Joe’s Letters, WWII: “A Weekend in Liverpool”

One of my Uncle Joe’s letters will be posted to this Blog each and every Friday until they are done. Please see below for a link to Joe’s full story and the other letters in this series so far.

Joe and crew have experienced their first few bombing raids over Germany, the first of which ended in disaster. Joe is flying out of Chedburgh in Suffolk, New Year 1945.

 Letter 101; 30th January 1945

Letter transcript:

“Me!

60 Holden Street, Liverpool 8.

Hello Mom,

Well I’m ‘ere!I managed to stagger in at 9.30 or there abouts. Jean, as I had expected, had been down to the station to meet me at 12 o’clock and again at 4pm!!! Her mom had saved a dinner for me and she had to throw it away I think. Jean had been scared when I didn’t come at tea time, thinking I’d been recalled or summat!! When I did get in, SHE was at her aunty’s having taken her little cousin home. But when she came in and saw me I was mobbed and had a job to get me breath! All’s fair in love and war!! I’ve got a room to myself with an electric fire by the bedside!! Tea and toast in bed this morning then a few more “minutes” in bed! I cantered downstairs eventually at 20 to 12! This early rising kills me!

I’ve been over to Hoylake to see Joe Naisbit and BArbara but they were out; so Jean and I are going together tomorrow night (IF I’m up!) I haven’t yet told Jean that Harry is getting married on this leave because she may get that glean in her eye!!! God Save the King (or God help me!) I think I’ve told you that Jean is collecting stuff in that bottom drawer of hers. Well she got a wizard trinket set from work; you know glass’ tray, powder bowl, a couple of other dish efforts and a pair of candle sticks. She has a pile of other stuff but damn it she won’t show ‘em me yet!!!

Well there isn’t much more to say right now. I’m going to meet Jean from work and later we’re going to a Panto (SHE’S paying!) She says to send you her love and the kids too. By the way, my train leaves Lime Street for Bury at quarter to 12 Wednesday. We have to change at Stafford , Rugby and Peterborough damn-it!

‘Til the next time, God bless and Toodle-oo.

TTFNNNNNNNNNN! our Joyce!

Lots of love, Joe xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”

A weekend’s leave in Liverpool with his girl. He sounds very happy and enjoying being spoiled rotten my Jean’s mom. It’s so easy to forget that Joe is still a teenager, so no wonder he’s enjoying a rare lie-in!

To read more about Joe’s letters please follow this link. There you will find the full selection of letters to date, as well as more information about his fascinating yet ultimately tragic story. He was our family hero. He IS our family hero. If I knew how to complete an effective RAF salute, I would salute you now, Joe. Long may your memory live in our family stories. I hope to post a new letter from Joe’s correspondence with his Mother here every Friday until they’re done. It will be a turbulent and heart-wrenching journey. Subscribe to the Blog to make sure you don’t miss any of it.

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