World War Two letters
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
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 Miss Warren was the receptionist in John’s optical business in Minehead; Mr.Palmer was the optician doing locum work while John was away.
45 King George Road
Minehead
18th October 1944
My own darling John,
I have just received the loveliest letter from you sweetheart, No.66 dated 3rd October. But let me get what bit of news I have off to you first.
Last weekend Mother, Dadda and Russell came down for two days. It was grand having them as it gets rather lonely by myself. They all went back on Sunday afternoon. Russell took me to a dance on Friday night John. It was lovely. I do love dancing as you may have guessed! Then on the Saturday we were going again but the weather was awful so we spent the evening dancing at home and teaching Dadda as well. Your father has sent me the gold cross and chain he promised to buy me. Did you know Miss Wareen is engaged to be married to a fellow named William Russell Watson Pomeroy from Herne Bay, aged 33? Also Mr.Palmer is going to get married on Feb 21st next to someone Mrs.W.Parsons introduced him to at Torquay last summer. She is a MISS Jones aged nearly 50, keeps a boarding house. After the marriage Mr.Palmer is going to live here and go thee for weekends until you come back. I think he is keen to be gone from here now but he has promised to stay here until you are able to take over then he is hoping to get a job at Torquay. He paid £18 for the engagement ring, emerald and two diamonds. (I got all this information from Miss Warren who says she will not be getting married until after the duration.
Her fiance works on a farm at present nearish to Herne Bay. I think she has a ring of there small diamonds and is a different person now. She went away on holiday recently with her young man to his people and she said it was the best holiday she has ever had. I said “Yes, I bet it was.” and she blushed and said “Well, of course, you know what it’s like.” I said “Rather!” (I could have added “But our honeymoon will be to us better.” but did not. This letter seems to be growing at a great pace and I have not even commenced to reply to your letter yet. It looks as if I shall have to overflow on to another letter.
I bought Anthony two winter versus today, six shillings and eleven pence each and they are not really what I wanted. Also a pair of dark green knitted gloves, the only pair available. He really could have done with size 2 as they just fit him but things are so difficult to get you just get what you can when you see them. I have had to order him some brown lace shoes from Ridlers, goodness knows when I shall get them. He now takes Size 11. Someone said recently they think Anthony will be taller than you even. I should not be surprised as he is growing at a tremendous pace.
Anthony circa 1944
We have had some awful weather here recently and Anthony and I have both had colds but they seem to have gone now.
I think I told you that I am not sending you your proper Christmas gift. I am still trying to get it and then I shall keep it here for when you come home.
Oh, by the way sweetheart strange, very strange, that you should mention wanting me to buy you a gold wristlet watch. You know this telepathy business is actually very strong between us as about the time you must have written that letter I was asking your Dad if he wondered whether you would agree to my selling your gold watch and buying you a really good gold wristlet watch instead as you never use this one. Well, what do you say? Actually I am going to buy you a wristlet watch only I really want you to choose it my dearest.
All my love my darling John. I will reply to your letter in my next airmail letter. I didn’t have room here. God bless and keep you safe. Anthony sends you heaps of love and I send you all mine and me when you come home.
Always your very own wife and lover,
Janie xxxxxxxxxxxx
In war news at this time the 1st October saw a Hungarian delegation arrive in Moscow to negotiate an armistice with the USSR. and aSoviet troops enter edYugoslavia. On 2nd October the Germans finally succeeded in putting down the Warsaw Uprising by the Polish Home Army. The Soviet armies never moved to assist the Polish. On this date also American troops were in a full-scale attack on the German “West Wall” and Allied forces landed on Crete. On 5th October Canadian troops crossed the border into the Netherlands and the Red Army entered Hungary and also launched an offensive to capture Riga in Latvia. On 6th Soviet and Czechoslovak troops enter northeastern Slovakia and the Battle of Debrecen began as German and Soviet forces advanced against each other in eastern Hungary.
45 King George Road
Minehead
8th October 1944
My own darling John,
Yesterday I received your letter dated 24th September 1944, no.68. I am so glad you enjoyed your trip. I wonder what the conference was about!!! You poor love, having to have more inoculations, still, sweetheart, you will be home before the next dose so you will miss them eh? How I wish I could have fussed over you whilst you you felt bad, I am sure I could have made you feel better, if not in one way then another! I read your description of your journey to Anthony. He was very interested and at the end he said “Very nice but when is he coming home?”
