My Nana kept a scrapbook filled with news clippings, letters from the government and a couple of letters sent to her by my Grandad.
When my Nana passed away, the scrapbook came to my mother who has let me be the custodian.
This is the King inspecting the regiment at Sandringham. The King is in front of my Grandfather:
Transcript:
[Document 1 - Missing in action letter - 2 April 1942 - from Record Office Warwick]
Madam,
I regret to have to inform you that a report has been received from the War Office to the effect that
(No) 5774573
The report that he is missing does not necessarily mean that he has been killed, as he may be a prisoner of war or temporarily separated from his regiment.
Official reports that men are prisoners of war take some time to reach this country, and if he has been captured by the enemy it is probable that unofficial news will reach you first. In that case I am to ask you to forward any postcard or letter received at once to this Office and it will be returned to you as soon as possible.
Should any further official information be received it will be at once communicated to you.
I am,
Madam,
Your obedient Servant,
IMPORTANT
[Document 2 - POW confirmation - 28 July 1943]
War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John of Jerusalem
Wounded, missing and relatives department
7 Belgrave Square, London, SW1
Re Pte F.C. Fitt 5774573 R Norfolk Regt
Dear Mrs Fitt
We are very pleased to hear that you have been notified that your husband is a prisoner of war.
As he is now known to be a prisoner, all correspondence concerning him will henceforth be dealt with by the:
Prisoner of War Department,
If you will write to that address you will be given whatever information is available regarding the arrangements made by the Post Office for sending letters to prisoners of war in the Far East.
Yours sincerely,
[Letter from Fred - September 1945]
Singapore
Dearest,
A few more lines I don't know when we shall start for home but I hope to be there shortly. I have a few things to tell you now. No doubt you have heard by now that George was killed in action. George Gee also went by my side Tommy died of wounds. By now you will have seen several more of boys names who were killed.
Yesterday several received I thought I should have had one from ou but was disappointed.
I haven't heard anything from mother but I do hope they are not taking it too hard about George. I met Horace Mann out here, also young [unclear] from Watton.
Now dear I have to finish. I hope to hear from some of you soon, I am alright. I have had quite a bit of malaria in the past two years.
Cheerio now, kiss my little girl for me. Fondest love to you both.
Fred xx
[Postcard 1 - Xmas 1941 - From Fred]
War has thrown us far apart,
From
[Postcard 2 - From Elsie]
Dearest,
Received March card. So pleased you're well and receiving mail. We're fine. Margaret's on holiday.
Living for your speedy return.
Love from all,
Elsie
[Letter from Fred - October 1945]
16-10-45
Darling,
I am writing with the hope that this reaches you in a few days it will come from Gibralter if we stop.
I am getting thrilled now to think I shall soon be on old Blighty’s shore once again it seems too good to be true & that we have left those yellow swine behind & they are in the same place we were, but not so bad off.
Who told you about what we could eat & what not? Come on young lady, you will see that answered before long. I wonder what other bunkum they have tried to stuff into you.
We read the newspaper & gather a lot of things up, take no notice of them. We have lived on worse grub than anybody realise & we are living on ordinary food now & doesn't seem to have bad effects only giving us our flush back again.
We read about officers who left Singapore giving advice to relatives. Take no notice of them they are trying to make amends for their wrong doings they don't know about being POW's.
Now darling it wont be long before we are together gosh! it is wonderful don't tell me you aged ten years for the loss of a husband. What were the Yanks doing in England I hear they captured a few dames around East Anglia.
I thank God he has kept you safe for me. I'm lucky & I know it Gee what a time we are going to have another honeymoon three of us this time. I can hardly believe it is true after all this weary times we have got out. I never lost heart although and I was very ill with malaria I lost nearly all my photos in action but your faces were always in my memory. [Unclear] I could only picture him as a baby until I got the photo what a surprise. I couldn't take my eyes off it for hours it put a new life into me.
Cheerio for now. Fondest love to you both & kisses
