Letters from an English Soldier
January 8, 2009 – 8:49 pmBob from Lancaster provided me with information for another blog – again from The Christian Science Monitor, this time the August 26 (our wedding anniversary), 2008 issue. This article tells of letters from World War I now being posted on a blog. These letters from Bill’s grandfather came into Bill’s hands upon the death of his mother, while he was cleaning out the home. Fascinated by the letters, he has now placed them regularly on his blog so that his readers can follow the path of his grandfather. Following his experiences of travel and life in the trenches becomes somewhat of a mystery as each letter unfolds. His blog is http://wwar1.blogspot.com.
As many of you know, during World War II, letters were scrupulously censored. Words could be blacked out, or sometimes scissors were taken to the letter cutting out large portions of the letter.
I am reminded of the incident told by Marian in my book We Knew We Were at War: Women Remember World War II (page 41). Her brother was serving in the Navy as commander of an LCI (Landing Craft Infantry) that participated in the D-Day invasion. He was not allowed to tell his whereabouts , but he wrote in a letter to his mother that he had visited Aunt Susie. His mother had a dear friend Susie living in England, so, of course, the family knew where he was.
Letters from the past are important. Jeanne’s mother helped us understand the atmosphere that pervaded American cities on V-J Day (page 29) in a letter she wrote to her son and daughter, who were not living at home. We were listening to Lowell Thomas this evening and immediately after he said, “So long until tomorrow,” the newsrooms in Washington gave the news that the war had ended. Five minutes later the Iron Company whistle began blowing and did not let up for one half hour! The fire sirens started blowing, cars honked their horns, and every kind of noisemaker was used, from sleigh bells to dinner bells…Cars streamed in from the surrounding countryside, decked with banners and overflowing with kids…The manager of the USO was handing out cigars to the soldiers, and the old firehouse bell rang for fifteen minutes, the first time they had used the bell since they retired horses.”
Perhaps you have letters from the World War II period that you could share. If so, I would be happy to publish them here in this blog. At least, please try to preserve them as a part of your family history.
For more World War II stories, go to www.peggeorge.com
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