The letter, dated 9th November 1943, was sent to my father’s mother Mrs Annie Haynes. It was written by Sergeant L Rayner concerning her son, George Stephen William Haynes, who was serving as a Royal Marine and was aged 18 at the time.
My father, George Stephen William Haynes, served as Royal Marine in WW2. Although my father always remained proud of the Marines he very rarely spoke of his wartime experiences and only told us about a funny event when he did.
However, one day, when I was in my twenties in the 1970’s, he showed me this letter which was the only one he had kept from his war years. It had been sent to Dad’s mother, having been written on the 9th of November 1943 by Sergeant L. Rayner of the detachment, R.M. Det 380/16, in which my father was serving as part of Operation Husky, the Invasion of Sicily, the first major Allied assault on German occupied Europe.
The Sgt had written in a quiet spell after what appears to have been a significant battle and without my father’s knowledge at the time. The letter hints of the heavy fighting the unit had endured however it is very personable and praises my father greatly. Dad was aged 18 at the time.
He tells of the unit talking about their families and home. I am amazed and grateful that, given the circumstances, Sgt Rayner took the time to write to my grandmother to reassure her and to tell of his bravery. It is obvious from his words that letters meant so much to everyone, both at home and to those serving abroad.
Because of this letter my brother, sister and I know of a small detail of Dad’s war and of his courage.
We lost Dad in 1992, he would have been 100 in July this year and we will never know his Sgt’s first name or anything of his background. I can only hope that one day this letter might be read by someone who may know more of the circumstances in which it was sent and by a miracle, Sgt Rayner’s family may know of his kindness.
Although Dad did not meet my mother until after the war it is ironic that my maternal grandmother had suffered the loss of her eldest son (my Uncle Jack) in 1942. He too served as a Royal Marine and died following the sinking of his ship, HMS Exeter. Evidently my grandfather hid the newspaper with the headline of the loss of the Exeter, from my grandmother.
Transcribed as written
Ex. 1448. Sgt L. Rayner
R.M. Det 380/16
M.E.F.
9/11/43
Dear Mrs Haynes
Perhaps you may wonder why I should be writing to you, and before I go on to tell you the reason, I want you to know that George, is near me now, looking fit, very brown and in the best of spirits, and perfectly OK. At the moment he is going through his kit, he does not know that I am writing, and if I can get this away without his knowledge so much the better. First I must explain who I am, well to begin with, George first came to me while we were stationed in Cornwall, I think that was in June 1942 and I have had the pleasure of having him in my Detachment since then. You will probably remember that we had the good fortune to spend some time near your home and that you met George for a very short time, I was with him then, I’m sorry I could not have given you more time together then, but Duty would not permit it. Now that you know who I am, I want to tell you my reason for this letter, and I cant do better than tell you, that my own Mother worries herself almost ill, over me, and from what George has told me, I imagine you to think the world of him just as my Mother does about me.
It struck me that a word, from a neutral source would perhaps, ease the strain of worry which, most probably you (?) (?) yourself of at times.
So I have taken the job in my own hands, and hope you will not mind me doing this. I will repeat that George is in Good Health, and is getting along O.K. I am sure he is a happy as is possible to be, under the circumstances I mean being away from Home as we are I have a fine set of lads with me, and I’m glad to say this that George is about the most popular, with us all. Our living conditions have been good up to the present, and it has reflected in our general health.
When we first came here to Sicily, it was no joy ride, and we had as much action, as any troops have experienced in their own sphere. During the early days, it was possible to judge, from my point of view of course, the courage of those with me & I am glad to say, that not one, let me down. But at times, there were jobs to be done, which even under normal conditions are not pleasant, and it was on these occasions, when the conditions were as bad as they could possibly be, that I saw the best work form my Det. It will please you to know, that on some of those bad occasions, your George, came out a winner, he did some terrific work. It is no use having a gun if you have no ammunition to feed it and at times our rate of fire was terrific, on top of that we had to stand Shrapnel which fell like rain, and also Jerry bombs. I want you to know, I gave George the job of keeping us supplied with the Ammo and not only did he do that, but we usually ended up with more ammo around us than we began with. At times it meant running as much as forty yards with heavy steel boxes. He never failed me, and I can honestly say that he was without Doubt one of my best men, and believe me although he himself may treat it as a mere nothing, you have great reason to be Very Very Proud of him.
Life here is different now, and we lead a fairly easy existence, but I haven’t forgot, or ever will, those days when, if we had failed it would have had fatal results.
I think that is quiet enough about the not so pleasant things of life and I’d very much like to strike a much more pleasant line, and offer you my congratulations upon the birth of your grandchild, I sincerely hope that your Daughter and Baby are doing well. George was tickled pink. I have the pleasure of being an Uncle too. My Sister in Law presented my Brother with a little Daughter on Sept 3rd, and as you can guess my mother is as proud of her as anyone could be. The most pleasure we obtain out here, is receiving mail form home, you would get very great pleasure in seeing George’s face when he has a letter from you, and of course (Syble?). News from home is all that matters to us, just so long as we know all at home are well, then we are O.K.
We often talk of home, and believe me George thinks the world of You all, we agree on the point that there is no person in life, that ever compares with You Own Mother. Since I have been abroad I have found that out, I shall never forget it and that really made me write this letter. The thought always in our minds, is when we shall be home again, let us hope it will be soon, and that this war will soon be over and done with. I hope to come to Hoddesdon and see George after it is all over. I hope you do not mind me writing this to you like this. I will close now, this letter will reach you after Xmas, but I hope you have a good one, and wish you all the best for the new year.
Bye Bye & Good Luck
Yours very sincerely
L (C?) Rayner
