Friday, 16 April, 1943

Usual address

Friday 16 Apr 1943

 

My Very Own Darling,

 

I am so sorry if you have been kept waiting for a letter as you remark in our air letter dated 7^th April (No. 13) which I have just received.  I know, however, that there is no need whatsoever to tell you that it is not I who is to blame, but the Postal authorities, for although we have been very busy in this last fortnight I have always made time to write to you, my Dear.  We had a special job on hand of which you will have heard now on the wireless without actually knowing that it referred to our efforts.*

 

You know Darling that there is nothing I like more than writing to you or receiving your letters and all my spare moments (and a lot of working ones too) are either taken up with writing to you or thinking of you.  I never realised that I should ever miss anyone as much as I have missed you during these last two long-drawn out months!  Just as you were kept waiting for a letter from me, my Dear, I have had to wait for one from you.  Now I have received Nos. 10 and13.  What has happened to Nos. 11 and 12 I don’t know.  They will perhaps turn up one of these days.

 

It is rather funny that you should write of having been to hear the Dean of Canterbury, because I have just been given his book “Russian Strength” to read.  I am just waiting for a few spare moments so that I can start it.  I will admit that perhaps we do differ a little on matters of politics, Angel, but I do think that that is about the only subject upon which we do not agree entirely.  Anyway, we must have something to argue about on those long winter’s nights we are going to spend around our own fireside.  As long as you don’t lose your temper at me, I shan’t mind.

 

I was speaking to some German prisoners the other day and they all appeared to be glad to be out of the fighting.  One of them could speak English and he was saying that they were all from Luxemburg and had been forced into the German Army after the Huns had taken over that state.  They were all convinced that the German’s had backed a loser!  We are certainly doing very well in this part of the world.  It would not surprise me at all if Rommel is not out of Africa by the time this letter reaches you.  It will certainly be a step in the right direction, Darling, won’t it and will make us both feel that out one ambition is a little nearer fulfilment.

 

I am afraid that the other day I mislaid the piece of paper on which I keep a note of the numbers of my letters to you and so I don’t really know what number this one should be.  I think it is 13, so I am calling it that number.  I am pleased that you and Mother are corresponding.  What does she write to your about?

 

You don’t half make me jealous telling me about dances – no Darling, not jealous of you, but of the good time that we are both missing.  I have not even seen a white woman for a couple of weeks and as the Arabs appear to keep their wives locked up, I think its about that since I saw any members of the feminine sex at all.  (No it is not because 9 Corps Signals are around the Arabs keep their wives locked up!  It is an old Arabian custom! !)

 

The night when we can go to a dance together again will certainly be one which calls for celebration.  As we lay in bed in the moonlight the other night we were talking of what we would do on the first ay we are at home again.  My idea included a really nice dinner dance with you, Darling, as well as many other things which I could not describe to them, but which you can well imagine.  What a day that will be.  It is all we ever think about out here.  To be able to snuggle up to you on a settee in front of a nice fire with the wireless playing dreamy music in the background is one of my favourite dreams, Darling.  Remember that last happy afternoon we spent in that fashion.  I was quite contented and how I wished that life could have stood still that afternoon and left the two of us together – just like that!  It is amazing how many really happy memories we crowded into the year 1942 isn’t it, especially as I was working on hard ground at the start! ! !

 

Isn’t it a nuisance. These air letter forms should be much longer.  There’s such a lot to write about if only one had the space to do it in.  However, I suppose I shall have to be content and say Goodnight for now.  And don’t forget there’s nothing more important to me than writing letters to you so don’t try and tell me that there is!

 

All my love, Darling, Stan  xxxx

* At this time, British and American forces are involved in preliminary battles, inland in Tunisia, with German forces in order to get into position for the final attack on Tunis.