Private Herbert (Bert) Baylis of the British Eighth Army wrote this letter to his wife, Mary Baylis on 4 November 1943 whilst in Italy. Sent with Christmas in mind, the letter is warm and loving, affectionately touching on past memories (‘my thoughts will be tuned to happy ones, the love spent and hope the memory of them will also help you’) but also the realities of the situation causing their separation (‘I don’t know what is in store for either of us, but what ever it is know you will face it, like me, and keep smiling, hoping for the day when we can all try and make up for all the time time we have lost’). It retains a hopeful and upbeat tone throughout, highlighting the comradery shared between Bert and his ‘chums’ and encouraging Mary to try and enjoy life as much as possible. An Italian friend Bert recently made also provides him with a warm message to send back to Mary in Italian. Bert signs off the letter with a kiss (‘x’) for each Christmas since they met as well as a separate three for their young daughter, Pam. At the bottom of the letter are the letters H.O.L.L.A.N.D.
The letter was kept as a sentimental keepsake by Bert and Mary’s daughter, Pamela (Pam) McKenzie who recently re-discovered it at home. After hearing about the Letters to Loved Ones project on TV, she requested I submit the letter on her behalf.
