"Isn’t it wonderful now knowing that we have come to the end of those five gruesome years and we can almost begin to sit back. But I can’t imagine life ever feeling the same again as it did pre-war. Expect it will be the same as after the last, which you know more about than I do, and I can’t picture it as being too pleasant."
Betty was my mother and we inherited her war letters and diaries after she had died. Her letters start from when she joined up in the ATS in 1941 until the end of the war.
This letter was sent to her parents from where she was stationed in Italy. The photograph is of Betty aged about 23.
Transcript:
Dearest Mum and Dad,
Got your 1 May letter on the 4th, which is good going. I think you'll find you can get quite a few sheets in for your 1 1/2d - about 6, so you needn't make them so brief.
Sorry you had to pay on the lining. It's quite right you should not have done. I didn't do it up myself - someone in the office did it for me and cannot remember whether they wrote on the outside if it was personal property. However, the customs people must have undone the parcel and could have seen the label on the lining saying it was W.D. Clothing, and I can't understand why they charged you. Glad you wrote to the Post Office anyway.
Isn't it wonderful now, knowing that we have come to the end of those five gruesome years and we can almost begin to sit back. But I can't imagine life ever feeling the same again as it did pre-war. Expect it will be the same as after the last, which you know more about than I do, and I can't picture it being too pleasant. What is Dad going to do - retire? Be all right if you could sell the house at a reasonable profit and find a cheap little country shack and grow your own veg. I'm going to find a sugar daddy for a boss and be a very private secretary - a bit more reliable than a husband I should reckon. Or have you any more fitting suggestion to make??? I think I'm in need of some motherly advice after all this time, don't you?
I don't think George looks thinner by any means - looks a huge chap. Hope he doesn't have to go to the Far East, although being one of the young uns he may get sent. I am still looking out for him but see no further signs yet.
Every day in the paper produced out here, they show atrocity pictures, Ghastly, aren't they. And yet there are a few odd people who still say we should treat them sympathetically. It is going to be such a difficult job straightening those people out and satisfying everyone - will be a constant cause of trouble for the next twenty years from what I can see.
Betty, Aunt Maud's niece, turned up here last week. I was most surprised, that she should have come to this place when there are so many others. As she said, is she had asked to come she probably wouldn't have got here. One thing, she says Aunt Maud will be extremely pleased to know who she's with - I am apparently regarded in quite high light by Auntie.
Very strict instructions have been given to us re V-day - more or less confined to barracks and offices and cases of drunkeness will be severely dealth with. Suppose they expect the worst if the troops give vent to their feelings. Personally I think it's going to be a very serious sort of day in all ways.
What a shame you have been down with the back trouble again - you are definitely excused for not writing under the circs. Hope you soon get some sunny weather to pep you up.
Well, here's to V day - shall be thinking of you.
With much love
Back to list
