Letters to Bert Burtenshaw

My mother has always had the letters since 1940s.

Transcript:

Letter 1 (handwritten)
9.9.40
My dearest Bert,
I can't tell you how pleased I was to receive that card and to know you are alive and well. It it four months since I have heard any thing from you. I received the card on the sixth of September.
Baby and I are very well. Baby has four teeth and talks away like a grown up she says mum and dad as plain as anthing. She weighs 18lbs. She has a dinner but still to be able to write to you again. Violet Vic's wife sends her very best wishes to you she comes to us quiet often we go out together often.
All my love to you. Keep smiling like we are.
Your loving wife, Eileen
xxxxxxxx
xxxxxx

Letter 2 (typed on headed paper from Penny-a-Week fund)
26th June, 1942
Sgt. Burtenshaw
British Prisoner of War No.13962
Stalag VIII B,
Germany
Dear Sir,
This is to tell you that the people of Crayford, knowing you are a prisoner of war, are kindly contributing towards the cost of the food supplies sent weekly by this Organisation to you Camp Leader for distribution.
They are anxious to help the Red Cross and St. John War Organisation, and to let you know they are thinking of you. They have asked me to convey their best wishes for your health and well-being.
Yours faithfully
Martin Etherington-Smith
Secretary

Letter 3 (typed on headed paper from County of Kent War Organisation)
Kent Prisoners of War Food Parcels Fund
We think you would like to know that The people of Belevedere are most kindly contributing towards the cost of sending Parcels to you.
Violet Astor, Joint County President

Letter 4 (handwritten)
Sept 18th 1940
Dear Bert,
At last thank God we have heard that you are safe and well. We were all wondering what could have happened, but were guessing that something like this had happened. Now how are you, write as soon as you can won't you and let us know anything we can do or anything we can send you. We are all very well. Eileen and Maureen are fine. Maureen is lovely, a cheeky little tinker, last time we saw her, they both came over for the day and she kept us very amused with her little ways. Eileen wrote the other day and told me she had four teeth. That's fine eh? We are always thinking of you and wondering how you are after that illness. What a lot has happened. Stan and Mabel are in the pink. Frank is OK. Aunts and Uncles are OK too and everybody kindly asking after you. Well Bert, old chap, write when you can and let us know what you can and how we can help and we are hoping and praying every day that the time will not be long when we shall all be together again and happy. Everyone sends their best wishes for your safe return and try and keep you chin up we are doing our best. Best love and wishes, good health and luck and please write when you can.
Your affecionate mother xxxxxx

Tagged:
Europe, PoW

Contributed by:
Sue Neighbour

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