|
It was good to receive your letter date 27th June just after
I sent off a letter to you and you certainly seem to have given
Keith and the others a good time at his party. It's wonderful
how many good things you manage to conjure up when an extra special
occasion comes along. I guess you will manage to find a cake for
me when I do come home. Of course a piece of custard pie would
also be very nice and don't leave any jam tarts in the pantry
as they will not last long.
I hope Keith enjoys the fireworks as he wasn't very keen on them
when he was very young. You had better add some of his money to
his bank account in case he decides to spend all his money on
them. I see he gets a bit beyond himself at school though you
are quite right about his writing as he hasn't had a very good
start from his parents. I think he will do well though. I'd like
him to have a chance at a better school later on and hope to be
back in civvy street long before then to help you coach him.
What one of us does not know the other one will and we should
make a good pair of teachers.
I don't mind Glad having the cot love especially if it is in
your way and as you say it is still in the family although I do
hope we shan't need it again ! As long as Michael will sleep with
Sheila as she and Keith used to get up to all sorts of mischief
when they slept in the same bed.
Percy has got to have another posting overseas. he should be OK
over the channel though and get his leave every six months. We
hear all sorts of rumours about what sort of leave is being given
but nothing definite.
Arthur Hall has been home on leave from France. Another chap
here Stan Oldham who's wife's people live in Culver road hopes
to be returning home after four years abroad and I'm hoping he
will call in to tell you what I look like and what life is like
here. He took one or two snaps when we went Maoiri three or four
weeks ago and Tom Mansfield has had some developed and Dick has
one of me in his latest batch. I will have a few more snaps soon
to send you. I'm sure you will think, that sun tanned giant of
13 stones can't be my pasty faced husband. I seem to have had
more snaps taken in the last few months than the rest of my life.
I'm playing cricket tomorrow for the B.O.D.league and I will
let you know how I get on. I expect I will be out for a duck as
I haven't played since I got here. We saw a good feature last
night on the camp called 'Christmas in Kentucky' and there was
also a short in Technicolor called 'Plastics, a short about Whipsanade
Zoo and a newsreel.. It was almost 11.30 before it finished. so
I'm having an early night tonight to make up for it.
All my love, Eric
I was pleased to get your letter dated July 2nd and see you are
still a nice steady weight and are from all accounts looking fit
and well in spite of your strenuous time. I hope you keep it up
although I can see we shall need a reinforced bed when we get
24 stones on it besides no doubt in the morning the weight of
the kiddies. I can just imagine Sheila with her string and cardboard
saw and I bet she looked lovely.
I can always remember her easiest dressed in her pyjamas and
often look at her and Michael's Goodnight photograph with longing
to be with you all. You need a lot of compensations in the Army
to make up for being separated from your loved ones and all those
who shout about how well off soldiers are should remember everything
they are missing while being one.
So love, my credits are mounting slowly and when I got the extra
my pay went to 5/1 per day besides what is stopped so each week
I am up to 35/7. I generally draw £1 a week so you can see
it quickly mounts up. I did draw £10 when I went on leave
and £18 I now have in addition to that. I should save about
£3 a month which is big money, eh love. If we go steady
when I get home, we should have a nice nest egg for a rainy day.
I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for a miracle to happen and
be able to be home by Christmas..
As regards voting, I have not voted here so if you haven't voted
for me I've had it. I don't suppose my single vote would get the
Conservative in as Leicester is generally Labour.
So Winnie and Arthur have a son and she certainly did well to
start the baby off at 9 lb. 3 oz. She will be able to bathe it
earlier than we did Michael. She nearly had it the same day as
Keith's birthday. I'll try to write congratulations to them on
their achievement.
We will get a garden but love, it's one of the priority items
we must have. I don't know what the kiddies will make of their
underfed daddy but as long a I am able to play with them and have
plenty of fun without messing up your floor. I'll get by I think
and the soldier daddy will soon be forgotten when we have to chastise
them a bit. Michael may be disappointed in the real article.
I've still got a wrinkle or two in my brow and a few more grey
hairs on my head than I had before. Still the worst is over now
and each day brings our reunion closer.
I understand Eric is starting at Faire Brothers on the 16th and
I think he will like it once he gets started.. Billy did well
to get top of his class. I think I will write him a little letter.
I know he would like one.
Well love this week I've managed to get a couple of dips in the
sea. On Sunday after church I went to the Beach with Tom as we
had taken a flask of tea and biscuits, we stayed there until 4.0pm
when we walked back to town. After tea and cakes in the NAAFI,
we went to see two first class sides playing football. There were
about 12,000 chaps there. It ended 5-5 so we saw plenty of goals
being scored. Afterwards we went to the pictures to see 'Prisoner
of Zenda' with your favourite, Ronald Coleman.
Well love time to say goodnight. God bless you
Well love we had another LIAP draw tonight and there were three
places for chaps with 1.1/2 to 2.1/2 years service and I couldn't
be expected to be lucky as there were 343 names in the hat. I've
heard they will be starting the short leave soon so I guess I'll
have to wait for my turn coming around in that. There were 17
places for the 2.1/2 to 3.1/2 years and 500 in that hat. Fred
Verity from our office was lucky in that so will be on his way
home in a few days for a month.
