Letters to America

Wednesday, March 17th, 1943

My darling Joan,

Mr and Mrs Kemp have been asked to make a recording to Janet and John next Thursday. They hadn’t written up about it or anything, so Daddy said very likely we would be asked one day. The very thought of talking to you, although you wouldn’t be able to answer us, made me very excited. It would only be a few words as you are only allowed 30 seconds.

I have had a very busy day. I had to do my washing this morning instead of Monday as I am having the boiler chimney swept Monday morning. I booked the sweep about a month ago, but that was the only day he could come, and like everything else, sweeps are scarce and we have to have them when we can. I only hope he isn’t late, because of the dinner. The kitchen is in a terrible mess just now as Daddy is washing the ceiling, but after the chimney is swept he is going to whitewash it and then I’ll spring-clean and we’ll be all spic and span again. Only wish we could buy some paint – the steel window frames in the sitting room are all rusty.

Last Wednesday week I had a nice surprise. I had just left the house and was nearly to Weighton Rd. when who should I see coming along but Uncle John and Auntie Olive. He was on 7 days leave and they had been to Orpington and Nanny had told them I never went out Wednesdays as it was early closing day. That is quite right, but that day I had to pay Nanny’s insurance, so it was very lucky I did not miss them. I don’t remember such a windy day as that was. You would have laughed. Uncle John is very fond of animals you know, and of course he had to put the baby rabbits on the grass (I hadn’t had them out as it was rather cold then) but just as we got home, the sun came out. We went indoors and had a cup of tea and after a while Uncle said “I think those rabbits should go back now” and went out. “I’ve just got to find them first!” The wire cage had blown along off the path onto the garden and so left a gap for them to get out. We found one in the kitchen, 4 in the back room (dining room which is a bedroom) and 2 under the hutches. A good thing they didn’t get over (or under) the fence, but I suppose they came to the house for protection against the wind.

I was able to show them the newspaper picture of you with Lady Dill(1). They thought it very nice indeed, and said how nicely you were growing up. Both sent their love to you.

The dentist was at the school about a fortnight ago. John’s were alright – as a matter of fact, he has just cut one of his big permanent teeth. Anne was not so lucky and had to have 4 fillings, but they were not very bad ones. We went to Mr Wallis and she was very good indeed and didn’t mind at all. Last time she was nervous.

This week the weather has been ideal and as warm as we sometimes get it in Summer. It is a very sudden change and I do hope we don’t get a cold spell again because that would spoil the fruit and vegetable crop. Our apple trees are a picture now and just a mass of blossom – looks as if we should have a good apple year. We were very unfortunate last year and we missed them – it is so difficult to buy fruit here. Uncle Arthur, Auntie Nellie, Beryl and Hazel have had a week’s holiday and had a caravan at Marlow – a place up the River Thames. I had a letter from them and they were enjoying the change and said they were half way up a hill – they certainly picked a good week. Daddy has just told me the “glass” is dropping(2), so that might mean rain soon – we certainly could do with some, but I hope it does not come Monday morning.

John and Anne were very good this morning and did a little shopping for me which saved me going out. Anne took your doll’s pram and John rode his bicycle. They also collected a small sack of grass for Mrs Kemp’s rabbits and a bagful for me.

Do you keep up your Girl Scout’s rule and do a good deed every day, dear? I expect it’s easy for you to find a job to do for Auntie Mary while she is busy at the hospital. Did Monroe County get the $900,000 it aimed at for the Red Cross? It was a tremendous target.

I hope you are all well and enjoying your Spring weather. You must be glad to turn your backs on the hard winter. Please give my love to Auntie Mary and everybody, and hope she is not finding the rationing(3) too difficult.

All my love sweetheart
Mummy
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  1. Wife of Sir John Dill, Vice Chief of the Imperial General Staff (British Army).
  2. This means that the baromter is falling. A barometer measures air pressure and a falling barometer often indicates that bad weather is coming. Joan's father had a large wooden barometer at home.
  3. Most food, clothing and fuel was rationed and even things which were not rationed were often very difficult to find in the shops. Every man, woman and child was given a ration book with coupons. These were required before rationed goods could be purchased.