John Askew, first signs of getting old: you called Anthony a “child”. I personally don’t like that word. It sounds only worthy of school teachers. And dn’t you dare call my son a “difficult child” . He’s not. Only very nervy, and he is much better now. Darling, I told your Dad that that person Winifred wrote to you about Anthony. Ooh, he was annoyed. He called her a silly old ass (‘arse’ he said). You sound very forbidding John when you say you are going to take us both in hand. How do you propose to deal with us I wonder? But what worries me is, how are you going to take Anthony un hand? I have told you I think that I have never allowed anyone (not even my mother) to even smack Anthony. Whatever he has done I’ve only dealt with him. What I am getting at is that when you come home I think you had at first better leave him entirely to me, that is, until you have gained his confidence and that he understands exactly who you are in his life. Otherwise darling if you made him do something etc he would think I had let him down badly. You do understand don;t you sweetheart? But anyway we must have a talk about this, possibly on our honeymoon. Funny little chap is Anthony Every time I mention to Anthony how I am longing to have you home he says “But Mummy you do still love ne don’t you? You will still love me when Daddy comes hoe won’t you?” I assure him I love him just as much as I love Daddy only in a different way. (Anthony has just called down from his cot “Tell Daddy I love him heaps and heaps and heaps and give him two kisses.” So here they ate darling right from your own small son: xx)
That’s what we have got to be careful over John. We must never never let Anthony think he is the odd one. The wretched war has affected everyone’s lives and I would not part with Anthony, you realise that, but for you and I (like many others) it will be like newly-weds, very much in love, only having a grown-up son at the same time. Gee, you will think this letter a lecture. Only I have been thinking a great deal about this. I have also been gently telling Anthony that he must obey Daddy like he does Mummy, otherwise Daddy will make him. He can’t understand this yet. Of course I realise darling that you will naturally want to train Anthony your way but you won’t be too strict with him will you? Your Dad says you will be spanking him often but I told him you won’t hit him because it would upset me. Well, I think I had better stop otherwise you will be asking me whose son he is!
Anthony circa 1944
I have been gardening all afternoon and for a little while after tea but the back lawn does not look much different even ow.
I, all being well, think Anthony had better commence school in January. Hamberies School in Blenheim Road seems the only one and I thought that if I send him there, well, it will be all right until you come home anyway. I mean there are absolutely no preparatory schools for boys here. Goodness knows where he will go before he goes to Taunton School. Well, he will be five years old very soon. He now weighs three stone and is 3 feet eight and three quarter inches tall. He has very long arms and legs and takes size ten in shoes.
Well my darling love I am sending you off another parcel but sweetheart there won’t be very much in it. Your proper Christmas present I am still trying to get but in any case I shall NOT send it to you but keep it here really for your return. I think that’s a god idea don’t you?
Darling husband take great care of yourself.
God bless and keep you safe and bring you home to your small son and ever adoring wife and lover,
Janie xxxxxxxxx
PS I wonder how you would feel if I signed my letter “Winnie” by mistake…
PPS Just heard Stephen is in N.France. His address is:
256349
Captain S.C.Barker
“D” Sub Unit
51 R.H.U.
105 REINFORCEMENT GROUP
B.L.A.
In war news at this time the 1st October saw a Hungarian delegation arrive in Moscow to negotiate an armistice with the USSR. and aSoviet troops enter edYugoslavia. On 2nd October the Germans finally succeeded in putting down the Warsaw Uprising by the Polish Home Army. The Soviet armies never moved to assist the Polish. On this date also American troops were in a full-scale attack on the German “West Wall” and Allied forces landed on Crete. On 5th October Canadian troops crossed the border into the Netherlands and the Red Army entered Hungary and also launched an offensive to capture Riga in Latvia. On 6th Soviet and Czechoslovak troops enter northeastern Slovakia and the Battle of Debrecen began as German and Soviet forces advanced against each other in eastern Hungary.
