"I'm now in a most magnificent hospital in Belgium in a very comfortable bed with crisp white sheets and pale blue Whitney blankets. Real live nurses, some quite attractive ones too, tending to our wishes."
These letter are two of the almost daily letters my great grandfather sent to my great grandmother during his time overseas from D Day in June 1944 until he was demobbed in Aug 46.
They were discovered by my Granny in an old briefcase in the loft of the family home when it was being cleared. There were also a number of other pieces of WW2 paper memorabilia which are really interesting.
Transcript:
[Letter 1 - 20/01/1945]
I have a bit of very surprising news for you Dearest, I'm in hospital again. Now don't get alarmed its nothing for you to worry about. Its amazing in fact, I've been a front line soldier for 6 months and I end up in dock for, of all things, an operation for a slight hernia. This most un-romantic injury being brought about by my slipping base over [unclear] into a slit trench some 6 weeks ago now during the period that I could only send you field postcards and I was describing the general conditions as "pretty ribby" you will remember. It was in point of fact one of my worst periods in the army. We were in a large wood only captured by us during the afternoon we took the job over. We had no slit trenches, it rained like the devil for days and the hun was decidedly displeased with our being there and did his best to make our stay of 9 days most unhappy. We were all very pleased when our turn came to move on.
Thats all over tho sweet and I'm now in a most magnificent hospital in Belgium in a very comfortable bed with crisp white sheets and pale blue Whitney blankets. Real live nurses, some quite attractive ones too, tending to our wishes. How different it seems to our stays in the line. I haven't had my "op" yet but there's nothing in it sweetheart and of course it must be done to make me a really fit man again. Please don't worry about me and I'll write just as often as I can to let you know how things are going.
The great snag is of course that I shan't get your letters for some time so of course I won't know what's happening at home for some time. However Dearest things seem to be going along pretty well don't they. The Russians as usual are doing all manner of unbelieveable things aren't they and our lads and the Yanks are doing their stuff too so who knows, before I get out of hospital again all manner of things may have happened. Hes getting bashed with great gusto and may easily fold up any time. Lets pray he folds up pretty damned quick and then perhaps I'll be convalescent in good old "Blighty". Its a lovely thought anyway.
This is a lovely building, very new and modern and I have a bed by a huge window and can look out at the trees, the sunshine and the snow, a much prettier picture from a warm bed then paddling about outside in it.
Will you please drop a line to Mother and Grandma and give them this news about me just in case I can't write for a day or two. Write to them at once sweet please.
Give my love to everyone at home and remember I love you terrifically Angel and am longing to see you again. Take care of yourself for me.
God Bless
xxx for extreme luck
[Letter 2 - 09/05/1945]
Yet again the daily note to let you that I'm quite O.K thanks very much. Yesterday being the great day we had a holiday and all kinds of things took place. The day was extremely warm and close and I must have lost several pounds dashing around the place. The town is full of flags mainly the Belgian of course, there are some Union Jacks and Stars and Stripes around too. Dancing took place in the open town square almost all afternoon and evening. The place was still packed when I left about 12.30pm or so. There was a great deal of drinking going on of course. There are dozens of cafes and they were staying open until sold. There were plenty open long after midnight. However Belgian beer doesn't do anything to the hardened British so the British part of the large crowds was quite well behaved considering that yesterday was the day we have all been working and waiting for for the last 5 1/2 years or so. Some of the locals got pretty merry dashing round in lorries, carts etc hanging effigies of SS men, Hitler etc etc. They did a good deal of shouting and dancing around too in the typical Belgian manner but there was no trouble as far as I could see anyway. Oh yes Darling there was no doubt at all that the Belgians are pleased to see the war over. It made me wonder from time to time just who had done the job. Pleased to see them all enjoying themselves anyway. Today is another holiday and this afternoon we have some sports laid on. Its a lovely warm day again so things should go well.
I spent a bit of time listening to the wireless and heard both the King's and P.M's speeches. We also heard the "man in the street" part of the programme and how we wished we were all home to really celebrate the great news in our own homes. I hope all of you in good old [unclear] had a really good. The day for us of course will be when we all get home once more for good. You bet we'll have a time then sweetheart. Until then enjoy yourself won't you sweet.
That's about all for now Angel, so remember I love you, take good care of yourself for me and give my love to all at home won't you.
God Bless
xxxx for special luck
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