Saturday, 14 and Sunday, 15 October, 1944 - Two Letters

G.H.N.

14.10.44                                                                   193

My Own Darling,

The postman has certainly favoured me to-day as this morning he delivered an air letter from you and this afternoon the almonds which you sent me.  Thank you Darling.  As usual, both my friends and myself appreciated the latter.  This evening about half a dozen of us sat on my bed and made pigs of ourselves with the box of nuts.  You do spoil me Dear.

I was sorry to read in your letter that you had not been getting my letters as regularly as usual.  I know how I felt when I was kept waiting a few days for yours.  I hope that the A.P.O. authorities have rectified their negligence by now.

So you have had to “flit” have you.  I am thinking that I could do with you here right now to help me move my belongings home from the G.H.N.

Remember how I always used to have a heavy case to carry whenever you met me in Doncaster?

Sunday 15^th

Decided to finish this to-day as it was rather late last night when I started writing it and I was informed that I was to be called this morning at four o’clock.  Sure enough, I was called at 4 o’clock and went on duty*.  Sister is away on her week-end, which did not help matters.  However, I was not too busy and have managed to get off duty for a couple of hours this afternoon.

I hate the thought of going back on duty as it is a very cold day and at the moment I am sitting in a cosy arm chair and am hugging the fire.  Care to join me, Darling?

Won’t it be really heavenly when, on a cold Sunday afternoon we can lounge at the front of our own fire? 

There are times when that day seems so very far away but we have one consolation – each day that passes brings us one day nearer to the day when we shall be together again.  Until that day, you have all my love, Dearest.

For ever yours, Grace  xxxxx

* This would have been to receive incoming wounded soldiers onto the ward.  They seem to regularly arrive late at night or in the early hours of the morning.

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

15 Oct. 44.                                                                          221.

My Very Own Darling,

Sunday once more and not a very bright one for the postman didn’t call, but then having already had five this week it was expecting rather too much!

Gosh, I shall be glad when I get to the end of this page.  All these lines are making me cross-eyed! * Is it affecting you the same way?

Nothing much to report, Dear.  Tried to get in the Opera on Friday evening to see “La Boheme” but we left it too late and when we got to the theatre there were only gallery seats left and a long queue for them so we gave it up as a bad job.  I was a bit disappointed for it’s a long time since I had a musical evening and Boheme is a grand piece.

Thank goodness I’ve got to the white side!

I’m doing a “Cinderella” act tonight, Dear.  I’ve stopped in whilst everyone else has gone, not to the ball, but to a boxing match.  Someone has to stay in as a sort of guard on the billet, just to ensure no light-fingered Italians start poking their noses into things.

It's so nice and quiet.  The setting sun is sending golden-red rays in through the window of the bedroom where I am sitting listening to the wireless.  To have you by my side would complete the picture.  As it is I am missing you so my Darling.

The latest Yank craze Frank Sinatra is at the moment singing.  He’s the bloke girls swoon over when they hear him sing, but personally I don’t think he’s any different to the usual type of crooner.

I wonder what you are doing tonight?  It will be almost your last week-end at Nottingham.  Have you heard any more from Barnsley yet?  Please tell me whether I had better start sending your letters to Grimethorpe until you settle down.

Although there’s still a lot going on, the Armies haven’t made much progress of late have they?  Still, they are doing the right thing, battering the Jerry from land and from the air.  The air forces have certainly been letting themselves go, haven’t they.

I do wish they would be quick and get it over though Darling.  I am so impatient for that divine moment when I have the best, most sweetest girl in the world back in my arms once more.  How I’ll feel, what I’ll do & what I’ll say.  I don’t quite know, but we’ve both got a good idea! 

Always your own sweetheart  Stan  xxxxxxxx

* Today's letter and the next one are written on slightly different airmail forms - see photograph.  The lines were probably intended to protect the privacy of the content, rather than to be written on!