In war news at this time on 12th February Peru declared war on Germany and Japan and on the 13th the Battle of Budapest ended with Soviet victory, after a long defence by the Germans. On the 13th -14th Dresden was firebombed by Allied air forces and large parts of the historic city were destroyed. On the the 1945 Bombing of Prague took place: American planes bomb the wrong city. The 15th saw Venezuela declared war on Germany and Japan and on the 16th American paratroopers and Philippine Commonwealth troops landed on Corregidor Island, in Manila Bay. Once the scene of the last American resistance in early 1942, it was now the scene of Japanese resistance. On this date also American naval vessels bombard Tokyo and Yokohama.On the 19th
Turkey declared war on Germany and Japan and on the 26th Syria declards war on Germany and Japan.
Notes: Mr.Palmer was the locum optometrist who covered for John in Cranmers Opticians in Minehead while he was on active service. Mr.Pickford was one of the other business partners.
45 King George Road
Minehead
27th February 1945
My darling John,
Today I had a letter from your father, the first since he left here. He says he has written to you and hopes to hear from you soon.
Well, I went up to London and back in one day last week. Mr.Raby put me right again and hurt me incidentally more than he has done before. He said this time that when the war is over and you are home and I can stay in town he thinks he could get me right in three months providing I was under his constant supervision and did as I was told. When he says “cure me” he means that my back won’t misplace so easily as it does now.
I got to Mother’s at about 1.45pm, Dr.Raby came at 2.30pm and went about 3pm and as he went he told Mother that I was to hurry very very slowly to my train. By the time we got to Swindon my back was aching so much I felt sick. I leave you to imagine how it felt when I eventually got holme at 10.45pm!! I ached for two days, day and night, and all I wanted to do was to lie flat!!!! Russell looked after Anthony whilst I was away and put him to bed as well. It was grand to be in London again. There is really no place like it John.
I have heard from Maurice and he is expecting his leave in about a fortnight’s time.
Anthony loves his school and seems to be getting on ok there. He now knows some French songs.
St.Theresa’s Convent School, now Minehead First School
Mr.Palmer is back from his honeymoon and his wife is with him but I have not seen her yet.
We went to see the film “Western Approaches” today. It really is a very good film. It worries me though that Russell might have to go through those ordeals.
Western Approaches is a Technicolor 1944 docufiction film directed by Pat Jackson. It is the fictional account of 22 sailors adrift in a lifeboat. They are able to signal by Morse code their position. A nearby U-boat receives the signal along with a friendly vessel which changes course to go to their rescue. The captain of the U-Boat decides to wait in ambush with its two remaining torpedoes. Before the rescue ship arrives, the U-Boat’s periscope is spotted by the lifeboat. The U-Boat fires its torpedoes just as the rescue vessel is alerted to the U-Boat’s presence.Much of it was shot in the Irish Sea. Sailors rather than professional actors were used.
I am sorry your face has been painful and I hope by now it is better.
Stephen is in hospital in Warwick for his nerves.
Tomorrow evening Mr. and Mrs. Floyd from next door are coming in. They are middle-aged but Russell and I like them very much and between ourselves we refer to them as Jim and Olive (that’s their names).
Mrs.Hinton (George’s mother) has given me several roots from her garden so I should have quite a show this year.
I have been trying to get a beach hut as you seemed keen but they all seem to be booked up this year!
Sorry darling I have had to leave this for a couple of days and so have other news for you. Evelyn tells me that there is a young Pickford on the way!!!
I have had a letter from your da. He has a secretary and a car and now is getting a chauffeur.
I received your letter dated 15th February yesterday. Yes, I do give the devil his due about the business. Do you ever doubt me of being fair?
So you want to stay in London for our honeymoon. Of course you realise that Anthony will be in London too and at most a couple of miles away from him? Do you think we shall have sufficient willpower to stop from even going in that direction on the off chance of a peek at our darling son? That is one of the main reasons Anthony has agreed (for the moment) to stay with Mother is because I have promised him he can go to Grandpa’s station and play with the red and green large lantern!! Where would you like to stay and remember if you choose a posh place we have to have the clothes to carry it off.
Later on after the war Evelyn wants to have Anthony to stay with her during the holidays!!! I mentioned it to him and he said no, he wanted to stay with Daddy!! Oh yes, my love, you are going to come right into your responsibilities as a father with a big bump. It will probably momentarily make you feel years older to have son Anthony’s age. I was thinking in bed this morning that if you had been beside me asleep I would have tickled the end of your nose and told you it was a mosquito taking a little walk or even a jungle bug! And then tickled you again!
You would laugh if you could see what I am collecting for our honeymoon: things like hair clips, soap, comb, hankies etc., all those things that are difficult to get now.
Have you any idea when you will be home? Honestly now. You say you will give me a month’s notice. Well, by the time your letter arrives it will be almost fourteen days instead.
Well I must stop and do some work as it is nearly 10am. Anthony loves his school and seems to do a lot of French!! Did I tell you he is 3 feet ten and a half inches tall and weighs three stone nine pounds.
All my love my dearest John,
Your own,
Janie xxxxxxxx
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