"What your life is like I dare not think, but I know you my dear will make the best of a bad job, and try to take as much care of yourself as possible under the circumstances, because you know we are all waiting and longing for the day when you will return."
This letter is one of 32 letters and postcards written by my grandparents and aunt to my father whilst being held prisoner by the Japanese in Changi POW prison. On his liberation in 1945 he brought them safely home.
Relatives were restricted to a one page letter initially, then from late 1943 only a few lines on a postcard. The letters document simple day-to-day life, but all express the hope for Dad’s safety and eventual return home and are emotional reading.
My parents felt it important to keep these documents safe for us and future generations to read. They were passed on to us, myself and my brothers, when they both passed away in 2013/14 and will be archived for our children and grandchildren.
Transcript:
Just a few lines to wish you well, we are always thinking of you and wondering how you are, though we do not hear anything from you we keep writing. God Bless you my dear one, always, and keep you safe. We have just heard that Gregson, First Avenue is safe and in your Camp.
Dad has told you, but I will tell you again just in case you have not received his letter, we were the first to receive notice that you were safe and a Prisoner of War. We received your Postcard in September and now we have received another notice giving us the name of the Camp. What your life is like I dare not think, but I know you my dear will make the best of a bad job and try to take as much care of yourself as possible under the circumstances, because you know we are all waiting and longing for the day when you will return.
Once more it is Sunday, it is grand to hear the Church Bells ringing again. They are allowed to ring just as usual, and they bring back memories of happier days, please God those days will come again when we shall all obey their call together. Mr Yates has left to join the Forces as Padre, we were very sorry to lose him but we know he will do good work in the Army.
Now I know that you will be happy to hear that Brenda will once again have been to see us when you get this letter, and this will be her third visit. I have also remembered her Birthday, you know dear I will do anything to make you happy.
Vera sends you her Love, you will be pleased to hear that St. Andrews won the Cup for the Netball Tournament in which all the Schools took part, and also the Drama Section, for the best play. Vera was in both, it was Youth Week Festivities.
Mr. & Mrs. Dawson send you their Love, and everyone in Ashton are always enquiring about you. Lots of your friends have written to you, but their letters have been returned, only parents letters are supposed to be forwarded on. God knows whether you have ever received any, but if you only receive this one you will know that we are always writing, and as soon as we are allowed we will send you a parcel.
I will have to close now my Dear One, so with the Love that only a Mother knows I will say God Bless you and keep you safe, and in his own good time bring you safely home to your anxious and Loving Mother. xxx
Dad sends his Love and says we are keeping our chins up, and Brenda sends you her Love with a big. X
With love mother X
Tagged:PoW , VJ Day
Contributed by:Jenny Wilkinson
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