As Usual
8th October 1944
My Darling Janie,
I’ve had Harry into dinner tonight and it was quite like old times. Having lived with a chap as long as I did Harry he gets rather like a brother even though we were always quarrelling.
Tom Moffatt has gone on leave so now I’m on my own again. I don’t tell you much about Tom but he’s not at all a bad stick. Very good-natured if he isn’t clever. In fact his only fault as far as I can see is that he eats with his mouth open and after all these years in the jingle I still find it revolting. He’s just got two large photographs of his wife. She looks quite attractive but I’ve told him it’s most embarrassing to have her looking at me and smiling as I undress, a fact he has mentioned to his wife.
We had the new Regimental Padre along this morning and he conducted a very pleasant little service. He;s very young and only just out from England but he has gone down very well. He’s coming ere tomorrow to spend a few days with me so that he can walk around the workshops and get to know the me. A most sensible way I feel of ministering to them and incidentally he’ll be company for me.
Which reminds me that I promised Harry that I go round to his place on Tuesday and that will leave Padre by himself. Harry is going on leave on Wednesday.
On Friday evening there was an outdoor mobile movie show in the next “entry” to ours (the word eery is used to denote a combe or valley). It was a modernised colour version of The Desert Song and was very pleasant, more so as it’s the first ‘flick’ I’ve seen in three months.
By the way I hope you have remembered to send me a good diary preferably one with plenty of room to write as I’m now getting quite a good diarist. I feel that the diaries I am writing now will be very interesting in the future and if you are interested I shall read them to you and fill in all the extra bits. They will also be necessary in editing my photo albums. I’ve accumulated quite a good stock of films and am on my fourth album to say nothing of many negatives that need special treatment before they are printed. Still, if you can lay your hands on more film do so as I can never have too much.
Now look Janie, how the devil do you expect me to get you exotic undies and silk stockings, they simply don’t grow in jungles any more. About the only thing I shall bring you back is me, at least I hope I will.
Till then sweetheart all my love is yours and Anthony’s. God bless you both and I’m still
Your own,
Johnnnie xxxxxx
The Desert Song is a 1943 American musical film. It was directed by Robert Florey and starred Dennis Morgan, Irene Manning and Bruce Cabot. It is based on the 1926 operetta with music by Sigmund Romberg. It was nominated an Academy Award for Best Art Direction (Charles Novi, Jack McConaghy).
This film version of the operetta was, like the 1929 film version, almost never seen after its original release. Copies were hard to come by. In 2014, it was released on DVD by Warner Brothers
The film is more sophisticated technically than the earlier film due to its large budget and advances in both sound and color. It tries to make the operetta topical in terms of World War II, by having the outlaw hero with a dual identity fight the Nazis as well as Arabs. As in the 1953 film, the hero’s name is changed to El Khobar, rather than the Red Shadow.
The 1943 Desert Song is perhaps the only instance in which a stage operetta of the 1920s has been updated to reflect topical concerns of the 1940s. In fact, the U.S. United States Office of War Information held up release of the film for a year due to the shifting political position of France. It did well at the box office nonetheless.
This is the first film version of The Desert Song to be made in full three-strip Technicolor.
War news at this time included Soviet troops entering Yugoslavia on October 1st. On the 2nd the Germans finally succeeded in putting down the Warsaw Uprising by the Polish Home Army. The Soviet armies never moved to assist the Polish.
American troops were now in a full-scale attack on the German “West Wall” and Allied forces landed on Crete. On October 5th Canadian troops crossed the border into the Netherlands and the Red Army entered Hungary and launched an offensive to capture Riga, Latvia.
Notes: Miss Pettifer was Janie’s next door neighbour, who owned the house that Janie rented at 45 King George Road.
Grace is John’s brother Maurice’s fiancee.
Miss Warren was the receptionist at Cranmers Opticians where John worked in Minehead.
45 King George Road
Minehead
5th October 1944
My darling John,
Sorry I have not written for a week but I have had a bad finger- a whitlow on the third finger right hand and it has been rather painful. Still it is better now.
How did your conference go? Alright? I have been thinking a great deal about it but of course I must not ask what it was about, must I?
