Evacuee Boys (8 page)

Charlie and Maud Robbins. (By kind permission of Michael Robbins)

I managed a couple of weekends to London by hitching a ride with local overnight lorry drivers for two ‘bob’, and for an 12-year-old it was wonderful to see the dawn en route – without any thought or fear about safety in the care of a stranger. Mother awaited my arrival on the street corner, wearing a worried frown – I didn’t know why. She would have had more cause to worry later, had she known how I was taken to the ‘rec’ and beaten up by three bigger boys, for letting on about their thieving at W.H. Smith.

By then I was well on through puberty and growing fast – though so were these older thugs. To my satisfaction, I was no longer in a position to be humiliated, as when two years earlier one of my 13-year-old tormentors had shamed me in the boys’ lavatories by comparing his superior penis with mine. ‘What d’ya think you’ve got there? Now this is a prick!’ Nip Reese boasted, hanging it out for me to admire. When I reached 13, the big thrill was Dad shaving the thick growth of hair off my upper lip when I visited home.

13
March
1940

Dear Mum & Dad,

I hope you will not faint, receiving a letter so soon after the last one, but the matter is urgent, because there are so many people booking seats for the 11.19 bus on Thursday that I am afraid that we cannot get seats unless you send the 12/- down as soon as you get this letter. I tried to reserve 2 seats, but I was told that I must pay straight away. I should be glad to receive 1/- extra for a school cap. I think you will understand, that if I cannot get the seat on that bus, the I shall not arrive till later in the evening, or have to go by train which cost 16/- instead of 12/- for two of us. So please, as soon as you get this letter (first post to-morrow, I hope) post 12/- by telegram if possible, so that I can book the ticket to-morrow or Friday the latest. Even Friday might be late. From the wireless I understand that you received letters from the Ministry of Health & the Board of Education – not to bring us back for the holidays, but do not worry about that, it is nonsense.

The situation regarding John is unchanged. I have some more marks available, they are; French – 90%; Shorthand 96%; Book-keeping 79%; Arithmetic 86%; General knowledge 64%; Scripture 50%; Geometry 100%; Composition 85%; Average 86%. Total 510 out of 600. I am top in every one of the subjects mentioned here, and I have the history, english & algebra results to come yet.

Lots of love from

Andrew

2
May
1940

Dear Mum & Dad,

Before turning to slightly more unpleasant subjects, I should like to offer you my best wishes for your coming wedding anniversary on the 5th inst. May God give that you will have a much happier year than the last one, & that we might all soon be together, & that Daddy’s business might take fortunate turn, that we shall all live a happy & long life together. May the Lord God free you from all worries & troubles, illness & sorrow, & let him fulfil all your ambitions & desires.

I am sorry to say that I have no money to buy you anything, even so much as a flower or a small souvenir for the occasion. However we may almost assume, that or arrival to London next Friday or Saturday, will be a present, even thought you will have to pay the postage in advance.

I cannot understand why you complain as to lack of news from us, as I only received about two letters from you in the past fortnight, & if anybody, it was me who ought to complain. I do not only write when I want something, only if I’d want it, then I mention it in the letter. If I have only been writing postcards that was because John spends about 6
d
a week on 2
d
books, & on that come sweets & pictures, so that I have not much money left, as even with reasonable economy, money goes like a flash – think you have experienced that yourselves. Will you please forward my enclosed letter to Zsuzsi
17
for the occasion of her birthday, as I do not know the address. I shall write to Grandfather too, for his birthday.

There is not much news, since my last card, everything is the same every day. I have a lot of homework, writing letters, or if not that, then helping with gardening. If I do not do any of those, then John expects me to go out for a ride or walk with him, so life in Melksham is pretty monotonous. That is the reason why we go to pictures once a week.

I have been going to Synagogue (or rather a service) quite regularly since Pessach. I did not go on Tuesday morning, because it was raining hard. Both of us have been keeping to Matzo quite regularly during the eight days, & it was a relief on Tuesday night to have bread for supper.

Rosemary has got a slight touch of mumps, & I asked in school what I was to do, & I was told to go the same as usual. I very nearly came home on Wednesday morning, I already had my things packed, because of that. Now I am gargling, just to safeguard against infection, but I so not think that any harm will come.

Talking of harm, I quite agree with you that it was silly of us going in the open-air baths. I did not want to go in but John insisted, but I should not have gone in if I had known how cold the water was. It was only the water that was too cold, not the weather. Had the water been warmer, we should have been able to have a very nice swim. Anyhow, we cam out quickly & had a cup of tea at the canteen, but that did make much difference, – we were still shivering so much that we could scarcely hold our cups, & when it started raining, we went in & dressed. I dare say it will be very nice there in July – by the way tell Noni not to lecture about that swimming, otherwise I am not coming home for Whitson.

You need not send money for laundry this week, as I was too late for it, & it will only be ready next Saturday, & then I shall be in London. On the other hand, I shall soon want toothpaste, soap & lost my comb, so send very nearly the usual amount. Then I suppose I shall have to give half of it to John for his sweets & comics, & buy stamps & soap etc. on the other half. I do not think that it is fare that John should have all the pleasure out of the money, & I should buy all the necessaries. Even for this stamp, John wants me to borrow 2
d
from Mrs. Kelly, because he wants a comic to-morrow & he will not give me 2
d
for a stamp, when he ordered the comic. So for goodness’ sake send us some money by Saturday morning, so that John might have his comic otherwise he will kill me.

There is no need to worry about John’s bicycle, as he does not go outside the town without me, & he is careful, & the bike is in a better condition than mine. I do not like the idea of seeing the other boys with nice new sports bikes, & me a piece of old iron that rattles. I could easily spend £2 on renovating the bike, – but still I have given up the hope of getting a proper bike for the next year or so.

I am glad to hear that Daddy got his permit, & that he can get employment, if he finds a suitable job. I wonder if that applies to me as well.

Italy seems to be on the verge of entering the war with Germany – I never expected this.

I am leaving room for John too!

Lots of kisses, best wishes & love,

from Andrew

P.S. Did you know that Magyari, the Hungarian Gypsy died a few days ago?

3
May
1940

Dear Mum and Dad,

I wish you all the best of luck for your wedding anniversary, may it be granted that you shall live a very happy long and healthy life, and let us hope that we shall be together again.

Thank you for sending my watch. When it arrived it had a broken glass, we had it mended and was all right, but after a few days it kept stopping and now it wont go at all and the winder is broken off.

When I read Andrews letter I was really very disappointed that he even envies me for buying 3, 2
d
books a week and a little sweets (Andrew bought some too, so he can’t say anything). And I think it is really mean that when we get 6/- and I have 1/6 while Andrew has 4/6 that I cant spend the 1/6. Andrew has too many necessaries, it is not my fault either if he looses his comb.

Lots of love to Noni, Mariska and you

John

23
May
1940

Dear Daddy,

I got your letter to-day and I was very pleased with it, but you were a little absent minded as you wrote that you were sending some money but you forgot to put the money in. We are breaking up for our Witsun holliday next Friday 30/5/41. Please send the fare to go to London and some money for myself
at once
, as you have not sent me any at all yet. I am longing to meet you all. How is business? I am glad Andrew has got a nice new suit, and I hope to get one too.

I have got a fairly bad caugh. I hope to see you soon, and Mummy Andrew Noni & everybody. I[s] Vera still in London? I am short of news so I must say good bye. Hoping to see you soon.

Lots of love and kisses from your everloving son,

John

11
June
1940

Dear Mum & Dad,

I received your last letter on Friday & I am sorry I am so slow replying. Even then I cannot put a stamp on as I am absolutely and perfectly broke. Of course that does not matter much as long as you know it.