28 Cherry Lane

Kent

1st September 1939

Dear Mam,

Thanks for the roasted carrot you gave me before the journey, it kept me nice and toasty! It felt like it took forever to get there, but it’s alright because I my friends to comfort me. We finally arrived (after which felt like forever) in Kent. It is a little bit scary around here, but I know I’m safe from the  bombs. It is a green valley and it is very quiet. I’m definitely safe.

Lots of the adults came and were choosing which child they wanted, and I was lucky because I was one of the first children to be chosen. I didn’t know why though. I must have been the lucky girl! My new parents already had a child, but that didn’t bother me.

My new family took me to my home, and I started to feel a bit better. I was still feeling worried though. My new mom and dad were called Mr and Mrs Garold, but my new dad went to fight in the war. My brother is called Theodore, and I think he likes me. When we got into our new home, I got a hot cup of milk, a cookie and a hug. It was delightful! I’m feeling worried but excited at the same time. I sleep in the attic (which is also where Theodore sleeps) and I have a comftable bed. I started to enjoy this new house, but I still wish I could go back home. I’m expected to do chores there and then, and I always help cook tea every night. It’s like I have my own timetable!

My school is a very small place but it has many, many children. It is very squashed. I’m very lucky that I get educated though. Depending on what teacher we have, we do good and bad things. Sometimes, I think they want us to be soldiers! On other occasions, we have to pick our own food from the vegetable patch!