This is a letter we found after my father in law, Jim Taylor, died. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corp during WWII and was mainly in Italy, until he returned home in 1946.
The letter I submitted was found in my father in law’s papers after he died. I feel it gives a lovely idea of the camaraderie between him and the doctor he served with. I believe Dr Daniels became a vicar after the war. I do know they had regular reunions at the Union Jack Club in the 1950’s.
Dear Jimmy
It may be something of a shock for you to receive a letter from me after I have deserted you for so long but, believe me, I haven’t forgotten you by any stretch of the imagination and indeed I’m finding out day by day how true it is that absence makes the heart grow fonder!
News came to me today however in a letter from Dai Davies, that uncivilized Welshman and hero of many a wordy battle, that you were amongst those of Group 25 who leave Spittal for Alamein Camp on Friday of this week. And knowing that I went scurrying aside for a pen and paper to get some sort of a note to you before you took the long trek home.
I treasure my memories of you all as I am certain you will come to treasure yours in the days ahead when all is peace again. I remember so much in which you always figured largely.
You were unfailingly cheerful even when most of us were down in the mouths and it does me good to remember that. I look back to the famous battle between yourself and Padre Copsey at Lentine in Sicily. The winter of Boiler Sen at Larino(??). The time the lift broke down at Foggia. A thousand and one holes dug from one end of Italy to the other. But more than that even I remember you on the football field trying with all that you had in you to infuse some sort of life into our very mediocre efforts to rival the play of Arsenal or the Moscow Dynamos. I’d like to say thank you to you for all those things and for a hundred and one kindnesses which you showed me and which led me to be proud of your friendship.
But I must stop buttering you up or you will be tempted to toss this letter into the fire without another thought. So l cut it short as I send you all my good wishes for a happy return to Tyneside where all good Geordies should be!! A speedy journey and a good job at the end of it!
Yours very sincerely
Kenneth Davies
PS
If you ever get into the country south of the Thames and find yourself stranded near Redhill, do look me up at this address – I’d be more than pleased to see you