Miss Pettifer went away last Monday for three weeks so it is extra quiet! Your dad came down last Thursday for a couple pf days. I fear Anthony did not give him much peace what with slinging a wooden brick and catching him on the jaw whilst he was asleep in the chair, to making him read his books to him and having a cup of tea in bed with “Grandpa” in the mornings. I was on tenterhooks the whole time. Still, I think on the whole he was glad he had been to see our little house and he was thrilled with it.
Bill Cheek has once again been moved down to Bridgwater after only nine months ago moving up to Scotland. May and the baby are at her mother’s at present.
Mr.Langdon (at the County School) is once again becoming a father in November. I hear from Girlie (in strictest confidence) that Rosie Bulstrode is expecting another baby.
Mother and Dadda are coming down next Thursday for a couple of days. They now have their sleep shelter tickets and go there to sleep as the Doodle bugs still come apparently.
I am pleased to say that Anthony is much better. His tonic and glucose is doing the trick and his stuttering is going thank God. Also he is really trying to speak correctly and is doing excellent. I am so glad as it worried me to think what you would say when you met him.
David is in Sounth France now and Stephen is still in England. Uncle Billie now has another collie pup.The other one was put to sleep. It was 14. Your father was very struck with my pup. He loves him. I do hope you will like him. Darling, you are not cross I have him are you? Only you never mention him at all.
I hear Grace has got a job near Maurice as a teleprinter, Evelyn is living with Nora for a while and is then going to live with Edith at her flat in Finchley.
I have been busy this afternoon putting in Spring Cabbage and weeding. We were going to the pictures but the sun was shining so we are going tomorrow instead.
Oh, I think I told you about Miss Warren’s boyfriend. Well, he is a Plymouth Brethren and his name is William.
Oh, darling, do hurry up and come home. I am getting impatient. Your father commenced once again whilst down here about my having more children when you come home. Has he said anything to you? I suppose people will once again take a great interest in my figure then!
John, we must include Anthony into all we can. He is very sensitive and I don’t want him to feel he’s out of it. He’s a wonderful little boy John, almost five now, in a fortnight! Does it seem possible to you? I am convinced you will be home for his sixth birthday.
All our love darling John,
We are always talking about you,
Yours always,
Janie xxxx
PS Do try and write to Anthony a bit more will you
In war news at this time the 22nd September saw the Red Army take Tallinn, the first Baltic harbour outside the minefields of the Gulf of Finland. On the same day the Germans surrendered at Boulogne.
By the 24th the Red Army was well into Poland.
On the 25th British troops pulled out of Arnhem in Holland with the failure of Operation Market Garden. Over 6,000 paratroopers are captured. Hopes of an early end to the war were abandoned.
The 30th saw the German garrison in Calais surrender to Canadian troops. At one time, Hitler thought it would be the focus of the cross-Channel invasion.
And on the 1st October Soviet troops entered Yugoslavia.
As Usual
1st October 1944
My Darling Janie,
Today I received another sweet letter from you. I’m glad my dad sent Titch £5. Are you starting a savings account for him or does he have one already? I think it’s very important that he should have one and that from an early age he should be taught its use. I’d rather put the money in the bank and let him buy a bicycle for himself that give him a bike. You see the subtle difference.
So glad you received Parcel No.3 (1944), that means only one has been lost in three and a half years-speaks highly for the much-maligned postal service, to say nothing of the ‘freedom’ of the seas. Your Xmas parcel is on its way and I regret to say will be just as hard to open. I hope it will be considered worth the effort.
As to Anthony’s schooling I quite agree to your keeping him at home, longer even than you suggest if you find it necessary or Dr.Bain thinks it wise. Please give me regards to both him and Mr.Ducheaune when you next see them.
As regards my tropical clothes darling they are at present not fit for human use and they have quite a lot longer to do. They will be of no use to Russell. In any case they are very cheap, only khaki drill. Further, the stuff we are now issued with is the new ‘bottle green’ battle dress for the jungle, together with bush hats, set of Boy Scout affairs, only we wear them trilby-fashion with the left-hand brim fastened up with badge and corps flash to set it off. Last week we dyed our webbing green as well and the while looks very smart, but too hot to be pleasant at the moment. As I’ve said before my usual uniform is a pair of short shorts, oh, and a pair of briefs under that, short socks rolled down and sandals so I’m quite nicely tanned all over-almost. Most of the lads are the same.
