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11 December 1942.
Dear Jack,
It’s been some seven months since you left home to join up with the army. I hope the training isn’t too hard. I hear the Japanese have taken Taipei. I expect you’ll get to see some of the action soon enough. Mum and all the family send their good wishes. We’ve made some fruit mince pies for Christmas which I know are your favourite treat. Hope to see you soon.
Your cousin, Tom.
“Finish the letters you are writing please.”
I looked up to see my teacher Mrs. Parker walking around the classroom peering over her spectacles handing out envelopes to the class.
“Place your letters in the envelope please children and I’ll arrange for them to be posted,” Mrs. Parker said.
Today’s lesson was writing a Christmas letter to our family or friends. I decided to write to my cousin Jack. Since Jack left home I’ve written to him every few weeks just to make sure he doesn’t forget us. Although Jack is six years older, he says that I am the closest to him of all our family especially as he has no brothers or sisters. We always play football and cricket together and he has taught me how to fast bowl. I guess we are a little alike in characte