Letter from Hubert Taylor to his parents, Beryl and Frank dated 10th May 1945
Photocopy of a letter from Hubert Taylor to his parents, Beryl and Frank dated 10 May 1945. Hubert begins by thanking his mother for her letter of 1st May which arrived in five days, the quickest delivery so far. Hubert welcomes the news they have all been waiting for that the “the British Tommy has proved to be too good for Jerry” and the war is over. He notes how “grand the people of Europe must be” to know they are free from Nazi domination and expresses the hope that the Allies will hold together and build a peaceful Europe worthy of the sacrifices made in achieving the victory. He reports how he spent V day. He heard Winston Churchill ‘s historic announcement and says it was nice to hear the bells of York Minster ring out their victory peal. He says that he thought Churchill’s speech would be longer but notes that he said only what was absolutely necessary given that there was still a war to be won in the Far East. He notes that everyone – apart from Signals – was given a days holiday and that they had some “very good grub”. He describes the food in detail. The men were also given two free bottles of beer and a packet of cigarettes and Hubert says he “didn’t get blotto, but I enjoyed myself”. He asks how his family celebrated and reports that his wife had bought a flag for his daughter to wave. He asks if the Town Band paraded round the streets. Hubert says he is now looking forward to the demob. He assures his mother he can get plenty of tobacco in India. He notes that his youngest daughter now weighs 23 lbs and has teeth. Hubert congratulates his father on wining the Brown Cup in such cold weather. Hubert reports that he has had vaccinations in two places and the sores “itch like mad”. He reports that his colleague Ray nearly passed out after he had his vaccination and had to be escorted back to the billet as his “face was green”. He closes saying that Bernice should be told he will soon be home and will be able to take them all to the recreation ground. In a postscript he reports that a friend – Eric Lowe – had his passage home cancelled at the last minute. Eric thinks someone blundered and blames “one of those stupid W.A.A.F.S”.
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