In war news at this time October 10th saw the Red Army reach the Niemen River in Prussia and continue the battle around Riga.
On this date also the Allied combined forces took Corinth, Greece.
On 12th October Athens was liberated by the EAM (Greek Resistance) and British Troops entered. US Navy carriers attacked Formosa (Taiwan) and Field Marshal Rommel voluntarily committed suicide to save his family. He was later buried with full military honours.
In this letter: Girlie is John’s young sister Madeline who married Raymond Creswell.
The term “battery” was used for the company level sub-unit of an artillery branch including field, air-defence, anti-tank and position (coastal and frontier defences)
As usual
18th October 1944
My own darling Janie,
Just another dose of my bi-weekly blather for your personal consumption.
All goes well, we’ve plenty to do and so plenty to keep our minds off things and so the time flies by although it could never go quick enough for me.
Just received an airmail from Girlie written just after her wedding and giving a little more detail. For me the most interesting part was the abundant praise for my little wife. I gather that Raymond said that had I been there I should have been very proud of you. But I wasn’t and strangely enough I still feel just as proud of you but oh, Jsnie, I should liked to have been there.
Which reminds me, honey, where are the photographs? Were they sent airmail? I am so looking forward to seeing them.
Oh, while I remember a couple more parcels are on the way, one for you and one for Anthony. They aren’t Christmas parcel but I hope they get there in time, it’s more fun that way. If Anthony’s is a success I’ll do it again. Jeff Clarkson, one of the Battery Majors, put me up to it. As to the contents, you’ll just have to guess. It’ll do you good.
You know sweet, it’s very difficult to give you news. Things are running smoothly and it’s just sort of routine.
The rain has almost stopped and the weather is beautiful and there is a tendency for a nip in the air first thing in the morning. I really feel that there aren’t quite so many mosquitos about. We are told that they disappear altogether for a month or so up here. My, that will be a blessing, although I expect we shall have to continue with our Mepacrine (the drug we take that so successfully suppresses Malaria). It is said that you tend to look a little yellow after taking this stuff for a long time but we are all so tanned that it just wouldn’t show. But if I come home looking like a chinaman you’ll have to excuse me until it wears off.
Recently we have been getting a few apples in the rations and very good they are too after all this time. Also frozen lamb we get once or twice a week and that is just like home.
Well darling I want to ask you where you intend to take me for our honeymoon. I was going to suggest London but as we are likely to sped our first six months there after I have been demobbed I think I’ll leave the joys of London till then. So where’s it going to be, the place which thereafter should hold beautiful memories of our “reunion’ for us? Is it to be our beloved Cornwall or have you other ideas?
As you will see I have told Anthony that it will be necessary for you to come and get me. As yet it’s uncertain how long disembarkation leave is. 28 days I think, 14 with you and 14 more with both of you. Oh boy, oh boy, rill on that great day. I shall be pinching myself and touching you to make sure you are really there and not another “camp bed dream”.
All my love dearest to you and Anthony
Still your,
Johnnie xxxxx
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