2110-3-1-27

FOREIGN OFFICE [stamp]

July: 9: 17

My dearest wee Mother

We had a stirring time on Saturday morning. When I got down to the F.O. I found the warnings had gone out about an air raid, & the lower halls & passages were packed with people. I had just started my letters when a hectic messenger announced that the planes were over London, so I chased my

people out of the two top floors. Sandy & I had a wonderful view of them from an upper window. It was the most brazen sight, for they took their time about it, & the air fairly [reechoed] with the noise of bombs & shrapnel. It looked as if they were dropping all their bombs on Portland Place, & I was anxious about Susie. However when I got on to Susie on the telephone it

appeared she had been in a bus in the Brompton Road & had taken refuge in the Underground. She was very much frightened, poor child. The London air defences can't be much good if the invaders could make such a leisurely progress over the city.

We went down to Kent at 1.15, & found the children very well. It was a lovely afternoon & I took them for a long

walk in the woods. Yesterday it rained the whole day, & I had a soaking walk. This morning is also very wet. I hope you are getting better weather at Crail

Much love, my dear wee body

Your ever loving

John