Evacuee Boys (17 page)

The days in Evesham were much of the same thing. When I had night work, I got to bed about 10 in the morning, but I had trouble getting used to sleeping during the day. I spent a lot of time with a friendly family and made friends with a few colleagues, women, girls and men who were my fellow workers. I tried to be very conscientious in my work. On one occasion I noticed that a German station broadcast music for a whole hour, and the composer of each piece began with the letter M. I reported this, and the chief called me to his office, praised me that my attention had included this, and said I should notice these things again. A few days later, a colleague asked me what I had discovered for the chief to praise me (he sat next to me at work) and I told him. A few weeks later, the chief called us all into the office and said that some people had talked about their work and everyone should know that this is strictly forbidden. Sometimes I felt that he was referring to my indiscretion although he gave no sign of this. It seemed as though this was about some different serious matter, although previously I had not even thought that I had done anything wrong. Everyone in the hut knew that I had made some sort of ‘discovery’ and everyone had listened to the German broadcasts, yet my conscience was not clear. To this day I do not know whether he directed his remarks at me or to someone else.

Soon Mum was due for a few days’ holiday and we were happily planning that she would spend it with me in Evesham. I talked to the Beasleys, who readily agreed that she should stay in my room and they would give her, her meals. We could barely wait for the day when the day of her free time would arrive. I had a narrow bed in my room, but we thought that we would be able to get into it together. We arranged that Mum should come on a week when I was working from 8–4, so that the afternoon and evenings were ours. I waited for her with the excitement of waiting for a new bride until she arrived on August 1. I would have brought down the stars of the sky to make her stay with her happy and it was successful. We had dinner in the club each night. While I was at work, she looked around the town on her own. She made an excursion to Stratford-on-Avon to see the Shakespeare memorabilia. In the afternoon, she was waiting for me at the bus station as I came back from work. We only had one problem. My bed was too narrow for both of us and we were afraid that if one of us were to turn, the other would fall out. We did not mind this discomfort. When I got up at 6 a.m., Mum was able to stretch out and sleep comfortably for a few hours.

Our only worry was that the ‘holiday relief’ season was coming to an end and there were no indications that I would be retained in the job. I had a day off on my birthday, August 7, and I could not bear the uncertainty. We got on a bus and went to see the chief and asked for an interview. I was at least able to show Mum my workplace. She waited on a bench while I was with the chief. I asked about my prospects and he said, definitely none. My employment would be over in the middle of October. I was very distressed and she knew the result of the interview by looking at my face. As I knew that one of three temporary workers was retained, the matter hurt me even more.

24
April
1941

Dear Dad,

I got our card this dinner time and I was pleased to hear from you. I inquired about the bus to Evesham and I was told that I should have to go to Bath on the Bath bus and go by some other service from there. And I don’t know what service to go by. So If I wand to go by bus I shall have to go to Bath I shall have to go to Bath beforehand and make enquiries etc. So I went down to the G.W.R. station and asked about the trains and there they told me that I could get a train on Friday at 4.6 p.m. and the fares would be 10/3 return which is very dear so I am at a loss what to do as I want to come. And even then I’ll not be able to come till next week as you don’t get your pay until Saturday.

John

25
April
1941

Dear Dad,

The fares which I wrote yesterday were wrong instead of it being 10/3 it is 7/11 ½ by train to Evesham so it will not be so bad. Please write and tell me what week-end to come and send the money. Please send soon pocket money too. As I have but ½
d
left and Mrs. Robbins has not even suggested paying me for the Easter eggs. Lots of love and kisses

John

28
April
1941

Dear Mum and Andrew,

Thank you very much for the socks and the belt. They are very nice. I am very sorry to say that I have again lost my fountain pen and this time I have not got it back. I had a letter from daddy today and he says that he is going to London for Friday & Saturday. And I am very pleased too that I most likely to be able to go to Evesham and see him, the week after he goes to see you , as he is off Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday (this week) I am going to Bath to enquire which bus service I have to use, and perhaps book my seat. I am sending the ‘Hotspur’ ‘Champion’ & ‘Adventure’. I am not expecting the money back from Mrs. Robbins as I think she is taking it for granted that the Easter eggs were a present (I don’t blame her). How are you? How is Andrew and Noni? (Write soon please I will write to daddy when he sends some money as I am broke all but 1
d
. He said he is sending some Tuesday which will get here on Wednesday.

I have nothing else to write so good bye 9264x2 – 2 yz millions of kisses from your ever-loving
John
.

2
May
1941

Dear Everybody,

I am sending the report in this letter. The school is paying 1
d
for the stamp and I have to pay the 1½
d
. I am quite broke and I had to lend the money for the letter. Daddy wrote in his last letter that he is sending some money Tuesday which should have got here Wednesday but I have not heard from him at all yet. How is everybody? At the moment it is bad weather hear. It has been raining all the morning. Please write soon. How is Noni and Andrew? Is he still at his job? I hope I’ll get some money to night from dad as I want to go to Bath tomorrow to make enquiries.

Love & kisses from

John

P.S. I am sorry I have been so long sending this letter as I expected to get the report on Friday but I could not get it till Monday. I went to Bath on Saturday and I booked my seats to Evesham for next week-end to see daddy. Lots of love & kisses from your ever-loving

John

2
May
1941

Dear Everyone,

I am terribly sorry that I forgot to mention about Daddy’s photo which you sent me. I was ever-so pleased with it and I think it is a very good picture. Please (if possible) send one of Mummy and Andrew too.

I am very glad that at last you agree with me and let me wear my new suit. I am sure I’ll look more like a human being. I promise I’ll take care of it as much as possible.

By the way please send me at least two pairs of socks immediately (if possible) for as you know these are in pieces.

I went to Trowridge pictures to-day and again got in for 16. The pictures were very good. One was Laurel & Hardy one called ‘Great Guns’ and the other one was called ‘Man at large’ which was also very good and had two or three murders in it (that’s all) hm hm!!

I have got an allotment free from the school & I share it with Jim Gurr, we have already dug it up and have planted some seeds, then when they come up I can sell the food and make a profit.

I am looking forward to seeing you all soon and I shouldn’t be surprised if in 3 weeks time we should all be together. Has Dad heard from the B.B.C. yet? Give my love to Noni, and I hop[e] Andy has swatted many flies.

Lots of love and kisses from your everloving

John

3
May
1941

Dear Dad,

I am at Bath and I have made the necessary enqueries about the bus. It is 4/- return. I leave Bath at 11.50 change at Cheltenham at 2.40.

So I am now going to get out of the savings 4/- and book the seats. Please wait for me at the bus (on Saturday).

Lots of love & kisses from

John

15
May
1941

Dear Daddy,

I arrived safely in Melksham at 6 o’ clock after having to wait for the bus from Bath till about 5.15. We have started to learn shorthand & bookkeeping. How are you getting on? Have you heard from Mummy yet? I am writing to her to-day and I shall try to persuade her to learn ride a bicycle

I hop[e] to see you soon.

Lots of love & kisses from

John