Frank Hull came in yesterday to say cheerio and has taken a note
of our address so he can call in and tell you how I'm doing. Stan
Oldham, whose wife's mother and father (Caves of the Frog Island
Post Office) live in Culver Road also called in and is popping
in to see you, so if Michael shouts 'daddy' to them I hope they
won't be embarrassed. Both have been abroad over 4 years and deserve
their leave.
I was surprised to get a letter from Sid Banyard today, he's
still lucky that he's still in England but says he is not near
enough home to get there except on official leave. He says Gertee
and the two children are getting on well though he's not had a
lot to do with the children's bringing up, having been in the
army about 4 years. He sends regards to you and hopes to
call in when he can. I wish I was near enough to get home every
three months don't you love. Tom Mansfield should be coming home
in the next month or so also Mac about September.
I have had a busy week at work as Sgt. Carter and Mac have both
been on leave but Mac came back tonight so should not be as pushed
tomorrow.
I managed to write to mam on Monday night and also a little letter
to Billy and hopes he likes it. I hope to drop a few lines to
Keith after I have finished this letter love as I'm afraid he,
Sheila and Michael will think I have forgotten them. I also had
a letter from Gladys Wells at Colwyn Bay and as she says the weather
is lovely, I hope you are enjoying real summer weather at last
at home love and don't have to look forward just yet to lonely
winter evenings.
I put my name in the other night for another of those 5/- parcels
from Australia for you and hope you get it before Christmas as
it seems to take a long while to get there.
We had a picture on Tuesday night at camp called 'Thunderhead'
about a horse, I think the kiddies would have enjoyed it as it
was in technicolour. We generally see a Mickey Mouse or
a Popeye besides also a news film. Last night our cricket match
was cancelled so I had about an hours practice in the nets at
cricket and am gradually loosening up. It all helps to keep me
young love so I can look after you and fuss you when the time
comes.
I bet you have missed the little naps you used to get in on a
Sunday afternoon on the settee and being woke up to find your
supper waiting for you. I hope I don't make you change your habits
love as nowadays I have tiffin at 12.30, dinner at 5.30pm and
coffee and a sandwich for supper at 8pm which finishes the eating
for the night till 6.30am the next day. Trouble is we don't get
to bed before 11pm these days and average 6-7 hours sleep. I expect
we will feel more like bed when the cooler weather comes.
We saw another film on camp last night with your two favourate
stars Abbot and Costello in 'Enter the Co-Eds' I think it was
and I can see you turning your nose up love. There was a lot of
lightning while the picture was on but luckily it didn't rain
or we would have a wet time in the open. Also it was our billets
turn to take the forms back to the dining room which meant another
ten minutes before we got back to bed.
We heard today the weekly NAAFI issue of cigarettes is being
reduced to 65 a week so if you could send me a parcel about every
6 weeks love(I think 200 cost about 7/-) (
35p) I'll send a PO along to cover it. If not perhaps
you could get a packet or two of cigarette papers as we seem able
to get tobacco and I can't get used to a pipe yet. I know you
don't want me to get used to one but while there are cigarettes
about of any description I don't think you need worry love. It
leaves a nasty taste at the back of my throat always.
Well love it's 9.15pm time you put the kettle on for our cocoa.
It is your turn to get the supper isn't it love.
Goodnight sweetheart
Next letter from Olive
Top of page
July 14th 1945.
I was very pleased to receive yesterday your letter written on
the 9th. I am sure you put an X for me at the election and
I think it's not a case of voting for a good party but for the
least of evils. All of them have made promises at various times
which they know they are unable to fulfil but we will hope for
the best and if the winning party don't give us leave in the next
six months the've promised us then it will be up to you wives,
mothers and sweethearts at home to kick up a fuss and put things
right..
I see you had a busy day again about the house and guess Miss
Sheila is proud of having the room again. I hope she and Michael
hit it off well together and you don't spend many evenings dashing
up and down stairs until they go to sleep.
You wonder how I would have felt about Keith spending his day
with Billy gadding about etc and I suppose I should be a bit anxious
but you seem to have taught him to have plenty of confidence in
himself which will do him the world of good and he will know Leicester
a lot more than I did when I was eight years old. I am sure that
if I had had 2/- to spend at that age, I would have thought it
was a fortune and he seems to have got plenty of entertainment
for his money one way or another.
So you are trying to spoil your beauty, love, perhaps it's the
beer you are having. I used to get told it was beer that caused
boils and pimples. I hope it's better by now and you can face
the barman at the Robin with a clear complexion. Don't tempt me
too much with the description of your supper love, as it is the
one meal which I miss more than any other in this army existence.
I find the army seem to think that supper is a luxury and not
necessary so a bit of pastry or turnover left from dinner time
and a cup of tasteless coffee is their idea of supper. If there
was a NAAFI near we might do better but I only go into Salerno
about once a week. I hope it's a pleasant day out tomorrow as
Tom and I are going with a party of 14 soldiers to Capri though
it's not a question of 'Twas on the isle of Capri I found her
' I'll let you know if it's all it's supposed to be and try to
get a few views to send along to you..
We had two pictures in camp last night 'Destiny' and 'Slightly
Dangerous' so it was after 11.30 pm. when we got back to our billets
and so had about six hours to sleep before the siren blew reveille
at 5.45am.
As Sgt Verity has gone home today on leave being one of the lucky
ones in the draw Thursday night, I have shifted my belongings
from the barracks to the office where I shall stay for at least
six weeks while he is away. I expect Tom will be going back home
on PYTHON before he returns as his four years is up and if so
I shall stay here for good. There is one thing though we have
to take it in turns to stay until night, we are away from guards
etc and can relax after work easier than in the barracks.
