Letters to America

Saturday, January 10th, 1942

Darling Joan,

We have had such an exciting week this week, having received two parcels. The first we got on Tuesday, and the second this afternoon. In the first was the sweets and fruit juice for the twins, the handkerchiefs and a tie for Mummy and me. I think that was a very nice and thoughtful parcel to send to us and we are very grateful. Then today’s parcel contained the toys, trinkets and pills for the twins and that wonderful present for Mummy and me from Auntie Mary and Uncle Carl. It is a lovely pair of photographs and we do think that you have grown up a lot and have got so much plumper. They are very good photos and now we almost have a room full of pictures of you.

There has just been a little snow this afternoon but not enough to settle. Mummy has gone to try and get something nice for tea and the twins are busy with their new toys. I have just been sawing some wood up for the week, and am waiting for Mummy to return so that I can go out for a stroll around the common(1) before tea.

The twins started school this week, and like it immensely. We rather thought that John would not, but he likes it even more than Anne and is always anxious to be off to school. And now also they both go off to Sunday School(2) on Sunday afternoon with Dora, and they like that too. They seem to us to have grown up a lot, all of a sudden.

The twins are now getting clever at their jig-saw puzzles and spend a lot of time with them, but the pieces all get mixed up, and are always all over the floor.

I have been reading a book all about an American President, named Garfield(3). I expect the book is read by all American children, and is called "From Log Cabin to White House". It is very interesting indeed; all about the early pioneer days. Have you read it? I expect Teddy has.

Well now Mummy has come back so I will leave you and go for my walk around the common.

Cheerio(4) and lots and lots of love

from your
Daddy
xxxxxxxxx

Thank to u Joan
John xxx

  1. Common land is land which everyone is allowed to use.
  2. Sunday school is a school for religious teaching usually for children and young people and usually a part of a church or parish.
  3. James Abram Garfield was an American politician who served as the 20th president of the United States from March 1881 until his assassination in September that year.
  4. People sometimes say 'cheerio' as a way of saying goodbye, especially in British English.