大象传媒

My Uncle was killed in France on the 29.08.1944 aged 21 and I have located three surviving members who went across to Normandy on D-Day + 9 landing at Juno Beach.

My late father never got over the death of his older brother. My uncle's story is told in the last letter he sent home (in July 1944). It was written to his Auntie, who had brought my father, his two brothers and sister up following the death of their mother in 1932.

The letter

2390778 L/Cpl C.P.Ketteridge
2nd. Fife & Forfar Yeo.R.A.C
鈥淏鈥� Squadron.
B.L.A

27th July 1944

My Dear auntie,

I've been going to write this letter to you for some little time now, but up to now have hardly had an opportunity, but recent events out here have urged me to write it. It is addressed to you in thankfulness' for past years.

In my last battle, things were going hard, and only a handful of our lads came back in one piece. It was at a moment when my last seemed near, that my mind took me away from the battle-field away from mangled human flesh, heroism and death, to you at home and Audrey.

Then it struck me how wonderful you had been to bring me up all these years from and before mother's death. Somehow it meant that you would never be thanked for what you had done. Tom and Norah at home will never appreciate what you have done, Den hardly will either, none of them have experienced the hell which I have, and please god they never will. It is only in the face of such trials that value has its real meaning. Value is a small word, few unfortunately ever conceive its real meaning.

I admit myself. I did not know the value of the simple things of life, I do now though. You sacrificed pretty well every thing to bring me up, I guess at times I was a headache and appalling, but I was passing through a stage of life then that is ruled by foolishness, time has passed, and reason has taken its place. Words can hardly express the appreciation I felt in my hours of danger as I do now for your truly wonderful effort in bringing us up, and help mould my character, struggling against odds, to which many less stouter of heart would have succumbed. I have met hundred of chaps from North, South, East and West. And if I say so myself, the way you brought me up, is equal if not above the majority.

Your reward may not be in this life and after seeing the way humans are smashed, I'm convinced that there is more than the human life on this earth and god will reward you.

It is the knowledge that there is something beyond this life which makes my present life bearable. I was always highly strung as you know, and I thought in battle I'd soon lose control of my nerves, especially remembering that effort when I first went to the polytechnic, funny now isn't, I've seen others lose their nerve alongside me here, but I'm sure god is helping me and protecting me, because always I'm cheerful whatever is happening.

I pray and trust I'll come through safely, but one never knows gods will, so whilst I have the chance you deserve thanking. Many chaps I guess write appreciatingly to their mothers, their lucky, you took her place and did all she possibly could have done for me, and if it gives you any joy to know, this Letter comes from the battle-front with the sincerest and deepest thanks for the wonderful Job you have done, and may god bless you.

I'm pleased you and Audrey are seeing each other more, I think the world of her, as you probably know by now, and if I come out OK, I hope I'll be making plans for our wedding. Well I guess I'll close now, I'm on a rest period just now, before action again, I visited Bayeaux yesterday, it isn't much of a place, a few shops with food, etc, for the locals at exorbitant prices. Caen and Carpiquet I was in during battle, but seeing them now show nothing but ruins.

Cheerio, good-night and god bless you and keep you well.

With love and gratefulness,
Paddy.

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