Love Letters
"Joy of joys, I had a letter from you this morning"
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This page: husbands, wives and sweethearts. |
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Parents and children. |
Capt Barter's substantial collection of memorabilia was kindly placed in the care of the Centre by his granddaughter Kirsty and daughter Gill Lloyd, including personal letters, a large number of photographs, elements of uniform and posters. Among the letters are a small number sent by his wife Betty, showing all the excitement of a young girl collecting for her 'bottom drawer' in readiness for marriage as well as daily life for those living and working in London during the Blitz, all the more poignant then, that her fears are for her future husband's well-being.
My Best Beloved,
Lots to tell you, as I didn't write yesterday.
Joy of joys, I had a letter from you this morning (24.12.39). I hope your next
letter will tell me what you did for Christmas. Not much, I bet.
Well, I've bought some more things for us. Yesterday I bought a fire-screen which
I am working in silks. Its really very lovely (or at least, should be
when finished). Also a tray cloth and tea cosy to work. And today I bought some
towels and pillow cases at a sale. Very cheap and serviceable. Quite plain, of
course. I want to go to the Army and Navy Stores Sale to get you a pair of those
towels I promised you - Do you remember? Dark brown, very rough (and expensive!).
But I'll treat you to them and in any case I bet they'll wear for ages.
Tomorrow is Mary's birthday and I bought her an apron, a table centre (lace)
and a recipe card index. Hope she'll like them.
The snow is still on the ground and was still falling when I went out this afternoon.
Do you know, darling, it's a year ago today that you came first to Alfriston.
You'd hurt your head badly at rugger (against the Wasps). I did enjoy that holiday
so very much and its sad to think I'll never have another like it. Because I
won't. Neither Mary nor I will have the money to spare anyway while we are young.
But I won't mind a bit so long as I can have you.
Oh I do so long to begin our life together. We certainly should make a real success
of it and I'm sure we will. No doubt we'll both have to be patient with each
other because this b--- war has altered both of us, no doubt. I jolly well know
I've changed in a number of ways, and I expect you've altered a few of your ideas
too! Some are for bad and some good. I'm longing for your leave and there will
be so much to tell each other. But it'll probably leave a little time
for other things!!
I hear you've written to the Edwards. Good boy. It's a splendid idea to keep
in their good books - possible cheap holidays with the family!
Well, Beloved, I must go to sleep now.
God bless you and keep you,
All my love,
Betty xxxx
Saturday 28.9.40
My Best Beloved,
What joyful news! So I really can come down next weekend. Darling, I doubt if
I can come down on Friday because I'm going to ask for Monday off and it would
probably mean asking for all Friday afternoon. Anyway I'll find out about trains
and tell you on Monday. The point is, if there's one about 6 I could catch that,
but I probably wouldn't arrive until about 11.30 as you have to allow at least
an hour or more than likely 2 hours these days on journeys especially at night
because of raids. Well, then we wouldn't arrive until about 12 and if you have
to be up at 6, you ought to get more sleep. Anyway I'll find out about the trains
and I'll tell you if you can get through on the 'phone or write on Monday.
We are likely to be fairly busy on Friday and I really don't like to ask for
too much time off because they are very decent to me and it simply means poor
Mr Selby has to stay late to get things done because Mr B doesn't help.
I do hope you don't have to go on parade Sunday morning, though I suppose you
will on Monday. If you don't use the Friday pass, maybe I can come down in a
fortnight's time, even if you only have the Saturday off. I quite agree, its
pretty good, 3 nights a month.
We had a terrific day yesterday. I saw my most exciting dog-fight. I should think
there were at least 60 planes in the sky and I saw 6 shot down. Pretty good bag,
wasn't it, all told yesterday? After the fight I started for the office and Victoria
had been bombed in that raid so had to go by tram and they couldn't get any further
than Stockwell. So I had to walk from there to the office. Goodness, was I tired?
On the way we (I was with 2 girls) saw people running to shelters and looked
up and there was a terrific fight going on, although the sirens hadn't gone.
So we shot into a shelter and after the planes had vanished continued on our
march. When I arrived at the office (12.30!) we had a warning bit on planes!
Anyway, in the afternoon we had another terrific fight and had to scurry down
to the shelter. By the way, Fleet Street got it yesterday and the damage round
me at the office. Its shocking. I had no idea it was as bad, but walking through
the side streets showed it all. Yet people are very cheerful and you see Union
Jacks flying from nearly all the ruins.
Do you remember a policeman who used to live with the people next door? He was
married the day before we were. Well, on Thursday his wife was killed in a shelter
at the top of the road. It had a direct hit. Isn't it sad? And I remember envying
them because they had a home and he wasn't in the army. You certainly never ought
to envy people because you never know what is in store for them.
