This is the story of the VE Day thoughts of my late Mother-in-law Vera Eileen Guest expressed in a beautiful letter to her Husband Douglas Vivien Guest who was, on that day of mixed emotions, serving as a Sgt Carpenter on an RAF Station outside Kolkata (then Calcutta) in India.
On May 6th 1940 LAC Douglas Vivian Guest RAF was posted to RAF Marham in North Norfolk. He was immediately detached to the fishing port of Wells Next the Sea where a new unit of the RAF Marine Branch was located to aid in the creation of the new and badly needed Air Sea Rescue Service.
On May 10th he met Vera Eileen Baker for the first time. They were married on August 6th at Wells Next the Sea.
On January 1st 1945 Doug set sail for India. He, like many others did not return to the UK until mid-1946. Little Elizabeth was then two and a half.
On VE Day May 8th, many thousands of people in UK and throughout Europe celebrated joyously. Many others whose loved ones were still at war with Japan stayed away from the celebrations and hoped that another such a day would come soon.
On VE Day Vera wrote another of the many letters that she had written to Doug over the war years and as luck would have it, Doug kept it.
My Dearest,
This is the evening of VE day, and the King is just speaking, so I shall probably be a little dis-jointed at first as I am listening and writing.
Never have I missed or wanted you more than today – such a pointless day it has seemed without my dearest best pal as a companion in celebration – no doubt you can well understand this.
I have been wondering how I found enjoyment in the years before I met you, since I have completely forgotten ….
A How to enjoy myself alone,
or B, How to find congenial company for… mutual enjoyment.
Two large RAF lorries have just gone by – decorated, and swarming with airmen, who appear to be swilling beer as they go. There also seems to be a tableaux of a gallows and some effigies, presumably Hitler and his henchmen – they are determined to enjoy themselves.
This morning Mr King came as he was very depressed – had drawn for “VE – leave” and had been unlucky. He seemed horribly disappointed, but had cheered up a little when he left this evening to join his pals at Burnham Overy. Elizabeth had really cheered him up – as no-one could be really miserable for long in her company.
This evening the weather has changed somewhat. It has become rather windy and there is a storm brewing. I have heard thunder several times and there has been lightning too.
I went out with Elizabeth who has two union jacks attached to her pram, this afternoon we walked round the town to see the decorations. Dad has a brave show of flags, which I am afraid I couldn’t hope to emulate. I find we have no flags at “Field View”. I must hang out some when you come home.
The two days holiday from school are welcome so of course I have given Doris two days, but, like me she feels rather sad and cannot really celebrate without the one important person in our lives.
It is, of course, a great feeling to know that slaughter of our men has ceased in Europe, that Germany is self-admitted as well as truly beaten, one can’t be so small-minded as not to experience a great lift of the heart when one remembers our lone and apparently lost position in 1940. So, my heart is glad for our wonderful achievement as a nation – I am thrilled and proud of it all. But my heart longs for that dear person whom the war has brought to me with his love and care for my rather blunt self. I would give a great deal to have you near me now so that we could laugh and love together as in the past.
You can imagine me sitting at the bureau in the dining room, with Dash asleep beside me, Elizabeth asleep in her cot. I cannot go out to celebrate and don’t feel I want to without you, but at the same time I feel a little forlorn, and no doubt you can understand it.
God bless you my dearest and may victory in Asia be nearer than you think.
All my love,
your very own loyal and loving Vera
