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Extracts from Arthur Allvey’s letters to his wife, Gladys, November 1944

25-11-44 Thanks for your letter No. 7 which I received today…

Our wireless set has broken down again so we no longer hear music and propaganda from Arnhem but we do receive Arabic programmes, from Algiers presumably, on our operational wireless set much to the inconvenience of our signallers. The papers still come to us fairly regularly so we’re not without the news but the mail is getting more erratic.

It’s strange to see roses in bloom at this time of year and in such weather, but nevertheless there is a bed of red roses in front of the house where I have my sleeping quarters. There are a great many public flower gardens in this country… Of course this place has always been noted for the quality of its bulbs and flowers but in latter years the gardeners have had to devote much of their time to the growing of vegetables which have constituted the main part of their nation’s diet. They obtain very little meat and all foods are controlled — more so than in England.

28-11-44 Yes dear the weather is atrocious … I’m sorry to hear how damp it is in your house and I do hope you have plenty of coal and can keep the fires well stoked up.

Don’t you get anxious about my safety darling as I’m quite alright out here — in fact I sometimes think one is safer here than in London. When I spoke of civilians clinging to their houses even in areas which are shelled I didn’t mean to imply that I stayed in these unhealthy places also. In point of fact I speak of the time when we were beginning our gallop across country when most of the shelling in question was our own. Our artillery is absolutely on top out here and the enemy batteries have many an anxious moment and generally find a silent policy wise. No, my dear, you have no cause to worry your head about me …

3-12-44 Well darling I’ve had my 48 hours leave in Brussels and it was quite an interesting trip though the time is much too short to permit one more than a glimpse of the main thoroughfares of the city… one striking feature is the abundance of many of those luxuries so long non-existent in London such as ice creams and pastries, wines, cosmetics and toys. In the Bon March store they have a buffet at which one may purchase ices, jellies, meringues and other such delicacies. Everything in the way of clothes and food is rationed as in England, but I’m told that black marketeering is rampant. However coupons are not demanded from troops for some articles of clothing, bought as gifts.

The fly in the ointment is the exorbitant prices charged for most of these things. For instance ladies’ handkerchiefs cost from 3 to 4/- each, perfumes of the best brands anything up to £10 per bottle…. Consequently I bought very little at civilian stores and had all meals at the army institutions. As fares were not taken from troops travelling cost nothing and the cinemas were at surprisingly reasonable prices, troops only being charged half the normal rates, but they are awfully crowded. I saw two films…

In distinction to the abundance of luxuries, many of the common necessities are in very short supply. Many people cannot get coal and potatoes and green vegetables are very short. Apples and pears are plentiful… The butchers’ shops displayed neat arrays of clean, but empty, shelves. The average person is very well dressed, especially the women who wear expensive furs and what appear to my layman’s eyes garments of the best quality…

On the whole the people seem fairly happy and contented and very grateful. They are very willing to help us and their dissatisfaction with the present Government is in no way directed towards us — in fact many would welcome a temporary Allied Government I believe. I saw nothing of the trouble in the city but, whilst awaiting a tram one night, heard shots and one or two explosions…

Our billets were situated in a school building converted into a leave hostel and left nothing to be desired. The class rooms were furnished with the standard army bunks and palliases and each room in the building was centrally heated and electrically lighted. There were separate dining rooms furnished with tables and chairs and Belgian men and women waited upon us.

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