Mr. T. Oakley
73 Lawn Lane
Little Wierwold
GH3 2NN
Mr. H. Trumble
The Home Office
Westminster Street
London
WC21 4LW
Monday 13th March 1942
Dear Mr. H. Trumble
I am writing to you today because of my concern of this evacuee, named William Beech. William was given to me yesterday morning at 10:20am from one of your brilliant billeting officers in Little Wierwold. With regret, I cannot fulfill his need at this point in time.
My first major problem with this problematic child is his bed-wetting; this morning, I went to William’s room to find his bed soaked in urine amd so I had to buy him new children’s pyjamas and brand new bed sheets. I then also had to carry his really heavy matress down and onto the shed’s roof, which hurt my back and arms alot.
The second significant problem is William getting told horrible myths by his mother back in London about dogs being poisonous and dangerous and so he threatened to kill my dog. If I was not there, if I had left William, if my dog had gotten closer, then my dog would be gone, forever…
One of my last dilemmas has been this child’s medication. I have spent a lot of money on this child’s medicines and creams. I found his legs and back covered in scars and bruises from possibly being beaten really hard and when he eats (which is ever much), it just comes back up about half an hour to an hour later. He is a very ill child.
For these reasons, this poor child should be sent to a greater family that is more wealthy than me alone. But if you send me a little more money each week, if you give this child some free medication, if you could help this child, then I may consider keeping this child with me instead of sending him off to some other place.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Tom Oakley