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These letters were collected on the 25th October 2003 at the CSV's Make a Difference Day held at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Manchester. They were typed and entered on to the site by a CSV volunteer with kind permission of Albert Findlow.

Arthur-June letters.
Queens Ave
Meols
Hoylake
June 1st 1942

Dear Dad,
Very many thanks for your letter and enclosure received today. It is very good of you to remember a fellow’s birthday in such a practical way. Your remarks relating to ‘coal’ and ‘Newcastle’ were met with ribald merriment by another member of the household. I suppose we are well off really, but £5 a month in income tax takes a bit of getting used to. But if it costs us nothing more than cash to get rid of the Nazi gang I think it can be reckoned dirt cheap at that price.
I am happy to hear that Knight and Grimsditch Ltd continue to be so popular in your town. It must be very gratifying if it is a little trying sometimes, especially in the rush of floral work. I suspect that the growing side of the business is the most interesting and that that is where you would like to spend most time. I think I would too.
I have purchased and planted out our 6 rather looking mangy looking tomato plants today. They are in a sheltered spot where they can sit out even on a coolish days so they should be alright. I shall probably drive you silly with questions about same next time we come over — June 13th all being well.
With more thanks and
Love from us all. Yours affectionately
Arthur.

___________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday
June 2nd 1942

Dear Dad,
Since writing the enclosed I have received my ‘Enlisted Notice’ and I have to join the Air Artillery at Whalley, near Blackburn on June 11th. I leave you to imagine what sort of appeal that sort of job will have for me — but a good deal better, I hope than having Adolf and his gangsters over here.
Have you any ideas about lodging my car? It will be impossible to move it after June 30th hence my anxiety. Is there any sort of cover in Uncle Sam’s L.A.C. yard? I am finishing at the office on Monday afternoon and we are all coming over for a couple of nights — really to bring the car if a home can be found for it. If it’s impossible it will just have to come back and take its chance.
Till Monday then-
Love Arthur.

___________________________________________________________________________

Gnr Knight S.A. INTRANSIT Date 1943

Dear Everybody,
I dare say that you are all wondering where I have got to and what has happened to all my letters. Well, I have written once or twice, but correspondence takes second place to security and they have been considerably delayed. We have now broken our journey and are having a spot of shore life in South Africa before we move again. We have had a splendid journey so far, practically uneventful and good weather all the way. Dad would have enjoyed the trip, though it may not have been rough enough for him.
This is delightful country and we are having an enjoyable time: hardly any soldiering, and plenty of eating. Fruit is plentiful and cheap (it’s about all that is cheap here, but we are well looked after by the Y.M.C.A. etc etc etc). I think when the war is over I shall pack Dad on an aeroplane for a good holiday here. He would enjoy it from the horticultural view alone. Nemesia flourishes wild out of doors (and remember this is November!). Lots of things I don’t know but he would. Bougainvillea is rampant and oranges grow by the road side, though I expect they belong to somebody.
I’ve sent you a parcel of eatables from Woolworth’s which I hope will reach you some day. Do hope everyone is well. I’ve had no mail since I left home.
Love to all,
Arthur.

(envelope postmark dated 23 June 1943)

From
Lt. Col W.R.B. Sample. R.A.
7th India Field Regt.
S.E.A.C.
25th February 1945.

Dear Mrs Knight,
I would have written earlier regarding the very sad loss in action of your husband but I am for bidden by regulations to do so. Now I offer you the very deepest sympathy of myself and all ranks of the regiment in you bereavement.

The censorship regulations now allow me to tell you that we are in Ramree Island with the 26 India division. It happened on the morning of 3rd February just before first light when his battery was moving forward into action and the column of vehicles was straffed from the air, your husband was killed immediately. We buried the same day at the military cemetery in Kyankfyn town and the burial service was read by Major the Rev. Lewis Senior Chaplain of the Division.

I am sure I do not have to tell you what a fine man your husband was, but I would like you to know how much the regiment thought of him. Hardworking and conscientious he was one of the best in the Regt. and very popular in the British and Indian ranks and I know that I speak for the whole Regt when I say that we have lost not only a first class soldier, but also a friend.

If there is anything I can do for you out here or anything more you would like to know please do not hesitate to write to me and I will be only too pleased to help if I can.

With the deepest sympathy to you and your family,
Yours sincerely
W.R.B. Sample.

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