I'm sorry I didn't write yesterday but I had to walk from Mitcham so didn't get
in very early. I'll post this as soon as the present raid is over. (I was in
the bath when the siren went and had to shoot out quickly as the fight was on).
Only 7 days now, maybe 6. How lovely. I am so longing to see you. It's a month
now since I last saw you and it seems like a year.
Mind you keep well and don't take any risks. I'll let you know as soon as possible
about Friday.
All my love for ever and ever,
Your adoring wife, Betty
PS Thank you for the sand yesterday. It all went in my shirt and I wondered what
it was till I read your letter!
Merrill and Edna Lundgren
The year 2000 witnessed the receipt at the Centre of a wonderful collection of letters written by Cpl Merrill Lundgren of 1st Army, VII Corps, 482nd Military Police Escort Guard Company, US Armed Forces, to his wife Edna. The initial contact was made by the Lundgren's son Pete, who put together a compilation of the letters for family members entitled 'Almost at the Front' and who wrote
Dad was the company clerk and had constant access to a typewriter, which he used almost daily during his period of duty during World War II. From just before his trip to England prior to the launching of D Day, to his safe return in January 1946, Dad's typewriter rang out with words of patriotism for his country, support for his fellow soldier, compassion for the suffering people of Europe, and most of all love for his new bride, my mother, Edna (Leibrock) Lundgren.
Pete also feels strongly that his father's generation was a wonderful example for everyone to follow.
As well as displaying two of the letters, the following extracts also reflect how much Merrill missed his wife:
27 April 1944 'You mentioned that your Ouija board predicted
that we would be blessed with four children. I will be perfectly content
with half that number. Incidentally sweetheart would you mind asking
that board when I will be coming home'.
3 May 1944 There has never been any doubt in my mind that our future will be
as happy, if not happier, than our past. Our past has been marred by short
get togethers and long departures. I'm sure that the happiest day of my life
will be when all this is over and I finally come home to you to stay. I don't
know if you still expect me home in a few months, but if you do, I regret to
say that it will be longer than we thought. I love you with all my heart honey.
19 May 1944 Remember when I first "wolfed" you? You were with my
hated rival Hank, and I devoted all my devastating personality on you. We had
an hour or so together and when it threatened to backfire I left and you went
back to Hank. I was fairly warmed with liquor and when I kissed you, I knew
that if I didn't leave immediately you would be stuck with me the rest of the
evening. That was still the nicest kiss I ever had, barring none'.
21 May 1944 'What is the latest dope about your job? If you do give him (Eddie
Sowle) a break and accept the job, please tell him for me that it is only temporary
as when I get home, all your time will be devoted to me, just as mine will
be devoted to you'.
If you experience problems all such items can be found at Extras which opens in a new window but does not require javascript to be enabled.
Airgraph from Merrill Lundgren to his wife
My Darling Wife:
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SWEETHEART, although I fail to see how that can possibly be
when we are three thousand miles apart. One year ago today I was the happiest
GI in Uncle Sam's Army but today I am probably the unhappiest unless some other
unfortunate soldier is celebrating the completion of one year of wedded
bliss. The only consolation of people in our circumstances is the brightness
of the future and not the miserableness of the past. So I will try to conform
with this sagacious remark and cease to bemoan our past.
All during this week my thoughts have been of our very important interlude in
that gay metropolis Ruston, Louisiana. Remember how we used to complain that
there was nothing to do, (incidentally, a silly complaint for newlyweds) now
I would gladly settle for one of the Olympian's gagging meals, complete with
the black eyed peas and jelly cherry pie. By the way, Captain Lane got a letter
from a party in Ruston and he was told that the immense USO sponsored by the
town is going to disband due to the lack of military personnel. Now I know that
is a serious blow for you honey, but grit your teeth and bear up under it. I
know upon hearing this calamitous news you will instantly think of those happy
hours we spent there slowly going berserk attempting to play ping-pong on those
lively tables. I laughingly remember when I used to hit the ball in the vicinity
of the men's comfort station and you would blushingly request some kind GI, who
happened to be waiting in line for comfort, to return the elusive pellet. I may
have altered the story somewhat but the gist of the story is accurate. If I recall
correctly, if a person would walk into that relief room without looking forward
he would hit his head on the opposite wall, but then a small washroom has its
merits, privacy you know. How did I get started on this? Once again Happy Anniversary
honey, you made me the happiest man alive one year ago today and I have never
regretted our action. I love you, Merrill.
Airgraph
from Merrill Lundgren to his wife Transcript opens in a new window |
A
letter from Merrill Lundgren to his wife
Enlargement
(216KB) opens in a new window |
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This page: husbands, wives and sweethearts. |
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Parents and children. |
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