大象传媒

This story was submitted by Alison Tebbutt, Derby CSV Action Desk. The author has given her permission and fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

The letter attached reads;

Dear Sheila,

Thank you for your airgraph, it was rather a long time getting here. It got lost for a month through being sent to me in hospital on the day I came out. I am very pleased to hear you are getting on well at school and that you are in the top section now. How did you like your birthday airgraph, it was painted by one of the men on our unit. I hope you are having a nice holiday, I expect you and Roger had some fun making sandcastles at Blackpool.

Love from Daddy
xxxxxxx

I think my father sent this letter from Italy.

I remember being around six years old and we had gone to Taunton on Holiday. I still remember visiting the Memorial Cross which is siutuated there, commemorating the First World War.

When we came home from that holiday my father's 'calling up' papers were on the table. He went to Blackpool for training. He went into the R.A.F. My mother was not happy about it at all.

There were some men training in Littleover around this time, and their wives and children came to stay with us. Some came back to visit us after the war. Some even emigrated to Canada. My son has even been over to visit them.

My Dad went into the War in 1942 and stayed untill the end. My mother used to wait for the Postman. There were only two women in our street with husbands away at war.

My Dad eventually came home in the middle of the night. My mother could not quite believe it. He had not seen his son Roger until then.

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