"What a heaven sent message to hear that you are alive and we hope well. It was wonderful for which we truly thank God."
These letters are to my father Laurence William Collins – he was shot down in 1941. The Wellington bomber he served on, ditched in to the North Sea. Him and his friend Norman Hennessy were the only two to survive from the crash. They both became POW for over 4 years. The letters I enclose describe the dark days of not knowing if he was still alive and the joy of finding out he was.
On the death of my father, I discovered a suitcase with over 40 letters to him from his family along with many other letters and memorabilia of his time as a POW.
They deserve to be shown, I just picked out a few.
This letter below is from his sister:
Transcript:
[Letter 1]
27 Aug
My Darling Boy,
What a heaven sent message to hear that you are alive & we hope well. It was wonderful for which we truly thank God.
We have no address to write to you until we hear from you. Norman too is safe, give him our love & we hope you are together. It was Mrs Hennesey who heard it first & let us know. If you get this letter my darling & when you answer it, let us know what you most urgently need, as we can only send 10lbs weight once every three months, we must send you what you are most in need of.
We have got your car home Daddy sent a man down for it & now it is stored in a garage until you want it again.
Clare has just been in & sends you all her love.
Doris was married on the 18th as arranged. Everything went off well, only one thing missing to make it complete - you. Francis & Vera came but have gone back.
People we know & people don't know have been so kind & making enquiries about you.
I will send you some snaps when I have your address.
I do hope you will take the greatest possible care of your dear self, for our sakes, as well as your own.
May God guard & keep you & bring you safely back to us.
All our love my dearest boy
Your loving Mother & Dad
[Letter 2]
Darling Laurie, words could never express, just what seemed to be the end of everything, how it all changed to heaven again. Never shall I ever forget, what black days we dragged through - just waiting and wandering. Sleep would not come. Then we had word from Norman's wife that your names had been seen in the paper. We nearly went mad with Joy. I came home the Sat you were reported missing. You can perhaps imagine what S House was like. We had the good news before my wedding day so my sad heart was changed to a happier one. I am now Mrs Jeffs, the wedding went off very well. You were in our thoughts that day. I wish I could send you some snaps. They would help to cheer you up. Francis took a Cine Film to let you see when you return. We are all just living for that day. I hear Mother saw a P.Card from you to Rose. Rose took it to show her. I wish Mother could get hers. Rose's Mother came round she was so upset, I liked her, & we had a long talk. Given your old Pal the Grocer, Littlefield Lane, nearly took me out for a drink, when I told him you were safe. He thinks you are just the goods. I cannot think I am really married, as I have only seen my husband for one week. We spent our honeymoon at Windermere & did a lot of sailing. Your little M.G. looks very lonely. Daddy is storing it at Frank Whites. Thank you for your wedding present darling. I shall soon be going to live in G.Y. as [unclear] is on 6 months leave. If you want any messages given to your girl friends, just let me know. What even do you do all day with yourself I wonder such a lot. Can I send you anything? You must need some clothes. Its great fun being married. My regards to Norman. I do hope he is with you. Keep smiling dear. I know you will. Lets prey this war will be over soon. God Bless & Keep you safe. Till we meet again. Lots of love DoDo xxx
Tagged:PoW
Contributed by:Andrew Collins
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