I was researching family history and had discovered that my father R.M Frank Cameron, was possibly under-age when he signed -up at Inverness. My father was born in Fort Augustus, Invernesshire and what in fact he believed were his brothers and sisters were his aunt and uncles. His “sister” was was his mother. On trying to unravel this murky family secret, I spoke with known distant relatives on the the Isle of Lewis, who produced the letter and sent it on to me. It was clear from this conversation that my father had been sent to Berneray, Isle of Lewis and had stayed on the island in idyllic surroundings. That memory is reflected in his letter his “brother” Daniel, as he reminisces about his happy times spent there. This letter was sent from LCF 32 which had seen action at D Day, Walcheren and “other raids”.
Although he expressed his intention never to go back to Fort Augustus, had he not done so, he would not have met my mother.
Where he was when the letter was sent us not known, but LCF 32 eventually sank in port due to unrepairable shell holes following Walcheren.
CH/X113013
Marine F Cameron
LCF 32
C/O GPO
London
This is just a short note I m writing to you as I have a few minutes to spare, no doubt you will be surprised to hear from me, I have written to you once or twice before but I don’t expect the letters got through. How are things just now, are you keeping well also Joan and the family I don’t know how many you have now, the (wee fellow) as we used to call him should be grown up by this time. I wish I could go back out there, I have seen a good deal of the world since joining up, but still I would like to go back out to see you. Those few months I spent with you were the best time of my life, or the happiest anyway, Fort Augustus is very quiet nowadays, I wouldn’t go back only for the old man.. I spent my last leave with Angus, it was grand. You have a photo of me when I first joined up, I will send you one of myself in blue uniform, I wear that now. Perhaps you heard about all the raids this last year back, I was in a few, D Day, Walcheren Island, and few more, the last one was the worst, that was on November 1st of last year. I thought my number was up, somehow or other I got through. There’s many a time I wished I could be back, laying out the ferret nets for you, I wouldn’t grumble doing it now. I believe I could even shoot a rabbit had I the chance. Do you ever hear from Ewenie or the rest of them, I tried to find him when I was in Belgium, we pulled in port there for a while, but I didn’t catch up with him, he was in the paratroops. Well Danny I guess I shall have to close now, I could write more, but I go on watch in a few minutes and the old ship is rolling a bit, which makes it a bit awkward to write, in fact it remind me of that time we crossed the Minch, only I don’t get seasick now. Give my regards to Joan and everyone . I will send you a photograph the first time I am in port, for the present here’s all the best I hope to hear from you soon.
Your affectionate brother, Frankie
