Following on from yesterday’s post, in 1946 the children of Britain got their own “Thank you and well done”.
This was a printed letter from King George VI, sent to all schoolchildren at the end of the Second World War, recognising the fact that the whole of the country, children included, played their part.
“For you have shared in the hardships and dangers of a total war and you have shared no less in the triumph of the Allied Nations”.
The one I have belonged to a little girl called Diana Morcom, wherever she is now….
12 replies on “Remembrance Week – George VI Thanks the Children of Britain, 1946”
I was born in England in 1940 and I received one of these letters which I still have.
That’s fantastic. I was wondering, did they post them or give them out at school?
I was born in Scotland in 1944, I too have the letter from the King, from July 1946.
I live in the U.S., and just found the letter last year, having never seen it before!!!After grieving, and going through my parents things a million times, it was inside a book. We left Scotland when I was seven, so I was thrilled to find it.
I have it framed, and we all want to know anything we can find out about it. My mum is gone, but I’d like to know how we got it, school or mail?? Thank you so much, Freda
Hi Freda, what a lovely thing to find! I was wondering that myself, about how they were distributed. I presumed through school but if you were 2 and got one, then perhaps they were posted to all kids under a certain age?
Hi Estelle, thanks for your reply. I hope someone else can let us know, the letter is really a treasure to me even though it went to thousands of other children…thanks again, Freda
Diana C R Morcom was born in Q3 of 1937, her birth registered in Truro. Her mother’s maiden name was Varcoe. She had three brothers and a sister, according to BMD records
Thank you for finding that out! I presume she has died and her belongings cleared and sold, but who knows?
Bill January 17 2017
I live in Northern Ireland and remember well the day the letter was handed out. The Principal of the School came to each classroom and personally told us the war was over he then handed out the letter signed by the King and we were given a paper bag with buns and a glass bottle of lemonade (no plastic). This was a real treat after 6 years of austerity. In my childish mind I remember thinking that a letter signed by the King must be an important piece of paper! and it was !! Thank you for the copy I kept mine for years but sadly lost it, so I was delighted to lay eyes on it now aged 80!
Thanks Bill, so pleased that you enjoyed seeing it again! Also thanks for your information about the day it was handed out, it sounds like a wonderful day and I’m not surprised it was so memorable.
I too have the letter fom the king i was born in 1936
Did every child in Britain get one.
Every schoolchild apparently, although some people have said they don’t remember this, so not sure if/how it happened in all regions.