Letter from England, 1944

A Letter from England

January 7, 1944

 

The following letter was written by cousins to Ilah Parker and has been given us for publication.

                                                                                                                        57 High St.
                                                                                                                        Staffordshire, England

Dear Ilah,

Just a few lines wishing you all a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

I wonder how long we will have to wait before the end of this dreadful war.  We hope before another year ends there will be peace among the nations.  It seems to be tough going in Italy now.

I wonder if you know how horrible it is in Europe.  Thousands from their homes taken to unknown destinations.  Many shot, men, woman and children.  I specially think of the children.  Some nights I can't sleep for thinking about it all.  And we here in England would have had the same thing happen to us if they had got in.  I could never have believed it possible in this a supposed civilized age, for such terrible deeds to happen.

We were so grateful for the newspapers you sent us.  We have only one sheet to our paper now.  One of my sisters works for a man who has spent some time in America.  We let him read the papers and he was delighted with them.

I expect you in America are all lit up for Christmas.  I believe this has been the fifth winter of the blackout.  Boards made to fit in the window frames.  The police are very strict.  I see in our paper London and all of the large cities are getting lamps all in order for when peace comes, Churchill will give the signal for lights on.  Traveling is very difficult.  If a car is used for pleasure, one is liable to a fine.  They must only be used for essential purposes.  Public vehicles are packed, only 12 people are allowed to stand.

Two of my brothers are in the Royal Artillery.  They are stationed near one another.  Have another brother in Italy and another one in Africa.  We see lots of soldiers also Italians, Polish, etc.  American soldiers have wonderful equipment.  We will never be able to repay America for her kindness and helpfulness. We will always be very indebted to you.  We can't thank America enough.  Before Bill died, he said if America goes in the War, it is as good as won.  It is his daughter's wish that some day she will be able to visit you as her dad did. She works in a nursery school in Leeds, has 40 children under 5 years of age.  Their mothers are in war work.  My brothers' farms are mostly on the plough now.  Have to grow enough to feed their own cattle. Wheat is commanded by the Government so they can't have that.  Our hens only have oats. We miss the maize for better egg production.  We get a flat rate all the way around.  Nearly everything is under control.

We don't expect to have luxuries; we are very thankful we can get the essential things.  Now I must really close as it is getting late.  All send love to all our cousins in America.

                                                                                                  Lottie, Mary and Lillian