19 Wycliffe St.
Rock Ferry
Birkenhead
27th Jan.
Dear Georgia,
I must apologize for the age I have been in writing again. A day or two after I had written my last letter my right hand was crushed under a gun barrel. It wasn’t as bad as I feared at first, my first finger was fractured, my second one stretched. The others badly bruised, so you can understand I was out of action for a while. I am fine now and have been for a week or so, but I had such an accumulation of correspondence and darning that my free time as been nil.
I have been receiving tons of post from Canada house in London. I’ve had a medical passport photograph and yesterday a booklet called Welcome to War Brides, which is very interesting and enlightening. I can’t help wishing I was in Canada not that I’m over anxious to leave England but there seems to be a terrific amount to do and yet I want to stay and see Germany beaten. One can’t help feeling optimistic at this stage, with the Russians 95 miles from Berlin and our winter offensive starting.
This winter the worst I can remember and the coal and potato shortage is worsening things. I am one of a few unfortunates who have to live in Nursen huts at times its almost bearable its certainly surprising what one can live through. I was terribly worried about my family, as the cold and coal shortage is worse there, but Mums wrote very reassuringly she was wise and during the summer months stored coal (at the government’s advice) in every place she had spare the water pipes so far have held, so they are luckier than most and I feel happier.
I can’t give you any news of Ray. I haven’t had any letters for ages. At Xmas time I had a parcel with the sweetest cameo I have seen.
I had a lovely time at Xmas. I was home from the 21-31, my brother was also expected home but ten days before had his appendix out. He arrived home on the 29th much to our great surprise and Mums’s horror. It was exactly a fortnight after his operation. He had evidently convinced the MO he knew how to take care of himself and so go home for his first New years in six years. He is very annoyed now, because he can’t play rugger anymore this season.
I suppose you are having quite severe weather, I hope the children are well and John. I hope to get home again soon. 10th Feb is my mother’s birthday, so I think I’ll just surprise her. It will only be two days but even that makes a break.
I saw a couple of good films when I was home. Dr. Wassel and a British film Love Story which I thought very good. Song of Bernadette which I loved and White Cliffs of Dover, I didn’t like the latter the poem is one of my favourites. I thought the film mushy. I had also read Bernadette and was afraid the film would spoil it. It didn’t.
I have exhausted my new news and gossip. So will close, wishing you a Happy New Year, also John and the children.
Bye for now, see you soon,
Love of love,
Muriel