You know, I’m becoming a confirmed pipe-smoker: the way you have led me astray is appalling! Fortunately the issue tobacco is of good quality and in sealed tins but I still look forward to the super quality you send. I must tell you darling how much my pipe is admired. The colonel grabbed it the other day and announced that you must have paid a pretty penny for that. Ever since our last hullabaloo back in June we have been the best of friends and ‘his’ REME are untouchable.
All my love sweetheart to you and Anthony
May God bless you both and bring me safely back
Your very own lover and husband,
John xxxx
As usual
27 September 1944
My Darling Janie,
I have been writing all evening: Dad, your folks, Girlie, Russell. Oh yes and I listened to the first of the I.T.M.A shows in the Sergeants’ Mess and it was just grand, but in consequence of al this i’m starting to write to you at 10pm.
Note: It’s That Man Again (or, commonly, ITMA) was a BBC radio comedy programme which ran from 1939 to 1949. The title refers to a contemporary phrase concerning the ever more frequent news-stories about Hitler in the lead-up to the Second World War, and specifically a headline in the Daily Express written by Bert Gunn.This was humorously transferred to Tommy Handley, the popular comedian around whom the programme was developed. The scripts were written by the prolific Ted Kavanagh. ITMA is believed to have played a major role in sustaining morale on the UK’s “home front” during the Second World War. As King George VI said, “We always listen.”
Image above sourced from internet shows an ITMA recording in 1945: Conductor Charlie Shadwell (right) laughs at Tommy Handley and Dorothy Summers during the recording of an episode of ‘It’s That Man Again’. The BBC Variety Orchestra is visible behind them on the stage.
I now have alternate lighting laid on in this tent- 6 volt battery- because I find going to bed at 9.30 is too early and I don’t sleep well.
So heee I am. Now you’ll see that I have written to Russell and I have suggested that he most definitely stick to his choice of the Navy-there is no comparison sweetheart for reasons I can’t explain here but look at it from your own point of view for a moment. When Russell comes home from time to time he’ll be able to bring you sills and scents and all sorts of things – china etc. that are always very expensive at home.
We have heard and are hearing a lot about our favourite topic “Repatriation” just now and as things stand at present I think you can expect me home in the late summer. Marvellous to be fixing dates at last isn’t it sweetheart? Oh yes, very cheering. This fact together with the dope on Pay and Demob has sent morale up 103% As regards pay, on the face of it, it would appear that I’m good for another three guineas a week, absurd isn’t it? and my expenses are about fifteen shillings a week. Then with say four years overseas, when I am demobbed I get two months on full pay plus 48 days- every little counts doesn’t it sweet? Then there are gratuities etc. We should have the nucleus of a fund for Anthony’s education. But there I am, counting chickens…!
Well, my darling, your Xmas parcel has gone and as usual you’ll have to get the tin opener ti it. By the way beyond telling me you received parcel Number Two (1944) you haven’t said if the materials were any good. While we are on the subject you should be getting Number Three (1944) which is just about the same as its predecessor. Oh, in the Xmas thing there are three things for Anthony and as it should arrive well before Xmas you may want to open it in private so that his things can go in his Xmas stocking. There are also a couple of snaps of me in the car and in the nude, almost!
I’m so glad that you have paid Dad off. So now we owe no one any money.
I’m sorry that that bally neuritis has come on again.
All my love my dearest girl to you and our grand wee son.
And goodnight sweetheart till our dreams come true.
Your,
Johnnie xxxx
69 LAA REG RA
W/S Section REME
SOUNTH EAST ASIA COMMAND
24th September 1944
My Darling Janie,
Sorry sweetheart it’s ten days since I last wrote to you. But as I told you I was going to be away six days with no opportunity to write. Then when I got back I had my yearly TB inoculation and cholera at the same time. Do you know that within an hour I was shaking (you couldn’t call it shivering) so much I couldn’t hold a pen, in bed all the following day and here I am at last more or less OK. Goodness, it never hit me like that before. Thank goodness I shan’t need another one – they are yearly.
