Stan and Grace

G.H.N. 30.9.44                                                                      185 My Most Precious Darling, I tried to get five minutes yesterday in which to write to you, but no, I did not manage it. I had a hectic day, not even having time to stop for dinner and when I eventually got off duty Kit wanted me to go with her to see “Rebecca”.   It was a very good film, Joan Fontaine took the part of the second Mrs de Winter very well.   It is the only picture I have ever seen which does not deviate from the original story. We arrived back at about 9 p/m and then I decided to do some packing as I go home this afternoon for my week-end....

2364226                                                                    Sergt. S. Bristow Headquarters 15 L of C Signals Cen. Med. Forces 29 Sep. 44 .                                                                                          212. My Very Own Darling, I think we’ve seen the last of the summer for its done nothing but rain and rain during the past two days and there’s a noticeable drop in the ...

G.H.N. 27.9.44                                                                                                              184 My Very Own Darling, I suppose that by now you will be back with your own unit and getting down to a spot of work again. That is the only snag about a leave, it does come to an end some time and then one comes down to earth with a bang and realises that there is work to be done. I do hope that you feel better for your few days leave and I know that you will have thoroughly enjoyed yourself. You wi...

G.H.N. 26.9.44                                                                                                    183 My Own Precious Darling, I was very thrilled to receive your letter this morning from Rome*.   In a short while now your journey back will start.   I hope that it will not take you as long to get back as it did to reach Rome.   2½ days travelling seems a heck of a long time to me.   However, I suppose that it has been worth all the trouble to see all the things and sights which you must have seen. I am so glad that you are managing to get ar...

2364226                                                                    Sergt. S. Bristow Headquarters 15 L of C Signals Cen. Med. Forces 25 Sep. 44 .                                                                                         210. My Very Own Darling, I’ve just had a nice hot bath and have jumped into bed to write to you.   It’s “Naafi Day” again and so I’ve got a bottle of beer to keep m...

The following is a ‘sea letter’, sent after Stan’s trip to Rome.   The first and last pages are hand-written.  The rest of the letter is typed so that Stan could send a copy to his parents without having to write it all out again.  This copy was probably passed on to the South Yorkshire Times in the same way as 'A Football Match' (see 31 August). 2364226                                           Sergt. S. Bristow Headquarters 15 L of C Signals Cen. Med. Forces 24 Sep. 44 .                                                   ...