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A letter written By Marsh to his parents at home in England; received in July 1945, before he came home.

'How did you manage to remember what I said about the ‘sun setting, and I was wondering what was on the other side’? You must have got a good memory or you must have thought it something to remember.

I’m a silly sentimental old thing at times. I often think of things like that at odd times. I’ve said to myself many times since I first went into action and saw for myself what a horrible thing it was, that the first thing I would do if I ever got out alive and got back to England was to go to church and thank God with all my heart for bringing me through.

I was very pleased to hear that you all went to church on Victory Sunday. A good many people don’t stop to think of things like that, all they think about is the war being over, but I suppose they don’t realise what it is like over here and what thousands of chaps like me have endured, and believe me it was worse than hell at times; and it’s times like that when a man no matter how wicked he may be, turns to God and says his prayers, and he remembers those few moments for the rest of his life.

It may sound funny to people who have not experienced it but believe me it is true enough.’

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Becky Barugh of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Shropshire CSV Action Desk on behalf of Mary Pritchard and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

See more of Mary’s stories:

• So many don’t realise
• Spending a well-earned penny
• Friends together
• A real rough diamond
• Labelled
• Love binds forever faithful hearts
• Non-Fraternisation
• Thanksgiving service
• How to use this book
• Clothing books
• Marsh’s Medals
• Joining Up
• One to keep
• Names in a hat
• Too terrible to tell
• Tyne Tees Badge
• Cards to Mother
• 11th Armoured Division Badge
• Flensburg Christmas 1945
• KSLI Badge
• Homeguard Arm Band
• Driving permit
• A very hard worker
• Mary’s Medals
• Marsh’s Evacuees
• Evacuees on the farm
• Milk from cows?
• Marsh’s Parents with the Evacuees
• Me and the girls
• All of us
• ATS Cap Badge
• Mary Pritchard

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