I have 313 letters from my grandmother to my grandfather during the war between April 1943 and May 1946. She also sent 55 cables. We have all the letters my grandfather sent my grandmother but we have not counted those up yet.
The letters are beautifully written and full of love for one another, missing each other and expressing that they cannot wait to be back together. Her letters describe what they did for VE and VJ Day. My grandad was in Burma so the war was still going on for him until VJ Day and then he was based in Sri Lanka until May 1946. My grandfather was posted to the 1st Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery from the RAF to lead mobile balloon operations for meteorological readings. Chester served at Kohima and Imphal from mid 1944 and gradually made his way through to Rangoon by July 1945.
Throughout that period, Chester and Joan exchanged love letters, providing a treasured insight to their love for one another during an extremely difficult historic event. In addition, Chester maintained a photo album of his journey from his arrival in Durban, South Africa to Negumbo, Sri Lanka after the war. There is one particular love letter which I carried with me during my own wedding day in 2019, which Chester was present for. So these personal treasures continue to influence and guide us to this day. I have uploaded one letter my grandfather sent after VJ day was declared.
My grandparents married in 1948 once my grandad had returned from the war and they were married for over 50 years until my grandmother passed away. Their love was everlasting and beautiful, I am very lucky to have been a part of my grandparents love story.