I don't suppose I shall see so many films but that won't worry
me and I shall get a better night's rest. The boy brings our breakfast
in the morning from the nearby camp and we can get what fruit
we need from the orchard at the back here. Tonight after a bit
of cricket practice across the courtyard followed by a cold shower
we had a walk down to the orchard and the chap gave us a bucket
of plums which are as sweet as honey. The tomatoes are about all
ripe and a big part of them I expect will never be gathered and
go rotten. I ate one or two as we walked along and wished I could
send you a pound or two by plane.
I know, love, that holiday weeks don't exist at present as far
as you are concerned but we will have holiday love that
we won't forget and every day I think well that's one day nearer
and although the nights are drawing in I shall be thinking it
can't be long now. Keep smiling love and we will soon be together
in reality.
Next letter from Olive
Top of page
July 21st 1945
I received your short note love yesterday afternoon telling me
how rotten you were and it was a bigger shock in a way as on Thursday
I heard from Mabel and Mam and I thought you were feeling a bit
better.
I know you have had as much as you can stand love and wish to
god I was back home with you. I spoke to our officer Captain Flynn
to see if I could have an interview with our Welfare Officer,
Major Tinsdale, at Battalion HQ and he arranged it by phone for
this morning.
Last night I wrote down a statement of your troubles love from
th first time I first met you so the welfare officer could see
what you have been through and included your treatment over several
years at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and you illnesses when
the children were born, also mention the ulcer you had on your
leg for so many months.
I had my interview this morning and Major Tinsdale was very sympathetic
and I showed him your note (it had no date on but I kept the envelope)
and the statement I had made out in which I also stated I applied
for release from the army if possible to save your health, and
it was not possible to get assistance for you from the family
as they all had there own to look after.
Her said everything possible would be done from this end though
of course he couldn't promise anything. He asked me to write to
Dr. Mann and get a certificate as strong as possible for him to
forward to AFHQ with my application.
I have written to Dr. Mann and if he would sooner send it to
the officer and has not sent it off when you see him the address
would be Major Tinsdale, Depot Battalion HQ 537 BOD. I have also
written a letter to the governor of Leicester Royal asking for
a similar certificate from there for the treatment you have and
how necessary it is and have given Mr. Lillie's name as reference,
as I think he is a life govenor of the Royal and his word may
help. I shall write to Mr Lillie tonight to see what the firm
can do.
Don't get too downhearted love. I'm hoping our efforts will be
successful and I'll get home to look after you.
All my love to you dear night and day and god bless you and give
you the strength to carry on.
Goodnight sweetheart.
24th July 1945
Dear Olive,
I was pleased to receive your letter dated July 19th and had been
worrying since your last letter as to how things were going. I
know Mabel and all the others help all they can but it isn't enough
as things are and if there is any chance at all of getting home
for good to get you in good health again dear, I shall take it.
When I first saw the welfare officer he said 'I don't suppose
short leave would help' and I said I thought if I came home for
14 days and then had to come back it would do you more harm than
good. As I told you I am now waiting replies from Dr. Mann, the
Governor of the Royal Infirmary and possibly a letter from Mr.
Lillie though I think he will have a word with the infirmary and
leave it to the doctor to send a certificate if possible. The
army being what it is requires all sorts of evidence and the number
of chaps who get released on compassionate grounds is very small
and all the documents have to go through to Allied Field Headquarters
for their consideration, it is not left to the unit. All the welfare
officer can do is to forward them with his comments and then the
decision is given and sent to the unit later.
Don't bank on anything wonderful happening love, I know what
the army is and they take the view that chaps are trying a dodge
on to get out of the army so the genuine men suffer with the dodgers.
I wish I could get back to you and give you the rest you need
until you are fit and well again. Are the kiddies behaving well.
I don't suppose they can understand how a little noise jars you
but I hope they are being good and tell them that Daddy wants
them to help mammy as much as possible especially while she is
poorly so that we can all have a grand holiday together. Take
it easy love and if Dr. Mann is not able to get you well I'm sure
EAL would get someone to put you right if I asked them.
I think love that you have just gone on and on taking a bit more
out of yourself each day and the time has come for you to have
a complete rest and know if I could come home we could arrange
it. You've stuck it all so well love, I am proud of you and will always love and cherish you. I went to church on Sunday
evening with Tom and I felt very close to you there as I always
do. It was a free church service and the parson was very good
and I felt comforted when I came away. It's the thought that I
am so far away and can do nothing to help that gets me down so
often.
I'm glad Ethel is able to help a bit and Evelyn and Ann know enough
trouble of their own to be grand neighbours and pals. I know Mabel
will be spending a lot of time coming up Barton Road and I thank
god that we have such standbyes. I don't know how we would have
managed without them. I know debts like that cannot be repaid
except by deeds and if we are in a position to help them I will
see that we do
I hope your Mam and dad are feeling better as I know your mam's
health worries you as well. We can't expect them to be well
all the time at their age but I know how you feel love when
your Mam is poorly and you can't get round to see her.Don't
worry more than you possibly can help love. We have had our
troubles before and laughed at them afterwards and if you don't
feel like writing just drop a short note or get Mabel to, though
tell me just how you are and not always just how you want me
to think to stop me worrying. We've faced trouble before and
will have to again. Goodnight sweetheart, sleep well and get
as much rest as you can. All my love to you night and day.
