Sunday, 7th January 1945

My Dear Mother & Father,

For a change I have something exceedingly interesting to write to you about this week.  Last Tuesday Jim & I saw our first "talkie" in over 4½ years!  It was entitled, "Life Begins for Andy Hardy", and starred Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland & Lewis Stone.  As a picture it was quite average - but as a sensation for us hermits it was simply stupendous.  It was shown in the camp theatre on a projector presented to us from, I believe, the YMCA.  We hope to see 2 new pictures per month.

Your letter dated 29th Oct I received yesterday.  I am very pleased to hear all is well at home. Both Reg Tomkins and Arthur Clough are both regular writers, they both appear to be quite content with life - I am sorry to hear that Arthur has lost a brother.

You won't realise how keen I am about becoming a shopkeeper - I hope, that after you have got over the first shock you will both be just as keen as I am.  On hearing of this Jim's only criticism was, "It isn't a job for a single man"; I told him that would soon me remedied.  At the moment I am discussing Building Societies with a solicitor. 

All my love to you both & Dorothy.

Your loving son,

Arthur

On this day:

In Italy... There are some limited operations by British 8th Army to complete the Allied hold on the south bank of the Senio River. San Alberto is captured by British and Canadian troops. The wet weather and a lack of reinforcements and extra supplies prevents the Allied armies from launching any large scale offensives at this time.

On the Western Front... The attacks of the US 8th Corps of US 1st Army, along the line of the Ourthe west of Houffalize, record progress around Laroche. German attacks in Alsace also continue with some success south of Strasbourg in the area around Erstein.

On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, German forces capture Esztergom, some 25 miles northwest of Budapest in their attempt to relieve the German led garrison in the capital.

In London... Stalin, in response to Churchill, indicates that the Soviet timetable for a new offensive will be no later than the second half of January.

http://www.onwar.com/chrono

 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033832/

Friday, 5th January 1945

My dear Mother & Father,

The above date tells you that we are well advanced into the new year.  I didn't expect to see this year in these circumstances, however it can't be helped, we must just make the best of it.  During the past few days I have received the following letters: Dorothy of 22nd Oct, Dad's of 14th, and yours of 15th Aug + 1st Oct. 

In your Oct letter you mention of meeting chaps repatriated from here who seem to know everybody but me.  Well that is quite likely for I do not go around much here and I spend nearly all my day at school; although I have lots of friends they are mainly Londoners or Colonials.  I think the reason that so many know Jim is because there are such a lot from his unit here (there are 4 from mine) who live in the district. But there is one chap who you should have seen last September by name of Anderson, a CSM in Jim's unit, to whom I was speaking before he left here.  He promised to visit you and Mrs Duffy.

Some more are expecting to leave here this month, and there is one chap who has promised to visit you by name of Bentley, from Port Sunlight.  I realise how much it must cheer you up to hear from somebody who knew me here.  

We hear you had a very cold Christmas and that the Mersey Ferry was stranded on a sandbank.  It is also cold here, but not nearly as cold as it could be.  I have received no parcels since July last year, but we know that at one period your were not allowed to send them.  

Both Jim & I are in the best of health & spirits, I hope you are all well.

Your loving son,

Arthur

On this day:

In the Bonin Islands... Admiral Smith leads a force of cruisers and destroyers to shell Iwo Jima, Haha Jima and Chichi Jima. There is a simultaneous attack by USAAF B-29 Superfortress bombers.

In Burma... Shwebo is taken by the British 2nd Division of British 33rd Corps (Stopford) as the advance to the Irrawaddy River continues.

In the Kurile Islands... Admiral McCrea leads three cruisers and nine destroyers to bombard Suribachi Wan.

In Moscow... The Soviet government gives formal recognition to the Polish Lublin Committee as the Provisional Government of Poland. The USA and Britain declare their continued recognition of the Polish government in exile, based in London.

In Liberated Greece... The fighting between the British and the Greek Communist forces comes to an end in the Athens area. Field Marshal Alexander and British political representatives arrive in Athens for talks with the Communist leaders and the Greek government.

