Here are some extracts from mother's letter to my father on the day after VE day, 70 years ago today!

"Well darling , now that the war is really over in Europe I just cant settle down at all for thinking of you and longing and hoping that you will be home very shortly. On Tuesday we all went down to the village, I'm afraid I got very merry ( but not tight) I went with the girls on the Squadron and some of the boys. There was a huge bonfire in the street and I danced to " Knees up Mother Brown" for ages! At nine o'clock I took myself off into a nice little corner in the pub and had a very special drink to my darling husband. I hope that wherever you were on Tuesday dearest that you all " made merry" Somehow though I cant feel too exited with the knowledge that the boys out East are still fighting. I only hope and pray that it will soon be over for them too."

On the same day my father was in Italy , near Naples, in his autobiography he says he joined his RAF mates in a celebration football match on the beach. No football kit so one team wore shorts, the other Birthday suits! Dad was in goal, defending quite well, till an opposing forward booted the ball from three yards and hit dad in the face. Out for the count but no goal scored! Back to camp for a celebration dinner only to find that the cooks had used all the rations and they went three days before the next ration day. But the bar served free drinks till they ran out.

much love
Wendy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx