Letter: A harsh childhood
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Regarding the correspondence on children being sent abroad (Letters, 17 and 20 July), my father was a child in Father Hudson's Homes at Coleshill in about 1904. He had three sisters at Nazareth House in Harborne, Birmingham, as boys and girls were segregated, and he was not allowed to see his sisters.
One day, a nun asked the boys if they would like a trip to Canada. They thought it was a day out. A week later, a shipload of them were sent to Canada. After disembarking, they were put on a train, and in ones and twos were put off at different stations.
My father was seven. There was no one to meet him. The snow was about 4ft deep. After about an hour, a farmer came to pick him up.
He slept in a barn, on straw and hay, and had to take his boots in bed to prevent them from freezing. The war came and he enlisted in the Canadian Army, where he was gassed. After being discharged in England, he traced his sisters.
He did not mention cruelty, but he lived in harsh and severe conditions. He had no love or family life, which affected him. He was not able to show any affection to my mother, my sister or I.
Sincerely,
HELENA F. MORRIS
Pershore, Worcestershire
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments