I found this series of letters while looking for something else today. I've had them for ages and hadn't read them in just as long. My grandfather, Grandpa as we all called him, was the greatest of grandfathers. We lived with him and Gran for the 1st 5 yrs of my life. Grandpa had a great sense of humor and fortunately often saw the funny side of things. He was a good one to play things out as well. Back when my Dad was 12, he broke a window at Camberwell School of Arts, a local school. He never denied it & Grandpa was more then willing to pay for repairs … once the local council got their facts straight that is. It took quite a few months before things were finally settled and paid up! So glad they kept the correspondence that went back and forth and so glad that I now have them. :))

This is a letter that my grandfather received from the London County Council regarding a window that Dad broke at a local school. Note that it says the window was broken on the 11th instant!!


Dear Sir,
I am in receipt of your letter of the 7th inst & regret to learn that my son is suspected of breaking a window. I have asked him if he broke a window in the school keepers house at the Camberwell School of Art & he assures me that he has not broken a window for many months & certainly not at the above school. Your letter says the window was broken on the 11th inst (that will be next Sunday - I will keep him under lock & key that day). I think you had better let me know more exact details & in case it should be my son you had better let me know how you arrive at 13/8 for a pane of glass - was it gilt edged?
Yours Faithfully, Nathan Phillips



Dear Sir,
I am in receipt of your letter of the 16th inst. & am perfectly satisfied that my son did not break any window any where during June 1948 & certainly not at the above school. You say you have evidence. I will pay without hesitation if you can prove to me that your claim is correct. Yours Faithfully, NP

Love the fact that they were acknowledging their mistake with the date, although still not correct. They responded to my grandfather's sarcasm of gilt-edged glass too :)




Dear Sir,
Since you now seem to have your facts correct and I feel that I am being asked to pay for something for which I am really liable, I have pleasure in enclosing herewith Cheque to the value of 13/8.
Yours Faithfully, NP

Received of Mr. N. Phillips the sum of Thirteen shillings and 8d. Damage to Council's property Camberwell School of Arts & Crafts cost of repairing window of schoolkeepers quarters damaged 11th Feb. 1948.

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."

~ 21 November ~

~ Happy Happy 23rd Heidi ~

Loved lots and missed more then you ever could have imagined.
You're never far from our thoughts and will be with us till the
very end of time and then some xoxox

“The fall of a leaf is a whisper to the living”

The fall of a leaf is a whisper to the living

Russian Proverb