Stan and Grace

G.H.N. Monday, 28-6-43 My Precious Darling, I was quite worried last week as I did not receive an air letter from you.   I did think that it might have been sent home, however, and was quite relieved when this morning’s post brought me a letter from Vera, enclosed in which was a letter from you. No Dear, I am not on holiday yet but I start on Thursday.   Actually, I am due to a day-off on Wednesday but Sister said I was not and as Sister is always right (?) I suppose I am not.   I decided not to say anything about it as I shall be away for twenty-eight whole days so it will not make much difference. Sister has been in a foul mood too these last few days.   She is like a volcano you know – erupts at the most unexpected moments. I was warned that she would be like this though, for several days following her holidays, so I just do not take any notice of her moods. I will change the subject now as I am sure that is quite enough about her. Darling, I was ...

G.H.N.                                                                                                                        (33) 10 p.m.   Saturday, 19-6-43 My Own Precious Darling, It is almost time that I retired for the night but before I do so I thought that I would like to write a few lines to you. As you already know Darling, it is always at night that I have time to think of you more.   You are constantly in my thoughts but when I am alone in my room at night it is then that I think of you more than ever and wish that we could hurry up and win this war. I often...

Sergt. S. Bristow                                                                            No. 32 Headquarters 15 L of C Signals B.N.A.F Friday 25 June 43 My Very Own Darling, I am afraid I have kept you waiting for a letter this week, but as you can guess, its not entirely my fault, but due to “circumstances over which we have no control” as the BBC are wont to say. Nothing which I can write about has happened since I last wrote to you except one thing – at last I have managed to get my photograph taken!   Yes its taken me just four months to find a bloke with a film, but we have at last arranged it!! ...

G.H.N Thursday   24-6-43 My Own Darling, I received your Air Letter, written on May 21 st , yesterday. The day always goes well Dear when it starts with a letter from you.   It was a beautiful day and it was my day-off.   During the afternoon I went to see Mrs Brown and we ate strawberries and raspberries for tea.   I took my embroidery with me and spent a useful afternoon sewing while Mrs Brown knitted socks for soldiers.   I think this is the 84 th pair that she has knitted.   These old ladies of England like to do their bit. I am sitting outside at the moment writing this to you but as the wind keeps blowing my paper all over the place I think that I will have to return to my room to finish it.   Ah, this is better.   I can write in peace without being disturbed by flies, midges or wind. Sister came back from her holidays this morning, so we had to do a quick shuffle round preparing everything ready for her inspection.   I a...

2364226 Sergt. S. Bristow Headquarters, 15 L of C Signals B.N.A.F                                                                                                   31.   Saturday 19 June 43 My Very Own Darling, The end of another week!   Everyone’s off on half-day to-day & so the office is extremely quiet this afternoon.   The intense heat is making the atmosphere very heavy & the continued buzz of the flies makes me feel very sleepy, but I thought that instead of adjourning...

G.H.N.                                                                                                    (32) 17. 6.43     My Own Darling, I received on the 15 th an Air Letter from you which had been written on the 11 th .   I could hardly believe my eyes when I opened it and saw the date.   Only four days!   When letters arrive like that it makes me feel that we are not so far apart. My letters to you still seem to be taking a time to reach you.   I wrote you an or...

Sergt. S. Bristow                                                                                      31. Headquarters, 15 L of C Signals B.N.A.F. Tuesday, 14 June 1943 My Own Darling, It is difficult to realise that by the time you receive this you will no doubt have started your annual leave, and most annoying, too, to think that this year I shall not be able to share 10 of the 30 days with you.   Our leave together last July was gloriously happy, Darling, wasn’t it? As you say in your letter which I received yesterday, it is grand to have such memories...

Nurses Home General Hospital      Nottingham Sunday 13-6-43 My Own Darling, It is now 9 p.m. on Whit Sunday.   To-day has been my extra half-day for Whitsuntide.   As this afternoon the sun was shining and it really was a lovely day we (my friend   & I) decided that we would go for a walk after tea – there being nothing much else to do. We wandered down to the river (remember that river, Darling?) and walked along the banking for about an hour until we came to a place called The Grove.   It really is very pretty there.   We were sitting on a tree trunk admiring the view when suddenly it came very dark.   Yes, we were out for a good old storm.   We dashed back as quickly as we could as we were in thin dresses and short coats.   We just reached a main road when the rain came.   However, we managed to shelter in a little old shop.   There was the quaintest old man behind the counter.   He was very kind an...

