time Marjorie, neé Nightingale, was dealing with her own personal struggle, suffering from anxiety whilst reporting on the war for the Echo.

Saved in her correspondence was the letter written to her father on January 8 1944 from Donald R Bain, the captain of HMS Norfolk.

He wrote: "I wish, on behalf of the ship's company, to express my deepest sympathy to you in the loss of your son.

"He was wounded in action when the ship was hit by an enemy projectile, while at his station in the engine room. He died peacefully some 12 hours after the action.

"To us also he is a great loss. His officers thought he was most efficient and reliable and he was a most cheerful shipmate whom we can ill afford to lose, amongst a company of whom I am so proud.

"He did die for his country on a glorious day in the annals of naval history and I am sure he would not have wished it otherwise. It is the ones who remain behind who have the sorrow."

In Marjorie's writings she recorded the history of her family and wrote of her mother and father meeting during the First World War.

"My father and another soldier (both were in uniform) were walking the promenade in Weymouth when they were seen by my mother and her sister, Bertha. Aunty's church encouraged people to be kind to members of the forces and invite them home. So mother and her sister invited the two men home.

"Not long after that my father was sent to Egypt from where he kindly sent my mother pictures of mummies. She chuckled a little when she told me - but she kept them for ever."

Marjorie's mother taught at the school in Stevenage where Jane Austen had taught and with Marjorie's dad, came to Weymouth, where he worked on the docks.

Marjorie writes: "He was a very strong man all his life. He left the docks after some years and made 'Reynold's patent cheese wires' for a businessman who sold them in this country and abroad."

When Marjorie was six the family moved to Manor Road at Radipole and became friends with Daphne - a girl with curly hair which Marjorie coveted!

Another letter Marjorie's son Ray has shared with Looking Back is one Marjorie wrote to Philip when she was still at school.

She begins by thanking him for a 'lovely comb and case' he gave her.

Marjorie writes: "I'm not going to take it out with me in case I lose it, oh Phil it was so good of you to send it, a lovely surprise too."

She continues: "I sincerely hope you've received our parcel and letters with Christmas cards, it will be such a shame if you don't."

She finishes: "I've had 28 cards from school and one from J. Hayward so far. Cheerio Phil, all the best, lots of love, Marjorie. xxx"

Marjorie finished one extract of her recollections with her thoughts on her family - 'handsome' husband Ronald Ellis Vernon Piggott and her three children Vera, Raymond and Bernard.

She writes: "No parents could be more pleased with their children than we have been: they are kind, clever and loving. I dare say they will one day tell of their own beginnings."