Next letter from Olive
Top of page
I was very pleased to see love from your letter I have just received
dated 23rd July that you seem a little better and that the improvement
continues. I expect to hear from Dr Mann and Dr Airey through
the infirmary any day now and will let you know when I do.
You mention you would love to see me on leave love and hope by
now you have heard from me that leave by drawing has been stopped
and they are now reckoned on length of service overseas and most
of the chaps with 3-3.1/2 years have now been sent. Every few
days some go and it does seem possible that by the end of the
year everyone will have had leave. Mine won't be just yet love
but we will be able to see as the probable time as different groups
are called forward.
I still hope the certificate from the doctors will influence
AFHQ sufficiently will get me a compassionate posting as
the leave when I get it will be so short ( I hear those with less
than 3 years will only get 14 days at home) that you will feel
the reaction more than ever when it's time for me to return. Still
love I want to see you as much as you want to see me, we'll take
our pleasures while we can eh love.
I see Percy, though at the moment B.L.A. seems due for an airtrip
and though it's not certain where he'll go he seems due for a
warm climate. I expect his release group is lower than mine but
all men who have not served over 2 years overseas are liable for
Burma if their release group is more than 26.
I've just listened to the news and heard that parliament reopens
on my birthday August 8th and I'd forgotten till now I'll be 38.
what an age to be in the army. I thought I'd be middle aged at
40 but feel fit enough to have a second honeymoon with you when
I get back so you had better keep yourself in trim for a few hectic
evenings.
I see Keith seems to be losing the value of money though I have
to smile love at the ways he finds of spending it. I thought
though he wasn't too keen on ice cream but he seems to go for
it now all right. I think you had better show him some inexpensive
things in the shops and tell him if he saves so much each week
daddy will double it (the same goes for the other two) so long
as he doesn't save too much, and he write to tell me how much
he has saved and I'll see it's doubled.
I'm thinking of sending you another little gift through the paymaster
so you can have a look around the shops and buy yourself something
from the 'old man'. I shall have to keep some by me to be able
to take you out later on but I should think my credits are about £20 by now.
If the letter I sent enclosing the Capri booklet of views has
arrived you will get an idea of what the island is like but I
still wouldn't like to stay there.
As you know Dick works at Traffic now and as for the past 10
days or so I have lived at the office, since Sgt. Fred Verity
went home on LIAP so I rarely see him as we don't get out at night
much down here. Tom and I generally have a game of cricket in
the courtyard at the back and then a shower by which time it is
nearly 8pm. We treated ourselves tonight as we had some eggs and
we had two poached eggs on toast each. In the shops eggs are getting
dearer again and cost about 1/6d each.( about
7.5p or 45p a half dozen !) We get more cold meals than
hot just now and the favourite dinner sent down by the cookhouse
is cold meat, cold sliced potatoes, peas, tomatoes and onions
which we have had four nights this week already and I would love
a good Mrs. Masons dinner in the cooler atmosphere of England.
It is surprising how we keep our weight up when we sweat so much
and don't seem to eat big meals. Still we seem to stick
the warm weather better than the locals who always say it is too
hot to work in the summer and too cold in the winter. I don't
know what they would do if they had to live a year or two in England.
They seem to have a lot of headaches and fevers and if they work
for half an hour they think they have done a good days work.
I don't suppose Frank Hull and Stan Oldham have reached England
yet but both of them will be calling on you when they do get home.
I had a letter from Agnes today full of her holiday at Bournemouth
and as usual saying it won't be long before I'm back. It beats
me how she knows, doesn't it you love.
Well I shall have to close now. Goodnight dear sleep well and
God give you strength to carry on in your grand way till I can
come home to be with you once more
.Next letter from Olive
Top of page
Well love how are you ? I should have written this last night
but hoped to hear from you today but as HQ has moved nearer to
Naples our mail no doubt has gone there and will come back the
next day making all mail one day later than before. We have asked
the post to keep out mail seperate and send them down here so
we don't have to go up to the barracks to fetch them.
I hope you continue to improve as I know it is harder to keep
going when the weather is bad and you have the kiddies around
you all the while and cannot get out. I had a letter from Mr.
Lillie Wednesday thanking me for the airmail he sent him and saying
that he had rung a friend Mr Plowman at the Leicester Infirmary
asking him to make enquires and hope some good would come out
of it. I have not heard from them but they may send a report direct
to major Teasdale, the welfare officer here but if they have I
have not heard anything from him . In any cast they should be
writing to me saying what they think as I am not giving up hope.
There seems to be an improvement in the number of men going home
on leave each week there is a big list. This week is was for those
who came abroad in August and September 1942. It does look as
though I shall get leave in the next few months.
I'll let you know a s the different lists come up so we can see
how things are going. I wrote to Edith Evans on Monday evening
and asked her to thank Mr. Lillie for his letter. He also mentioned
that he was sending Miss Kirk to see you to check how you were
going on. She is very nice as you know and I hope she has been
to see you. She seems to have got over the illness she had after
her mother died and knows how you feel sometimes.. Still love
they seem to be giving Japan such a pounding now that I can't
see how she is going to last much longer unless the country is
totally destroyed.
