World War II and the children's experience
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Children's Overseas Reception Board
45 Berkeley Street,
London WI
19 September 1940
Dear Mr. Myatt,
I am very distressed to inform you that in spite of all the precautions taken the ship carrying your child to Canada as torpedoed on Tuesday night September 17th. I am afraid your child was not among those reported as rescued and I am informed that there is no chance of there being any further list of survivors from the torpedoed vessel.
The Children's Overseas Reception Board wishes me to convey its very deep sympathy with you in your bereavement. Like so many other parents you were anxious to send your child overseas to one of the Dominions to enjoy a happier and safer life. You courageously took this decision in the interest of your child believing that this course was better than leaving the child here in a vulnerable area subject to continuous air raids. Hitherto there has been no casualties among the thousands of children sent overseas; Unhappily the course of the war has shown that neither by land nor sea can there be complete safety and all of us are subject to the risk whether we stay at home or proceed overseas .
As a parent I can realise the anguish that this letter may cause you and the great sadness which will be brought into your home. I should like to assure you how profoundly I, personally, sympathise with you and how deeply I share your grief.
Yours very truly,
Geoffrey Shakespeare
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