Stan and Grace

G. H. N. 30.11.42           My Own Darling, I am writing this short note so that there will be something waiting for you when you get back   (no, I will not call it a letter!) I was so thrilled with your letter – I will answer that to-night when I hope to have a bit more time. I have been quite busy since I came back  - s wotting – or at least – trying to, but my thoughts are inclined to wander in another direction.   You can guess where. Until to-night then.   Bye-bye Darling. All my love, Grace   xxxxxx   G. H. N. Monday, 11 p.m.        My Own Darling, I am afraid that my letter this morning was rather brief but I will try and make up for it with this one. I had been anxiously waiting for Monday morning to arrive ever since I came back on Friday.   I knew there would be a letter for me. You sound so miserable Darling.   I know how you must feel thought as I felt that way myse...

Grimethorpe Monday evening ( or Tuesday morning )    My Own Darling, Mrs Mabel Bristow (Grimethorpe) has just finished her weekly talk “The Goings-on at the Knitting Club” a very witty & informative discourse, & the time is now past midnight.   I thought, however, my Dear, that I would finish up what will most likely be my last night at home by writing to you. What tortuous days these past three have been, hanging about Grimethorpe with nothing to do & memories of our time together meeting me at every turn.   During the past ten months Grimethorpe has meant only two things to me – Home and YOU !   And when you are gone well, things are just not complete. The only bright spot has been the arrival of your letter this morning, Angel, & as you point out & as you experienced yourself, once back at work & the numbness of parting disappears a little. Nothing will ever erase the memories of our time together from my mind, my sweet! ...

G. H. N.      My Own, Precious, Darling, It is now 4.30 p.m.   I arrived back three-quarters of an hour ago.   I felt that I must write to you Darling, before I could even try to go to sleep.   It was dreadful coming back.   I feel one big ache inside and as I walked down the path leading to the “Nurses Home” I felt that I really did not belong here but that I belonged to you – I felt that I had been away ages and that I was a stranger. As soon as I got to my bedroom I did something which I was determined I was not going to do – I wept.   I felt so miserable and longed for you so much! Why am I telling you all this?   It will only make you feel worse and I guess you are feeling the same as I am now. I have often waited to write to you before and tell you just how I felt about certain things but I would not let myself.   What a fool I have been.   I realise that now.   I have lots more things to tell you but time is cr...

  Stan and Grace are now on leave in Grimethorpe, with Grace arriving in Doncaster on Sunday afternoon, 22 November, and leaving to go back to Nottingham on Friday, 27th November, as she will be on duty on Friday night. This postcard, showing the top of the High Street in Grimethorpe, was probably taken in the mid-1930's, judging by the clothes.  The little crowd is standing outside Andrews' drapery shop.  The railings on the far right-hand side are in front of the Council School.  The house in the centre of the photograph, facing down the street, is the farmhouse of Fold Head Farm, occupied at this time by William and Linda Metcalfe.  Low Farm, at the opposite end of Church Street, was occupied by William's brother, George, and his family.   Note that there is a (paved) pavement but an unmade road - village roads were not surfaced until motor vehicles became more common, after the war. From the letters we know that Stan and Grace will be limited to sp...

Friday, 1 p.m.      Darling, Arriving in Doncaster Sunday at 3.25 p.m.   I have just heard that I can start my nights off Sunday.   Sorry this is very brief but I was supposed to be in bed an hour ago and somehow or other I have to get down the main staircase with the letter and avoid meeting Sister. Until Sunday then Darling. All my love always, Grace   xxxx    

Thursday, 9 a.m.      Darling, I am afraid that this letter will be rather short as I am in a terrific hurry.   Darling – what do you think?   I might get my nights off after all.   I have been doing a bit of wrangling.   Now don’t ask questions – I only said might and if I do I will tell you about it when I see you. I should know by to-night so will write and let you know by Saturday morning.   I will also let you know the time I expect to arrive in Doncaster. By the way – I don’t think that two suitcases will be enough for this memorable occasion.   There will be at least a dozen !!!! Until Sat. Darling – Bye-bye.   ‘Scuse the smudges, love Grace   xxxx

Home Forces Tuesday        My Darling, I got your letter this morning, & read the contents with great disappointment.   I have been dreading something like this happening ever since I arranged my leave. I am sorry to say that there is very little I can do about getting the leave changed I have either got to start it to-morrow & have ten days, or delay it & run the risk of being re-called half way through it.   You see the date which you mention in your letter is the date when all our leave is supposed to finish. Because I really want to see you very much before I leave this country (as it now appears there is every likelihood of my doing very soon) I have decided to risk things & delay starting my leave until Saturday.   That means that I shall finish it on December the 1 st with good luck (and if I am not recalled).   That would give us a couple of days together. I was telling the Colonel about the contents of your le...

G. H. N. Sunday, 9 a.m.     My Darling, You will be surprised to receive this letter so soon after my last one but I am afraid I have a piece of bad news.   I cannot have my nights off next Sunday but I have to wait until the 27 th .   Isn’t it too bad?   I had a feeling that something was going to happen and it has. Do you think you could possible postpone your leave till the following week Darling? I tried my utmost to get the 22 nd but it was impossible.   Here’s what happened – two new wards have been opened and I have been put night staff nurse on one of them.   I was previously relief nurse and had relief nights off but now I have to have staff nurse's nights off and those that I want are booked up.   As it is, a friend of mine is postponing hers so that I might have them.   Do you see my dear – that how matters stand.   I am so sorry – I am a nuisance I know but this is only one of the things that we nurses have to put ...

The Nurses Home General Hosp. Nottingham 14.11.42         My Darling,   One week and one day!   Isn’t it a lovely thought?   Next week at this time you will be at home and I shall have only one more night to work.   The time cannot pass too quickly.   I am feeling ready for a few nights in bed too.   Or at least, the latter half of the night. By the way, don’t think that I took your bit of sarcasm seriously.   I did not really Darling – and if there is anything to forgive – well – it is forgiven and forgotten on my part.   I went to see Bud Abbott and Lou Costello yesterday morning, as I previously mentioned.   I have actually remembered the title – it was “Who Done It?”   It was alright and quite funny in parts but not as good as the previous one I saw of them. The night has been a very busy one for me.   Something happened which, in hospitals is considered pretty dreadful, and of course, your tr...

G.H.N. 7.10 p.m.  Tuesday    My Precious Darling, I have just received your letter, which has given me fresh energy with which to face the night.  It is amazing what a difference a letter makes isn’t it?  Or at least, it makes a difference to me. I can hardly wait for the next twelve days to pass, when letters will not be necessary but we shall be together.  It seems ages since I last saw you – if only the time would pass quicker! It sounded good – reading about a blazing fire.  It seems months since I was sitting in front of one.  The next time I sit by one I hope there will be one other person there to share it with me.  Do you know who that might be? We have the central heating on here but it is not the same as a fire.  Ah well, I suppose we are helping the war effort. I too am hoping the weather will be kind to us but even if it rains every day we shall be at home, which is certainly better than being in Nottingham. ...

G. H. N. Saturday, 11.30 p.m.    My Own Darling, As I am having to write this in a dim, shaded light with two irrational patients – one either side of me – well – I am afraid that you will have to excuse any errors. Were you ever taught that “sarcasm is the lowest form of wit?”   I am referring to the first sentence in your last letter, about the short letter which I sent.   I admit – it was short but would you rather have that than none at all? Did you enjoy the dance and did you get any partners? I am looking forward to us going to a dance together again but it will have to be one of the “local hops” owing to the buses.   How about going to one at Lundwood?   (My turn to be sarcastic now).   A fortnight to-night Darling and we shall be together again.   Not that I need to remind you. It does seem to take my letters a long time to reach you.   I wonder how it is? Tonight I am the extra nurse on.   Up to now I have been h...

Usual address Friday 12 a.m.    My Own Darling, What a nice long letter I received from you today!   I am only sorry that I can’t think of enough to tell you to make this one as long.   Still I have a try. Apart from throwing it down with rain continually from last Friday to today, very little has happened here.   All the men have been out on exercise & so things have been even quieter than usual this week (if that’s possible)! To celebrate their return, however, we are holding a dance this evening, but unless the weather clears up & the girls from the surrounding villages come in on their cycles, there will not be many partners, I don’t suppose. I wish you were within cycling distance of this place.   There would be some interest in the dance for me then.   It seems much longer than three months since I held you in my arms & danced with you in the Palais at Nottingham; an enjoyable night that, despite the fact that it was warm ...

G. H. N. Wednesday, 10 a.m.     My Own Darling   I agree with you – this postal system certainly is a nuisance I did not receive your letter until Tuesday afternoon.   Never mind Darling – only two weeks and four days and I shall be with you for nearly a week!   I must tell you how much I am looking forward to it – are you getting excited or are you too busy to think much about it? The “people in authority” are certainly keeping you busy these days.   I am beginning to think that your job is worse than ours and that is admitting a lot. I heard from Vera this morning and she said that John and Janet were having three days off and that Janet had been up to see her several times. My friend “Bunny” has had to go to our Annex which is about 14 miles away so she has left her wireless in my care until she comes back – which will be in three months time. It is grand having the wireless on until I wish to go to sleep and then to put out my hand and sw...

Ward 2A Sunday, 3 a.m.    My Darling, I suppose you will have received my last letter telling you about my nights off.   It was grand getting your letter, though it was not very newsy.   I agree with you, there is not much to write about.   Of course, I can tell you how much I love you – that is – if you are not tired of hearing it. However, I have a spot of fresh news for you - I had a letter from Eric Friday morning.   He said that he was quite well and that we had not to worry about him.   He also said that he was looking forward to being home again but did not say when he might be coming.   He sent me a few snaps which I am sending home for the rest of the family to see.   Of course, they might have heard from him too. Well Darling, this letter is short but it is better than nothing (I hope).   We had a case in about an hour ago – an abdominal – and I have to prep her – just in case she has to go to the theatre.   I ...

Home Forces Sunday lunchtime    My Own Darling, They say “love will find a way” & you certainly seem to have found it!   Anyway you have succeeded in persuading the Matron to let you off on the same days as I am on leave.   There is certainly something for me to look forward to, now. I shall be going home, all being well on 19 th November, so I shall be able to come & meet you at Doncaster. I had a letter from Mother yesterday.   From what she says we shall have to be good children & spend each evening in Grimethorpe.   The last buses from Doncaster and Barnsley are at 8 p.m. now. Another thing she mentioned was that “Gone with the Wind” is in Barnsley whilst we are at home.   We shall have to take a day off to see it. There’s not a lot more to write about.   I set up a new record yesterday – by working from 8.30 a.m. to 2.30 a.m. Sunday - & I was back on duty at 8.30 a.m., this morning.   I am going to put in a...