This letter was treasured by my father Frederick Burgess until his death in 2018 when it came into my possession.
The letter was sent to him by his father, Lance Corporal Frederick Charles Burgess of the 2nd Battalion Royal Northumberland Fusiliers who was serving in Italy.
My father aged 7 at the time was the eldest of four siblings living with their mother in Dagenham Essex.
It is such a bittersweet keepsake as sadly 7 months to the day of writing, my grandfather died of his wounds after being shot by a sniper.
This loving letter sends Christmas wishes, encouragement to his son to work hard at school and be well behaved. I especially like the description of the fruits and vegetables being grown in ‘not so sunny Italy’. I find it difficult to read where he says he will be home soon after Hitler is caught and his gun is protecting him. My father keenly felt this loss throughout his life and was badly affected being the eldest sibling and the weight of responsibility placed on him to become the man of the house.
My grandfather is interred at the Commonwealth War Grave at Lake Bolsena in Italy. I am hoping very soon to take my father’s ashes so that during a ceremony arranged there he will be reunited with his father and they will rest in peace together.
I am incredibly proud of my grandfather, his ultimate sacrifice for us and I happily share this memory so that these stories shall live on.
Lest we forget.
