"I wish you all the best & trust that you will be safe & may the war end soon so that you may all be reunited"
These five letters are from the homeowners who took care of the evacuated O’Connell children. These ladies show great care for them despite their own worries and concerns for their families.
There are two letters from July from the family where Nellie and Agnes first stayed reassuring their parents about a change of location. One letter from Frank’s hosts, sent in June, asking for clothes. And two, sent in July, from the family hosting Joe and Dom.
Host letters
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Transcript:
[Letter 1 - from hosts of Nellie and Agnes]
I expect that you will be surprised to hear again but I am writing to say that Nellie & Agnes will sometime be new billetted. As I think I told you I was supposed to only have one small child & by the evacuation people they consider our house too small for two. Also now my husband is in England it places me in a different position altogether. At the moment he is under the Dr for knee treatment & will after be home on rest leave. When he comes he has to sleep on the floor which isn't too good after hardships away, he deserves comfort after away to which you will agree & understand. I have asked the evacuation officer to find a nice place for them as they are clean nice children. I shall miss them. I think they will get billetted comfortably as everyone around seems to have gave the children welcome & are doing there utmost for them. I have told them they are welcome to come & see us & I have done as much as I could for them here. They have spent their time enjoying the fresh air & Mother & I have done everything for them. They look very well & are very sunburnt. Several children have been rebilletted as it seems evacuation was a bit of a muddle, too many put to small houses. Any help I can be to you regarding them at anytime please don't hesitate to let me know & I will also let you know where their new place is & all particulars. With only two bedrooms one five year old that could sleep with me & go in mothers room when Cecil's home is all that I'm permitted to take it seems. I am hoping that Nellie & Agnes will be very comfortable & continue to come & see us. Also should you come this way at anytime we should be very glad to see you. Nellie received your letter this morning. They are at school in the afternoons this week.
With best wishes for your safety
[Letter 2 - from hosts of Nellie and Agnes]
Just a few lines thanking you ever so for your nice letter to me & to tell you that Nellie & Agnes are settled with Mrs Jenkins daughter (Mrs Curnow). They went to live with her yesterday. They will have a good clean home & as they are in the same terrace are quite near to us. You will be pleased to know that they are in a good home where I think they will be very happy & comfortable. Quite likely Nellie has written & told you. Both girls & the boys look healthy & happy. I wish you all the best & trust that you will be safe & may the war end soon so that you may all be reunited.
Yours Sincerely
[Letter 3 - from Frank's host]
Just a few lines in answer to your letter which we received yesterday. Frank is getting on fine and likes it alright so far. The boys are behaving very well we can't find any fault with them. They have good homes.
We see Nellie and the other little girl everyday so they are all getting on alright. They go to the beach altogether every afternoon and take there tea with them. They have a good talking to before they go about taking care and don't do any climbing. They went yesterday and got wet, got caught in the rain but we don't mind that as long as they were alright. They are on the beach now altogether.
Would you mind sending on Frankies other clothes and shoes, because when he is wet he hasn't any others to go on. I hope you won't be offended because we have sent for them.
John Deller wrote to his parents last Wednesday and haven't had an answer yet. I think they ought to write to him, because when Frankie had is letter yesterday, John said my mum hasn't written yet, they get worrying if they don't here from home.
I can't stay to write anymore excuse my writing in a hurry to catch mail.
I remain
[Letter 4 - from Joe and Dom's host]
No doubt you have been expecting a letter from me before now. Seeing that Ian wrote you twice you [unclear] that they were alright & happy. First I must saud that the boys are good & do what we tell them. Sometimes a bit later than they ment to be. I get on with them very well but as you know they are boys & want quite a bit of looking after & I am doing my best. I feel very tired sometimes but after a good nights rest I feel better & go on again. Some nights I cannot sleep thinking about my children up in the big city. The only thing that we can do is to prey for them & leave them in Gods tender care. That is my great comfort. He is our help in time of need & they know that he cares for them. The boys shoes are a case. [Unclear] also Joseph our roads are rough. I can scarcely believe that they could wear them out so bad in just a fortnight. Nellie has taken Joseph to the cobblers this afternoon, she says for me to pay for them & then you [unclear] me. I will do the best I can to ake things last as long as I can. The same as I would do for my own children. Be comforted that they are happy & contented. I really think you would see a difference in them if you were to see them now. They get on very well with the food & have good appetites & sleep well & are very healthy. Frankie is just like them very happy. I hope you are both well as it leaves u at present. Our youngest son is coming home from college on Sunday D.V & me are very anxious to see him he has been taking Exams this week & will be home about 9 days & go back to take some more Exams. We hope that you will not have any Air Raids near you I things are looking terrible we don't know what will happen next.
With kindest regards & Gods blessing
[Letter 4 - from Joe and Dom's host]
Your letter to hand Friday the 12th [unclear]. First I must ask your forgiveness not thanking you for the letter I received from you before that & also for not answering this one before. Well I have been more than busy. It was our [unclear] of our P School & a tea on Saturday 13th which the boys enjoyed. It was a second tea on the Monday evening & they enjoyed themselves. I did my [unclear] on Monday morning & took the boys to St Just & got flannel suits for them dark grey size 7 & 8. [unclear] sizes larger that they are wearing. I could not get size m single blazers or cloth suits cheap for the material that as come in late are not the [unclear] & these suits are well worth the money for they are war stock, 12/6 for suit double breasted [unclear] the boys like them very much. I am keeping the suits infact until I hear from you. I have [unclear] for them so [unclear] for so doing. I am enclosing the bill. How you sent me the 5/-
I have sent Joe's shoe which was open right across [unclear] out to the cobblers this morning. From St Just I went [unclear] & took the boys with me to see my brother's wife on a farm & they seen the big bull & seen milking the cows. We had to come back early for the second school tea. On Tuesday my son came back from college it was a surprise & it made me [unclear] busy he went back again yesterday to join the army. He has his B.A. so you see it is a job for me single handed I only have help once a fortnight in the washing. Now what you want to know most [unclear] since last. The boys are going on alright, I have been firm with them but they ar good really on the whole. They are gone on the beach this afternoon. They have taken their Macks with them for they have caught the rain several times & on Wednesday evening they got wet through, it was a very hard & long shower. They are keeping fit & sleep [unclear]. Joe was a bit sick last Friday morning but it soon passed of. The two girls are with my daughter Mrs Curnow. She is our youngest daughter & I think they will get on O.K. They seem to like one other.
Now let me know as soon as you can about the [unclear] I did the same as I would do for my own. Joe's [unclear] trousers that you sent has gone through. He has his light grey one on now. They [unclear] me to ask you to send the wellingtons they will be fine for them on [unclear] & Joe want his bathing suit but I think it wise [unclear] not to send it but I promised him I would ask. I hope you will not have any Air Raids [unclear] we are in for a hard time it is a job to get the food we want but John rears my 30 chickens so that will be something to fall back on it I can get enough food to feed them. We hope you are all keeping well. Joe & Dom talks about you all at times. Joe wrote this letter I have enclosed one evning when I was writing our elder [unclear]. I had to spell the words for him but he did very well. The one he sent in Doms letter he wrote last week. We are all well with [unclear].
Regards Yours Truly
PS The boys say that prayers, we need all the prayers people to [unclear] for our people & country "Gods blessing you all"
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