I expect the Labour victory came as a big surprise to you all
as it did to us. I hope Mr Bevin will hurry up the demob scheme.
At the moment the 12 group have been told they are getting sent
home so we are getting a bit nearer.
Mac went home on Sunday. He has done 4 years abroad but
volunteered to return for another six months after leave as his
release group is 36 and he would have to go to France or Germany
anyway. Tom will be the next to go as his four years are up soon
and I expect he will stay in England until he is demobbed. With
both Jock and Mac on leave we are busier but most evenings we
manage a game of cricket out the back and after a shower it about
8.0. We don't bother to go t o town very much. I did go in on
Saturday evening with Tom after we had been down the beach on
our bikes for a swim. Sunday was our day off and I had a quite
day. In the afternoon I relaxed on the roof of the school on a
couch with just my PT shorts on and a mosquito net over me to
keep the flies away. I sent the lad for some fruit and had a good
book to read so I was quite happy and the breeze kept me cool.
On Monday we decided to have poached eggs on toast. I'm getting
a dab hand at poaching so when I come home you had better get
plenty of eggs in and they are one thing I never go off. At present
tomatoes seem to form the basis of most of our meals together
with, Spam, bacon and eggs for breakfast. We still get them for
Lunch and dinner. Still we can't grumble, can we ?
All my love to you and the kiddies.
August 6th 1945
I thought I would drop a line to let you know that the Infirmary
has sent to the Welfare Officer
here a certificate about your health and how long you have attended
the Leicester Royal.
I had to have an interview with the O.C. tonight. I shouldn't
start thinking, love, too much about it as I know so many who
have been refused and if the Army can think of no reason for saying
'no' they seem to take their time. I know what a time you have
had love, and how necessary it is for me to come home and give
you that rest you need. I've told them everything you have gone
through in the last four years and now it is up to them to say
yes or no
I see in your letter you seem to be improving a bit but
don't overdo it love and get too tired. It's,then that it knocks
you up and you have things go wrong.
I've not sent that money to you as I said I would. I'm thinking
of leaving it to see what happens to my application and then if
I do get home I can treat you myself. I went to the beach this
afternoon but the water was a bit too rough for me to do much
swimming. Goodnight sweetheart, look after yourself and please
God I can come home to you
once more. All my love night and day. God bless you and the kiddies
and keep you safe and well for me,
Your ever loving husband
Next letterfrom Olive
Top of page
8th August 1945
It looks love as though I've forgotten you since Monday when
I first wrote V68 but it must have been that I either wrote on
the Thursday and did not enter it in my diary or the week has
gone that quickly that today has come before I realised it. It's
certainly not because I've been on the razzle to celebrate V.J.
day as it has made absolutely no difference to us as regards work,
at this office at least.
As I told you in my last letter, Tom Mansfield left on Sunday
and on Wednesday after about two day's work Sgt Carter was detailed
for W.A.P and has done very little work since. He did come in
for a short time on Thursday but since then we've not seen him
and hear he is going off tomorrow. Of course everything comes
at once and there has been a lot of discharges and re-engagements
of civilians besides a changeover in the method of making up civilians
pay.
On Thursday we started making up civvy's pay. We had heard
rumours of there being a day off on Friday but it was not confirmed
till all the civvies had left on Thursday and that meant extra
work cancelling the trains and lorries so we had a busy evening.
We didn't even have a bottle of beer to celebrate the victory
on Wednesday and on Thursday the most exciting event was listening
to the radio broadcasts of how England was celebrating the two
days' holiday.
Some of the civilians at our office came in on Friday and we
carried on with pay. Today we had about 500 discharged employees
to pay out and 100 to give tickets of re-engagement and you ought
to have seen the mob of civvies around all hoping to get a ticket.
In the end I had four tickets left and about 100 or so chaps around
me for them so I packed it in and told them they had had it. Lord
knows how many will turn up on Monday hoping to be lucky. Usually
we should have a holiday from Saturday midday until Monday but
we had to carry on with pay and worked until 7.30pm. As we shall
be working tomorrow morning, bang goes another weekend and we
shall be all those days rest owing us.
I must say thought that our officer, Capt.Flynn is a good sort
and he works as hard as the rest and it's just the fact of so
many of us going on leave that has made it like this. About 300
are going tomorrow and they are now down to those with two and
three quarters overseas. In another couple of months they should
be down to me, though I am still waiting to see how my application
goes on. It will be a fortnight on Monday since I had my interview
so before long I should know. We all heard on the radio about
the speeding of releases from the army and with a bit of luck
Dick should be out at Christmas as he is in the 24 group. If they
keep up the group a week about Feb or March should see the 30
group out. I hope they keep or improve the promises given.
I have had the photos from Mabel and I had a letter from them
today I see that the Neighbours league round their way are taking
the children to the seaside for a day and I guess Norah's boys
are excited. Did you have an extra Guinness on V.J. day love ?.
I had another letter from Faire Bros and find they have put by
another £49-8-0 giving me a total up to April 5th 1945 of
£141-11-0. If they save much more for me I will have enough
to become a director. I bet I have more in the bank now in my
name than you have as the army has about £20 in credits
and about £30 they are leaving until we are released. Are
your fingers itching, love. Still we two are a perfect co- op
society and what's mine is yours every time. I hope you
are not disappointed I've not sent any gift for our wedding anniversary but we have not had a chance to get up to H.Q and the things here
are so shoddy and expensive to buy.
