Sent by:Harry Brown
Sent to:Clara Brown
Date of letter:6 March 1945
"I shall never forget the sound of a hundred voices echoing over the countryside with the words 'Jerusalem' and 'Hosanna to his Name'. I never want to hear anything more beautiful."
My father died when I was 12. The letter was found when my Aunt died and was sent to me, it is one of my most treasured possessions. I find it very moving and get emotional when I read it. His hand writing is difficult to make out but in my opinion it is worth making the effort.
My father was in the REME. He served throughout the war and was stationed in Germany when he was finally discharged in January 1946.
Transcript:
Hullo Gedling
Just a short note before retiring to kip for the night, everythings fine - going well and all anxious to get it over with.
I must tell you of what I experienced tonight though actually its the reason for me writing. 2 of us had travelled a good deal and it was getting dusk when we spotted a tea-wagon by the roadside. Of course we all went for it like bees after honey. In about 20 mins a whole crowd had collected around it, people off the road, lads out of tanks and lad who where [unclear] nearby for the night. Dusk had just about set in - all was calm, in the distance was the glare of some fires - German homes etc - we hoped, when one of the lads started humming. Someone who apparently knew him yelled for a song and he promptly obliged. They had a fine tenor voice and he sang "the Holy [unclear]".
Try and imagine that scene, by the roadside - fellows sitting and standing by the roadside and a clear tenor voice ringing out. What I thought was the best spot, was on the last chorus when everyone joined in.
I shall never forget the sound of a hundred voices echoing over the countryside with the words 'Jerusalem' and 'Hosanna to his Name'. I never want to hear anything more beautiful. Not a word was spoken afterwards, the lads wondered back to their tents and we along with others continued on our journey into the night.
You can well imagine why I just had to sit down before sleep and tell you all about it.
Your Own Boy
Contributed by:Mike Brown
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