Sent by:John F Gordelier
Sent to:June Gordelier
Sent from:India
Date of letter:23 March 2045
"it may be another 6 or 7 months but the time will soon roll round if you don’t think of it"
When my mum passed away in 2010 I inherited the family suitcase of photos that I so loved to dig out every now and then as a child to look at old photos of the family. What I also found in the suitcase once inherited was a small plastic bag and inside was a small woven purse; postcards and a letter from her dad (my grandad), written to her as a child during the war when he was stationed in India. I assume the purse was a gift brought back for her by him when he returned.
She was just a child, aged 8 or 9 I think, and I know that she was evacuated to Nottingham with her 2 brothers, Jack and Bill and her cousin.
Transcript:
1770246
23/3/45
My Dearest June
Just a little line in answer to your lovely letter which I received yesterday March 22nd and I was very pleased to get a letter from you again it only seems a few days ago when you was a little girl but after reading your letter I know I’m wrong about that every since I’ve been away I have looked back as you being my Baby, But when I think of it I have been away from you over 3 years and in that time I know you have got a big girl so from now on I’m looking forward of coming home – and find not my little Baby, But my lovely daughter and from now on I shall not call myself Daddy Just– dad, I don’t no if mum as told you but I have got you a lovely present from India it’s a silk sleeping Gown but now I want you to send me your size in shoes as you must have shoes to go with it I shall not send them home Dear as I don’t think I shall be away much longer it may be another 6 or 7 months but the time will soon roll round if you don’t think of it also I still have your ring I nearly lost it once But I managed to get it the Ring I have for you is just the same kind as the one I sent mum but your one as got [unclear] stones in it so mum can't say it’s hers also Dear if you can think of anything you would like just write back and let me know as you know Dear what every you ask for I would do my best to get for you, But don’t forget to send the sizes of your shoes, so you have a bracelet now what I can see of things you are quite a lady when you go out I hope you won’t mind taking me out when I get back, by the way have you started making my mat yet I’m looking forward for one so you better make a start have you got any dogs now I was so sorry to hear you give Ben away still try and get yourself another one as you no I like Dogs I have had quite a few since I have been away but I have always had to leave them or give them away as I never stop in one place long, But I had my last dog over 12 months and every [unclear] I went he would be with me. I name him Ben after your Dog well Dear right now its very hot and after I have wrote this to you I will go and have a read and tonight I will go to the pictures last night I saw Fanny by Gas Light and what pictures have you seen lately I no you go as mum tells me every week, well Dear Give Jack & Bill a Kiss for me and when I get back I will give them back to you, cheerio Darling all my love, from your loving Dad xxxxx
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