War news at this time was good: on 22nd and 23rd March US and British forces crossed the Rhine at Oppenheim.

By this time it was clear that Germany was under attack from all sides. On the 27th the Western Allies slowed their advance and allowed the Red Army to take Berlin. On the 29th the Red Army entered Austria. Other Allies took Frankfurt; the Germans were in a general retreat all over the centre of the country. On the 31st General Eisenhower broadcast a demand for the Germans to surrender.

45 King George Road
Minehead

31st March 1945

My darling John,

Well, here I am in bed again but with a difference: I have a fire in the bedroom, not because I am exciting but because Anthony is ill, he has measles! I have been up with him all week at night with a cough and on Thursday night out came the spots! I rang Dr.Bain up on Good Friday to come. He had not turned up at eight pm and as Anthony’s temperature was very sneaky 103 I got worried. Anyway, he cme today. He says he jas got it mildly and to keep him in bed until his temperature is normal for twenty four hours.
Anthony seems better today. He is a little interested in food. When I give it to him he does not eat much. His temperature is almost normal now and so soon he will be abe to get out of bed. Then after48 hors he can go out but not if his cough is still there. He is in quarantine for 14 days from last Thursday night.
No wt answer some of your queries. Yes, the £30 monthly is ok and also the £100 has arrived. The amount in the bank is about £400. Of course I paid your dad £115 so I think I am doing well, don’t you? That is with your £100 received of course. As regards investments I have asked your dad and mine and neither of them will advise us as it’s a risky business and so the money is in the bank. I think it had better stay there until you come home now as that will be so soon.
With regards to the tobacco. I sent you two half pounds and Mother sent you half a pound. Shall I send you any more? Oh, Russell says can yo bring him back some cigars or cheroots or something. He loves cigars John and they are so expensive.
With regard to towels sand sheets, well darling, I would be very glad if you could bring some home as household linen is very very expensive and practically non-existent, esp[ecially sheets and I do badly need at least two pairs of single bed sheets for Anthony’s bed and also my double sheets are wearing out now after seven years of hard going. Also can yo get pillowcases and tea towels? I shall be grateful for anything you can bring. Towels and tea towels are on coupons here and if we want them we have to give up our precious clothing coupons for them so you can imagine the state of the linen cupboard these days! My mother would also be very grateful for anything you could bring her home as she is as badly off as I am. Of course she would want to pay you.
By the way my mother is coming all the way from London on Tuesday to look after Anthony while I go to the Fireman’s Ball on Wednesday 8pm to 2am. Then she is returning on Thursday. I am wearing my long green velvet evening gown.
I got the bed back from Bury over two years ago and that is the one in the back bedroom with the wooden dressing table from Anthony’s suite. In Anthony’s room is the bed and the little chest of drawers belonging to his suite.
We need several things in our home. The armchairs very badly need upholstering I am afraid. We are endeavouring to get a decent lawn for you but the dogs and Anthony don’t agree! Russell has taken over the kitchen garden while he is here and I do the flower garden, the lawn, the fruit trees and the strawberry beds.
Did I tell you Girlie has had a miscarriage? Well, she has. She wrote telling me all the details.
Re the business. Mr.Hart wants your testing room divided into two, one for a testing room, one for an office.
I wonder how the war situation will e by the time you receive this. Why, it might even be over. or very soon eh? And then what? How would that affect you dearest? Have you heard anything about coming hone yet?
Anthony has just said, “Give Daddy my love won’t you?”
Do you think I had better bring my green velvet gown wen I come to meet you?
Byt the way I sent off a parcel to you on Wednesday, your birthday parcel. I am wondering if it will follow you out there and find you’ve left and then follow you home again! Watch out for it in about eight weeks or so time.
My Jake is a wonderful dog. Dr.Bain is absolutely “gone” on him. He adores spaniels and kept telling me what a beautiful dog he is. He seemed surprised to think he was mine. Everybody goes nuts on him. I do hope you ill love him. He’ll sit for hours waiting for someone to throw his ball for him.
As i sit here in our bedroom by the fire I can imagine how wonderful it will be when you are here with me and we are going to bed.
Well, John darling we have been married almost seven year of which we have really been married only two. Here is wishing yo Happy Wedding Anniversary and may you be home long before the next.
Dr.Bain wanted to know all about you and said we have been separated for a large slice of our lives.
Russell’s records are either highbrow or hot jazz stuff or strict dance tempo. Bussell taught Maurice the basic dance steps while he was here. I do hope he will be able to give you some lessons as Russell is such a good dancer, He likes me to partner him as no one else down here knows his steps.
Have you sent Mrs.Jones any tea yet and what about the Briggs’s?

My mother is busy getting read for your homecoming. You know she real;ly does think the world of you darling and so does Dadda. Mother always refers to you as “dear old John.”
It is now Monday. Somehow I simply have not been able to finish this letter. This afternoon Anthony got up and came downstairs but you know he has got terribly thin and he won’t eat. He is now looking forward to my mother coming tomorrow.
Russell planyed the first potatoes today. Maybe you will be home to eat them with us darling.
The wallflowers are out in the garden nw, also the forget-me-nots, primroses and polyanthuses an now the marigolds are coming out and the irises.
This writing is perfectly awful. I know but I do s want to get this letter off tomorrow.
Do you my hips are positively aching with the continuous running up and downstairs to Anthony since he has been ill. And my back, lifting Anthony up in bed etc., is making itself felt now. Still, the war news is good and I have tons to be thankful for.
As soon as the war is over I am going up to town to do my shopping in case you come home quickly.
Anthony now has his school blazer. It is grey bund with blue and the badge worked on the pocket and he is proud of it! He told me that Sister Margaret, when fitting it, said “My goodness you do look a darling Anthony in it!” (Hush! I haven’t had the bill yet!) I have bought him some grey shorts to go with it so he is all ready to meet you darling. Oh, I do hope you will think I have made a man of him and not a sissy. At any rate I have done my best to be father and mother to him for the four long years you have been away so don’t be too strict in your judgement.
I must stop now. Take great care of yourself sweetheart.
All my love is yours sweetheart, you know that.
Hoping to see you soon. NO HARM IN HOPING, EH?
Always your adoring wife,
Janie xxxx