Saturday, March 20th, 1943

My darling Joan,

I am sorry I didn‘t write to you last week, but I was away for the weekend (as you will know later) and just couldn’t settle down to it. We had a letter from you on March 8th dated Feb. 17th and this morning one came dated Feb. 12th (a fortnight later). Isn’t it extraordinary? The Feb. 17th one was stamped “Damaged by Sea Water” so presumably it was on the clipper that crashed the other week and we were one of the lucky ones whose letter was salvaged.

I expect you were all very glad when it was decided to keep the dancing classes on – in your last letter you thought they would be stopped as you came home when the workers changed shifts. I know how much you must love it. I did laugh when you said you were learning the jitterbug! I’d love to see you do it. Dora was ever so pleased to have your letter, dear, and I expect she answered it promptly. You must have had my letter by now telling you that we had received the second parcel safely. You can be sure we shall make good use of them. Anne has already worn the green plaid skirt several times and looks well in it. The dresses will save me several coupons this year and probably next.

I expect you were all very glad when it was decided to keep the dancing classes on – in your last letter you thought they would be stopped as you came home when the workers changed shifts. I know how much you must love it. I did laugh when you said you were learning the jitterbug! I’d love to see you do it. Dora was ever so pleased to have your letter, dear, and I expect she answered it promptly. You must have had my letter by now telling you that we had received the second parcel safely. You can be sure we shall make good use of them. Anne has already worn the green plaid skirt several times and looks well in it. The dresses will save me several coupons this year and probably next. Well, darling, we went to the Palace last Tuesday week (March 9th) and very thrilling it all was too. Auntie Olive came too – she came Monday evening straight from the hospital as we had to leave very early in the morning. The twins were quite pleased to see her in her uniform. When we got to Buckingham Palace we were surprised to see a very long queue, but we started to move almost as soon as we joined it. There were all sorts of people – some in ordinary dress, some in high hats and coat tails, and lots in uniform, and nurses too. When we had crossed the front courtyard there was another square courtyard beyond, with the Palace on three sides of it. Lots of the windows have suffered from blast and are just patched up with weather-proofing. In the front of the building are large pillars which are barricaded up, and steps behind with red carpet, and either side of these stood Yeomen of the Guard in all their splendour and long pike staffs. When we had passed through, we were in a very large entrance lounge – then up a few more steps with more Yeomen on either side, and we were in the big oblong hall. This was beautiful, with the largest statue I’ve seen (everything was on a grand scale) and oil paintings on the walls. The floor was marble with carpet down the gangways and the chairs were shiny silk with crimson brocade seats. In the middle of the hall at one side was a raised dais on which the King stood with the other officials. The medallists came towards him in a single file and, as their name was called, they walked up to the King, turned, bowed, and took a step towards him in single file, and then the King pinned the medal on and shook hands and spoke a few words. Then the medallist bowed again, turned and walked away. Daddy did it all very well indeed and I felt very proud. There were lots of awards for airmen, Naval men and the forces, and you will be interested to know we saw several Americans decorated. No, dear, we did not see the Queen or the Princesses and only saw the King from a distance – there were hundreds of people there. I wished I could have seen more of the Palace, but of course I suppose it wouldn’t do to let us see too much. There was a nice orchestra playing softly in the entrance lounge, all through the ceremony, which took 1¼ hours.

Well, when it was over we had some lunch, then walked to Trafalgar Square where was a Lancaster bomber on view that had made several raids, including Berlin. You see, it was London’s “Wings for Victory” weekend and they raised over 153 million pounds – doesn’t it sound a lot of money, but wars are terribly expensive. It really looked a very formidable thing.

We went to see a show next – it was a thriller with Sybil Thorndike, but we were rather disappointed. She was extremely good when she was younger, and Daddy and I saw her in Saint Joan, but she is getting old now and rather over-acted her part. We reached home finally about 6 o’clock and so ended a very lovely day and one we will not forget for a long time.

Last Saturday Anne and I took Nanny back to Auntie Rosie’s and we left John with Daddy. We did not come home until Sunday afternoon, but John didn’t mind at all and Daddy said he has been very good. We enjoyed the weekend and this time Anne was able to go to Auntie Maud’s alone to play with Margaret. I wondered if she would find the house alright, but there are no roads to cross. I told her to come straight back if she was afraid.

I was very sorry to hear Auntie Mary’s Grandmother had so much pain before she died. Poor Auntie Mary, she has had a bad time lately.

This week I have sent Sandy a birthday book and cards so I do hope he will get them in time for his birthday.

I am very, very pleased to hear you had such a splendid report from school. I do seem to have real cause to feel proud of my family, especially you, darling, living so far from us. Do hope your cold didn’t last too long, and that terrible spell of cold weather you had too.

Cheerio⁽¹⁾, sweetheart. All my love
Mummy
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