Well, as I have already told you I know have a Jeep of my own and I used this on my journey, which totalled up to nearly 900 miles. It was a grand ride even in a tiny cramped Jeep and she went like a bird all the way. The majority of it was over what must be the most famous road in all the world. Of course it wasn’t the first time but every time it seems fresh. This time I had to climb right through the clouds in each direction and we had all the appearance of a dull November day at home. You cannot take your attention off driving for an instant as frequently the drops are sheer for more than a thousand feet and by the time a vehicle has got to the bottom it’s like a screwed up piece of paper. So hard were the battles along this road that even tropical vegetation has not started to grow and sights like those of the last war, of blasted tree stumps are seen. I’m afraid that the lads who fought these magnificent battles have received little credit in view of the colossal affairs of Europe. Well, my destination was a very pleasant hill station where tea planters frequently spend their short leaves and I was able to go to a very nice hotel though it was unfortunately terribly crowded. However it was quite good fun though I was glad to get back. I always have a feeling that someone will be messing around with my outfit if I go too far away.
Well sweetheart you certainly seem to have taken my grumbling letters to heart. Your letters mean so much ti me that I’m not awfully repentant because I have received three letters from you within six days.
I do know that you are very busy sweetheart and you are doing a marvellous job having made a fresh home while I have been away and bringing up a somewhat difficult child.
Well here is a titbit of news that will tickle your ears. I filled in my first repatriation papers today, having done over three years.
Actually this doesn’t mean very much but it does mean that sometime in the future I shall be allotted a number and then I shall definitely be able to consider myself in the queue if you see what I mean.
You know Darling I’m becoming something of an antique out here and it’s very rarely I meet anyone in the British Forces with longer overseas service-quite a veteran, you see.
All my love to you my sweetheart and to our little son.
God bless you both from your adoring and loving husband,
John xxxx
69 LAA Reg RA
Workshop Section REME
SOUTH EAST ASIA COMMAND
14th September 1944
My Darling Janie,
Well, sweetheart, I have to attend a sort of conference thing and have to travel some distance thereto, result is I shall probably not write to you for a week. A great deal of work is being done on my Jeep so that it will be able to cover the distance.
At first I looked on it as a nuisance, coming as it did just when I was beginning to get straight again. But on second thoughts I thought it would be a pleasant change, motoring largely over roads I don’t know and to the only European town in the area. It is by way of being a health resort to which Britishers retire and has some swanky hotels. Since I came up here two years ago I haven’t ventured so far afield so I’m beginning to look forward to it.
My clerk arrived back from leave today and brought back a couple of rows of film developed and printed, mostly of scenes on the journey and they are fairly good, anyway up to scratch on my overseas collection. In addition and of greater interest to you are a couple of enlargements of myself, one in the Austin and the other in the almost-nude: frankly I don’t quite like so much skin and bone as usual. Since then, however, I’ve been out in the sun a great deal, generally stripped to the waist and I’m taking a very handsome tan to limits where few are privileged to see.
I had a letter from Evie today, a very sensible one indeed. It is apparent that your company is doing her the world of good, but for that matter you’d do me a lot more good with your presence. I also had a letter from your mother all about Anthony and a little space devoted to her buzz bomb: quite a do by all accounts, thank God they are over.
Till I see you again, till that wonderful day when I no longer have to wish you goodnight and I wake at night to hear you breathing, till then sweetheart, all my love is yours and Anthony’s.
God bless you both and grant that I may soon return.
Your,
John xxxx
Johns letter of 27th August that Janie refers to has gone missing.
When this letter was written the “blackout” in England had been diminished to a “dim-out” as threat of invasion and further bombing seemed an unlikely possibility; and Ghent and Liège had just been liberated by British troops.
