"I am very well, still chasing old Hitler, one of these days we shall catch him and then the war will be over for good and I shall come home to you and Mummy"
These are letters to my mum Violet Branch from her dad. While clearing out my mum’s house recently after she moved into a care home, they were found in her bedside drawer.
My grandad was in the navy during the war. They let their house out in London, and my mum and nan lived in many rented properties to be near his port.
Transcript:
Letter 1:
Wednesday 8th Sept/43. D. J. Branch L/STO
My own darling Violet,
I am sending this letter hoping that you will receive it on Saturday the day before your 8th birthday, and I wish you many many happy returns darling! I do hope that I shall be with you never to have to leave you again by the time that your 9th birthday comes along dear, and I know that you very much wish that Daddy was at home with you for always don’t you.
By the time that you receive this letter I expect that you will have started at your new school, do you like it, and are there any little girls and boys there from Somerset Avenue. Write and tell me all about it won’t you, what your teachers name is and what she teaches you.
I am very well, still chasing old Hitler, one of these days we shall catch him and then the war will be over for good and I shall come home to you and Mummy, we will have some fun together then won’t we and until that happy day arrives dear I want you to be ever such a big girl, do everything that Mummy tells you, help her, and learn as much as you can at school, so that I can be ever so proud of my Witchie. Give my love to Mrs Bryant and John, and a great big kiss and hug for Mummy.
And now my darling I must close, as I am going to bed. Good-night and God bless you dear, I hope that you will have a very happy birthday. From your ever loving Daddy. P.T.O.
Letter 2:
Darling Violet
Daddy has read your letter that you sent to me in with Mummies and I am very pleased and proud of you.
You are getting a big girl now, and can read and write ever so good.
Will you sing some of the carols that you learn at school to me when I come home please.
[...] me about [...] me as well that you was a very good girl when you went to Grannies to see Auntie Lills new baby Tommy, tell me about him when you write to me next time.
Good night and God bless you my darling.
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