Sent by:Sapper Thomas ‘Ron’ Ward RE
Sent to:Ethel Ward
Sent from:Elm Grove, Brighton, Sussex
Date of letter:14 November 1944
"It may sound funny to you when I say that I want to go darling, but there are boys out there that haven’t been able to get home for years and they have wifes and families praying for them to be home, it may only be for a short while sweetheart but I will think of you and write every spare minute I have got"
I found every letter sent home by my grandfather to my grandmother during WW2. This is one of over 250 he sent home.
This is the letter he wrote to say goodbye before deploying to the Far-East after already serving in France in 1940. He wouldn’t return home until March 1946.
Having had to write similar letters to my family before deploying it really resonates with me. His feelings 80 years ago are so similar to people who find themselves in similar situations today.
His writing is difficult to read (something I have inherited).
14-11-44 - letter Ward
Transcript:
My own darling wife,
Well sweetheart, I am writing these few lines just in case we aren’t able to say goodbye to one another, as I may just leave you one morning and not come back to you at night, but you will understand as that is how the army works, if you feel like I do when you read this, I guess you must feel pretty full up.
It may sound funny to you when I say that I want to go Darling, but there are boys out there that haven’t been able to get home for years and they have wifes and families praying for them to be home, it may only be for a short while sweetheart but I will think of you and write every spare minute I have got, and sweetheart please don’t be downhearted if you don’t get what you have been praying for. We are still young Darling and there will be plenty of time when I come back, I always want you to remember this Darling, that I’ll always love you with all my heart, I have done since we first met, but maybe I haven’t shown it outwardly.
Well my Darling I must close now, so cheerio sweetheart and keep loving me as if I were still there, say goodbye to Mum, Dad jack & Jim for me also your folks at home, cheerio Darling.
Your ever loving husband
Ron
xxxxxxxx
Ps. I will write as soon as I can Darling x
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