2364226                                                                                                  29. Sergt. S. Bristow Headquarters 15 L of C Signals B.N.A.F. Thursday, 11 June 43.* My Very Own Darling, I have just received your air letter dated 27 May 43 and so I thought I would sit down and reply to it straightaway.   I wrote an ordinary letter and an airgraph two or three days ago. You would be surprised what a grand effect your letters have on me, my Dear.   They make me very ha...

G.H.N                                                                                 This, I think, is 30. Friday, 11-6-43 My Own Darling, Your air letter dated June 2 nd arrived on June 9 th .   Exactly one week.   It was quick work, wasn’t it? Yesterday I received an ordinary letter dated May 16 th , so that was good going too. Darling, I was so thrilled with them both.   I found your ordinary letter particularly interesting.   Of course, I always find your letters interesting but it is nice to know where you have been and what you have been doing.   You h...

The British Army clearly decided to produce a single-sheet newsletter for their troops stationed in Tunis: "The Tunis Trumpet".  Whether Stan, or the Royal Signals, were involved in its production, I do not know, but Stan saved the sheets dated from 9 to 13 June.  The edition for 10 June is shown below. Some are now very faded and difficult to read, but they give a daily progress report on the battle taking place for the Italian islands of Pantellaria, Lampedusa  and Linosa, which sit in the Mediterranean between Tunisia and Sicily.  Taking possession of these islands was a preparatory step to the invasion of Sicily. Today's edition begins: "No reply has been received to the Allied ultimatum to the PANTELLARIA garrison to "Surrender or be bombed into submission!" Relays of bombers, operating from North Africa, are crossing and re-crossing the 40 miles wide channel in a non-stop bombardment of the island fortress. They are meeting with strong retaliatory A.A...

Nurses Home General Hospital   7. 6. 43       My Own Darling, I was so pleased to receive your letter this morning.   I did not have one at all last week and as your Mother had not heard either I was getting a wee bit worried.   However, I put the blame on the Postal Authorities until your letter revealed the fact that it was not them to blame this time, but you. As you have been ill Darling, you were forgiven and as you have changed your address too I can quite understand it. I am pleased you are now feeling better but – look after yourself. When I read the description of that part of the country where you are now you certainly have me longing – to be with you. It sounds a marvellous place.   One of these days I might visit it – who knows?   Of course, it would have to be with the right person. When I listened to the wireless the other night I heard that our Mr Churchill had toured North Africa.   Did you see him?   H...

JUNE 6 th , 1943                                                                                                             28. MY OWN DARLING, IT’S THE SIXTH OF THE MONTH AND I HAVE A FEW ODD MOMENTS.   THE COMBINATION OF THESE TWO FACTS LEADS BUT TO ONE THING – AN ODD WORD OR TWO FROM ME TO YOU (LAST BIT SOUNDS POETIC DOESN’T IT.   MUST BE THE SUN THAT’S EXTRA HOT TODAY!!!) THERE’S NOTHING FRESH SINCE IF LAST WROTE TO YOU, BUT I ALWAYS THINK OF YOU MORE THAN EVER ON THIS “ANNIVERSARY DATE” AND I AM SURE YOU DO OF ME. I HAVE WRITTEN YOU TWO LETTERS IN THE PAST WEEK: AN AIR LETTER AND ONE IN A GREEN ENVELOPE.   YOU WILL NOT GET THE LATTER ONE FOR AB...

2364226 Sergt S. Bristow                                                                             (27) Headquarters 15 L of C Signals B.N.A.F. June 2 nd , 1943.     My Very Own Darling, What a day this has been!   The first mail we have had since the introduction of the new address brought me in no less than ten letters – five from you and what is more wonderful – your photograph*.   It was simply grand to get it Darling, and now it stands in front of me as I am writing this letter.   If only it could talk to me and tell me all the lovely things you write in your letters! ...

G.H.N.                                                                                (28) 1.6.43     My Own Darling, This time I really am writing from the G.H.N.   I came in last night and I am on duty on Seely Ward – male surgical.   I guess Matron thinks I have had enough of female nursing for while. Strange as it may seems I feel like a fish out of water.   Having been in “the country” for such a long time it does seem queer coming back – just like starting again.   However, I suppose I shall soon get climatised again. The rest of the staff on Seely Ward ...