Brother and sister Frank and Nin Dicksee exchanged a number of letters during WW2.
As the recognised family historian, I have been privileged to read some of these letters which have been retained, amongst other fascinating family records, by their 2 surviving siblings (there were 12 children in all). Nin served in the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) Mixed Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery – known as the ‘Ack Ack’ girls – protecting Londoners from aerial attacks. Frank served in the 61st Scottish Recce (Reconnaissance), transferring to the 15th Scottish Recce when the 61st was disbanded in January 1945. Yes, he was amongst the poor chaps who went out to assess the situation ahead of the ground troops. His wartime experiences were significant and included coming ashore in Normandy on D-Day and finding himself serving under the command of the 2nd SAS during the liberation of a concentration camp. This letter was written in May 1945. Whilst the war itself was over and much celebrating had taken place, there was still work to be done, something referenced in Frank’s letter. The “vital German place on the coast” mentioned on page 2 refers to Kiel where Frank’s regiment had undertaken the surrender of the German Kriegsmarine (navy) & probably from where he sent the letter. We knew none of this while Frank was alive. He was pretty much the quietest most reserved man I have ever met. What is so surprising about this particular letter is its positivity and attention to the matters of everyday life despite what he had gone through – and the horrors he must have witnessed – over the previous 3 years. He eventually returned home in 1947.