On the Western Front... In the Ardennes, the US 3rd Army reports reduced activity on its line while US 1st Army continues its attacks. There are German attacks just north of Strasbourg. Eisenhower's decision to divide command responsibility for the Allied defenses around the bulge between Montgomery in the north and Bradley in the south is made public.

http://www.onwar.com/chrono/

Sunday, 23rd January 1944 (Postcard) Sunday, 20th February 1944 (Letter)

My Dear Dorothy,

Many thanks indeed for two parcels each containing 200 cigs which I received during the last few days.  My letter card I have sent to Arthur Clough (2/Lieut) from whom I received a Nov letter in which 'a very good photo' of him was enclosed. He is very well and wishes to be remembered to you all.

Until next week, my love and wishes to you all at home.

Love Arthur.

On this day:

In New Guinea... Australian forces in the Ramu valley advance up the Finisterre Range toward Shaggy Ridge, taking Maukiryo. Allied air superiority in the area influences the battle.

In Italy... There are now about 50,000 Allied troops concentrated in the Anzio beachhead. General Lucas commands. German resistance is light but the Allied forces advance slowly. Meanwhile, Kesselring believes it is possible to maintain the Gustav Line defenses at the same time as containing the Anzio landings. The commander of the German 10th Army, von Vietinghoff favors a withdrawal from the southern defensive line. 

From Berlin... The German High Command allots German reserves from France, northern Italy and the Balkans as well as the German 14th Army headquarters to organize defenses around Anzio. Within a week a total of 8 German divisions are concentrated in the area.

My Dear Mother & Father,

After 4 or 5 weeks of silence two letters have arrived; one from Dad dated 3rd Jan and one from Dot 9th Jan.  Bill also sent one dated 10th Jan which I shall answer today; a letter I received from a London friend (correct-female) is of 17th Jan!  The postal authorities have surpassed themselves.  Unfortunately the letters you wrote from 7th or 8th Dec to the end of Dec , have not yet arrived, therefore I am still in the dark about how you spent Christmas.  

Jim received his November parcel yesterday, so mine too is not far away.  A few days ago we received a lot of sports kit from the Red Cross (our fairy-godmother) amongst which was a complete set of football boots, stockings, jerseys and shorts, sufficient to equip two teams - you should have seen the boys training out today.  England V Scotland is the fixture.

Every letter I get from Dot tells me she is either "expecting Ken home on leave in a few days" or "Ken is on leave again" or "Ken has been home for a few days and has now gone back".  He must be a wizard at wrangling leave - I know how difficult it is, and according to my mates I was a good wangler. She talks of ice-skating - I absent mindedly walked outside the door the other day, it took me about four minutes to finally hit the gorund, but during those 4 minutes I think I performed every evolution known to ice-skaters!

My love to you all.

Arthur.

On this day:

On the Eastern Front... The Soviet 2nd Baltic Front (Popov) launches a new offensive toward Kholm, spearheaded by the 22nd Army. German 16th Army, part of Army Group North, is unable to contain the assault, in part because of the army group shifting of forces northward in support of German 18th Army in recent weeks.

In the Marshall Islands... American carrier aircraft from Task Group 58.1 (Admiral Reeves) attack Japanese targets in Jaluit Atoll. The fighting on Eniwetok continues. The nearby island of Parry is shelled by US naval forces.

In Occupied Norway... A ferry carrying a stock of heavy water from the Ryukan hydroelectric plant to Germany is sunk by resistance fighters acting on instructions from the British government and the Norwegian government in exile. The cargo is lost. Heavy water is used in atomic research.

www.onwar.chrono 

Sunday, 17th October 1943

My Dear Dorothy,

This morning I received your wedding-photographs.  You all look splendid.  But you especially, take the praise, you look truly wonderful.  How I wish I could have been there.  You look really charming.  Ken certainly knows how to "pick 'em"!  Both Ken and his people look very pleasant & homely.  Is that his little sister in front?  She is very pretty.  What pleases me most of all is how well & happy Mum & Dad look, although I know that practically all the time they were thinking of me, despite that however, they look really well & very happy.  Bill & Anne too look quite pleased & well settled down to matrimony. 

