"We’re all longing for that day Wallie, when you’re sitting here having a cup of Mum’s tea, still chin up, it can’t be much longer now"
I found this letter amongst many others my mother had written to her brother, Wallie whilst he was serving in WW2 in Italy. It will be noticed that this particular letter was written after VE and VJ day, although he was unaware of the Japanese surrender.
The unfortunate ending is that on the 16th October 1945 a short time after this letter was written and received, he died in a plane crash whilst taking off from an RAF Station in Napoli to return home. Its believed the aircraft, a Wellington, stalled on a flat turn after an overshoot on an emergency landing and caught fire. All on board died.
The newspaper clippings with the headline – Killed Flying Home – shared the story in the local paper.
There are supposed to be 6 pages to the letter but page 5 is missing.
Transcript:
My Dear Wallie,
You'll probably be very surprised to hear from me but I am writing for Mum as Nellie and Jim have gone out and she is nursing Jill. It's not that she's a naughty child but she has had a bit of a cold on her and she's a bit restless, you know what Mum is she won't let Jill cry. Anyway, I reckon it's about time I wrote to you, I'm getting out of hand at letter writing lately.
Well Wallie how's the world treating you, they haven't given you a free seat on that blighty boat yet have they, still maybe soon eh! then we'll have bags of good times and on top of that the greatest wedding in the world. We're all longing for that day Wallie, when you’re sitting here having a cup of Mum’s tea, still chin up, it can’t be much longer now.
Well Wallie we are all on holiday this week, not much of a holiday I'm afraid though, Dad has been bad with his stomach again, Sylv is out of work so Fred is spending his leave helping her find a job, and I have had a bad leg, I've sprained by knee joint; the Jacksons will never alter will they, if one is queer the rest follow.
We were surprised to see in your letter that you didn't know about the Jap war being over, you certainly are behind times out there. You can guess there were bags of celebrations but the people didn't go mad as they did on V.E. day, the novelty seemed to wear off. We spent it very quietly, we walked round the streets and had a look at the bonfires then came back and got to bed, incidently we were in our pyjamas,
Well Wallie you certainly have high hopes of getting home soon. I only hope you do I think you've done you're share. Still as you say what with all these wars being over and Labour government getting in I reckon it should be speeded up a bit. I'm dying to see the look on your face when you see us all grown up, Jim had quite a shock when he saw us, he wasn't so surprised at Sylv as she was at work when he went but he hardly recognised me. Jim hasn't changed a bit Wallie, he's still as big and clumsy and they still argue every minute of the day.
I think he's great the way he has taken to Jill he thinks the world of her, but no-one could help liking her she's such a sweet kid. She's just getting knowing and every time we speak to her she laughs and talks in her own way.
Well Wallie you will probably have quite a few tales to tell....
[page 5 missing]
... and down lines. I'm turning out, I certainly must be getting tired.
I'll say cheerio now Wallie until next time, Mum will be writing soon, Keep your chin up and keep smiling, all at home send their love hoping it won't be long before you are home with us for good. All the very best.
All my love
[Newspaper clippings]
Killed flying home
We announce with regret the death of A.C.1. Walter Jackson, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Jackson of Curzon Crescent, Willsden. he died just before his 23rd birthday, while flying home for demobilisation.
As a volunteer, he served over four years with a R.A.F. Squadron in the Middle East. After completing thousands of hours in the air, he crashed just outside Naples where he was buried on October 26.
His family and fiancee Miss Joan Casson of Morecambe, were busily engaged on the wedding preparations when the tragic news arrived.
Educated at Holy Trinity Schools, canterbury Road, Kilburn, he was in the Willsden Wardens' Service during the blitz. His loss is keenly felt in a wide circle of friends, especially at the "Teapot" Stores, Kilburn where for many years his loyal service made him liked and respected by all the customers.
His family return thanks for the many kind letters received.
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