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No News from Stan

 The last we heard from Stan was on 6 September, when he was on a ship going back to North Africa.  What is happening to Stan and why are there no letters from him? Stan's record of his war service notes that from 5 - 19 September he "Attended No. 2 MEOCS - Found not suitable".  This was an officer selection process which, as we have seen, involved him travelling to North Africa - away from the active front - taking part in the selection process and then travelling back.  During this time there are no letters from Stan, so presumably they were not allowed to write. Stan was not promoted to be an officer.  He always liked to tell an amusing story and said of this experience that as part of the process he had to see a psychiatrist, who went through a word association test with him.  Stan said that he knew that he had failed when the psychiatrist said "Fish" and Stan's immediate answer was "Chips"! At this time the Army was still highly class consciou...
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Thursday, 9 September, 1943

G. H. N. 9-9-43      My Own Darling, As I managed to get home Tuesday evening and it was my day-off yesterday, this is the first opportunity I have had of replying to your letter which arrived Tuesday morning.   It was dated August 28 th so it had only taken ten days to come. I think that you must have posted that letter in a hurry Darling, as you had forgotten to sign it, unless of course you had signed a business letter in endearing terms instead. Everybody here heard the good news of Italy’s surrender last night. What a difference it will make, you might be home for Christmas after all!   Whenever you come Dear, it will not be too soon for me. When I was out Monday morning (the 6 th ) I saw this card and thought that I would like to send it to you.    Hope you do not think it too sentimental. Enclosed also is a sprig of heather.   Nan sent me a large bunch of it from the Pentland Hills.   Now do not ask me exactly where they...
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7-8 September, 1943 - A Step into Italy

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 In Stan's letter yesterday (6 September) he mentions "our successful landing in Italy".  What is happening and what is the position of the Italian government? The British 13th Corps, part of Montgomery's 8th Army, crossed the Messina Straight on 3 September after an advance bombardment which proved to be unnecessary.  The Germans had already with drawn and the Italian troops offered no resistance.  However, further advances were slow, as the German army, as they retreated, demolished roads and bridges in the mountainous region of Calabria - the 'toe' of Italy. On 8 September, Italy's government surrendered and realigned with the Allied forces.  However, this did not mean an end to the fighting, as it left Italy occupied by the German army.  Hitler ordered a staged withdrawal to the northern Apennines based on a series of defensive lines.  The first of these was to be the Gustav line, running from south-east of Pescara in the East to the rivers Rapido ...
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Monday, 6 September, 1943

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2364226                                                                                        55 ( I think! ) Sergt. S Bristow 15 L of C Signals Cen Med Forces Sep 6 43        My Very Own Darling, As you can well imagine I have been thinking of you lots today.   Another month has passed, another month nearer to our ultimate goal, which I am sure has been brought nearer by our successful landing in Italy.   How will the Italians react towards this latest step of ours? I have talked with quite a lot of Sicilians, who after...
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Saturday, 4 September, 1943

G.H.N.                                                                                                    (55) 4-9-43     My Very Own Darling, I was so pleased to receive your cable this morning.   As your letters have not been arriving so regularly of late I was getting worried about you.   I suppose that by now you will have received my letter telling you that I am perfectly well and on duty again.   I hope that you did not worry Darling, as it has only been a slight illnes...
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Wednesday, 1 September, 1943

G.H.N. 1.9.43       My Very Own Darling, The beginning of another month!   As each new month starts I wonder what new events there will be.   September seems to be rather an eventful month, does it not?   Another two days and it will be four years is since this dreadful war started.   Such a lot seems to have happened since that day.   It makes me wonder how long it will be before Hitler and his cronies are put down for ever.   Not much longer, I hope.   I am longing so much for you to come home, Darling. This afternoon Jean and I decided to do a bit more shopping.   We can use our new coupons now you know. The first thing I bought was something for our home Dear.   It was a bath towel.   Even such things are on coupons now so I could only get one.   However, every little helps. Believe it or not I actually bought a new hat!   I thought that it was abought time I went out looking respectably dressed. ...
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Monday, 30 August, 1943

2364226                                                                                                  53 Sergt S. Bristow Headquarters 15 L of C Signals Cen Med Forces Aug 30th 1943       My Very Own Darling, There’s been little change in my life since I last wrote to you on Saturday, but I can’t let the week-end pass without writing to you.   I don’t think this will be the usual length however, so don’t hope for too much. I am anxiously looking forward to your next letter to k...
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