Kathleen Jenkins to her husband Geoffrey

Letter from Kathleen Jenkins to her husband, Geoffrey, who was based in Malta.

Transcript:

May 10th

My Darling

At last the great day!!! Oh what joy and thankfulness there is in my heart to thing that after all these perilous years I still have you safe and sound. We can hardly realise even now, that it is all over. My next greatest day will be when you come home and I know that we shan't be parted any more. As soon as the news flash came through on Monday evening that Churchill would speak on Tuesday, everyone put out their flags and bunting, and it looked quite gay and everyone was out in the road.

On Tuesday Mother, Pat, Colin & I went for a walk to [unclear], it was a hot sultry day with thundering showers, occassionally. In the evening when I had walked Colin and put him to bed & made sure he was sleeping soundly, mother & I went off to the "Jolly". Pat was going up to see the big bonfire they had built in the field at the back of the council houses and watch the fireworks. On Tuesday morning [unclear] opened up two big boxes of pre-war fireworks and all the children had a very good selection each - I think that was the greatest thrill of all to them!

You may imagine what it was like outside the Wheatsheaf & Jolly. Hundreds standing all out in the road and sitting on the steps and kerbs. Both places were very well decorated too, and we all wove our own rosettes of red, white and blue. (Colin carried his little flag quite proudly when we took him out) We managed to get seats by the open window, so were able to watch all that was going on outside.

We had a very jolly time indeed, free beer, sandwiches being handed round at 10-30. We popped home then as I thought perhaps the noise of the fireworks might wake Colin & I didn't want Pats enjoyment to be spoilt by having to stay with him. (she kept popping back to see if everything was O.K.). However, he was sound asleep, so we went down again.

By the time we got back, Robertsons had floodlit the place & had a radiogram working & they were danding in the road, it looked nice too. We went back to the Jolly and stayed there till midnight, when they closed & then came straight home. By that time, the bonfire & fireworks were nearly over & Pat came in at 1-15 am!!! Still it was an evening to remember & they certainly made the most of it here. We only saw [unclear], Harold & Keith once during the

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didn't do anythign very harmful, but enjoyed it. I kept thinking of you all the time and what this means to us. Pat said "I wish Daddy could fly home to be with us". Colin quite enjoyed seeing all the flags etc but didn’t know what it was all about. I pray God he will never have to see another war but I don’t feel absolutely certain of it and I’ve got an idea who we shall be fighting too.

I am enclosing the credit notes. It was no good writing yesterday as there was no collection or delivery on Tues or Wed. Many thanks for your A.L.C. & letter today dear, written on the 3rd & 5th respectively. Muriel & George went to see "A song to remember" and said it was mouldy!! Probably their tastes differ to yours. I was very proud to know you were chosen as examiner at the University. Pat says you must be better at geography then she is!! We feel very [unclear] with our own map off the wall, but glad to think we don't need it any more. I have put it back in the atlas. I have written to [unclear] & given her all our news.

Now I must close darling & get some dinner, then go to the village to get the rations etc. It is rather cooler today & still thundering.

Your threatened hot weather seems a long time arriving!

I will write again very soon & tell you anything I may have missed out. Hurry on the day now when you come home - have you no idea when it might be? It can't be too soon for me & I too would like to say a lot more than I do, but we know what we feel about each other, don't we? Lots of love from Pat & Colin. I hope you got my card in time. I'm afraid the celebrations may have held it up. All my love, dearest one. Yours as always, Kath xxxx

Tagged:
Home front, VE Day

Contributed by:
Linda Arrowsmith

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