In war news at this time on November 1st British forces occupied Salonika, Greece, and distributed food in Athens, which was experiencing famine. On the same day “Operation Infatuate”, an Allied attempt to free the approaches to Antwerp began; amphibious landings took place on Walcheren Island. On November 2nd Canadian troops took Zeebrugge in Belgium; Belgium was now entirely liberated. On the 4th the remaining Axis forces withdrew from the Greek mainland. German occupation forces would remain in several Greek islands until capitulation. On this date also British General John Dill died in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, the only foreigner to be so honored at the time.
This letter refers to John’s younger brother Maurice’s wife Grace (nee Jones) who died of diabetes on 4th November 1944. Maurice later re-married Isabelle and they had four daughters: Dorothy, Christine, Grace and Madeline.
45 King George Road
Minehead
4th November 1944
My own darling John,
This will come as a shock to you as it did to me. Grace died suddenly this morning. I found the telegram from Girlie waiting for me when I came in from the pictures this afternoon. All it Said was “Grace died suddenly this morning. Cremation Golders Green. Madeline.” Thsat’s all I can tell you at present. I have just rung through to Mother and she did not know anything bout it but they said there is a telegram there for your dad and my Dad was trying to find him as it has been there since this afternoon. They can’t find him anywhere. I rang Mother up so that I could get in touch with your dad to see what he thought about my going up to the funeral but as he was not in Mother is going to see him about it and is ringing me in the morning. I have also asked Mother to order a wreath from you and me. All being well if I do go up Mother will come down and mind Anthony for me. I shall endeavour (if I go) to get there and back in a day. Poor old Maurice I bet he is cut up. I am going to suggest he comes down here for a few days. Perhaps he would welcome a change of surroundings. I expect you will want to write. If you have not got his address, it’s: c/o Mrs.Jones, 88, Girton Avenue, Queensbury, Middlesex.. I am going to endeavour to send you a cable on Monday about Grace but this letter is just in case I don’t.
I will keep this open until after I have heard from London in the morning.
I have an awful headache and I feel sick. I suppose it’s the shock. Miss Pettier made me some tea and I am going to bed in a minute.
When you do write to maurice John darling, do just emphasis to him that he can look upon here as his home for as long as the wishes. I mean, your dad is going away and I expect Mrs.Jones’ place will bring back so many memories for him and he will feel rather lonely there poor fellow with no real home to go to on his leaves. Anyway, you know what I mean.
I will leave this now. I don’t particularly want ti go to the Cremation service. The cremation service at your mother’s funeral upset me terribly. But I don’t want Maurice to think we don’t care and I know had you been able to you would go. Anyway, if Girlie goes I shall probably go.
(Sunday morning). Have just had phone call from Mother. Apparently early last week Grace had a chill. Maurice called the doctor in and as she was a diabetic and there was no one to look after her he said hospital was the best place. She had only been in there about two days when she went into a coma. She regained consciousness before she died and on Saturday morning at 2am she died. Her mother got there at 7am. They are bringing Grace down to Paddington tomorrow morning. Your father is terribly upset. He is taking services at Westbourne Park all day today. Maurice is probably going to tea at my mother’s today. The funeral is probably tomorrow at Golders Green in which case I can’t go but anyway I am ringing my mother up tomorrow morning to find out the particulars. Mother is getting a wreath from you and me and one for herself and is taking them up to Mrs.Jones for us. Mother said everything is at sixes and sevens.
Well, all for now my darling darling John. All my love is yours. What a good husband I have hot. Mother does not think Girlie will attend the funeral. Maurice got in touch with Raymond and he with Girlie and she with your dad and me.
Take great care of yourself my darling sweetheart.
Always your adoring wife,
Janie xxxxxxxx
PS I will write you a real letter very soon.
Anthony says the top kisses are for your servant who makes you cocoa!!! Perhaps you will pass them on….
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