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was of a different religion, she said she does not care. Yesterday she sent me out for a walk again. Lately she never boils any water for the hot water bottle and if I ask for it, she said that I don’t need it.
    I therefore have to sleep with shirt and pullovers and the dressing-gown on. Sometimes she doesn’t wake us until about half past eight and I am late for school. I have no more room to write, so goodbye till we meet again.

    Lots of love and kisses to everyone,
    from John

    29 February 1940

    The seventeenth-century cottage after post-war renovation. (Author’s collection)

    Dear Mum and Dad,

    I am very glad that Dad is coming to Melksham on Sunday. Will you please do your best to bring my watch down, as I miss it a great deal.
    I have not been moved yet, and I am glad that if I am not moved by the exam, I shall come home.
    How are you all getting on? How are Tiggy and the kittens? I am all right.
    To-day it has been snowing but it did not settle Thank you very much for the money. I am glad Grand-dad arrived home safely. How is Mariska? Send her my love.

    Lots of love to everybody,
    John

    P.S Send my best love to Noni.

    John’s original letter of 29 February 1940. (Author’s collection)

    A modern 1939 council house. (Author’s collection)
Soon After
    Eventually rewarded for my constant pestering of the billeting officer, I was moved to the luxury of Mrs Robbins’ council house before I froze to death.

    Beginning of March 1940
    Dear Mum & Dad,

    At last I am able to write some good news, because it is safe to say that John will be moved this Saturday. His new billet will be in Martigny Road, at Mrs. Robins & although I have not been there yet, and I do not know the people, I am told that they are nice people, & as to the house, it is a fairly new one, & has a bathroom. Mrs. Robins is Mrs. Trimnell’s daughter in law’s sister, & she is taking John, because Mrs. Trimnell had scalded her foot some time ago, it is so bad now, that she is in bed, & has to have medical attention. I should like Daddy to write a letter Mrs. Trimnell, & to ensure that there are no mistakes I shall enclose a letter which would be suitable. I think that although John has not been very well put up there, having had to sleep with the lodger, it can be understood that she must keep lodgers, as they are her only source of income, & as she is sixty-eight, you can imagine, how tired she is after looking after six person, & doing their washing. She had evacuees since the beginning of the war, & considering her age, strength, & financial position & livelihood, she has done very well indeed, & has done more that her share of National Service in helping evacuees, as there are many people in the town who are richer & younger than she, keep a maid & have no children & yet they refuse to have evacuees. I think that she deserves your appreciation & a letter is the best you can do to show that to her.
    I think you ought to be satisfied with the number of cards & letters I have been sending lately, & I should like to have some replenishment for the money I am spending on stamps, & other things. We had 2/5 to share after spending a 1 d on the postcard, & out of my 1/2½ I spent 2½ d on milk, 4 d on Scouts, 1 d on stamps & have 4½ d left, out of which about 2½ d will go to-night on stamps. I do not know how John spent his share, & I do not know how much he has left, but I know that it is not much, so please send more. This Saturday I must get 5/4 d worth of laundry (3/5½ d last week) & we should like to cycle to Trowbridge or Chippenham to go to the pictures or go to the pictures here, if it is raining. Please send the money in the form of a postal order, because if you send cash I am liable to be fined.
    There is not much more news otherwise, as nothing happened since my last card. However, here is a suggestion as to what Daddy might write to Mrs. Trimnell:-

    ‘Mrs. Trimnell
    4 Church Walk
    Melksham, Wilts.
    Dear Mrs. Trimnell,

    I feel that