January 18, 1945
C23 Gnr R.H. Francis
A Battery R.C.H.A.
1st Field Regt
C.A.A.F.
Dear Georgia,
Having not written for some time I can’t explain the reason for not doing so
on security reasons and time is short now but I had to write to tell you that
Muriel is going to Canada at any time now and I shall be going home in
several months time. I have 73 points for a necessary 80 for home leave and
four more months will see me with the necessary and on my way home. So
I’d like her to go to you for that time till I come home. She is in a whirl now
conversing with the Canada House in London and would you approach her on
the subject
I didn’t have a very good Xmas or New Years nor did any others with the
forward elements and I did not receive a solitary thing for Xmas. Absolutely
nothing. Your parcel never arrived and I suspect the time we heard of in
Halifax stopped their travel. Hope everyone’s well and please look after
Muriel for me as I’m just about dead beat. She is up in the air at the me not
writing because I told her I couldn’t for some time and I have been with the
Infantry ever since the crossing of the Lamone and when Infantry was
relewed we weren’t and the last month has been spent in the line with the
foot sloggers and I’m now driving the carrier for the regular driver was killed
on the Lamone and no other signallers can take the job or don’t want to. I
asked for this. I guess ‘cause I lost my nerve at Ortona during an Infantry
attack being pinned down by machine gun in a ditch all day. I can’t say
lost it but for three days after I shook like a leaf and a while ago I felt to go
back and see if I still had it and crossing the Lamone proved I still had it and
how many times I have resolved to die I don’t know. Caught in counter
attacks I have resolved to fight it out and fate pulls me out and it is gradually
exhausting my ego. It is impossible for me to write in this state and Muriel
can’t understand it. I pray that she won’t regret it and I’m powerless to tell
her how I feel. I live in fear and little for myself but I honestly love her I guess
too much and I guess if luck holds I’ll be happy and only she can be then
happily ignorant. I am one of the oldest on the job and only human. So why I
say this is because she’s going home and look after her ‘till I get there. I’ll
close and tell all those who ask I’m still going strong. Bye for now.
Heaps of love, xxxx
Raymond