Stan and Grace

  Readers will have noticed that we have not heard from Stan since his letter no. 32 written on 25 June.  As his next letter will be numbered 36, we have to assume that numbers 33 to 35 have been lost or perhaps never arrived.   However, life is not standing still for Stan in Tunisia. Even before the Allies had successfully ejected the German and Italian armies from North Africa, a debate was taking place amongst Allied leaders about what the next step should be.  Should we hold North Africa but concentrate all our efforts in planning and launching an attack on German forces in Northern France, or should we follow up the success in North Africa with an attack on Italian forces in the Balkans or against one of the Mediterranean islands: Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily or Crete?  This would be the first step in aiming to knock Italy out of the war. At this time fighting was only actually taking place in Russia, on the Eastern front, and Russia was desperate for the...

  Grimethorpe                                                                                 36 July 1 st  1943 My Precious Darling, This is the first night of the first day of my holidays. I thought that I would like to write you a few lines Dear before I finally retired for the night. Kit and I left Nottingham at 10 a.m. and I arrived home at 3 p.m.    Of course, you know what it is like – my first day at home – we women seem to have so much to talk about. As I wanted to shampoo my hair almost as soon as I arrived I did not get up to 19 but shall be going up to-morrow. Mo...

G.H.N. Monday, 28-6-43 My Precious Darling, I was quite worried last week as I did not receive an air letter from you.   I did think that it might have been sent home, however, and was quite relieved when this morning’s post brought me a letter from Vera, enclosed in which was a letter from you. No Dear, I am not on holiday yet but I start on Thursday.   Actually, I am due to a day-off on Wednesday but Sister said I was not and as Sister is always right (?) I suppose I am not.   I decided not to say anything about it as I shall be away for twenty-eight whole days so it will not make much difference. Sister has been in a foul mood too these last few days.   She is like a volcano you know – erupts at the most unexpected moments. I was warned that she would be like this though, for several days following her holidays, so I just do not take any notice of her moods. I will change the subject now as I am sure that is quite enough about her. Darling, I was ...

G.H.N.                                                                                                                        (33) 10 p.m.   Saturday, 19-6-43 My Own Precious Darling, It is almost time that I retired for the night but before I do so I thought that I would like to write a few lines to you. As you already know Darling, it is always at night that I have time to think of you more.   You are constantly in my thoughts but when I am alone in my room at night it is then that I think of you more than ever and wish that we could hurry up and win this war. I often...

Sergt. S. Bristow                                                                            No. 32 Headquarters 15 L of C Signals B.N.A.F Friday 25 June 43 My Very Own Darling, I am afraid I have kept you waiting for a letter this week, but as you can guess, its not entirely my fault, but due to “circumstances over which we have no control” as the BBC are wont to say. Nothing which I can write about has happened since I last wrote to you except one thing – at last I have managed to get my photograph taken!   Yes its taken me just four months to find a bloke with a film, but we have at last arranged it!! ...

G.H.N Thursday   24-6-43 My Own Darling, I received your Air Letter, written on May 21 st , yesterday. The day always goes well Dear when it starts with a letter from you.   It was a beautiful day and it was my day-off.   During the afternoon I went to see Mrs Brown and we ate strawberries and raspberries for tea.   I took my embroidery with me and spent a useful afternoon sewing while Mrs Brown knitted socks for soldiers.   I think this is the 84 th pair that she has knitted.   These old ladies of England like to do their bit. I am sitting outside at the moment writing this to you but as the wind keeps blowing my paper all over the place I think that I will have to return to my room to finish it.   Ah, this is better.   I can write in peace without being disturbed by flies, midges or wind. Sister came back from her holidays this morning, so we had to do a quick shuffle round preparing everything ready for her inspection.   I a...

2364226 Sergt. S. Bristow Headquarters, 15 L of C Signals B.N.A.F                                                                                                   31.   Saturday 19 June 43 My Very Own Darling, The end of another week!   Everyone’s off on half-day to-day & so the office is extremely quiet this afternoon.   The intense heat is making the atmosphere very heavy & the continued buzz of the flies makes me feel very sleepy, but I thought that instead of adjourning...