Ipswich
29 September,1940
My Dear Horace
You are naturally wondering how we are getting along during these terrible times. Well, thank God, up to the present , fit and well. We of course get Nazi bombers over most nights and as an air raid warden I have to report at the Post and then wait for the bombs to drop. Fortunately none have fallen in my sector. For although I have passed a course in first aid, well I should be rather sorry for my patients.
We have had a number of bombs dropped around the district and some in the town. One broke most of the stained glass windows on the South side of our Church but no structural damage.
Four people only have been killed altogether. 3 on one occasion and then 1. Mostly from shock.
England has not yet been invaded and no attempt made. Believe me if Hitler and his crowd attempt it he will have a warm reception for the vast majority of people will fight to a man. We haven't got the wind up, neither have the people of London. I speak from my personal experience for Ethel, Daphne and I spent a week with Ethel's father in London.
The barrage is terrific, not pleasant, but you can live through it.
Leslie came home this weekend and he is quite fit and still working at the same place. Louie and all her family are still the same. Poor old Louie misses her treatment her poor legs are as bad as ever. Muriel has been moved to Nayland and she cycles over to see us occasionally when she has a day off. Its 13 miles from here so quite a good ride.
I have not yet heard from you since I wrote about Emily. Its hard to part with your mother and your sister but considering all things one can not feel but that they are better off. For when the air raid goes it is advisable to get downstairs and when you are aged or unwell that is far from pleasant, and as likely as not get a chill.
As to food there is plenty in the shops. I can see no difference from pre-war times and prices have gone up, but very little. The only thing I personally miss is sugar. I wish we could have more than a half pound per week per person per week. This is for cooking and everything. Butter goes down next week from 6 ounces to 2 ounces per person per week. But there is plenty of margarine to make up for it.
I went to Lexden yesterday afternoon to see Horace. He is now a full time special constable doing clerical work in the Chief Constable office. He misses Mother and Emily very much but is still carrying on the house at Lexden. He will not have to go into the army and Ethel (Hall's) husband is exempt for some time.
Daphne still works at ---------- and is now in the cashier's office. Plenty of money about but not for Daphne.
Can now hear a German bomber going over but its very dark and cloudy and he is up so high (3 miles I suppose) so he doesn't know where he is fortunately.
Well have no more news so must conclude with fond love from all the family to all the clan of Nevards.
Your affectionate Brother
Cecil
We don't know how blessed we've been. I fear our time is coming, though.
ReplyDeleteGorges, it is true that if we refuse to learn from history then we are doomed to repeat it. But lets hope we have learned a little.
Delete