Letters to America

Sunday, March 4th, 1945

Darling Joan,

Well, I don’t know that there is very much to tell you about this past week, except that it has been a week of great activity for your Mummy and me, in that we are still redecorating the inside of the house, trying hard to make up for the past five years neglect. I am sure that you will be pleased with the result when you see it.

Anne’s Brownie troop are having a little play some time in the future and she has a very small part to play, only some four lines. She is called Catch, and has to appear dressed with cricket leggings which I am trying to borrow from the Kodak(1) Cricket Club for her. Of course she wants us to go and see the play, but she hasn’t learnt her four lines yet and I have had to tell her that I shall not be bringing home the cricket things until I am sure she is certain of her part, for I wouldn’t like her to let the troop down. Have you ever acted in a play, Joan? I did once and found that when the curtain opened I just couldn’t remember a single line although I thought I had it word perfect. Fortunately it was only being done for fun at home, but it convinced me that I was no actor and I have never tried again.

Until tonight we have been having March winds and the ground has dried up so much that I have been able to get some seeds in. I have been trying to get some flower seeds to brighten up the garden this year, but all I could get was one packet of Russell Lupins and another of Shirley Poppies. You see, the flower seed merchants have all had to concentrate on vegetable seeds for the duration of the war and now flower seeds are extremely short.

During the week we received a Christmas Card from Colonel Powell but have no idea where he is. He has written on it “A bit tardy, but I lost your address in a London raid. Sorry never got to Harrow, but will if I get leave to U.K.” So it looks certain that he is overseas, but just where he gives no indication. The card has his photograph and so we now know what he looks like.

Cheerio(2) and heaps of love. Daddy xxxxxx xxxxxx

Mummy sends her love too and John and Anne.

  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. People sometimes say 'cheerio' as a way of saying goodbye, especially in British English.