Transcription
October 20th 1944
123 Averil Rd.,
Scraptoft Lane,
Leicester
My Dear Frank & Alma,
If I seem very long in answering your letter - please forgive me, & I must say how delighted I feel at getting your very long & interesting letter.
To begin with Alma, I do not live in Scotland, but right in the centre of England & just 97 miles North East of London, we've been blizt just the same as any other large town, but I guess just as long as old Hitler & Co give it- we can take it, & the more bombs we get, the more determined we are to see this thru - yes ? thru to the end this time.
Well both- I guess your pretty anxious about "Chuck" & believe me, so am I, not, having had a line for weeks now, the last one I had was from the air-port just before they left England - no line from then onward, that hasn't stopped me tho, I've just finished one to him, as I believe nothing inspires a fella more, than a letter from those - his relatives & friends. You ask me if he had altered much since his return from Normandy - I would say yes decidedly, altho at the best of times Chuck never had a lot to say - and always struck me as being a deep thinker, I guess the war had a lot to do with that tho, but some nites he would come round to 123! & just sit by the fire & read the paper, and of course sleep, I can remember the nite when he slept in our big chair till ? in the morning. I would be asleep to the side, I can remember it so well, I kept a big fire & thought to myself I'll just see what time he wakes we got in home all 9:30 pm & Chuck about 5 the next morning, well at least, he'd had some rest & dad used to like to think of him having a little of the home comforts which the lad miss so very much.
Yes he had used to have tablets for his Maleria! (is it spelt rite?) I know some times he didn't look too well, & this was partly the cause of his sleepyness.
Comming up to another point in your letter was, where I worked & how we met.
Well I am employed- not by the P.O. which you immagined but the Standard Telephone & Cable Co. Ltd. [ a whole paragraph was cut out]
As regards our meeting - well bad as it may sound - twas outside the nearest local pub! don't get me wrong now please, I happened to be seeing two girl friends on the bus, & Chuck & Frank. Vann. Dei. Mey were passing. When Chuck took hold of my arm & sorta - kinda said "Going My Way" & I was too - so we just walked together - well no need to go into detail is there?
Had a letter from your sister Frank - Elva I mean, I wrote her just about the time I sent your to you, I have it to answer this week some time, now I shall really get writers cramp.
Have just noticed it only 1/4 of midnite, so for this time, better close the book, hoping Chuck will be home very soon. and meanwhile - don't forget to keep smiling,
Goodnite - God Bless,
Love & Best Wishes
Jean
Hin. J. Cook