10th November 1996 
Dear Eleanor,
Last time we chatted on the telephone you asked me to tell me some stories about my childhood. I thought I would tell you about the time when my brother Brian and I had to leave our home in Margate, Kent because of the war. I expect you will have noticed people wearing red poppies just recently these poppies remind us all of the soldiers sailors and airmen who were killed in the war. They also helped to raise money to look after all the men who were injured. 
…
…to somewhere safer. Everyone was very sad but they thought it was the best thing to do. My mum was given a list of clothes we had to take but there was no room for toys or books. However my mom talked diary into my rucksack.
…
Mr and Mrs Riley weren't used to children and we were only allowed in some areas of the house. We only saw the ‘front room’ by standing on tip toes and peering in through the bay window. Still many people kept a ‘best’ room which was seldom used. If the weather was fine enough we ate our lunch-time sandwiches on the back door step so that we did not drop crumbs in the kitchen. However we were compliant children and, for the most part, accepted our lot in life we also used to spend many hours playing with evacuee friends at a near-by farm. 
....
[they later moved to live on this farm]
Life took on decidedly relaxed approach and, although farm life was very primitive, it was very carefree. All the animals on the farm had names. Jim, the horse, used to pull the cart when Mrs Burns went to market. Only once, to our great delight, did Mrs Burns take us to market and then onto the fair. It was a school day really and we let out a hearty cheer as Jim trotted on past the school with his extra load. 
…
Although the war didn’t affect us in the country, some nights we would lie in bed and hear the throbbing engines of the German ‘planes passing overhead on their way to drop bombs on the city of Birmingham. When people are at war, they strike the cities because that is where they can cause the most damage. The horizon would sometimes be orange because of the flames from the huge fires reflecting in the sky.  
…
Lots of really terrible things happen in wars and many people are made very sad. However, had it not been for the war, I would never have met grandad. We've been happily married for thirty nine years and we have two lovely children (your mummy and uncle A) and three lovely grandchildren. we also we have also gained your daddy and uncle A’s wife, auntie M. 
I wonder if one day you will be asked to write about your life as a young girl? You had better start writing a diary, Eleanor, as it is quite difficult to remember lots of details so far back. Still, I think that you have got a better memory than me!
Love, 
Granny