Sunday, April 2nd, 1944

My darling Joan,

I was not surprised to hear you like “Desert Song” so much. I saw it in London many years ago as a film and a few years back as a stage show. I liked it so much that I bought a book of selections for the piano which has all the most popular choruses (including “Desert Song”), so when you come back you might like to try them.

The twins are picking up music fairly well, but I don’t give them ‘set’ lessons and let them play just when they feel like it – which is very often with John. Anyway, they are learning a few of the rudiments and can take it up seriously later on if they really want to. They do love your little notes written specially for them, Joan, and have each written you a letter in return today. They will be posted in with Daddy’s.

This week has been London’s “Salute the Soldier” week, when we have been asked to buy as many Savings Certificates and save as much as possible. All groups have had targets and John and Anne’s class at school wanted £30 and actually reached £32 6s⁽¹⁾. The infants school altogether got £252, which figure I think extremely good as no child is over 8 years, but of course it’s the parents who did it really and they have other targets to help. There were two processions here, although I didn’t see them, and very gay affairs in London, whose grand target was 166 million pounds. The final figure hasn’t been announced, but I think it was reached as they had almost got it by Friday evening.

Yes, Joan, Dora heard the results of the Domestic and Nursing Course and has passed. She expects to start in the Technical College in Kilburn April 17, but she had a form to be signed by her father which should have been posted 2 days ago and didn’t get sent until today and she is afraid they will think she can’t start. Anyway, I expect it will be alright. Mrs Gleadhall brought Roger in for a few minutes this afternoon – I wish you could see these new babies, dear, but perhaps it won’t be too long now before the war ends – at least our side of the world – and they won’t have grown too big. I wanted Auntie Rosie to bring Brian down for Easter, but her dog has had puppies and she can’t very well leave them. We haven’t seen them since Christmas so I hope we may be more lucky at Whitsun. Anyway, Nanny is coming and I am taking the twins up to Victoria Station (in London) to meet her. She doesn’t like travelling alone and I thought it would be fun for John and Anne.

No, Joan, we haven’t heard of your Frank Sinatra, but I don’t think I would like him. I do enjoy a good dance band, and jazz music too, but I dislike very much the Crooners⁽²⁾, but all tastes cannot be the same and they are very popular. I don’t blame the men for disliking the new crooner if he makes their womenfolk behave so silly.

Now, Joan, what about the school report? You promised to send me a copy last December and it hasn’t arrived yet. Had you forgotten about it? Hope you are still doing well at school, dear, and keeping quite well.

All my love darling
Mummy
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Darling Joan,

Thank you for your letter and I can tell you we had a swell party at the New Year, despite the air-raid.

I must explain the twins’ letters. The procession is for our “Salute the Soldier” week, and Harrow’s target was £850,000, which we got. I didn’t see the procession but apparently John saw some of it. In the afternoon I took them into Harrow and we went up the Hill to see the famous school⁽³⁾. It wasn’t really Byron’s⁽⁴⁾ grave we saw, for that is in Greece, but the spot is where he used to like to sit when he was at Harrow School.

“Desert Song” was Mummy’s favourite show, but your Daddy doesn’t like musical shows. Still, it did sound nice the way you described it; I can understand you enjoying it.

John and Anne are still unwell from their vaccination and John has an awful cough. We do hope they will be fit and well again by Easter.

Love to you, darling, from your Daddy and I hope you have a nice Easter too.

Daddy
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