Friday, 17 December, 1943 - Stan's Letter

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Sergt S. Bristow                                                                                  89 (or 90?)
15 L of C Signals
Cen Med Forces

17 Dec 43            

My Very Own Darling,

After a silence of 12 days, which seemed interminable Dear, another of your “lifesavers” arrived on the scene.  No, Darling, it isn’t your fault!  As usual the A.P.O. appear to have mislaid or otherwise lost one of your letters, for there is a gap between 27 Nov and 3 Dec and I am sure that you have written at least one letter during all that time, haven’t you?

You know, Darling, I count the days to the arrival of your letters, and if one doesn’t come when I think it is due, I begin to get worried and then each day longer that I have to wait seems more like a month – or a year.  Don’t ask me why I get worried Darling, because it is hard to explain, but being so far parted from one another, one is apt to get all sorts of fancies when one doesn’t get letters: that you are ill or something else terrible has happened.  Silly, isn’t it?  But I love you so much, my Darling, that I don’t know how I should carry on if anything did go wrong!!

But enough of this depression!  Now that your letter has arrived I am of course on the top of the world.  The fact that at the time of writing to me, you were looking forward to your five nights off, brings back many happy memories.  As you say, however, leaves nowadays won’t be half so exciting as those of last year and the year before.  I have relived many of those little intimate actions over and over again during the many lonely nights I have had this last year.  I never thought it possible to be lonely whilst surrounded by hundreds of other people, but it is.  It’s a special type of loneliness, however, - loneliness for you Darling.  

How much I would give to be able to have you snuggle up to me beside a blazing coal fire whilst we talked of things to come, and a kiss and soft embrace from you – thrilling in those days – would be just heavenly now.  But here I go, into the realms of wishful thinking again!!  What a grand Christmas present it would be to spend one evening with you.

A week tonight and Christmas Eve will be on us once more.  Last Christmas Eve meant but one thing to me: that I should be at home and with you in another six more days.  I wish I had that pleasure in view this time.  Christmas here doesn’t appear as though it will be particularly bright, although we are arranging a concert for Christmas Day and have quite a good dinner planned.  The latter part of the programme will satisfy me, as you can guess.  ENSA have promised to give us a show during next week and so we are all looking forward to that.

Our weekly film show took place in the local cinema last night, the star attraction being Arthur Askey and Evelyn Dall in “Miss London Ltd”, an oldish film all about nothing, but containing lots of females, which I suppose is what the “tired troops” want.  Personally I wasn’t very thrilled.  I wish ENSA could get some decent films out here instead of cast-offs which no one else wants.  Still, I don’t suppose we really should grumble.

What’s hospital life like now you have passed your finals?  Have you any more responsibilities?  By the way, many moons ago you mentioned something about perhaps being dragged into QAIMNS after your finals.  I hope that’s no development in that direction!  You know how I feel about that Darling don’t you!!!  I think one of us being mixed up in this business is enough.  Don’t forget to tell me the position next time you write.

Well, once again I can see the bottom of the page getting nearer, so I suppose it will have to be “Goodnight” again.  What a nuisance it is having to say goodnight.  Remember how I used to say that last year?

Until that happy night when I can say it to you again Darling.  Keep my love always.

Yours Stan  xxxxxxx

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