These three letters detail the last couple of months of Daniel (Danny) Muldoon’s life in 1944.
Danny was killed in France on 1 September 1944, aged 20. On 5 September 1944, Danny’s family received a telegram informing them that Danny had been killed in war service. However, even after his death, they knew nothing of his postings or his activities until 80 years later in 2024, when his story of his military service, and how he died came to light.
At the time of his death he was serving with 30 Assault Unit, an intelligence commando unit established by Ian Fleming. Danny and two comrades were killed by a German explosive device at a level crossing near La Forest-Landerneau in Brittany.
The letters were passed down to Danny’s niece, Eileen—whom he mentions in one of his letters as a newborn—but the family never knew what role Danny played during the war.
The first letter is from Danny, when he was based in Littlehampton, West Sussex – where the HQ for the 30 Assault Unit was based.
The second and third letters are based in France, with the final letter sent a week before he died.
A/B D.Muldoon
P/5x 380763
6 Augustine Terr. (?)
Littlehampton
Sussex
Tues. 25th July 1944
My Dear Mum & Dad
Just a few lines to let you know 1 arrived here okay & I am keeping in the best of health hoping this letter finds everybody at home the same.
The weather is lovely down here & place is not bad what I have seen of it. Well Mum pet I have nowt more to say, as a matter of fact I can’t say much because our letters get censored. So if all my letters are like this don’t grumble too much. Cheerio for now & take good care of yourself.
Lots of love to all at home
To Eileen
XXXXXXXXXX
Your Ever Loving Son
DANNY
XXXXXXXXXX
A/B D.Muldoon
P/5x 380763
Naval party 1677
Naval Bases Normandy
c/o GPO Reading
Sun. August 13th 1944
My Dearest Mum & Dad
Just a few lines to let you know I am keeping in the best of health – hoping this finds you and everybody at home are all the same. It has been lovely weather all the time I have been over here, it hasn’t rained once yet.
You want to see the French people greeting us pet. When they see we are English they throw flowers and everything at our lorry’s. It nearly makes you cry sometimes when you see them. The…
[Rest of letter missing]
A/B D. Muldoon S.T.
P/5x 380763
Naval Party 1677
Naval Bases Normandy
c/o GPO Reading
Wed. 23rd August 1944
My Dear Mum & Dad
Just a few lines to let you know I keeping in the best of health & hoping this letter finds you & everybody at home the same.
Well pet the weather hasn’t been too bad since I last wrote. It has rained the last couple of days but it is lovely & sunny today. Good job too. It’s not so good living out in the open when it is raining.
How is Mary & George getting on these days Mum. I haven’t wrote to them yet. I lost their address so will you send it on to me. But tell them I was asking after them & also Kitty & Frank & little Eileen.
Well Mum pet I’m afraid theres nothing much to say except I would give anything for a cup of tea because you get nothing else but coffee where we are. I have had no mail since I came over here. But I suppose it will catch me up one of these days.
So cheerio Mum. Take good care of yourself. Don’t forget to send Mary’s address. Lots of love to all at home and write soon.
Your Ever Loving Son
For Eileen
DANNY
XXXXXXX
XXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX
P.S. Excuse envelope but thats all I’ve got.
