Free Evacuee Boys by John E. Forbat Page A

last one.

    Lots of love from
    Andrew

    14 October 1940
    Dear Mum & Dad,

    Thank you very much for your last card, which I received this morning. As you refer, to what will happen to us after December, I thought it might be as well to discuss the point in detail and make or plans the best we can.
    Of course, there is no real problem if you are in Bristol. Then I shall get a good job there and save up sufficient money for some of the high school expenses. If, however you are still in London, as I hope you will not be, then I do not think it is advisable for me to go back to London, unless I am forced to. It is improbable that I can get a job in Melksham, but I might try and get one in Trowbridge or one of the neighbouring towns. Then however, the problem of lodging arises, for if I go to Trowbridge, then I shall have to get into somewhere for a sum which would nearly take up the whole of my wages. There is a great shortage of lodgings, and therefore the charge is high. Please consider these facts and decide.
    We are quite all right, there are no air-raids, & I am busy, although not quite so busy as before. John has received his socks with thanks. He cannot write his letter because I am writing it in the dinner-hour, & have to post it before he can write.
    Well I must get off to school now. So lots of love & luck

    Andrew

    P. S. Please send money, if you can.

    9 November 1940
    Dear Mum & Dad,

    Thank you very much for your post card & letter to which, I am only able to reply now. I am afraid I have been rather busy, & now, 3 weeks before the examination I shall be busier still, so do not worry if the replies to your letters are slightly delayed as it is in this case.
    To-day, I told Mr. Riddick 19 that I could no longer carry on with my paper round, since I had to stay up a little longer owing to increased home work & extra lessons & therefore it was impossible for me to get up early at the same time, & do my work efficiently. It had to be one or the other, but I could not do both. I know you will agree with me in this & even though you will have to send me money more frequently to supplement my wages. I know this will be hard on your pockets but it is only a matter of 6 weeks at the most.
    You seem to be rather anxious to know if I am not overworking myself. Well I do not think you need worry a great deal about that, especially now that I have given up the paper-job.
    It is true that I did not go to school yesterday because I did not feel too well in the morning, but after my paper round I went back to bed for the morning & I feel all right now.
    I am afraid I have hardly had time to comment on your misfortunes up to now, since I only wrote short cards, on which I could only just write how we were going on, & what we were doing, & how broke we were. Of course I am sorry that you have so much work today & had to move so many times, but the main thing is that your are all right.
    Mr. Redfearn told us yesterday that we have an alternative of three things after the Cambridge:-
    (1) To go back to London
    (2) Stay at School
    (3) Get a job round here
    I think I am going to ask him if I could get transferred to a Secondary School somewhere if I paid. It is probable that I could pay the fees from my paper-money but I shall have to ask about that. If this is impossible than I think I shall try to get a job somewhere in the neighbourhood which will supply me with lodging money & a few shillings pocket money & in the meanwhile I intend to get further education at an Evening School & then to be able to go on to a University when I can get Scholarships. I do not think it is advisable to back to London now, & I’d not want to stay on at Kelly’s any longer than necessary, since they, I think they are planning to let the room in which I am now.
    Well I cannot write any more, but I should like to have your views on the future. Please try to send money regularly, since I am sending my laundry out again & I have to save up for John’s