In war news at this time November 23rd saw Metz in France taken, and Strasbourg, in eastern France liberated by French troops. On the 24th the USS Intrepid was hit by kamikazes for the third time and other American ships were heavily damaged On November 25th the Japanese took Nanning in south China, and in the 26th the war in Italy was at a stalemate, partly because of heavy rains.
The reference to Grace in this letter is because John’s brother Maurice’s wife had recently died.
45 King George Road
Minehead
26th November 1944
My darling John,
Well, here I am again. It is 10.35pm and I have had ny bath and supper and now sitting by the tiny fire that’s left in my dressing gown (ready for bed in fact) I am writing to you. I have on my old pink woolly dressing gown, you remember the one (I am saving my new one for you) and an old nightie that has a lace bodice to it. Oh, and I have on my bed jacket that I had in hospital- thrilled? I don’t suppose you are really.
I have to go again to the dentist on Friday 2.30pm and have a tooth filled. The joke is about a month ago Mr.Ducheaune examined my teeth, scaled them and said “Nothing else to do. Come back in six months’ time.” I found this one myself the day after and believe me it nags too. I have to take Anthony with me as I have no one to leave him with. He is a very good boy. He always says, “You can trust me Mummy. I will be good.” and honestly he is Darling. Mr.Ducheaune likes him but says he looks like a “LAD”.
Anthony was talking about Jesus the other day and I happened to mention that Jesus is with Daddy as well. Anthony said quite seriously, “Oh, yes, I expect he comes down from Heaven in a parachute doesn’t he?” What he now wants to know is how does Jesus go up to Heaven other than in an aeroplane and why once we go to Heaven why can’t we come down again. Also how did Jesus make his (Anthony’s) nose and what with. Also do they have nice toys to play with in Heaven and food and what are the shops like etc., etc. (All these questions straight off.) I had to explain about Grace to him, you see. He knew about it and I didn’t want him to get the wrong impression. Now he wants to know if dogs die, when will they die etc. and also he was worried about when he would die. I told him Jesus did not call people to Heaven until the people wanted to go. That soothed his little mind. He ties me up in knots over things though. The latest question tonight was how is a geyser made and how does it work. He hardly plays with toys these days. He draws, traces and colours all day long. I am convinced he will learn very quickly how to read and write. He traces paragraphs out of his books (the reading) and he draws very well now. I tell you he gets endless colouring and tracing books. Now I have hit on the idea of tissue paper for him to trace what he likes. He wants to go to school badly because, he said tonight (tapping his book), ‘then I can learn to read my books myself’. He has unearthed a beginners’ reading Phonics Primer (one of Maurice’s) and sat with it for ages. I endeavoured to teach him. In the end he traced a whole page of writing out of it. I have it in my hand. I wish you could see your son’s efforts. By the way, after he had done this he complained his eyes were all wet (watering I think he meant). Is this eyestrain? He can tell you the definition of an island, the capitals of England, Germany and France. Also that England is an island. He seems to be wanting to learn all the time especially if I encourage him, he runs for the Geography Atlas. He will be a marvellous companion for you Darling. When you write do tell him that when we had him we wanted a little boy badly. He is always asking me this question.
Oh, by the way, he asked me, was he born, where was he before he was born and how did Jesus send him? Why is a chicken laid in a shell and a dog is born like he was and how was he born? Well, John, I don’t quite know what to tell him. Shall I tell him, next time he gets on this subject, that Jesus sends babies into their Mummies’ tummies to keep them warm because they are so tiny and when they are bigger the Mummies go to a doctor and he gets it out, or what? Or do you think he is too young yet? I really am in a dilemma. I dare not risk him asking my mother as she will definitely tell him the wrong thing. He says he wants a baby sister badly and he will call her SANDRA.
I took him to see Pride and Prejudice on Saturday and he was absolutely thrilled the whole way through. He has fallen for Elizabeth (Greer Garson) in it and keeps on asking to see it again.
Well, all this letter seems to have been devoted to your wonderful son. I am now in bed. It’s 11.50. I have got my bedside light on and have my pink bed jacket on. All ready for you Darling. If only you were downstairs finishing your last pipe before coming up. I expect as the boiler is hot you too would have liked a bath and then fresh and warm from it you would come striding in.
I simply must close now Darling.
All my love sweetheart.
Do come home soon. We need you badly.
Always your adoring wife,
Janie xxxxx
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