In war news at this time November 6th saw Franklin Delano Roosevelt win a fourth term as U.S. president. On this date also
the aircraft carrier USS Lexington was heavily damaged by kamikaze attacks. On November 9th General Patton’s troops and tanks crossed the Moselle River and threaten Metz. November 10th saw V-2 rockets continue to hit Britain, at the rate of about eight a day and on the 12th after numerous bombings while anchored in a fjord at Tromsø, Norway, the German battleship Tirpitz was sunk.
45 King George Road
Minehead
15th November 1944
My own darling John,
Forgive me for not writing for seven days but one way and another I did not manage it. I felt I could not concentrate on a “love” letter with poor Maurice so tragically bereaved. Forgive me darling but this has given me a nasty shock. Add to this about ten days ago I had to do some digging in the garden, having no one to ask for help and I think I must have either strained my heart or its muscles. It’s rather worried me. Don’t let Mother know about it. Anyway I have gone very very carefully since and it’s getting better. I don’t want a recurrence of that trouble I had two years ago. Now don’t worry sweetheart. When you come home I will be thoroughly overhauled shall I, just to be quite fit for our next baby. Only I must have you with me.
I wrote to Maurice and asked him to come down for a few days but your dad rang up and said “as much as Maurice would love to come he did not want to leave Grace’s parents alone before he had to go back to camp.” Anyway I am writing again to assure him of a very warm welcome any time he cares to come. Your dad goes away next Saturday. I can’t very well tell you any details for obvious reasons. Isn’t there a line about Minnie from Trinidad? You remember? I think planes fly from there to where your dad is going. I hope so. I have tried to hint.
Girlie has given her resignation to the school at Bournemouth as she does not like it down there and is asking to be transferred to where Raymond is. History does not state what happens if there aren’t any vacancies up there. Russell now plays hockey for the college. You know he is a dear brother John. I love him tremendously. I hate to think of when he goes away. I shall miss him tremendously as he often pops down and takes me dancing. I am very very proud of my brother. Now don’t be a silly goose. Of course, I’m proud of you- just as much. I love you both dearly, only in a different way. Goodness, what is this letter trying to be?
Russell Barker
Maurice goes back to camp tomorrow morning. How long did my cable take to reach you? I see Don Shrives is home on leave again. Miss Warren’s fiancee is down for the weekend as Miss Warren does not approve of his spectacles so Mr.Palmer tested him yesterday. Her fiance works on a farm. Miss Warren told me she will not leave for the duration. Don’t you worry darling, neither she nor Mr.Palmer will leave you in the lurch. I have made enquiries as to this from them. You know you don’t credit me with much common sense do you where the business is concerned. You seem to forget that I have been in business myself.
Anthony did receive your cable a day or two after his birthday. How did you manage to send it? There seems to be some misunderstanding between us about Anthony. I did NOT mean that I thought you would not fuss him. What I meant is that I don’t want you to be so strict with him. Oh, I know you won’t approve of all he does but sweetheart blame me, not Anthony. He really is a good boy but he has these sudden outbursts. He will suddenly order you to do something and say “Do it at once I tell you!” Well, what I am afraid of is that you will come down on him like a ton of bricks and that would in all probability undo all my months of hard endeavour to stop him stuttering. Forgive me sweetheart I’m only trying too make sure you realise that his stuttering is due to nerves. I remember how strict you used to be with him, how you made me let him cry at night. But darling those sane tactics simply won’t work now. I’m afraid you will refuse to let him have his bedroom door wide open at night to let me keep answering him when he calls out at night as he still sometimes does. That is the kind of thing I mean. I have told him that you will sometimes put him to bed and he is thrilled. He wants you badly John, more that even he realises. He needs your society. Still, enough about that. I expect you are very cross with me now aren’t you?
John with Anthony before the war
Oh, my dearest darling John, I do so love you. Did you hear them play “Love is the sweetest thing” on the radio the other day? I love you, want you and NEED you sweetheart and please God, in a few months’ time, I shall feel and know I am married.
All my love darling John. God bless and keep you always.
Your very own adoring wife,
Janie xxxxxxxxxx
PS Grace did not die in hospital (they were all full up) but in their apartment. Maurice is going to try for his A.S.C. and is also going to apply for a transfer. Your dad does not leave until the 24th November now.
Note: A.S.C.appears to mean The Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) was a corps of the British Army responsible for land, coastal and lake transport, air despatch, barracks administration, the Army Fire Service, staffing headquarters’ units, supply of food, water, fuel and domestic materials such as clothing, furniture and stationery and the supply of technical and military equipment. It became a “Forming Corps” of the Royal Logistic Corps.
Leave a comment