The letter was left for me by my mother in a box of wartime memorabilia. It is a handwritten letter from my father sent from his billet on 4th May 1945 when he received a secret message about the ending of hostilities. It explains the excitement as his group heard the news. It is embroidered in red with the word Victory.
My father was a sensitive man who very much wanted to do his part, but would struggle to kill anyone. Somehow, he managed to join the medical corp which saw him on the front lines and also on the beaches of Dunkirk. The attached picture is of my father in uniform with his mother (shown in the picture).
I also have his detailed memoirs written as 20 year old young man written following his return from Dunkirk to the UK:
Donald Chapman Dunkirk 1940
VICTORY (embroidered)
Y357040 L Cpl Chapman RAMC
Main HQ Collections?
Arnal Aw?
BLA
4 July 45
Dear Bram (Mother), Rene (Sister),
I’ve just come in from a pleasant evening out, and as I entered the gate of this house, a messenger gave me a secret message and shone a light as I read it. I was with my friend who read it with me, and – Ye Gods – I don’t know what happened next. – We chased each other round the garden, had a scrap on the stairs of our billet, went into another bedroom, pulled three people out of bed and generally got into a panic of excitement: The news was of surrender of course and in case you don’t know – I ain’t fighting anyone no more – no more guns, mines or the other things which have scared the daylights out of me. If this letter is written when I wake up in the morning, then I’ll know I’m not dreaming, but Bram and Rene, I can’t believe it. I think I’ll go crackers if it’s really right, already my heart is pounding away at my ribs, and I feel too excited for words. – Fighting is I know going on down in the South, but that’s not my concern, – and if I don’t have to go to the far East, I’ll be coming home for good soon -it’s ridiculous isn’t it, -I’ve missed my home horribly for six years and now it looks as though I’m coming home to stay.
I’m not trying to write you a long letter, or even a coherent or sensible one, News doesn’t matter. – I’m going to bed now and if I wake up and find this letter isn’t written in the morning, then I’ll know I’ve been dreaming, but if this letter is still there, I’ll post it, so you can know jst how glad I am to finish with war and that because with peace I can have my home back.
And now Goodnight, I’m too excited to sleep but so is everyone else, – I shall continue to take all care.
Isn’t it, – oh isn’t it beyond words, – Struth, I can hardly stand it.
All the love in the world,
Don
