Stan and Grace

2364226                                                                                                  53 Sergt S. Bristow Headquarters 15 L of C Signals Cen Med Forces Aug 30th 1943       My Very Own Darling, There’s been little change in my life since I last wrote to you on Saturday, but I can’t let the week-end pass without writing to you.   I don’t think this will be the usual length however, so don’t hope for too much. I am anxiously looking forward to your next letter to k...

This is another Cable & Wireless telegram using three pre-written phrases (see Friday, 23 July), in this case: 12  Many thanks for letter 159  Hope you will soon be better 35 Fondest love Darling   Although sent on 29 August, Grace will not receive this until the morning of 4 September (about six days), so clearly even these telegrams were not a tremendously quick way of communicating.  Note that the telegram had to be passed by the Censor (the oval-shaped stamp reads 'Passed by No. 62 Censor Telegraph Office). I can't help thinking that, if you wanted to communicate in code, these telegrams would be an excellent way of doing it, with pre-arranged alternative meanings for all the messages!  

2364226 Sergt. S. Bristow                                                                            51. Headquarters 15 L of C Signals Cen Med Forces Aug 28    43     My Very Own Darling, So sorry to hear that you have been ill and sincerely hope that you are completely cured and giving the patients “wot for” again!   There appears to have been quite a spate of illness around our family circle this last couple of weeks.   Yes, I had a letter from Mother in which she mentioned that she was pleased the holiday was over – so if they came back with that spirit, it can’t have been ver...

G.H.N. 25-8-43     My Own Darling, I thought that I would start writing this to-night but as it is nearly time for lights out I doubt whether or not I shall get it finished. Your letter dated August 10 th arrived yesterday.   I was getting a bit worried as I had not heard from you for about a fortnight.   It was a relief to get your letter and to know that you are keeping safe and well. I was glad to hear that my letters are reaching you alright. I am pleased to say that I am back on duty again.   Yesterday was my first day on and I did feel tired.   Sister sent me off again at 5 p.m. and I was ready for it too.   However, I am feeling quite alright now and as usual, up to my neck in work. 26-8-43 This morning’s post brought me another letter from you, Darling.    It was dated August 17 th and numbered 46 so number 45 has to turn up yet.   Your letters are always so thrilling my Dear. So you got to hear about Kit and ...

 In yesterday's letter, dated 22 August, Stan referred to " the talks at present proceeding in Quebec".  What was going on in Quebec that would influence Stan and Grace's life? There had been major disagreement between the Americans and the British with regard to the right time to stage landings in Northern France.  The Americans had not wanted to attack Sicily and Italy, regarding this as a distraction from the main aim of attacking Germany through France.  The British argued that, in 1943, the Allied Forces were not ready, both in terms of men and equipment, to take on this major offensive.  A conference between Roosevelt and Churchill was arranged to be held in Quebec, beginning on 17 August.  This cutting from the Hull Daily Mail of 21 August shows that discussions had been completed by the end of the day on 20 August.  As the decisions made were highly secret there were no post-conference press announcements. You can see from his letter that Stan ...

2364226 Sergt. S. Bristow                                                                            50. Headquarters 15 L of C Signals Cen Med Forces Sun 22 Aug 43 My Very Own Darling, Feeling very energetic this morning when I bounded from my bed (or perhaps I was dragged – I rather think I was!) I decided to walk from the billet to the office, about a mile and a half distant.   Yes, I suppose that statement is quite a shock to you, but I actually did it!! It being Sunday, the Church bells were clanging (there's no ring about a Sicilian Church bell) & all the locals were dashing off to Church, all...

G.H.N.                                                                                          (52?) 22-8-43     My Own Darling, I hoped to receive a letter from you this morning but there was not one, only one from home and one from Janet. There was not much news from home.   Vera has been bottling tomatoes and making plum jam.   She has also been doing a spot of flag selling in aid of the Beckett Hospital.   Getting quite active, these days, is she not?   I suppose that it does relieve the monotony a bit for h...