Evacuee Boys (6 page)

I do not think there is anything else that will interest you, so all the best wishes, & give my love to everybody. Thousands of kisses to you until we meet again.

From Andrew

P.S. I hope you can read my scribble.

15
February
1940
– written in Hungarian

Dear Mummy and Daddy,

Mummy wrote such a nice letter in English that I write in English with astonishment. Just in John’s letter were there some errors in expression but the English is very good. Thank you for the money and for the handkerchiefs.

Johnny has not moved from his place yet, but as I wrote earlier, wait since only a few days will pass till the billeting officer will get better. Hopefully everything will be in order by the 20th, but if not, a few days later. Poor Dr. Cavell has got so tired, that it would be poor behaviour if we did not wait for a week or two, and he has been trying to help us.

I would like to know, if the Easter Holiday is long enough, then you think that we could go camping with the 10th Fulham Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I still have no certainly and there may not be a camp, but probably, but Mr. Young already wrote that if possible he will arrange a camp half way between London and Melksham, and then the London and the evacuated children can camp together. In this case, I could be home by Monday afternoon. This is just a proposal, but I would like to know your opinion.

Write to say if I am writing correctly in Hungarian, because I would like to take a Hungarian exam in December, and I want to know, if my language and spelling are good enough and that I don’t use English rules translated into Hungarian. Since we are in Melksham, I now speak English so much that often English comes easier than Hungarian.

Exceptionally, yesterday I got a battery for the bicycle lamp which cost 9
d
. John bought himself a Scout diary for a shilling, and I spent one penny on a collar being cleaned (I had 3
d
), so that between us we have 4
d
.

I am pleased that the bridge tournament idea was successful, and I hope that this will repeat many times. Perhaps if somebody knows that he could only lose his friend’s money, then he will come. How could Mr. Haes have won the first prize? Perhaps he became a good player, that he won the prize? [The final page of the letter is missing.]

21
February
1940
– written in Hungarian

Dear Mum and Dad,

A thousand apologies, that I have now written for such a long time. I was waiting for John’s letter and I did not have much time. Anyway I won’t wait for John’s letter.

For now, John is still in that place, but it should be possible for him to move this week or next week. Wait a while, till things are in order.

Thanks very much for the 4/6, For now I am not spending much from I, but the reason why I wanted it was that at last, I shall be able to get my watch, which has been in the shop since 1st January. I miss it.

I see from the calendar with pleasure, that only one month remains till the Easter holiday and then with the earliest bus, we shall get together. I must finish now as I have to go to school.

Many, many kisses sent by your Andrew

P.S. The cream slice and the sugar cake are very lovely.

February
1940
– written in Hungarian

Dear Mummy and Daddy,

I received Mummy’s letter today and I am very sad, that you think that I did not write because I have cooled away from you and because I am not interested in you. My letters are short, because there is no particular news. Every day we do the same and there is no variation or news. John has not had a bath since he did at Melksham House, because the times are reserved for soldiers. I am going to Mr. Clark again and ask him if it is not possible to for Daddy to talk with him John moving with him, that John might be able to move. Mrs. Trimnell also now wants him to go, because she could get a lodger in place of the two children and that would pay her more. Daddy should also talk about this, but I don’t know how much that would help. Next week we begin exams, always in March. I hope to be top boy, but I am not sure of this. John also has exams, but it is not sure that he will come first, because he has only been in the class since Christmas.

I told John to write also, so that we can post a letter today.

Daddy, please bring enough money so that I can get my watch out and John would like you to leave his watch with the watchmaker in London, not where you bought the watches.

Unfortunately I cannot write any more because I have to go to evening school and it is already quarter to six. We have to do a small play for the smaller boys.

I don’t have time to write to Noni, I’ll write next time and till then I send my respects.

Andrew sends many, many kisses

26
February
1940
– two pairs of tattered letters with pieces missing. Andrew’s in Hungarian, John’s in English

Dear Mummy & Daddy,

Actually I did not write, because I was waiting for news from home. Unfortunately, John has still not moved, I hope they will do something on Saturday. They usually move on Saturdays. We are glad that Daddy will come on Sunday. Now that the weather is nicer, I hope there will be no impediment. … there may be an opportunity on Thursday and we shall see what can be done.

We went to the pictures on Saturday, and saw two very good films. We may go today too, if I don’t have enough money, then John will go – I don’t know.

Speaking of money, I have 2 pence, but Johnny has 1/-. Of course if we go to the cinema, then I shall only have 2
d
from which 1½
d
I’ll spend on the stamp. There is not much more to write, so I am leaving John some room.

Many, many kisses and don’t be cross,

Andrew

Dear Mum and Dad,

I am sorry I haven’t written yet. I have not been moved yet. We cleaned the bicycle on Saturday and it isn’t so rusty. I am glad that Dad is coming on Sunday.

Lots of love to everybody from,

John

P.S. I am writing so badly because I am writing
on a wall
.

Undated and pieces missing

We are progressing well at school, I can now prove Pythagoras’ Theorem. The difference is just that we call it Pejszagorasz. Besides this, we are progressing well in Algebra and we are solving quite difficult equations. The English teacher said that I may have a chance to pass in English, but the rest …? I ‘took’ a little of this, because till then, I thought I might pass in English … will try to write – but that will require more stamps and my money will be used up more quickly. And I cannot writ either without buying stamps and envelopes.

I am leaving space for John, for tomorrow too.

Love and kisses,

Andrew

… continued by John

Dear Mum and Dad,

We than[k] you for the money you sent and the handkerchiefs. Yesterday I bought myself a Scouts diary for 1/-.

Unfortunately I have not been moved yet, and if I don’t get moved shortly than bring me home. I am fed up with waiting and with Mrs. Trimnell.

Sunday she tries to make me go to Church and when I told her that I was of a different religion, she said she does not care. Yesterday she sent me out for a walk again. Lately she never boils any water for the hot water bottle and if I ask for it, she said that I don’t need it.

I therefore have to sleep with shirt and pullovers and the dressing-gown on. Sometimes she doesn’t wake us until about half past eight and I am late for school. I have no more room to write, so goodbye till we meet again.

Lots of love and kisses to everyone,

from John

29
February
1940