Thursday, 13 July, 1944 - Two Letters

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

13 July 44                                                                           173.

My Own Precious Darling,

The 13^th of the month has been far from an unlucky day as far as I am concerned, for to-day the postman presented me with two letters from you!  Fancy two in one day!  Its ages since that happened.  So as you can guess, I am right on top of the world today.

Your description of your meanderings round the fair city of Edinburgh brought back some pleasant memories of my visit there in May ’39.

I was quite thrilled with the beauty of the Castle and the Shrine of the Unknown Soldier, just as you were.  The view of the city from the Castle battlements is very good, too.

I thought that Princes Street would interest you.  It is truly a regal thoroughfare isn’t it and, of course, your being a woman, the shops would catch your eye, although to recall our shopping expeditions together I don’t think you are a girl for window gazing, are you?

I was very amused when I went to see John Knox’s House.  I don’t know if you had the same experience, but we were waylaid by a crowd of children who began reciting a rhyme about his doings.  It was just a meaningless chant as far as I was concerned and I had to get one of the local inhabitants who could also speak English to ‘interpret’ it for me.

My, Darling, you made me wish very much that I could have been with you as you walked home from that dance in the moonlight.  It sounded from your description to be a very beautiful scene, just the type of night I so often dream of walking with you arm in arm and rapt in each others company.  Yes, Angel, however happy your stay in Edinburgh was it would certainly have been twice as thrilling had we been together.

Your friend Nan certainly seems to have made you very welcome.  Perhaps it is as well you only stayed for ten days – I don’t want you getting too fat & I’m sure you would have done from what I can make out of things!  Your description of the doughnuts made my mouth water.

Well, Darling, I have got the snaps I was telling you about recently and am enclosing one for your approval.  I’ll put the others in succeeding letters.  I think it is not too bad a photograph of me.  What’s your opinion? 

And with the photograph comes all my love Angel.  How I wish I could slip myself into one of these air letters.  I don’t think I should pass the Censor though.

All my love.  Yours always, Stan   xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

As Stan does not describe the photograph that he has sent it is impossible to know which photo it was.  This group shot is one of a series of tiny photographs (about 2.25" x 3") which seem to have been taken at the same time.  Stan is on the left on the front row.  The man next to him could be Lieut. Dockerill (see letter and photo of 2 or 3 March)  I believe that the man on the front right is RSM MacDonald.

Grimethorpe

13.7.44

My Own Darling,

Here I am back again at Grimethorpe after having spent a very enjoyable holiday in Edinburgh.  If only you had been with me Darling instead of Kit it would have been just heavenly but then wherever I might go – if you are there will be heavenly.

However, to make up for not having you with me there were three letters waiting for me when I arrived home.  Your letters Darling are the next best thing I know to not having you here in person.

How I long for the day when you will arrive instead of your letters.

I get really excited when I think about it so goodness knows how I shall feel when you actually do come home.  Take leave of my senses altogether I should imagine and then I will be rushed away to Wakefield* and – what then?

Here I am, taking up this valuable paper writing all sorts of nonsense when I am sure I can find something of more interest to tell you.

In one of your letters you told me not to use up all my energies looking after the soldiers.  No Darling.  I promise a lot to use upon you when you return.  As long as I use it in the right direction!!

By the way, about those snaps which you have had taken.  Please Darling, if you have not sent them by the time this letter reaches you, I would rather you did not send them as you said you would but put them all in a sea-letter.  I will be sure of getting them if you send them that way whereas if you send them by air I will not be sure of anything at all.

I wish that we could have got hold of a film when we were in Edinburgh but it was impossible.

Well, my Dear, Mother is telling me that it is supper time and she wants the table so ‘Bye Darling.  I love you as much as ever and will always be - Your own Grace xxxxx

* The West Riding County Lunatic Asylum was Stanley Royd in Wakefield

#truelovestory  #lovestoryWWII   #lovestoryworldwar2  #1940slovestory  #wartimelovestory  #lovestoryinletters  #loveletters  

#royalsignalsWWII   #royalsignalsworldwar2   #soldierWWII   #Italy1944  #ItalyWW2