"I never thought I could love her more than I did, but I have since found that she is everything in the world to me"
I re-discovered this letter in a box in the garage. The envelope bears the censors stamp for it being passed.
It is from Jim, my Grandad, to his sister Gladys whom he called Mick. Her boyfriend at the time was called Cliff.
My Grandad and his sister were a devoted brother and sister and the honesty between them is clear.
My Grandad wrote of leaving his wife Jean to go to war that “it took me a devil of a time to get over it” and that it was a “hell of a strain saying goodbye to someone you love”. He continues that “I never thought I could love her more than I did, but I have since found she is everything in the world to me”. He was an expectant father at this time and wrote “I shall be going nuts here towards the end of April” when the baby was due. He was waiting for the telegram with news of the birth.
My Grandad wrote “I won’t half be glad when this darned war is over so that we can settle down again” – but there was another five years to go which they did not know at this time.
Transcript:
4-3-40.
No. 1870221,
Dear Old Mick,
Many thanks for your lovely letter which I received the other day, I was ever so pleased to hear that you are all well again at home. I am still as fit as ever. Fancy Mum’s cold developing into bronchitis, I am glad she has got over it. It is the first time she has ever been bad as far as I can remember. It is a good job Dad’s cold didn’t develop into anything as we couldn’t do with him bad.
So Cliff has got to go at last, never mind Mick it is not for good. I can quite imagine what you are like at home tonight. I bet you are as miserable as sin. I am sure I was when I had to leave Jean, it took me a devil of a time to get over it. I was worse then, than I was when I had to leave her when war broke out. I don’t suppose I shall be getting another letter from you as it will take up all your time writing to Cliff. I have been where Cliff is going and what I saw of it wasn’t too bad. I admit Mick it is a hell of a strain saying goodbye to someone you love, and I am glad I am not in your place tonight. You say absence makes the heart grow fonder, it really does Mick honestly. You think you love Cliff as much as it is possible, but you wait until he has been away for a while, you will find yourself loving him twice or three times as much. I have proved it with Jean, I never thought I could love her more than I did, but I have since found that she is everything in the world to me now, I feel as though I would have nothing to live for if anything happened to her, and I bet you will find yourself just the same with Cliff. Keep your pecker up Mick every cloud has a silver lining. Write to him as much as you can and he will write to you. Let me have his address as soon as you can and then I will drop him a few lines. Poor old Cliff never dreamt he would ever be in the army did he, honestly you don’t know what is in store for you these days. Well Mick all I can say is don’t worry about him, he is going to a good lot and he will soon settle down.
Yes Mick I am beginning to get a bit anxious over Jean, I do hope everything will turn out O.K. It is bound to worry me as I don’t know what is happening and all I can do is wait and wait for that telegram. Gosh I won’t half be relieved when it is all over. I shall be going nuts here towards the end of April. Mick I am asking you a favour, will you please visit her as much as you can, just to keep her company. I know she needs it and I would be ever so grateful to you if you went round to her now and again. Perhaps with these light evenings you could go out for a stroll together. It would help you and Jean to forget your little troubles. Do help her as much as you can won’t you. Thank you ever so much for buying all those little things for Shirley. It was a big relief for me to know that Mum is going to have Jean round home for two or three weeks after she comes out of hospital. I won’t half be glad when this darned war is over so that we can settle down again. I told Jean that I didn’t want her to live up Edna's again, so I think that is all fixed up.
So Gwen has gone, did she come in and say anything the night she came in for her clothes. I bet Mum is glad she has gone. She certainly didn’t make anything out of her.
I went to the pictures last Saturday to see “Tarzan Escapes”. I am going to see “Gunga Din” on Thursday. I wonder if you will be going to the pictures as much in future.
Everything is still pretty quiet where we are. We had a good football match last Saturday. The weather these last two days has been wonderful, but I don’t suppose it will last for long.
Well Mick I am afraid that I have about come to the end of this letter now. I don’t think I have done bad do you? so for the time being I will close with heaps and heaps of love to you and remember KEEP SMILING. Give my love to Mum and Dad won’t you,
From your loving brother,
P.S. Write again as soon as you can won’t you and don’t forget Cliff's address!
Cheerio
Tagged:Europe
Contributed by:Simon Hart
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