Stanley Poulton to his son Peter

I am Peter’s daughter-in-law and was given the letter by Peter’s eldest son. It’s a lovely letter and the words echo down the years, giving us a glimpse into life at home: the joy, the weariness, the drink-fuelled relief, and the ever-present thoughts of a loved one still abroad.

At the time, Peter was at sea near Ceylon, his father was in Hungerford.

I published a piece on my blog recently, which you can read here:

Still thinking of you: letters after VE Day

Transcript:

My dear Peter

Thank you for yours of the 24th April, glad you know you are still O.K., we are, mother's back is better again. Hope you have been able to get more beer since you wrote & you are better off for fags. Great news since I wrote last, isn’t it. I went and got very drunk on V.E. night. I didn’t intend to but the pubs kept open till 12 & we kept celebrating till they shut. I got home & had my supper alright, but ok I was bad & think mother was quite pleased with me about it, she didn't grouse anyway. I wanted her to come out with me, but she went to the pictures with Marie instead. There was a parade the next day & dancing in the street until midnight, it went well too, I wish you had been here, you would have enjoyed yourself. Flash bombs & fireworks being let off in the crowd, & one explosion broke one of Nicols windows. There is a church parade of Home Guard & all the civil defence etc on Sunday afternoon & the town band are blowing their instruments out straight in their efforts to practise. They intend to turn out for the first time. The N.F.I have to carry the USSR flag, why I don't know, unless someone has rumbled we are a lot of Bolshies.

Thanks very much for the Airflow received this week, I think its very good indeed, I shall be reading a bit of that in bed every night for a long time.

Cheerio Pete, back them up about finishing the Japs off (that may be this year) & come home. Your loving Dad

Tagged:
Home front, VE Day

Contributed by:
Natalie Poulton

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