Friday, September 6th, 1940

Darling Joan,

On Thursday afternoon we got your first two letters from America, and we delighted to hear that you were well and happy.

By now you must be quite settled down in your new home. We liked to hear of the very pleasant school that you were at. It must have been lovely having tea in the woods; and just fancy having a stream at the bottom of the garden. You must be very careful and not fall in, and when you next write I want to know whether it is just a little river or a big one. Also can you paddle in it? Are there any fishes in it?

One little boy in his letter to his mummy and daddy said that on the way over he had seen some icebergs. Did you see them too? If you did, you have seen something your Daddy has never seen, except in picture books.

Well, Joan, to answer you letter; we have not had any air-raids to worry us very much yet. All that we have had, have not frightened the babies. When they wake up in the night, as they do sometimes when the all-clear sounds, they think it a great joke to find themselves in the shelter with their Mummy. Nanny usually rests in the armchair and Daddy goes to sleep on his camp-bed.

Dear Joan, do not forget to write to your old chum, Dora Gleadhall. She often asks me about you, and is going to write to you, one day, only she is always forgetting, so see if you can race her. Her No. is 42 Maricas Avenue. I think it would be nice if you could send her a picture postcard, so that she could see the kind of town you are living in now.

I hope you are getting my letters regularly now, and that you are enjoying your “Sunny Stories”⁽¹⁾ like you used to do at home. I remember how you used to stick your nose inside it every Friday morning and we could not get you to attend to your breakfast and dressing for school, and how Mummy sometimes had to grumble at you because of it. Do you remember all that?

I thought at first that I would number every letter that I sent to you, so that you could tell if any had not reached you. But that won’t be necessary because you will be able to tell from the books.

I liked the red, white and blue envelope that you sent your letter in, and they came to us by aeroplane and only took 8 days. I expect mine will take longer to you as I am not sending them by air mail, but I am going to write every week. All this news is from Mummy and Nanny too, who tell me what to write sometimes.

Well, dear Joan, good-bye for this week, and be a good girl and work hard at your school. Bless you my darling and may you be very happy.

With heaps of love from your
Daddy
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Dear Little Joan,

I was ever so glad to hear you were in that lovely school. Fancy having swings and shoots! I do think you are a lucky girl, and having picnics too. I. hope you enjoyed it. I’m also glad you have made a new friend. Will you let me know when you want me to send your swim hat? Wasn’t it a pity we forgot to pack it. Well, darling, I’m looking forward to your next letter. It was very good of you to write us two letters. Good Girl.

With lots of kisses from
your loving
Mummy
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