Joe’s Letters, WWII: “Pantomime Antics”

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 from Mum; 5th Feb 1945

Letter transcript:

“Dear Joseph,

I thought I should have heard from you by now to say that you had arrived safely – or otherwise – on Tuesday. I hope all is well anyhow, and in your parcel you will find an envelope which Aunt Emm gave me to send you, the P.O is from ‘The Bridge’ and the other 5/- she gives you, so try and drop her a line or two and say thanks.

We all met as arranged on Weds for the Panto and trotted lively up the stairs and to our seats in the Circle only to find them all occupied. On looking again at our tickets the attendant discovered they were dated for Thursday, and I had to go to the booking office where they were “sorry but the only seats now available are in the gallery, but you an have your money back if you wish madam.” Needless to say madam did wish, and so I collected the remainder of the troup and we all trudged up them there stairs to the top floor! The show itself wasn’t too goo but it was an outing and we all made the best of it.

Have you been doing any jobs of work since you went back? By the way, next time you come you can do a spot of digging for me, I don’t know how I shall ever get the garden done this time. Remember us all to Joe, hope his arm is better. We are all OK still, hope and trust you are too.

So wishing you all the best and with love I’ll say

Good night and God bless son, from Mother xxxxxxxx”

Even a world war can’t hold back a good old British Pantomime at Christmas time! It sounds like it’s a popular one too if Olive had to spend two hours trying to get tickets!
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.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it using the buttons below!