This is a love letter from my Grandfather Robert Harty to his wife Irene (my Grandmother). It was found together with war photos and Notice of Enlistment letter in a old Tabacco tin when my Nan died.
It is dated 15 August 1945, VJ Day. He wrote to her after he heard the Kings speech. He starts the letter with …… At long last it’s all over .
Transcript:
Dearest little wife,
At long last it's all over, thank God for that.
Well dearest one, at last we know that every day will see us a bit nearer to being together, and this time for good, so all we have to do is watch the demob list, & hope that it will not be to long.
I have just been down to the sargent Mess to hear the news & the Kings speach of nine oc, only its ten oclock here. Jolly here things are buzzing in the world tonight, the yells of the crowds in London & I bet everywhere the happiness felt by everyone, was there ever such a day.
I bet you've all been and still are at the moment, out for a drink, or I don't know old Dad. I'd give a lot to be home tonight, I'd be getting well & truly blottoh, & no mistake, but here I am, on the greatest night in blinking near six years, as sober as a judge, blimey it takes some believing.
I still have been unlucky again, no mail but I know why, the damn post office in Germany has mucked the job up again & so Lord knows where my mail is now. Blast the man.
Hows my darling "blue eyes" today, happy [unclear]! I hope so, theres a lot to be happy about today & my baby, is she ok to, Bless her, & thank God she hasn't to know the horrors of war, anyway lets prey she doesn't, for another will be the end of us all.
My thoughts will be with you tonight my darling & I hope you are all having a grand time, boy I bet there will be some thick heads in the morning but it will be worth it.
This time next year we will be together, so let us promise ourselves a "do" for then, but I expect we will have many by that time.
It pouring down hard here, & has been for an hour or more when the news reader said "the moon is just breaking through over the great scene at the palace" we had to laugh for the rain came down all the harder just then.
There no more to say except I love you, & oh how I long to be with you, I just had to write tonight, so that I could feel close to you, on this formal day, or should I say, hour.
Well its [unclear] for now,
Bless you & my dear little one, I love you so.
Cheerio my darling.
P.S. My love to Mam & Dada and all at 18.
P.P.S. Please keep this letter, it may be something to read on Victory days