Your loving husband. Eric
Well love things seem to have moved as regards the war in the
right direction, since I wrote my last letter to you on Tuesday.
Of course our wireless set would have to act awkward and the accumulator
run down just when we wanted to hear the news most and actually
we didn't know that Russia was at war with Japan until yesterday.
We had heard about the new bomb and what a terrifying thing it
must me but it seems that the
Japs knew what it would mean to continue the fight with such weapons
against her . According to what we have heard today from various
sources, it is possible that tomorrow, August 11th,two years to
the day since I boarded the Durban Castle on the Clyde, war all
over the world will be at an end. Then it will be a question of
waiting as patiently as possible for the various release groups
to be called for discharge. It may be some weeks before the Government
are able to start increasing the present discharge rate and in
any case work will still go on in units like this as though the
war was still on.
I don't know how long it will be before I hear from the welfare
officer how my application has
gone, it may be weeks and somehow, love, I think I will be more
than disappointed if they say
no. I know it is more than likely yet I subconsciously hope against
hope the answer will be yes
and I find myself thinking as though I was already on the way
home to you. I don't suppose any of us will have much peace
of mind from now on till we know one way or the other. In any
case I should be back in civvy street again a lot faster than
seemed possible three months ago.
I guess there will be another victory holiday though I can't
see any such thing happening here and actually I think all the
chaps will leave their celebrations till they are back home. Well
love I've not been out this weekend. Most nights we had a bit
of cricket practice to give us
a bit of exercise. The nights are drawing in a bit now and it's
dark by 8.30pm. Yesterday it was a dull day but very warm and
sticky and the Italians were talking as thought they were expecting
an earthquake. Of course nothing like that happened so all's well
!
My mind won't stay for many seconds away from England and I think
of other things to tell you. My thoughts keep returning to 'how
long?' 'Christmas ?','Easter ?' or 'when ?' I'd better make
your mouth water for a change love. On my table at the moment
are four very nice peaches. I had five and have eaten one and
may eat another before I go to bed It's a shame
isn't it love but we can get them so easily but to be honest I'd
sooner have a nice juicy pear from an English tree as all the
fruit here seems to be watery and rather tasteless. I had a few
grapes the other day. The oranges are as big as plums so far but
melons are plentiful and I had a big slice of one today,
Your loving husband
It looks love as though I've forgotten you since Monday when
I first wrote V68 but it must have been that I either wrote on
the Thursday and did not enter it in my diary or the week has
gone that quickly that today has come before I realised it. It's
certainly not because I've been on the razzle to celebrate V.J.
day as it has made absolutely no difference to us as regards work,
at this office at least.
As I told you in my last letter, Tom Mansfield left on Sunday
and on Wednesday after about two day's work Sgt Carter was detailed
for W.A.P and has done very little work since. He did come in
for a short time on Thursday but since then we've not seen him
and hear he is going off tomorrow. Of course everything comes
at once and there has been a lot of discharges and re-engagements
of civilians besides a changeover in the method of making up civilians
pay.
On Thursday we started making up civvy's pay. We had heard
rumours of there being a day off on Friday but it was not confirmed
till all the civvies had left on Thursday and that meant extra
work cancelling the trains and lorries so we had a busy evening.
We didn't even have a bottle of beer to celebrate the victory
on Wednesday and on Thursday the most exciting event was listening
to the radio broadcasts of how England was celebrating the two
days' holiday.
Some of the civilians at our office came in on Friday and we
carried on with pay. Today we had about 500 discharged employees
to pay out and 100 to give tickets of re-engagement and you ought
to have seen the mob of civvies around all hoping to get a ticket.
In the end I had four tickets left and about 100 or so chaps around
me for them so I packed it in and told them they had had it. Lord
knows how many will turn up on Monday hoping to be lucky. Usually
we should have a holiday from Saturday midday until Monday but
we had to carry on with pay and worked until 7.30pm. As we shall
be working tomorrow morning, bang goes another weekend and we
shall be all those days rest owing us.
I must say thought that our officer, Capt.Flynn is a good sort
and he works as hard as the rest and it's just the fact of so
many of us going on leave that has made it like this. About 300
are going tomorrow and they are now down to those with two and
three quarters overseas. In another couple of months they should
be down to me, though I am still waiting to see how my
application goes on. It will be a fortnight on Monday since I
had my interview so before long I
should know. We all heard on the radio about the speeding of releases
from the army and with a bit of luck Dick should be out at Christmas
as he is in the 24 group. If they keep up the group a week about
Feb or March should see the 30 group out. I hope they keep or
improve the promises given.
I have had the photos from Mabel and I had a letter from them
today I see that the Neighbours league round their way are taking
the children to the seaside for a day and I guess Norah's boys
are excited. Did you have an extra Guinness on V.J. day love ?.
I had another letter from Faire Bros and find they have put by
another £49-8-0 giving me a total up to April 5th 1945 of
£141-11-0. If they save much more for me I will have enough
to become a director. I bet I have more in the bank now in my
name than you have as the army has about £20 in credits
and about £30 they are leaving until we are released. Are
your fingers itching, love. Still we two are a perfect co- op
society and what's mine is yours every time. I hope you
are not disappointed I've not sent any gift for our wedding anniversary but we have not had a chance to get up to H.Q and the things here
are so shoddy and expensive to buy.
Your loving husband. Eric.
