The Rushden Echo and Argus, 9^th March, 1945

Leon Writes to Dorothy
Belgian Boy and Rushden Soldier’s Daughter

  Here is the letter of Leon Van Loon, a Belgian boy, to Dorothy Lumbers, of Rushden.

  “Dear Dorothy, I have the pleasure to write you this short letter.  I know you by my friend, your father, whom I see every day.  He is always speaking of you and of your dear mother.  Let us hope that he is soon by you.

  “Enclosed I am sending you my fotograph.  Keep it in remembering of a Belgian boy to the daughter of a man who has helped at the liberation of my dear Belgium.

  “I should be obliged if you would kindly send me yours together with a short letter.  Please send it your father.  He shall give it me.  This letter is very short because it is my first English letter.  Also excuse me if there are some mistakes in.  Kindly remember you mother of me.”

  Dorothy, aged seven, has already forwarded her picture.  She lives at 192, Wellingborough-road, and her father is Dvr. Horace Lumbers, R.A.S.C., who served in the Home Guard for four years and worked for Messrs. Eaton and Co., boot manufacturers, joining the Army 11 months ago.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 9^th March, 1945

Doll for Child Raid Victim

  A lovely dressed doll, with a package of other beautiful doll’s attire, has been received by 12-year-old Eileen Jupp, of 19, Pemberton-street, Rushden, who has been paralysed down her right side since the bombing of the Alfred-street School over four years ago.

  Eileen is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Jupp, and her father, who is now in Italy, has been abroad for 2½ years.  The doll has come from America and was forwarded through the Ministry of Pensions.

  A note stated that it was one of the dolls dressed and donated by Miss Margaret Gleason, of 2,500 Durant-avenue, Berkeley, California, U.S.A.

  An invalid herself, it was Miss Gleason’s wish “that the dolls be given to the dear little girls of England who have been crippled by the war.”

  Eileen is still receiving treatment and expects to go shortly to the Manfield Convalescent home, Northampton.