This letter was sent on 29 May 1940 by my grandmother, Jane Burgess, from 335 Green Lanes, Harringay, N4 to Rose and Harold Burgess, my parents.

Dear Rose and Harold

Arrived home after a very nice day. Dad had gone over the dogs, while the cats away...

Dais (Daisy) I am pleased to say had received a long letter from Bert and was answering it. He is in the best of health at least when he wrote it a week ago, and remarkably cheerful and saucy. Don't murmur, he wants Dais to send girl complexion soap and toilet roll. I wouldn't half like to send him a big roll like Harry got me one Xmas. I did not see Win or Harry last night expect they will call in tonight. Was pleased to find you all so well.

Now I'm going to tell you a little secret. Your clever Father has been puzzling his brains about the German tanks, wondering how they can be mastered, and wrote to Mr Bevin and Mr Churchill making suggestions on the 27th of May. Last night in the paper the ministers were holding a conference concerning tanks.

This morning just as he had gone a letter from 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, stamped with the Prime Minister's crest on corner arrived.

"Dear Sir

I write on behalf of the Prime Minister to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th of May.

Yours truly E. M. Watson"

So it looks as if they think there might be something in it.

The envelope stamped with the Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, Whitehall. I reckon Mrs Hampson wonders what it's all about but I mustn't tell anyone. It's Hush Hush. Hitler might be listening. I do hope it will be a good successful idea. Touch wood I might even yet have my little cottage with Roses and Honeysuckle round the porch who knows. Ah, what castles in the air. Never mind if anything can help to put an end to this terrible murder it is worth puzzling ones brains for.

Dais will be writing you about her and Peggy. Bert has heard from his sister and feels more easy now. Love to all for the present.

XX for kiddies

from Mum and Dad.

So what were these suggestions I wonder?

If only I could find a draft copy of the original letter, or even the reply from 10 Downing Street, complete with crest. I have found references to E M Watson.signing other letters for the Prime Minister at the time. Is it too much to hope that the original letter to Mr Churchill still exists waiting to be discovered in the future?