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Thursday, November 11, 2010

A Letter From England ... 1940

Since a move is in our future, I have been slowly packing up the house. But I have also been trying to go through and sort some of the years of accumulation. Some of what I have found has had me shaking my head, wondering why did we keep this? But on occasion, I have found something that is really interesting. I would like to share a letter I found......


This letter is to my Mother from a pen-pal of hers.  
The date is 24 November, 1940 ~ Castleford, Yorkshire, England


.....I am ever so sorry I have neglected writing to you, but at the time I received your letter my daughter Nancy was dangerously ill & we none of us expected her to live. Even the Doctor gave her up & I was having a tough time nursing her. But I am glad to say she is once more up & going about again. Then when I got her better I have been ill. We have not been able to buy any onions or eggs for this last 3 weeks. And currants & tinned milk are bad to get. We are having a party here on the 20th of December as my daughter Ruby is getting engaged. I wish you could be here. I know you would enjoy. Well I think this is the main news I can tell you and I am glad to say we haven't had any air raids yet which is a lot to be thankful for. When we think of what other poor people in England are having to suffer. No I have never had any bear meat or elk but I envy you with your turkeys. I wouldn't mind one for Xmas dinner. I fear it will be hard to get our stuff for Xmas in England. I will close and wish you all a very Happy Xmas & a Bright and Prosperous New Year.
I remain yours sincerely, Mrs. Tingle



8 comments:

  1. I have recently found myself fascinated with all things WWII, England. That letter is a fantastic example of that era. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Lovely! I recently received copies of two letters from England during WII, but unfortunately they bore no good news. We certainly have cause to be thankful that those times are over!

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  3. Letters from the past are a treasure, and this one brings a name and family to life, talking about air raids and rationing, that we have only seen in movies or read about. That is a touching piece of history you have shared.

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  4. A good example of the kind of sacrifices that were widespread during WWII and during all wars, really.

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  5. Truly a keepsake. What a lovely letter. Leaves one feeling a little sad but also hopeful for Mrs. Tingle. Thanks for sharing :)

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  6. That is just amazing. A true piece of history you've found there.

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  7. My grandmother was a prolific letter writer and the amazing thing is that she kept carbon copies of allher letters she wrote as well as the replies. I recently found an entire series of letters that she wrote and received from a family in Germany that they helped support after World War II. The father was a doctor and the descriptions of conditions are quite vivid. Very interesting to read.

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  8. I love reading old letters. They disclose so much about the writer, the recipient and the times in which they were written.

    ptrmom - I bet that was an amazing read!

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