In war news at this time on the 4th December the British Home Guard was stood down. By December 5th the Allies were in control of Ravenna, Italy. On the 14th Japanese defenders in Palawan in the Philippines killed over 100 American POW’s in the Palawan Massacre and units of Air Group 80 from USS Ticonderoga flew seven strikes against Japanese positions in northern Luzon in the Philippines. On the 15th Americans and Filipinos landed troops at Mindoro island in the Philippines.
In this letter:
Mr. Palmer was the locum optician in Cranmers Opticians in Minehead, who covered for John while he was away in the army.
Miss Warren was the receptionist in Cranmers Opticians.
John Pickford was one of the partners in Cranmers Opticians, John’s employers.
45 King George Road
Minehead
15th December 2017
My own darling John,
Really, the reason I am commencing at this time of night is because I want you badly and if you were here I expect you would want me. But the time is 12.30 and I have just got into bed after a lovely hot bath. As i creamed my face and rubbed hand cream into my hands I thought suppose you were here as well. Oh well, here I am in bed, smelling deliciously of face cream and hand cream in and no one to appreciate it, not that I want anyone to appreciate it except you darling. Gosh, I had better stop and put the light out otherwise this whole letter will be the same strain and you may not care for it or would you? As I sit here writing I think how lovely it will be when you are home and I am writing in bed, writing to you to come to bed. I can imagine you coming in and making me stop as I am straining my eyes in this soft light. Then you sit on my side of the bed and put your arm around me and hold me close to you. Oh darling John I long as you do for those days to come again. But the are not vey far away now.
Well, here I am again. I have been very busy and so this letter has not got finished but this time I am trying to. it is Sunday evening. I have just pit Anthony to bed after his bath. He fixes the towel around him like you do and struts around the bathroom pretending he is you. But I have other things to tell you ending your prompt attention. So here goes. I know that I am going against what I said I would do but this time it is not of my making. As you know Mr. Palmer is being married on the 21st February next. Well, Miss Warren has told me that Mr.Palmer is going to ask for another rise in salary after he is married. At least he told her so. Well, as I pointed out to her snd she thoroughly agreed, that if it was only you to be asked you would agree at once only unfortunately Mr.Pickford in Yeovil would have ti be consulted and that they perhaps are not keen to raise salaries. But John if you will take my advice you will write at once to Mr.Pickford suggesting that Mr.Palmer’s salary be increased when he is married. Miss Warren went on to say that Mr.Palmer gets about £6.00 to £6.10s weekly. Income tax decreases that to about £5.00 to £5.10s then he pays his landlady £2.10s and what is left he will have to support his wife etc.By the way she is coming to stay in Minehead for two or three weeks with Mr.Palmer. Miss Warren says Mr.Palmer is always talking to her (Miss W.) about his expenses etc. and seems rather dissatisfied or rather will be if he is refused a pay rise and Miss Warren says what would they do if he left. Now please Miss Warren particularly asks you not to mention his name in your letter to Mr.Pickford in Yeovil. She said she hinted all this in her last letter to you and she has asked me ti mention it to you again. I know Mr.Palmer is is rather money worried as when I walk home with him he is on all the time about the shop-how well it is doing and his expenses. He often says to me, “It must be nice for you having money coming in from the shop. You will be a rich young lady” I assure him that I actually won’t be but he does not believe me. Just recently he told me that he always used to have a bonus at Christmas but since he asked and got his pairs Mrs.Cranmer only sends him a letter of thanks now. I don’t want you to worry but if I were you I should do something to pacify Mr.Palmer just in case he gets so discontented that he thinks about leaving.
I have had to pay another twenty seven shillings and sixpence to have the radio put in order. Still, when you come home you can decide whether we need a new radiogram.
This son of yours is getting quite terrible. He wants a sister and can’t understand why he has to wait until you come back. He talks about her all day and to other people. He is not a bit keen on a brother. He wants a sister and wants her called Elizabeth and she has got to have blue eyes, brown straight hair with two bows in it and is to have a white silk dress. He often “writes” a letter and seals it in an envelope and brings it to me, pretending it is a letter from his sister and then he reads it to me. He usually adds that she says she is looking forward to coming and living with him and wants to know when she can come. Miss Waren assured him yesterday that he would have one “one day” but he said “Oh get out of it, I want Elizabeth NOW!” Well, there is another problem for you darling. I have managed to get him to agree to wait until Daddy comes home and he then added ‘Yes and my daddy will go and get her from Dr.Bain as soon as he gets home”!!! What do you think? I have just been up to his room and he greets me with “I have just been thinking about my sister and she is a dear little thing and I love her as much as I love you and Daddy.”
Anthony Askew circa 1944
Oh, John darling, I do so love you and long for you but it’s not long now.
All my love my darling husband.
Have a good holiday and give the Kilburns my love.
I have received the tea you sent, thank you so much.
Always your adoring and loving wife,
Janie xxxxxxxxxx
Leave a comment