“Roy and I have started concert parties on board and we had the first show last night. It was a talent spotting concert and we are holding them for the next three nights”
This is a letter sent by my uncle, Staff Sergeant Alfred Thomas Holder, to his wife, Marguerite, on New Year’s Day 1946.
During the war he had been stationed in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and was at sea on his way back to the UK for demobilization.
Recently I was the executor for their son, Michael, who sadly passed away in 2023. I found the letter, amongst others, in a drawer beside his parents’ bed.
Transcript:
At Sea
My Darling Marguerite,
I'm sure you will be impressed to receive this letter card but there is every chance you will receive it about a week before we dock at Liverpool.
I hope you are keeping well my darling. I am so impatient for this voyage to be over and this ship isn't travelling half fast enough. As I told you in my last letter card from Colombo dear, we embarked on the Antenor on the 28th morning and surprisingly enough we sailed the same evening at six-o-clock. We are due at Aden about mid-day Thursday (3rd) but we don't know yet if the mail will be put off there or at one of the other middle East ports. In any case sweetheart you are bound to receive this letter card before Jan 18th which is the day we are due to dock at Liverpool.
This is the smallest troopship I have ever travelled on my darling but it is a means to an end and I can stand anything when I know I am on my way back to the most wonderful girl in the world.
I shall bring some chocolate and sweets home with me sweetheart, but as we shall be only on the voyage for 21 days, it will only be three weeks ration. Don't try to save up your coupons dear, I know you like chocolate so much, I have been without it for a year now and I shall not eat any until I am with you again.
Roy and I have started concert parties on board and we had the first show last night. It was a talent spotting concert and we are holding them for the next three nights and then the best materials will form the ships concert party.
The food is quite good darling but I'm afraid conditions will get worse when we hit any rough weather, still who cares - I shall soon be with you my precious.
As I am to be demobed at York, I may be able to see Jack and Nancy, but I shall not do anything to delay myself at all you may be sure of that. You will soon be receiving that cable my blue-eyed angel and dont forget to wear your new black [unclear] coat.
We did not have lights out until twelve thirty this morning so we all sat up to see the new year in. I have been sleeping on the open deck so far darling but it will be too cold for that in about four or five days time and we shall soon be wearing battle-dress.
Bye-bye until you are in my arms again my angel, I miss you terribly and love you so much. Take care of yourself and God bless you. All my love Dearesr, your loving Husband, Tommy
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