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This project formed part of the VE and VJ Day 80 commemorations

English (UK)
English (UK)
Cymraeg
VE & VJ Day 80

Letters to Loved Ones

Tag: North America

Smith letter
Thomas Smith and friend

Ted Smith to his parents

"Many a time, my mate and I have waited for a bus on the left-hand side of the road, and then we have woke up to the fact that they travel on the right side of the road. But of cause, we are getting more used to it now so I suppose it will come strange again when we come home."

Sent from: Brooklyn, New York

Gardiner wedding day

John Gardiner to his wife Sylvia

"We were all turned in and fast asleep, and all of a sudden, every ship in the harbour blew off steam… I thought everyone had gone mad. Every ship fired a rocket and there was a huge fire in Devonport."

Sent from: Canada

Date of letter: 17 August 1943

Duke Schiller p3
Ada serves tea to Duke Schiller while Barbara Jane watches

Duke Schiller to his wife Ada and daughter Barbara Jane

"Wish I knew what the hell was coming next with this outfit"

Sent from: Bermuda

Date of letter: 11 March 1943

Young
Alan Young

Airman Peter Young to his sister Barbara

“We flew for four hours over some marvelous scenery including prairie, desert and mountains... P.P.S. Joan [Crawford] thinks you're cute. She said so when she signed your photo.”

Sent from: Arizona, USA

Gemmell card
David-and-Aggie

David Gemmell to his daughter Ann

"Just a little postcard to let you know I am thinking of you all the time."

Sent from: Vancouver

Date of letter: 26 December 1944

Butterworth postcard
Madison Square Garden, NYC

George Butterworth to his brother Ike

"I'm having a swell time here."

Sent from: New York

Imperial War Museums and Department for Culture, Media and Sport

A note on language

The items published here have been contributed by members of the public and have not been edited by DCMS or Imperial War Museums except to obscure personal data potentially still sensitive today. The letters contain language and assumptions that represent the views and attitudes of the time, some of which may be considered outdated, prejudiced or discriminatory today.

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