The letter written on VJ Day was among those my grandmother wrote to my father, who served in Burma in the 5th Special Wireless Session of the Royal Corps of Signals in the Fourteenth Army from 1943-6.
She and my grandfather Will ran the shop in the village of Upper Weston just outside Bath.
Transcript:
My Dear Sid
I fell I must write a letter on this wonderful day - how much we have to thank God for. Last night at midnight I heard people's voices, and then I listened and heard the train whistles one after another, and then the factory sirens, so out of bed we got, threw up the windows, and the fireworks were going off.
Me and Dad came down in our night attire, switched the wireless on but missed the news, but a lovely service was on from the studio and most lovely prayers, so we knew it meant peace. Both me and Dad was dazed, didn't know how to keep from crying from thankfulness, we said to each other 'What our dear Sid thinks now, especially while on leave, how wonderful for you, to think when you return fighting will have ceased'.
And another thing my dear is so strange - five years ago, the 15th of August, Den (Sid's younger brother) joined up. I was broken-hearted, also have faced a good deal since, but the one above has been wonderful to help me bear all those heavy crosses. Now I'm looking for that silver lining again.. Thank God He's spared my two dear boys for me.
I feel so sorry for those dear people who have lost and been harmed through the dreadful war. Dad went up to tell Aunty Lil in case she didn't know, but they were coming down, Sam [Sid's uncle], the Land Army girl and Nigger [the black Cocker spaniel], so we didn't return till 2 in the morning, and down outside the Crown & Anchor a crowd gathered, singing and dancing, had a piano out the front, Bill Bray playing 'You Are My Sunshine' and 'Knees Up Mother Brown'. They brought beer out in buckets, giving away.
Now today we've been busy putting our flags out also had you in my thoughts while doing it. We have a V sign all of the little flags in the middle window [of the village shop they ran?], we cut out in cardboard the word 'peace' and have red, white and blue behind each letter and a bulb to light up at night, and a spray of more bulbs in red, white and blue arranged in the centre of the 'V'. Looks very nice lit up, people stop to have a look. And flags from the other window, so we done our best.
And down the street is gaily decorated with flags and coloured lights, also having the loudspeaker and singing in the street and dancing like VE day.
One thing I was sorry to think Mr Churchill wasn't in power to announce the final end. Really I think a lot is sorry about him.
Now in the evening a service was held in church at 8 - good congregation, we all went. I got back at 9, listened to the King's speech, he has improved so much. I also heard on the radio, the crowed at Buckingham Palace. We drank your health and for a speedy return in port, and then we all headed down the street, dog included with his red, white and blue ribbons, to see the dancing outside the Crown, and singing. It went on till 2, but I came up about quarter to one.
They gave a bottle of whisky for the best dancers. Ron Brighton won one, but offered it back to be auctioned for the welcome home fund [in true Five of Clubs spirit!]. And Mr Trowbridge up Crown Hill gave £6 17s for a half bottle - very sporting of him wasn't it?
Also little kiddies singing through the mike and tap dancing, so you can see Weston didn't do too bad, and they are having street teas the same as VE Day.
Now I think I've tried to give you all the details of our wonderful good news - peace. Now my dear, I was sorry you had such a job getting out of Calcutta, also the climate seems strange to us, one wonders however people can live there all the time. Hope you will be lucky to meet that chappy at hospital on your return. As you say about the election, the whole country went mad.
Now my dear, I don't think I've any more news, so God bless you and keep you,
From your loving Mam & Dad
