Letters written home from soldiers
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Pilot Officer Michael A. Scott, age 24. Died over the English Channel, 1941.
He wrote to his parents: ‘You know now that you will not be seeing me any more, and perhaps the knowledge is better than the months of uncertainty which you have been through. There are one or two things which I should like you to know, and which I have been too shy to let you know in person. Firstly, let me say how splendid you both have been during this terrible war. Neither of you have shown how hard things must have been, and when peace comes this will serve to knit the family together as it should always have been knit. As a family we are terribly afraid of showing our feelings, but war has uncovered unsuspected layers of affection beneath the crust of gentlemanly reserve.’ |
Lt. Paul Fussell in Paris, France, May 1945: Dear Mother and Dad: As you may have already learned from the official telegram, I have been slightly wounded. A piece of shrapnel hit my right thigh, between the knee and the hip, but did not break the leg. Another piece hit my back, on the left side, but didn’t go in very far. Both have been removed. I am now sewed up, no bones were broken, and I feel OK. They were really very slight wounds, and nothing at all to worry about. ... I should be up and walking around shortly, and enjoying these white sheets and nice beds. I’m in a general hospital ... It is luxurious, to say the least. Don’t worry. Love, Paul |
Joe Jr. in France May 26, 1944:
Dear darling Anne, Well here I am finally resting in bed. What a relief. We got on the train at Penn Station at about 10:45am and arrived at Upton at 12:30. We got our duffel bags with towel, soap, toothbrush, etc. Then we got tags assigning us to a bed. Then we got a blood test. Then they showed us where our beds were. Then we ate lunch -- coffee like mud and two cookies. Then they gave us a box with our bed linen. Then we took 2 exams, 150 questions on each. I did pretty good, especially on the mechanical aptitude test. I miss you already honey and I love you more than anything else in the world. I better sign off because they are turning off the lights. I miss Helen a lot too honey. Give her a great big kiss and a hug for me. For you I have loads of hugs and kisses. Good night for now darling, until tomorrow. I remain your loving husband, Joe P.S. Give my regards to everybody and God Bless you. |