"hoping that we will see better times later on. Look after yourselves and keep smiling, remember me to all."
These are letters from my uncle Jeff, who volunteered to join the navy at the age of 19. He was eventually killed in the battle of Crete, going down with his ship, HMS Gloucester in 1941. The ship was sunk by German planes.
He was one of 12 children, some of whom he never got to see, including my mum who was born in 1944.
It is very sad to read these letters, to know the eventual outcome of his life – but also so nice to have. There was a BBC documentary on the Gloucester, nicknamed the fighting G. The boat was left by other boats in the area.
There is also a book by Ken Otter called the Untold Story . We have watched the documentary and it is heartbreaking to think that he was on the boat, and the tragic circumstances to many others who lost their lives.
Transcript:
Letter 1:
[...] had no letters, of course I know you have written, so I am expecting a letter or two very soon now. I hope you are sticking it out at home, I read in the "Aldershot News" about a few people being killed by bombs, you want to be careful and take no chances. I still have my rabbits foot, I wouldn't sell it for a fiver.
I suppose you are all thinking about Christmas now, hows the weather, does it look as if your going to have an old fashioned Christmas, it doesn't out here its pretty hot, just suit Dad. I hope Grandad is well and hasn't got his old cough again. I hope you are better Mum, has that pain gone, I do hope so. It was very good of Lil to write, I think a lot of it as letters are very welcome here although they take a long time to get here. Wish old Reg many happy returns for me, I will fetch something home for all of you, as its not worth sending anything.
You needn't send me anything for Xmas as I shall have plenty and you can do with a bit yourselves this Christmas. Well its a bit of a job writing letters still roll on when this war is over & then I can tell you everything, so lets pray to God that it will be over soon and that we will all spend Christmas 1941 together at home in peace. Well I'll close now, give my love to all at home & in the 'G'. Look after your selves & keep smiling.
from your
Letter 2:
[...] Dad, you have been pretty lucky so far. And I am glad you can get home of nights because it means company for Mum and the kids. Have you got the lodger that you spoke of yet. I hope you have, I do hope you have got a shelter by now I bet you need one.
How is Tich going on I often wonder where he is and how he's going on. Did you get my Christmas card's alright. I hope so as I sent them in good time, I haven't received any [...] papers or letters for a while now but I am expecting some this week. Well Mum [unclear] time is short and news is so limited that it is a hard job to write a decent letter but I hope you are pleased with what I write, although it must bore you, but I do my best and a few lines are better than none, I suppose. But I am always thinking of you and praying for you and [unclear] and hoping I will see you all soon. Well Mum & Dad I must close now, hoping everyone is well, and hoping that we will see better times later on. Look after yourselves and keep smiling, remember me to all.
from your loving son
Back to list
