Letters to America

Tuesday, August 7th, 1945

My darling Joan,

Do hope you get this letter before you sail. I want you to know that Daddy is still not well – in fact last Friday he went to Kodak(1) and he had x-ray plates taken. The Dr. called today and said the plates were quite O.K. and showed nothing out of place, but Daddy finds it very difficult to walk or sit, so Dr. John Parker is asking his sister (Dr. Lucy Parker) to call and if she cannot suggest any other treatment they will see about getting Daddy into Harrow Hospital. It would be much better for him really as he would have constant attention, only I do hope it won’t be for long if he has to go. With luck he may even be home again to meet you, but I wanted to warn you(2). There’s no need for me to tell you how terribly disappointed we all are about this. For five long years we have looked forward to a happy family reunion, but we will have to make up for it when Daddy is better.

We had a surprise last Friday evening when Uncle Charlie brought Nanny down unexpectedly. She thought she could help me, and of course it’s company.

We had letters from you last Friday and it’s so exciting to think you are packed and ready to come home. Do hope you are not kept waiting much longer or it will be time to start school as soon as you return and that would be too bad.

Anne is so glad you have a swimming costume for her. When she went to the swimming baths last week, she found that the one Dora gave her was too big – it came down to her knees. She came home in a terrible state, crying and shaking all over. Somebody had pushed her in and she thought she would have drowned. She said she wouldn’t go again until she went with you or Dora.

Dora and her family came back Saturday after a week at the sea-side looking very brown. They had a lovely week but it has turned quite cold and wet again. Yesterday was bank Holiday Monday and the day Daddy had looked forward to for months. He thought the whole family would be together and he would take us to the White City to see the races. Anyway, you weren’t home, he was in bed and it was showery. Also the crowd there was so big they had to call the police – I would have hated that.

Will you give Auntie Mary my love and thank her for her letter. I will be writing to her in a day or two when I hope to have more definite news, but want to get this posted.

All my love, darling, and love from everybody
Mummy
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

  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. Joan's father remained in hospital for many months after her return to Harrow. During that time, visiting was very restricted and Joan was only able to see him through a window initially!