"I will soon be back after this little job is over, think of how you will be able to use your nail varnish to your heart's content without my teasing you."
When my Aunt Pauline died, this letter was found in her house. It was among her treasured possessions and diaries.
Pauline was a nurse in London during the WW2 living in Chelsea. Pte Eric Selby RSC (Royal Signal Corps) and Pauline became engaged in 1944 after their casual friendship blossomed. This letter was written not long after they were engaged and was the last letter sent before Eric left for service overseas.
He was a Private In the Royal Signal Corps and was gassed during the war which left him with bad lungs for the rest of his life.
Pauline and Eric were married in July 1945. They were never blessed with children but were the happiest of couples and loved each other dearly until Eric’s death.
Transcript:
Same address
My dearest darling,
Well my sweet I have some news for you and as I not have many more opportunities of getting uncensored letters through to you I am making the most of this.
Most of the unit move off tomorrow for the 'other side' and I expect to be going, or at least on my way by the end of the week, it is not certain yet, in any case darling it is practically definite that I will not see you again before going over there. Needless to say all leave has been cancelled for all units, however don't worry sweetheart I will soon be back after this little job is over, think of how you will be able to use your nail varnish to your heart's content without my teasing you.
Now that it seems as though the time has come for me to leave you for a little while we can't exactly grumble can we Pauline darling. I think that some fortune has been more than kind to us, for the few weeks grace we have had since getting engaged has proved that we both love each other very dearly more than we would have realised if I had gone when the invasion commenced about 2 months ago. I do love you Pauline with all my heart, always remember that darling and when we are married I will always go on loving you.
If there is any chance of seeing you before we move you know perfectly well darling that I wouldn't need asking twice, I would be away like a shot.
It seems as though Len couldn't have chosen a worse week, however even though I will not be able to get to see him it need not interfere with his arranagements. I leave here tomorrow to go back to my old surroundings and of course to Dennis, I have had a very short spell here haven't I Pauline - what a life.
I will ring you up darling when I get back and if possible tell you the latest news, personally I don't think that our particular section will move until next week however it remains to be seen.
I am feeling sleepy now darling so I had better close now, I wish that we were married and you were here so that we could snuggle up to each other and forget all about the war, wouldn't it be nice, I wonder though sweetheart if you were here by my side whether I would still be as sleepy as I am at the moment???
Oh well darling, such wistful thinking on my part will have to cease, one day though my pet our dreams will come true and we will always be together for ever, in the meantime we will both have to be very patient, so goodnight sweetheart and just before I go into dreamland I send you all my love and kisses darling - goodnight Pauline dear.
Your loving sweetheart
PS Give my love to your Mother and family. Goodnight darling take care of yourself because I love you so much,
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