My Grandfather, FW Snr, had a younger brother Leonard, who had lived in Canada for most of his life. FW Snr. had kept in touch with him by letter, but on his death, and at the request of my Grandmother, it became the responsibility of my father to do the corresponding. He was now the head of the family and keeping in touch with "the Old Uncle" was his responsibility.

 

He duly contacted his uncle and informed him of the death of his father, and so the letter writing began!

 

It was not long before Leonard made the suggestion that FW and family should pack up and go and live in Canada. Most of the letters that are still at hand make reference to that very thing!!

 

These letters have been transcribed exactly how they have been written,

including spelling and grammatical mistakes.

 

13th July 1945	Leonard itemises his income.
24th September 1945	Offers FW financial support.
26th July 1946	Len makes a profit and offers still more money.
7th August 1946	Len sends a food parcel.
28th August 1946	Under no circumstances book passage!
16th November 1946	Len has second thoughts and goes to school.
22nd November 1946	Len sends the money.
11th January 1947	Sell up and book passage.
6th February 1947	Instructions for popping the corn.
11th March 1947	Len needs his Birth certificate.
19th March 1947	Plastering is the answer.
29th March 1947	Lens gets angry.
31st March 1947	Become a Plasterers Helper.
12th April 1947	The argument goes on.
17th April 1947	The offer of a house
22nd April 1947	Take the 1st available boat.
29th April 1947	Len builds a 2 car garage.
6th May 1947	It's a con, charter your own steamer!!.
19th May 1947	I'll meet you at the station.
28th November 1947	To Whom it may Concern.

 

As you can see from the letters above, life was going to be greatly improved in the New World.

 

The promise of a house of our own, guaranteed income and the eventual inheritance of L.J.'s estate. Compare this to the hard times people were suffering in post war England. While the decision to emigrate must have been a hard one to make, the promise of a better life was too good to turn down.

 

However, to find out what really happened, see the next page... The Canadia Adventure