And now please settle and argument between Jim & I.  Who is the girl between Mum & Ann.  At first I was hopelessly puzzled, but after a long scrutiny it suddenly flashed through my mind that it may be Betty Evans.  I am right?  If so, she has changed considerably.

Well, I am very proud to have such a charming sister, and such happy and very healthy looking parents, long may they remain so.  Thanks for your letter of 3rd July.  And now goodbye for the present.

Love to you, Mum & Dad, your loving brother.

Arthur

My Dear Mother & Father,

Two letters to acknowledge from you this week namely  9th July &15th August.  I also received a letter from Dot which I have acknowledged by the same post as this.  

However, I must repeat myself and say how well & happy you both look, that means a lot to me.  I am pleased to hear my photograph has arrived, and readily forgive the "insult" about the shadow on the lower part of my face; actually it is rather a good one, as far as moustaches go, but whether I leave it on for the great union remains to be seen!  Your remark re me getting thinner caused loud protests from Jim, he reckons that at the moment I would top the scales at 14 stone!!  What do you think of that?  

It gave Jim a great deal of amusement to hear about he & his wife my try for a daughter when he comes home.  Anyhow, he's told me to tell you it won't be his fault.  He said, "it just shows how they talk about us", meaning he & I.

The January parcel containing the hold-all & slippers has not yet arrived.

All my love,

Arthur.

On this day:

On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces breakthrough the German defenses around Kremenchug. Other Soviet forces cross the Dniepr south of Gomel and capture Loyev.

In New Guinea... The Japanese mount another air attack on Allied positions in Oro Bay and sustain heavy losses in aircraft and crew. The Japanese counteroffensive around Finschafen continues to be held by Australian forces.

In the Pacific... The last operational German auxiliary cruiser,Michel, is sunk by the American submarine Tarpon off the Japanese coast. The German raider has sunk 17 ships during its cruise.

In Italy... The advancing US 5th Army takes Liberi and Alvignano.

Sunday, 19th September 1943

My Dear Mother & Father,

Received your very welcome letter of 5th Aug the other day.  Fancy the doctor rescuing Uncle Benni almost from death's door - I think it is only a temporary recovery though, he will never be able to shake off that illness now.  Glad to hear good news of Uncle Joe - he must be a great worry to his competition, especially at a time like this.

Please thank Auntie Emily for her kindness in knitting the socks.  I have received no July letters from you yet, therefore when you talk about Bill convalescing, I am in the dark. Re the photo, I am afraid I must disappoint Mrs Simcox. The chap sitting in front of Jim is named Weight and the one in front of me Walker.  Therefore I don't think it can be her son.  We might have some more taken shortly.

We held a "Grand Variety Concert" last night, the whole show lasted 2¾ hours, and of course Sunday is a day of sport.  Two football matches were played during the day - England v Scotland and England v Dominions.  England won both matches, both were very exciting.

I am in the very best of health and spirits.  Regards from Jim. Love to you all.

Arthur

On this day:

Over the Gilbert Islands... American land-based Liberator bombers attack the island of Tarawa.

On the Eastern Front... Northeast of Smolensk, Soviet forces capture Yartsevo and Dukovschina.

In Italy... A British 8th Army unit (5th Division) takes Auletta.

In Occupied Greece... At Cephalonia, the Italian "Acqui" Division resists German forces seeking to disarm it.

http://www.onwar.com/chrono

Sunday, 8th March 1942 (postcard)

My Dear Mother & Father,

I have received 21 letters this week.  What do you think of that?  All dated Jan except one from Dorothy dated 8th Feb which arrived 2nd March.  2 Dec letters from Bill.  The November parcel has not yet arrived.  I will get a letter next week and answer in detail then.

I am very well and hope you all are the same.

Yours loving son,

Arthur

On this day;

In New Guinea... Japanese invasion forces land at Lae and Salamaua. http://www.onwar.com/chrono