Letters to America

Saturday, December 12th, 1942

My darling Joan,

We are not feeling very gay tonight. Daddy and I took little Anne to Willesden Hospital this afternoon. She was a very good girl and we left her quite happy. It was rather different to when you went. The nurse took her into the ward and undressed her and the Dr. examined her again, then I went in and put her pyjamas and dressing gown on and folded her clothes in the locker at the side of her bed (we left them because she will get up and play). You see the Dr. doesn’t think it advisable to let her come home before next Friday or Sat. as the weather is cold and damp. She has taken her little doll, a book, some knitting and paper and pencil, so she intends to keep herself busy, doesn’t she? John had written you his little note this week, (in with Daddy’s) but Anne said she would write this morning and in the excitement of packing she has forgotten it, so you must forgive her.

They both went to Kodak(1) Christmas party yesterday and had a good time. They had a Cinderella show, some conjurers(2) and several Mickey Mouse pictures, and sang songs. They had quite a good tea too considering the conditions here, and I do think it was good of the management to be so kind. We left them with Joan Eckhert – it was her last Kodak party, because she was 11 years old last birthday. I hope you will be home for the next one – it will be your last too. Are you having a Kodak party in America this year? I expect you are all getting very excited about Christmas now. John and Anne have been writing letters to Santa Claus and John got so excited because he threw his up the chimney and it didn’t come down, so he really thinks Santa Claus has got it.

Mr and Mrs Kemp were very excited this week – the film of Janet and John arrived Thursday and they couldn’t wait until they came Sat. evening but asked if Daddy would run it through Thursday. It is very lovely – we now know what Booker Bill(3) is really like and very cute he looks. Some was taken in October and the different tints on the trees and the very deep blue sky are beautiful. There are shots of a picnic and the dish of fresh fruit looked so tempting with its grapes, apples and bananas.

Uncle John is home on leave so I expect that he and Auntie Olive will pay us a visit sometime this week. He returns to duty next Saturday.

Dora entered for another music exam – she had to go to Chesham(4), Bucks for it. She is getting on very well indeed and we have bought her some music for Christmas.

Well darling, I hope you are all fine. Give my love to Auntie Mary.

Lots of love and kisses
From Mummy
xxxxxxxxxx

  1. Kodak is an American company that produces various products related to its film photography. The company has its headquarters in Rochester, New York. Joan's father was an assistant superintendant at Kodak's factory in Harrow and she was evacuated to Rochester in 1940 as part of a scheme organised by the company.
  2. Conjurers are entertainers who perform magic tricks.
  3. Booker Bill was a dog.
  4. Chesham is about 30km north-west of Harrow in the country of Buckinghamshire.