Stan and Grace

Sergt. Bristow S                                                                                       (6) 2364226 Headquarters 9 Corps Signals (Rear) B.N.A.F. Thursday 18 Mar 43 My Own Darling, I have had an afternoon off today, but I didn’t go out at all.   I just laid on my bed & listened to the wireless & thought of you & home.   Music is a grand thing when you want to be quiet & think.   The programme this afternoon was grand – almost as grand as the programme we heard together in January as we laid curled up on the sett...

Sargt. S. Bristow                                                                                      (4) 2364226 Headquarters 9 Corps Signals   (Rear) British North African Forces Monday, 15 March 43 My Very Own Darling, The atmosphere in this billet is not very good as far as letter writing is concerned tonight.   In one corner all the people who like classical music are gathered around one wireless whilst in the other corner a wireless set is churning out hot jazz.   If this letter is at all up to standard it will be quite a triumph for my po...

General Hospital Annexe                                                                         No. 6 Selston Notts 15.3.43        My Own Darling, One week has passed since I received your last letter.   It seems like many weeks. I am longing to hear from you again Darling and to know how you are.   I suppose I must be patient for a time.   They say that “everything” comes to those that wait so “here's me waiting”!! Kit and I have been in “hot water” recently.   Or at least we have been cautioned by “the powers that be”.   I suppose you will wonder what we have been up to. ...

General Hospital Annexe                                                                         No. 5 Selston Notts. 11.3.43     My Own Darling   For once I have the sitting room to myself.   There are usually a few nurses in and the wireless making a noise.   To-day everything seems pretty quiet except for the wind howling outside.   It seems a real March day.   Gloomy and not too warm.   However – as this month has been more like May so far I don’t suppose we can grouse. Monday was my day-off and I played nurse-maid.   Do you remember me telling you about my friend who lost b...

General Hospital Annexe                                                     No. 4 Selston Notts. 8.3.43       My Own Darling, I received your letter this morning.   It came as a marvellous surprise Darling.   I really did not expect one for another week or two.   It was really wonderful.   I have just written home and to your Mother telling them “all the news”. My Dear, the best part of your letter was hearing how much you still care. Try not to get downhearted Darling.   You did sound just a little depressed.   Remember – after this war we will be able to do all that we have planned to do and that we shall be together for always.   I love you so much Darling – you are...

Note: On 5 March, 1943, according to his service record, Stan arrived in ‘North African Theatre of Operations’.  This may have been through the port of Oran, but it certainly seems that they landed somewhere in Algeria.  Although this letter is initially undated, Stan later put in the dates of 5 and 6 February, but this is an error - he means March. Sgt. S. Bristow                                                                                                   (3) 2364226 Headquarters 9 Corps Signals c/o ...

General Hospital Annexe                                           No. 3   4.3.43 Selston        Notts. My Own Darling, I wish that I had something really interesting to write about but I am afraid that I have not. Nothing spectacular has happened since I posted your last letter two days ago. Yesterday was lecture day again, so Kit, Laughton and myself had to take a trip to the G.H.N. I hope to go home next week end.   Instead of having evening Sunday – day off Monday I shall ask for day off Sunday.   I have a better chance of getting home Saturday night than Sunday.   I hope this weather holds as I dislike the journey home when it is wet – especially if I have to wait in Doncaster.   I sincerely hope that the weather ...