.
22nd August 1945
Dear Olive
Well love I received a letter from you today but not the one I
thought it was as it was the one Arthur Hull had sent to you to
send on to me ! After reading it I wondered if you were as steamed
up at the part about him having been home early in June and hoped
to get another by the end of this month that you were in no condition
to write a normal letter without doing a bit of cussing so left
it for another day. I don't feel too happy at the thought that
some chaps get their leave so regularly while others have to wait
so long, though out here there are so many who have been out here
for years without leave at home that it is not fair to grumble
and I wait as patiently as possible for my turn to come round.
I feel also love as though I want to be with you more than ever
today, 9 years after we decided to face life together and you
took me for better or for worse not knowing that for your
life for more than three years would be such a hard one. I know,
though, whatever trials you've had, your love for me has kept
the same as mine for you and if I were with you tonight it would
be the happiest day of my life. Try not to think too much about
the luckier chaps (I know there are thousands) but let us thank
god that the end of the war has come and we can at last see daylight.
We are now in our waiting time for that day of days to dawn and
though sometimes it seems far off and the days long, it will come
and we shall find our life from that time on sweeter and dearer
than ever knowing that we have come through our trials with our
love greater than ever for each other.
I was at H.Q. on Monday evening and called in the office to see
if they had a reply from AFHQ about my application. Nothing had
been received yet but they told me they would let me know one
way or another when they did hear. I expect there are so many
troops being moved that there is a longer delay than normal but
I will let you I know love as soon as I do hear. I do hear that
Sgt. Carter, the chief clerk here went on LIAP on Sunday. (he
came out in November 1942) and on Friday the December 1942 men
go. January 1943 men are expected to move about 5 days after and
as there were more men out in that period, I think about another
6-8 weeks should see my name among those moving out.
I hear they hope to give all men in the unit leave in Blighty
before Christmas though how many days I don't know. If they release
up to the 25 group by the end of the year, they should get to
the 30 group by about February or March. That seems a long way
off perhaps to you love but after waiting over two years to see
you again, I think if a leave comes during that period we shall
find it coming along quickly. I don't relish the thought of another
winter here though there are worse places I expect and it will
be heaven not to have to try to speak Italian to about 80% of
those you talk to.
I think I will have to try my Italian out on the ice cream man
on a Sunday when we stroll round the Abbey park. If I bring
in 'Itey' words when I'm speaking to you don't be surprised or
think I'm swearing or something but I find myself when I'm talking
to other English soldiers bring in Italian words. I can make myself
understood to most of the civvies who work here and also those
who come here seeking jobs etc. and now that Sgt Carter is away
I'm more or less acting as chief clerk being the only one that
knows most of the work here.
There is a scheme whereby chaps having to do NCO's work while
on LIAP etc can be paid the rank and the captain here has applied
for me to get corporal's money while the others are away which
if it comes through OK would mean another 2/-a day or thereabouts.
I think they do give permission to put stripes up but I shouldn't
do that as it would look like I'd been regraded later for incompetence
back to a private. The return corporal is expecting to go on leave
next week to England so we will have even more extra work to do.
I had to work all this week and now have about four days rest
to come if and when I can get time off which seems unlikely at
present as things are.
There is one thing, bathing is not so popular from now on as
the sea gets rougher and not being a good swimmer I shouldn't
go anyway. I seem to have got behind with my letters with having
to work late etc but as long as I keep up to date with yours love
that's the main thing. Well love I must say in writing goodnight
again, sleep well, god bless you.
Next letter from Olive
Top of page
26th August 1945
I was pleased to recieve today your letter of August 21st posted
on the 22nd as I don't see to have had one from you since the
one I received on the 13th. I replied on the same date. I think
one must have gone astray from you somewhere.
I hope you don't feel so worried and browned off. I know love
you are longing for me to get back and if it is January (we seem
to get different times for different release groups every other
day) and we cannot take the kiddies to the seaside, I should ask
the firm to let me have a month off in the summer as we should
be sure of a good time, Still we will sort that all out when the
time comes. Rain hail or snow I'll be only too happy when my address
is Leicester
As regards the married men having the time of their lives out
here, it takes all sorts to make the world and the Army is no
different than in civvy street. Chaps who act that way here would
do the same give the opportunity in England and I think you know
me by now don't you ?
Well it has just struck 10.30 pm on the village clock and I've
written four letters tonight. Goodnight sweetheart, keep smiling,
Your loving husband
I've just received your missing letter dated 15th August and
so I'm writing these few lines just to tell you so and to reply
to little points you raise. I'm pleased to see you had a bit of
fun out of V.J. Day and you ought to have taken the family in
to see Edith and Agnes (Sorry love, I expect they were on holiday).
I hope Winnie is OK about the baby and everything goes off all
right. Yes love, I did your smiling face and I'm sorry I did not
comment on it. Still, love, all the snaps I have had of you have
been smiling ones and you look as if troubles and worries build
you up. I think you misunderstood what I put in Mum's letter when
I said I was all right here. What I meant to say is that I couldn't
say my life is a burden here with having no kiddies and
all sorts of family responsibilities that you are shouldering
on your own and about addresses you will notice mine is now LCO(P)
instead of C & E HQ. This is because HQ is now at Naples and
we are now called the :Labour Control Office. We work and live
at the same place as always and on the same jobs but it will save
any letters going to the HQ first.
