Stan and Grace

  The Belfast Telegraph must have been an evening newspaper to be carrying news of the D-Day landings on 6 June, 1944.  At last, this was the opening of the Second Front which Stan and Grace, and many people across Europe, had longed for. Both Stan and Grace wrote letters on this day. Stan's Letter 2364226 Sergt. S. Bristow Headquarters 15 L of C Signals Cen Med Forces                                                                  158. 6 Jun 44 My Very Own Darling, What an exciting and memorable day our anniversary has been this month!   At last one of the days we have both been waiting for, along with thousands more, has dawned. I’ve bee...

  The above cutting is from the Daily Mirror of 5 June, 1944.    On this day it was announced that American General Mark Clark's Fifth Army had routed the German Army from Rome.    This news was quickly superseded by the news the following day - 6 June, 1944.

  G.H.N.                                                                                 (134) 4-6-44 My Own Precious Darling, I have just returned from my week-end at home.   Usually I do not mind coming back but somehow I did not feel like coming back at all to-day. I always miss you more than ever when I am at home but I feel closer to you there than here.   I suppose that that is because most of the time we have spent together has been at Grimethorpe.   Whether I am walking down the road or in the house or wherever I may be at Grimethorpe I always feel that there is s...

2364226 Sergt. S. Bristow Headquarters 15 L of C Signals Cen Med Forces                                                                            157. 4 Jun 44 My Very Own Darling To-day’s Sunday and my half day off & I suppose I should really be out getting some fresh air.   I feel very lazy & am therefore lolling on my bed, for outside the sun is very hot. I’ve just been re-reading for the third or fourth time your letter of 26 May which arrived this morning to brighten up my day (almost rhymes that last bit!   Shows how I feel this afternoon!!) It encloses a telling off for my having ...

Grimethorpe                                                                       (133) 3-6-44 My Very Own Darling, As you can see I am writing this at home.   Before I left Nottm: for my week-end I received a letter from you, making the third air letter from you this week. It was the first letter you wrote me upon your return from Naples.   I am so glad that you enjoyed your leave Darling and that you are feeling better for it. I suppose you will be wondering why I am at home and not in London where I said I might be going.   I did not change my mind until last Wednesday.   As it is nearly six weeks since I had m...

  As there are no letters for a few days, I thought that readers may be interested in hearing the voice of a different soldier involved in the Italian campaign, one who may have been in the same audience as Stan when attending the opera in Bari. In John Strawson's book 'The Battle for Italy', Strawson quotes Douglas Orgill, who fought in the Italian campaign.  Orgill developed jaundice and was sent to a military hospital based in a "sumptuous villa".  After praising the quality of the food provided by the Red Cross, he goes on to say: "Most of us during our year in Italy had either discovered or further indulged a liking for opera.  Its enjoyment varied from provincial companies in places like Bari or Taranto to an occasional treat on leave in Rome or Naples.  Being stationed nearby for a time my regiment developed a great affection for the Bari repertory company.  All the classic roles were performed by the same three singers, baritone, tenor and soprano, ...