Construction Worker Who Finds 70-Year-Old Letter Tracks Down The Original Writer

Lewis Shaw and his family were on the job at a client’s home in Caversham, Reading, England. The family construction business “Shaw and Sons Ltd” was to tear down the chimney in the 1930s semi-detached house. Everything was business as usual, until one surprising find.

Inside the chimney, the family of construction workers found a crumpled old letter in the rubble. It was written by a young boy named David, and he was very humbly asking for some gifts from a famous man.

It read, “Dear Father Christmas, Please can you send me a Rupert annual, and a drum box of chalks, soldiers and Indians, slippers, silk tie, and any little toys you have to spare, Love David.” The Christmas list is incredibly moving, especially given the time in history it was written.

Lewis and his family learned that the letter was written around 1945. England survived the Second World War as well as a great financial depression, and the economy was at last making a comeback. Many other kids might have greedily asked for lots of new toys.

On the other hand, little David did not want much, filling the letter to Santa with care and many x’s for kisses to the big, jolly man. After uncovering it roughly 60 years later, Lewis Shaw was moved by the letter for very personal reasons.

Lewis had two children of his own and never saw any humility on their Christmas lists. In his own words, “it makes you think how we really take things for granted now.” He wanted to honor little David, so Lewis decided to find him and return the letter.

He figured that because the letter was a part of David’s childhood, he would enjoy reminiscing about those innocent memories. But, with only a first name to go on, Lewis would have to do some digging to find David.

Lewis learned that the house had been in the previous family for two generations before the current owner bought it. With that, he and his colleagues believed that young David was the old owner’s son.

Lewis was able to find help from local residents, who had lived in the neighborhood since the 1930s. Thinking back to life in those days, they gave Lewis some breakthrough information.

The neighbors remembered little David’s family and were able to provide Lewis with David’s last name, Haylock. With more complete information, he hoped an internet search would bring him closer to returning the precious letter to its owner.

Lewis took to Facebook to make contact with David. He posted a photo of the letter, searched the full name and created #FindDavid. The hashtag spread across the internet, and with continued help from one particular neighbor, Lewis was able to make the connection.

In just a few days, Lewis connected with David, who was no longer the little boy who wrote that charming letter. He grew up, married, and had grandchildren to write letters of their own. Still, he has never forgotten his own childhood, so he was excited to see what Lewis had in store.

Lewis was right to say that the letter could bring so many memories. David’s parents bought the old house back in the 1940s and lived in it for 40 years until they passed away in 1986. To be reunited with a piece of his childhood and his beloved parents was a fantastic gift, but Lewis had more.

The Shaw’s were given permission by the current owner to bring David back to his childhood home. There, David was met with another surprise that brought everything full circle.

Before meeting with David, Lewis and his family banded together to give the senior his entire Christmas list. The Rupert annual, a drum box of chalks, soldiers and Indians, slippers, a silk tie, and some toys were all laid out before them. David’s grandchildren were amazed as David.

David shared his memory with BBC News: “I can remember bending down with my mother and putting [the letter] up the chimney, and waiting for the draught to take it up”. He was happy to say he could share new memories like this with his grandchildren, though it would be greatly different from his time.

David’s grandchildren don’t write out their Christmas letters. Instead they email, which David is happy with. “Seeing as it’s taken more than 70 years for the letter to get to Father Christmas, I think email is probably the best.” David said. He’s embracing a new tradition for the holiday, while still holding on to another.

With his presents he wished for finally in hand, David had no problem for Christmas day to open them. The blissful memories from his Christmas letter are enough to hold him til then.

David and Lewis were able to share this special moment together with both their families. It was a proud moment for the Shaws, who had never experienced anything like it before.

As traditions change, it’s comforting to know that there are people who are still connected to each other, whether it’s an email to Santa, a community-building hashtag, or a humble letter from a child.