45 King George Road
Minehead
7th September 1944
My Very Own Darling Husband,
This afternoon I received your letter dated 27th August. To be quite honest it upset me rather and I was down in the dumps a bit thinking that after Sunday I shall be alone down here as Russell goes then and your letter didn’t help matters. Russell has gone to a dance tonight. He wanted me to go with him. I would have loved to go as I adore dancing but I could not leave Anthony unless it’s with Mother or one of the family as he might wake up. As a matter of fact he woke up just after Russell went and since starting this letter. I have already been up three times. Oh no, your methods won’t work on him now. He cries until he is sick and then that upsets his nerves and he stutters terribly so I just have to try other ways. As it is (I don’t know whether you know) but he will have the bedroom door open and this door and keeps calling out to make sure I am still here. Dr.Bain says he is extremely highly strung.
And now to get back to your letter. I mention the above to show you under what difficulties I often have to write to you.
You ask me to definitely reply to this letter if yours. Well, it’s a bit awkward to just “reply to it”. I don’t know quite whether you want my reasons for not writing as often as you think I should, or why my recent letters to you are so different to those I wrote to you three years ago, or both!! I hate to excuse myself to you, you know that, but as you have requested it, well, here you are. To begin with, three yeas ago I had Russell living with me. He did all my weekend shopping, got the coal up, chopped the wood, took the dogs out, even got my library books and always got the breakfast and brought me a cup of tea. Also Anthony always went to sleep at night and always slept right through until morning. Then I had a maid and practically all my laundry went out. Oh. and a lot of other things were different. That’s three years ago. Now for the third year. I have to get all my coal in, chop my own wood, get all the shopping (and I’m a long way from the shops now), worry over points etc., do all my own washing and all the work as I don’t have a charwoman now, do the garden and I have more rooms to keep clean. On top of this I have had Mother down ill (in March), I’ve had Evelyn down recently and the Dedmans. I’ve ben up to look after you dad and Girlie, been in the flying bombs and Mother’s flat has ben blasted. I’ve tried to give various children and adults a break from London and on top of all this I’ve had Anthony terribly highly strung and it’s very rarely I get a whole night’s sleep undisturbed, two or three times. I had six sheets to wash the day before yesterday and next washday I shall have another three sheets. Darling John, are you puzzled any more? I have been up to Anthony a dozen times since starting this letter and called out to him about fifty times. He woke up at 8.45pm and it’s now 10.45pm and he is still awake. I have run out of his medicine (it makes him sleep). He is gradually improving so don’t worry about him.
Whilst in London, the night before Girlie’s wedding, three bombs dropped fairly close. We were on our way to the shelter when they dropped. The glass of the study window flew all around us and it upset Anthony rather. That, plus others, have upset his nerves, so Dr.Bain says. Please don’t think this letter is a page of horribles. I don’t tell you these gigs, only you have asked “why? and I can only put forward thee suggestions to you as reasons. Personally I didn’t think my letter were bad. I do my best to make them interesting. Only if I talk about people I’m scared you will call me “bitter” so I don’t talk about people. I don’t talk about your business as in this respect you seem to haver gone over to the other camp, and I could say a great deal, but don’t. Whilst on this subject have you had last year’s balance sheet yet? So there is not much left, is there? Please don’t think, my darling John, that I love you any the less. I will endeavour to write to you more often than of late. (I think every line of this letter has been written with a call to Anthony so if it is rather ambiguous please excuse me) I often write to you when in bed and sometimes all I want to do is to BE QUIET. You see, dear, I have Anthony all day and then again at night. I love my son dearly but it’s telling on my nerves a bit at times.
But let’s cheer up. The war is almost over and soon we won’t even have a blackout ao cheer up my darling. I do honestly love you. Don’t think badly of me Johnnie will you? I love you dearly, you know that. No other man interests me except you and I pray God will bring you home safely to me so that I can be a better wife in the future than I was in the two years of marriage we had before this war. You have been away longer than the time we lived together. You know dearest, we both will be altered, not only in looks, but in our ways. But my love for you is the same, only deeper,as your love for me and that is a sure base on which to re-start our married life again. I shall get busy now making things for our honeymoon. I mentioned your suggestion to Anthony but he does not like the idea of staying with Mother whilst I get you. Still I will try again.
Well, all for now. I do hope this letter has in some measure restored me to favour in your eyes.
Always remember I love you dearly Johnnie.
God bless you and keep you safe.
All my love dearest and more when we meet again,
Your adoring wife,
Janie xxxxx