“I shall always remember it - not as one of the happiest days of my life, but as one of the most miserable and depressing. You see, the war’s over and now it’s up to us to show the Germans how smart we can be. So… we have a day of parades and inspections!”
I cleared my Dad’s house after he died in 2008. Almost the last thing I found was a package in the corner of the loft, it contained 6 bundles with every letter he had written home to his Mum, Dad and Sister when he was in the army, from September 1943 to September 1947. There were 508 letters, he had never spoken of them.
I read and transcribed them all and felt I knew my Dad better afterwards. They filled many gaps but also raised new questions as he had to be secretive about where he was and what he was doing.
In a note with the letters Dad picked out his VE Day letter and explained that they were all very upset at not being allowed to celebrate. The only way they felt they could complain about all the duties and parades was to put this in letters home which they knew would be read by the censors!
I’ve included a photo of my Dad, who was in the Royal Signals. The photo was taken later in 1945 when he was in Cairo.
Transcript:
8th May, 45
Dear All,
I'm afraid I haven't been able to write for two or three days and this is not because we have been too busy celebrating. Duties still go on, and added to an that we have started to act and look like soldiers again with the result that we hardly have any spare time but more of that later.
First of all I'll answer Mam's letter which I was very pleased to recevie three days ago.
I was very surprised (but pleased) to hear that you had had a visit from Alf Clothier. I suppose it would be a bit of a shock and it was a pity he didn't let you know he was coming. Still it was nice of him to call and perhaps he will call again sometime if he doesn't get posted. Though I've a feeling that if everybody tries to get their leave to coincide with mine I shan't have much time to myself!
You seem to have been getting worse weather than us, though according to the wireless it has improved in England the same as here. It has been grand today.
Well, I have been thinking a lot about you today and I guess you have been wondering about me too. I wonder how you have been celebrating; very quietly I suppose. Anyway I shall look forward to hearing all about it and now it's up to me to tell you about VE day here. First of all let me say that I shall always remember it - not as one of the happiest days of my life, but as one of the most miserable and depressing. You see, the war’s over and now it’s up to us to show the Germans how smart we can be. So in spite of the fact that at home our people are cheering and singing and generally having a good time, we have a day of parades and inspections! I was on duty this morning and spent most of the time trying to "tidy things up" for an inspection which was coming off this afternoon. After dinner I had to start cleaning my rifle, changing into best battle-dress, etc in readiness for a compulsory Church Parade this evening. This was the usual sort of Parade and service with the accent on the Parade of course! That first about completed the days "celebrations" because now it is 1055p.m. and I'm on duty again.
Well this is the army of course and nothing really surprises us, and we didn't actually expect a week's holiday. All I can say is Roll on Leave and let me forget this lot for a few days!
Don't think for a minute that I don't think you at home should celebrate, I sincerely hope you are having a good time. I only told you all about this because I know you would like to know what's been happening and I wouldn't try to pretend that we are happy.
Still I'm glad this lot is all over ad they can have as many parades as they like because we are a bit nearer the time when we shall be out of this "gallant and victorious" army!
Well I must close now. I hope I haven't sounded too fed up, maybe I shall be more cheerful in a day or two when I write again and don't forget if all goes well it's only just over three weeks now.
Lots of Love,
John
Tagged:VE Day
Contributed by:David Moore
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