This long letter was written by my mother, Veronica Moverley (nee Jewell), to my father John Moverley, before they were married. It was written in the days before, during and after VE Day 1945.
She was a Telephonist in Cardiff at the time and he was serving in the RAF, based in Norfolk.
On page 8, she mentions ‘our John’, who was her brother. Sadly, he died in a Prisoner of War camp in Borneo, but the family only found this out after VE Day. The original letter was donated to the Glamorgan archives by my mother.
Veronica unfortunately passed away October 2024.
Transcript:
Friday
My own darling John,
What a week! I'll never forget it all I'm sure. I think I'll start off by telling you what I've been doing with myself.
As you know, I wrote the last letter on Sat. Then I thought to myself "well, that's over for the weekend", and on Sunday I went to church three times - at 8, 11 and 6pm. On Sunday afternoon I took Teddy for a walk. I called at Mary's house on my way, to see if she'd like to come, but as she was doing her washing, I carried on without her. I went up through the recreation grounds & the flower gardens at Roath Park, and as I was up that far, decided to call on Thelma Rees ([unclear]'s wife). She, incidentally lives the last turning off the top of Whitechurch Rd, so I cut up Wedal Rd, (the other side of the cemetery). It was a good way and when I got there she wasn't in. I stayed about 1/4 hr talking to her Father & Mother, who tried to make me stay to tea. I wasn't having any, particularly as I had Teddy, and I wanted to go to Evensong. On the way back I called in to see Lillian, who lives in Whitchurch Td, and had a little chat to her.
On Monday I was 9.30-12.30 & 3.0-8.0 duty, supervising and I've been at it all the week. Things were very tense, both at home & in the office all day, as rumours were going around about the VE. All we were doing at home, was switching on the wireless to get the latest news. Everything was in an uproar when it did come. 50% of the office staff were given VE day off and the other half had the 2nd day. I was in on the Tuesday & did the same duty as Monday. I met [unclear] & Mary and Margaret and a lot of the girls from the office and we all went to Cathays Park and heard the King's speech at 9.0. From there we went to the lake where there were fairy lights all along the prom & the clock was lit up. We tried to dance but it was hopeless, what with the crowds and the fireworks they were throwing around. When it was darker we went back into town, and saw all the floodlights, and again tried to dance outside the City Hall. There were big loudspeakers outside broadcasting dance music & there were hundreds of people about. We left after the 12.0 went and you should have felt our feet. I had a blister on each of mine to start after my walk on Sunday (because I had to walk all the way home from Whitchurch Rd (Sunday) then in my new shoes, because I had the dog with me). Then I had been on my feet all day, supervising. I don't know how any of us got home that night. Ive had the wireless on till 2.0. I went to the service in church at 10.0 Wed morning and after that called at Hathmore's. Peg went to work Wed to get it off later on. All the afternoon we were in and out of the house all day watching everyone get ready for the street tea parties, and of course had to join in the fun, dancing and singing. We had one outside the front of the house & one in Wilson St. There were wireless sets fitted in windows, pianos, gramophones and goodness knows what all out. Flags all out and in some houses table lamps in the windows. Everyone joined in. It was wonderful. If only you could have been home. There was a Victory 'do' in the mission in the night & Peggy, [unclear] & I went. It was not too crowded, and all had a grand time - [unclear].
There were bonfires in almost every street each night. When we came from the dance that finished at 11.0, we joind in the fun in the street - dancing round the bonfire, balling our heads off. People were letting off fireworks, and everyone did all sorts of mad things. Everyone was out in the street playing 'Nuts in May', 'Oranges & Lemons' etc. Wilson St started a novel idea. One man fetched a bath, someone a bowl, kitchen waste lids, and we had a march around the streets, headed by a drum major, with a rolling pin, and the band!!! Someone was ringing a bell. We were all singing and hardly had any voices left. There were 3 parsons from St Saviours & we went all along Moorland Rd, Courtney Rd, Splott Rd, back up Habershon St. The young deacon was running back & fore, keeping everyone in time & time - not that we were. You never heard such a din at 12.30 in the night. We were all hoarse after that. We got up at 6.0 next morning for church at quarter to seven, Ascension Day. Margaret came as well!!!!
What do you think of that? After my late duty last night my plan was to rush home, reply to your letter and early to bed. My ideas were dashed to pieces when I found we had visitors. Bryn Davies & Betty (his wife) - the newlyweds had come to tea & Mrs Davies & spent the evening here. I had not met Betty before, so I could not do anything else but help to entertain. We had a lovely evening. Talking mostly of our John, sharing snaps & photographs around, & talking of the past & everything in general. They left about 12.0 so there was another late night. I had to be up at 6/30 today to be on duty at 8.0, so I'm feeling quite sleepy. Well. young man, there's my week for you. With the excitement, its a wonder I could remember what I did. I had another letter from you today, so I was determined to write back tonight. I was glad to get your letter yesterday, although it was a week - 7 days - since you started writing it. Thursday to Thursday but still we'll pass over that. It was 7 pages when it came - well worth reading. I'm glad you are having an easy time - you're lucky not having to get up early in the morning. Some people don't know they're born, do they?
Mike's girlfriend is young (as you say) 16 1/2 seems very young for a girl to be serious about anyone. I made a mistake. She's not 18 yet. Fancy those Canadians breaking up your Mess. People do the craziest things when they are drunk.
I don't blame you not doing a 2nd tour straight away with that other crew. That's a bit thick expecting you to do that.
You finish up your 1st letter with "I've written over a period of 3 days". You're telling me! However, you admit it, thats the main thing.
It seems like a hundred years since I saw you. Will it mean that sometime when you come home next time we'll be going away? When you hear anything about leave, let me know.
I must answer your next letter now. Everyone acted the fool when VE day was announced. Think of the relief for everybody, especially your people in the forces. It's hard to believe yet, I'm sure most people have not properly grasped it. You seem to have had a good time at your party. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Starting celebrating in a big way.
It was nice that you could "[unclear]" it into Norwich on VE day - I bet you had a good time. That thunderstorm you had passed over Londo earlier. I daresay it was the same one anyway. [Unclear] mentioned it when she rang up last night. She had a good time.
It was a pity you did not get a 24hr pass although you think it would have been worth coming all this way? It would have taken you all the time travelling. The better plan would have been to stay in London, I should think. Although the ones who were home were lucky. Have you been on any daylight trips to the Ruhr? They should be interesting. There's a shame what you were saying about those 2 planes that were lost on the raid on Kiel. What bad luck!
I sincerely hope it won't be long before the Far East war is over. You should have seen my mother dancing in the street & Dad in the races in the sheet. It was a scream.
I'm sitting across the couch in the front room, with my feet up & pillows stacked behind me. I'm dressed in my light ranger uniform, which is cooler than my slacks for the house. I've dug it up out of a draw upstairs. I had to come in a room by myself, otherwise I would not be sure I'd finish this letter.
I wish I could have been with you all this week. I love you, darling, and want you for my own.
Goodnight, love, yours with all my fondest love, Always, Veronica
