Special Relations

by Jocelyn Statler

In September 1940 the three eldest children of Grace and John Mathews travelled from their home in Southampton to Liverpool and embarked in the liner Antonia to make the hazardous passage across the Atlantic. They were among some 9,000 British children who were evacuated to the United States during the Second World War and their parents were not to see them again for five years. The letters from the children and their American foster parents were carefully preserved by John Mathews, who also kept copies of his own letters. Written by ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, the letters give an intimate glimpse of domestic life on both sides of the Atlantic during the war years, as it was experienced at the time.

184 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1990

Reviews

[Richard Newbold · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book, both in telling a tale from the nooks and crannies of WWII - the evacuation of children from Britain to the States during the dark days of 1940 - and as a fascinating and moving story as the families involved (two American and the British family whose three older children made what must have seemed a giant leap) swapped letters about the day-to-day, school work, practicalities of maintaining contact, and the hopes and dreams for what might be after the war was won.

Letters published like this always draw me in - it's often the unconsidered detail that strikes home rather than a polished narrative. The generosity and warmth of the American hosts, the Matthews and Strohmenger families in Ohio shines through. In particular, an exchange between the American host, Bill Matthews and the British father (John "one T" Mathews), where the former self-confessed affluent "New Dealer" expounds on the dangers and responsibilities of wealth, and the latter responds with his belief that education is at the heart of the reforms they both yearn for post war, is both moving and eloquent - and leaves me wondering if there is still room for such dialogue today?

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book for many reasons, not the least of which is that a couple of the main characters in this book are my great-grandparents (Matthews - "Two Ts"). Reading my great-grandmother's letters was such an interesting experience. It was fascinating to read her description of Christmas traditions that in her day had already been traditions for generations. Those same traditions are still alive and well in our family today.

This book also can't help but inspire one to write more letters. Their writing was just so good and interesting to read: good stories, lots of polite niceties, loads of humor.