Friday, August 30th, 1940

Darling Joan,

I wonder if you managed to read my last letter to you? And did you enjoy your “Sunny Stories”⁽¹⁾? I expect that by now you are fairly settled down in your new home, and your Mummy and I are looking forward to your first letter more than I can say. We are always thinking of you and wondering how good you are being to the kind people who are looking after you.

I know it will make you happy to hear that the twins are playing very well together and do not seem to be missing their big sister too much. They are always singing the songs you taught them and always say their grace after their dinner and tea, just as you taught them to do. John still shuts his eyes very tight when he says his grace.

I see there is a story in your “Sunny Stories” this week about a little girl who sucks her thumb and Mummy and I wonder if you do still. I read it to John and Anne but when I had to turn over the page and they could not see the picture of the little girl sucking her thumb, they did not want to hear any more and ran off.

Isn’t it a shame that we have not all been away to the sea-side this year. I have not had any holiday yet, and don’t suppose I shall get a real one now, but it has been such a lovely summer this year that the babies have almost lived in the garden and so have not missed the sea-side too much. And, of course, you have had your wonderful trip in trains, and a big boat, so you have really had a fine holiday.

When you write, you must tell me all about your new playmates. Do you see Janet and John at all, I wonder? You always were a good girl at making friends, so we hope that you have some nice ones to play with. Sometimes the friends you make when you are little, remain friends with you all your life. I have one friend I have known ever since I was a little boy of about nine. We used to sit next to one another at school, and I still see him whenever I can, and when I cannot see him we write to one another, long letters. When you come home again, you will have friends I hope that you will always keep, even though they are too far away to see, and you and they will write to one another, perhaps all your lives. So see that you make some good friends.

All the people that knew you in this road asked after you and they were all so pleased to hear that you had arrived safely in your new home. One lady, who once lived in the United States, says that you will be very happy there because the people are so kind and love children so much. So you must try to repay them for their love by being as kind and thoughtful as you can.

Well, Joan dear, that is all for this week and may you be very happy where you are.

With lots of love from your
Daddy
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My Dear Little Joan,

I did start to write this letter to you, but I afraid my printing was dreadful and I know you couldn’t have read it so I am trying to type it.

Well, dear, how did you enjoy your boat trip? I do hope it was as nice as you expected it to be. Do you know your Daddy and I have always wanted to go for a long journey on a big ship, so we are very glad you have been able to go so that you can tell us all about it. Did they have a stage and concerts? And did you have drill? I read in a newspaper that some other children did and I know how much you like it. I do hope you are keeping very well and was not sea-sick. Mr Law said you passed through a town in America where the trains run along the main roads with the motor buses, I wonder if you noticed it? It must all be very strange to you. I am just longing to have a letter from you. I don’t expect you to write long ones darling, but I should like a little letter every week. You won’t forget to do this will you? And I will read them out to the babies. Anne asked me the other day when you were coming home, and I said when the war was over and then we would all go down to Auntie’s. Oh, it will be a lovely time. I am so looking forward to it. As Daddy has told you the twins seem to be trying to be as good as they can. Nanny is still busy knitting socks for soldiers. She sends you her very best love and kisses. She hasn’t written because she has forgotten how to print and you know she cannot type. But she knows you will understand.

Well, dear Joan, I don’t think I’ll say any more now. Hope you are having a jolly time.

With lots of love and kisses from Anne and John, and
Mummy
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x from John
x from Anne