Sunday, 22 August, 1943 - from Stan

2364226
Sergt. S. Bristow                                                                           50.
Headquarters
15 L of C Signals
Cen Med Forces

Sun 22 Aug 43

My Very Own Darling,

Feeling very energetic this morning when I bounded from my bed (or perhaps I was dragged – I rather think I was!) I decided to walk from the billet to the office, about a mile and a half distant.  Yes, I suppose that statement is quite a shock to you, but I actually did it!!

It being Sunday, the Church bells were clanging (there's no ring about a Sicilian Church bell) & all the locals were dashing off to Church, all decked out in their Sunday best.

The sun was already high in the sky & looking down, it added its tints to the already colourful scene.  The Sicilians appear to be very keen on colours & quite a lot of the women’s dresses, although simple in design, are very colourful.

No street scene in Sicily would be complete without members of the CARABINIERI – the local Police Force – looking almost German in their greyish-green uniforms & jack boots.  The thing that amazes everyone when they come into the town is the fact that although belonging to the “vanquished race” they are still allowed to carry their rifles, pistols & ammunition about with them, whilst we British soldiers whom Goebbels would have the world believe are hated interlopers, walk around the streets absolutely unarmed & - if a street scrap should occur – helpless!

What more proof can I give to you that the Sicilians were pleased to see us and to break off the chains in which Mussolini had bound them?

On arrival at the office I found little work to be done just at the moment, so I thought the most admirable way of spending my time would be to write an odd page or two to you, Darling – my favourite pastime.

There are quite a few Sicilians about who can speak “American English”, having spent several years out in the States.  The emigration figures from this Island to the U.S.A. were very high at one time & the emigration authorities claim that the organised gangsters of such places as Chicago were all ex-Sicilians.  I wouldn’t be surprised, there are some cunning so-and-so’s amongst them!

Two or three days ago a bloke & his wife came along to the office & the man said he “speeka da Ingleesh” & would we like our laundry doing, so now she does our laundry for us two or three times a week & we have great difficulty in making her take money for it.

She says she is only too pleased to do it for us.  Believe me, my clothes are cleaner now than they have been since I left England & my scrubbing brush & home made wash-tub (actually a biscuit tin cut in half) are having a well-earned rest.  I only hope we are treated as well when (or perhaps I should say “if”) we go to Italy.

Everyone here is waiting expectantly to hear of or see the results of the talks at present proceeding in Quebec.  Personally I think the time to strike & strike hard as at last arrived.

How I hope it has, Darling, for I am convinced that a successful landing or landings in Europe will definitely cut a long time off the course of the war & after all, that is all I am living for (and I know you are too Angel).

The day when we shall meet again & start to put into operation the plans which have been steadily taking shape in both our minds for the past twelve months, will be the happiest day of my life (at least up to now) – you know which day will be the happiest of all, don’t you dear?

Do you know, I have often sat down & tried to describe how very, very much I am waiting for that day, dear, but I find that it is impossible to describe my feelings & thoughts adequately.  I know, however, that you realise both from my own & your own point of view how much my return home to you really means.  Can you see the impatience creeping to the top again, dear?

I am enclosing the other pair of stockings in this letter.  They are not so nice a shade as the other pair (which I hope you received OK).  Don’t forget if they aren’t too bad let me know & I’ll see if I can get some more.

Its four or five days since I had a letter from you, Darling, so I am beginning to look forward to another.  Your letters - & the ones from home – are the only pleasures there are to look forward to.

Well, at last the Adjutant has discovered that I have been writing to you instead of working & so I must say “Au revoir” as he’s found me something to do!

All my love, Darling.  Keep loving me won’t you.  Loving you is how I spend my spare time.

As an after thought – when’s the exams?  If they are before I write again; all the luck, Darling.  I know you’ll do your best to put this stepping stone towards our happiness behind you.

All my love, Darling.  Yours Stan  xxxxx

 

#WWIIlovestory   #worldwar2lovestory  #1940slovestory #wartimelovestory  #lovestoryinletters  

#royalsignalsWWII   #royalsignalsworldwar2   #soldierWWII  #sicily1943