A Father’s Love

During WWII many fathers wrote letters back to their children. This must have given them a sense of joy and sadness. I’m sure the children were just as excited to write and receive these letters. One of the Gympie Family History Society members, was going through some boxes recently and found some letters her father had written to her while serving in New Guinea during WWII. The following are those letters:

To My Darling Margaret
A little bird just told me that you threw a cup of water over the little girl O’Donahue, is that true. You must be a little savage. Another little bird told me that you might go to kindergarten and your only 3 years old. Are you still looking after Mummy for me, I hope so. Well Darling Daddy will soon be better and I might see you soon. Cheerio Darling. Lots of Love and give Mummy a big hug for me.
Your loving Daddy

My Daring Daughter Margaret
I was very pleased to receive your nice letter. My word you are certainly coming on at school aren’t you. I am very sorry to hear that Grandpa is sick in Hospital, you say some prayers for him and you will help a lot by being a good girl for Mummy, as Mummy has a lot to do and I am not home to help her so I am relying on you to take my place. Give Mummy a big hug and kiss for me and keep one for yourself. Now don’t forget, be good for Mummy. Cheerio for the present with all my love to your dear self and Darling Mummy.
Your Loving Daddy
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To My Darling Margaret
Just a line to Darling Margaret to let you know that I am always thinking of you and I got your last letter alright. It must have taken you a long time to write it as it was a long letter. Well Darling you will have to look after Mummy for me and give her a big hug for me. How is Mary Rose and the wheelbarrow getting on I hope Mary Rose is not sick, you want to look after her. How is Jan and Marion getting on I hope they are well.
Cheerio Darling Margaret for the present and write soon, lots of love and kisses from your loving Daddy

Darling Margaret
Just fancy you being in Hospital getting your tonsils out. I hope you weren’t frightened of the Doctor and Nurses, but a little bird told me that you were not a bit frightened so I am pleased that my little girl is a brave one. I suppose by this time you are quite recovered from the operation. You will be able to tell it to all your school mates about your operation now, won’t you? But how lucky you are being able to get ice cream and here is poor Daddy not able to get any at all, so Darling see how lucky you are. And how lucky you are to have Mummy and Grandma read stories to you. I wish I were home to read to you also.
And a little bird told me that the Sister, sends home some homework for you to do, so I hope you do it and study as much as you can so you will be a smart girl and come top of the class. Give Mummy a big hug and Kisses for me and keep one for yourself. Well Darling I will close now and be a good girl and help Mummy as much as you can.
All my love to your Dear self from you loving Daddy
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When the other society members read these letters, we were so moved at the out pouring of love in them that we just had to include them in a story for the paper. We all loved the “A little bird told me”, bit in the letters. What a lovely reminder for Margaret, of her father’s love. Many thanks to Margaret, for allowing us to read and have the letters printed in the Gympie Today for others to read.

This story was compiled by Wendy Flikweert and it appeared in the Gympie Today newspaper of July 2022