Book description
'Dad walked determinedly down the path, joined by two neighbours
with five children between them. As we reached the corner of Kent
Avenue, I looked back for one last wave. But Mum had buried her head
in her pinny and it was a year before I saw her again.'
In June 1940, 10-year-old Pam Hobbs and her sister Iris took the
long journey from their council home in Leigh-on-Sea to faraway rural Derbyshire.
Living away from Mum and Dad for two long years, Pam was moved
between four foster homes. In some she and Iris found a second family,
with babies to look after, car rides and picnics, and even a pet pig.
But other billets took a more sinister turn, as the adults found it
easy to exploit the children in their care.
Returning to Essex, things would never be the same again, and the
war was far from over. Making do with rations, dodging bombs and
helping with the war effort, Pam and her family struggled to get by.
In Don't Forget to Write, with warmth and vivid detail, Pam
describes a time that was full of overwhelming hardship and
devastation; yet also of kindness and humour, resilience and courage.
Pam Hobbs grew up in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex and in 1950 emigrated to
Canada where she has lived for most of her adult life. Following a l967
cross-country adventure in a camper van with her husband and three small
children, she became a travel writer. Since that time she has explored
the world on assignment for North American newspapers and magazines;
many of her articles have won awards. She has also written or
co-authored six travel-related books, and is an active member of the
Society of American Travel Writers' Canadian chapter. Pam lives in
Toronto with her husband, Michael. In addition to three daughters they
have four teenage grandchildren who live close enough to make life
interesting.
