I am very fortunate to have a collection of letters written by my parents to each other throughout the Second World War.
By 1943, the year I was born, my father was stationed at Maison Blanche airfield in Algiers, North Africa. Most of his letters are the small airograms which he wrote every evening, plus a pale blue airmail letter every weekend.
However, I’ve chosen to send a letter written by my mother who had moved back to her parents with the baby (me) in North Staffordshire.
I chose it because of the date, 8th May 1945, and the very first word – VICTORY. This was followed by a long description of how my mother spent the day and how much it meant to her. I was 17 months old and graciously accepted all compliments on my patriotic hat and flag!
My family are far more interested in the collection of photographs sent home by my father and carefully annotated on the back. Of particular current interest are the ones taken of the British Army and RAF celebration parades through the streets of Algiers and the ones of various groups of RAF men including one of all members of my father’s tent – Tent 10, M block. I am guessing this refers to Maintenance, which is where he worked.
