Letters to America

Thursday, October 12th, 1944

My darling Joan,

It was so lovely to have a letter from you – 2 in fact. We hadn’t heard for over 10 weeks and I was beginning to think you had quite forgotten us. Anyway I notice from your September 3rd letter that you still remember Judy(1) and Mrs Buchanan’s Tinker. I had almost forgotten Tinker myself as it’s well over five years since they went away. Mrs. Law (the person who lives in their house now) says they have gone back to Croydon again but the house has been badly damaged by a flying bomb, although they can still live in it. I wonder if the Buchanan’s will come back after the war and if you will see Margaret again? You were such pals, weren’t you? The new puppy sounds a dear little thing, but I understand Irish Setters are very difficult to rear. I do hope you have better luck with Corky than you did with Mickey(2) – he was a beautiful dog and so clever, wasn’t he? We did laugh when you said you got up to quiet him and forgot to go back to bed. I bet you had a lovely romp with him but it was sweet of you to think of writing us a letter.

You have been a very good girl to help Auntie Mary while she was so ill and I feel most proud of you. Do you know if Uncle Carl has that coloured snap of you he said was so good? Daddy had a letter from him this morning and I opened it as it felt stiff and I quite thought the snap was in it, but I was disappointed.

Now, darling, please write soon and tell us about your school report. Was it as good as last time or better? Perhaps Auntie Mary would send us the report card as she did last year – will you ask her? I forgot to mention it in my letter to her. Is it this year that you graduate to a higher school? I believe Janet Kemp did last year and she is about 15 months older than you.

What a pity you children couldn’t go camping after all! I felt quite disappointed for you when I knew, but of course you have forgotten about it now. I sincerely hope the dread disease will soon disappear and you all escape it safely.

Yes, darling, I’m sure I should like your new coat – wish I could see you in it too, but we must be patient. Aren’t you lucky to have all those nice clothes sent you again? They will set you up nicely for the winter.

Uncle John and Auntie Olive came over last Tuesday – he had leave but went back today. Auntie Olive brought me a piece of marzipan which she can get at a shop in Barnet. I am saving it to put on a cake I’m making for the twins’ birthday. They are not having a party but instead I think we will take them to London. They want to visit Madame Tussauds(3) again. Perhaps Nanny will come too as she is staying with us for a while. She sends you her love and is glad you are being a good girl and having a nice time.

The twins seem to like their new class at school. John now has a craze for copying maps and is really good for one his age. He is very interested in finding out where the different countries are. Betty, our WAAF(4), came back today after having 9 days leave and John and Anne gave her a good welcome. She is a jolly girl and you’d like her I’m sure. She met an American some days ago who comes from Rochester, but she didn’t remember the name of your road to ask him if he knew it.

Now, darling, I must say cheerio(5), chin-chin(6). Daddy is waiting for his supper.

Did Teddy receive his birthday book?

Lots of love and kisses
From Mummy
xxxxxxxxxxxx

  1. Judy was Dora's dog.
  2. Mickey was a dog (red setter).
  3. A major tourist attraction in London, Madame Tussauds displays the waxworks of famous and historical figures.
  4. WAAF = a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force.
  5. People sometimes say 'cheerio' as a way of saying goodbye, especially in British English.
  6. People sometimes say 'chin-chin' as a greeting, a way of saying goodbye, or as a toast, especially in British English.