Today I am having a day off for once although we have about 20
civilians at work and they come and ask about one thing after
another. I went up to the barracks this morning to put my book
in for pay and collected your letter and as we went up in Capt.
Flynn's car, I couldn't stop to visit Dick. He is in 24 release
group and I thing that he should be out by Christmas.
I heard today that they are giving a month's leave to all
chaps with more than 18 months service overseas and my turn should
come some time in October. I haven't heard anything more about
my application for compassionate post but I read in orders that
all MP's were to be given the name of the local officer responsible
for applications for compassionate leave and release from the
army so you had better see if there is any office in Leicester.
I forgot to tell you that yesterday, after lunch, I went with
Capt. Flynn to No LCO 2 Sub depot at Naples, or rather just this
side of Naples and it was a nice change though I'd rather work
here than there. At night I did a bit more work and I've three
or four other letters to answer, Harry Quinn's, Jack Turvey's
and Agnes's but I just don't feel like it when I've been on until
8.30pm.
I'm pleased to see Arthur's and Wynns baby is getting on well
though I agree with you, we have got our quota and from all accounts
when father gets home to spoil them, mother's life won't be worth
living at all. Tell them I'm sorry I forgot the kisses on the
last letter. I've not forgotten them and each time I look at their
photographs I wonder how much more they will alter before I see
them again.
I'm fairly certain that our next anniversary will be spent together
perhaps even by then you will be taking me (or will it be me you)
for granted. What did you say, 'that's a low ball ?' I don't think
we shall ever again, if we did before, take each other for granted
after this parting and it will need a very happy family to beat
ours.
The weather is still fine though not so warm as it has been and
we don't sweat so much. It is always much hotter than an English
summer (what there is of it) and now the melons are coming in
and the grapes( Don't smack your lips love, you have got your
cheese sauce, pickled onions and cocoa) so we still get our fruit.
Before I finish love I must tell you this one. You might not
think it is true but it is. One of the chaps who has been attached
here for the last few weeks came out from Blighty about three
months ago. He is married and 31 years old and when he was put
on draft he went once to his MP saying it wasn't fair that men
of his age were being sent abroad when they were not calling up
men over 27. Not bad after he had had over three years in England.
He was put on a draft and left for the far east and they were
waiting to go back to England for a months leave before going
out. He had the sauce to say that if the Japs had managed to carry
on for another ten days, they would have been on their way home
and wished they had. So you can see how some chaps look at things.
I bet he thinks that all the lads out here are about 21 years
old but if he starts talking like that some of the chaps will
soon put him in his place.
I have been having a relax on the home made settee we have on
the flat roof over the school this afternoon and we start putting
money in the envelopes once more tomorrow. The application for
pay as Corporal has gone in and if it is OK'd it will mean 1/9d
a day extra for two months while Mac is away. I see myself paying
income tax if I'm not careful.
Well love, time marches on. It is now 10.20 pm so I'll say goodnight,
sweet dreams and god bless you and the kiddies and keep you all
safe and well for me till that day of day dawns. All my love sweetheart,
night and day, now and for always
Next letter from Olive
Top of page
This is the last letter which has been found
THESE EXTRACTS ARE
FROM ERIC'S DIARY ENTRIES BEFORE FLYING HOME TO THE U.K.
There are no more letters after these entries
August 29th 1945 Diary Entry
May go next Tuesday. Have not written and told Olive yet
August 30th 1945 Diary Entry
Wrote letter to Olive but dare not post it until I know
for sure when I'm off
August 31st 1945 Diary Entry
One day nearer Tuesday which is day for moving off
2nd September 1945 Diary Entry
Went to Barracks to see Dick and told him I expect to be
off on Tuesday
3rd September 1945 Diary entry
Went to barracks and got my kit checked and signed documents
for U.K..
Posted letter to Olive
4th September 1945 Diary entry
Said 'Chow for now' to all at LCO Sent another letter to
Live and wonder what
she will think. Arrived at Larnica camp and found myself
still on the ground at
ATS
5th September 1945 Diary entry
Wrote letter to Olive saying I might be leaving Saturday
or Monday. I don't
know yet but want to get out of this place as soon as possible.
Plenty of
entertainment in camp but dirt everywhere.
6th September 1945 Diary Entry
Weighed our kit for air transport and think we may now go
Friday. Went to
ENSA show at night and then looked at orders. Nothing on
them so I've had it
for Friday.
7th September 1945. Diary Entry
Violent storms last night and high winds so may not go until
Sunday or
Monday
8th September 1945. Diary entry
Had FFI inspection and later on had a briefing. Should leave
tomorrow
morning, Sunday at about 8.0am if the weather is OK. It's
over 1000 mile trip
and should take about 6 hours. Spent last few hours in the
NAAFI at night
and in bed at 10.pm. Reveille is at 4.30 tomorrow
9th September 1945. Diary Entry
Taken to Aerodrome by lorry and found out we were being
taken by
Lancaster bomber. 20 of us in the plane. Very uncomfortable
and crowded
and the engines were deafening. was a bit sick and thankful
when we
touched down in Blighty. Wired to Olive tha I had arrived.After
a snack had a
walk around before going to bed
10th September 1945. Diary Entry
Reveille 5.30 ! but back in Blighty !
There are no more diary entries except one for October 30th
'Olive's birthday. Shall I be home ?'
Next letter from Olive
Top of page |
