A Father's letter to his Son
This is a transcript of a letter, dated 14th June, 1944, from my Grandfather, E.S. Shaw, who lived in Sheerness, Kent, to his 20 year old son, Norman, who was in the RAF and actively involved in the D-Day Landings.
Dear Norman,
Just a few lines hoping these will find you as well as can be expected in these hard days.
It looks according to the special PC that we received last Saturday afternoon that you were embarking on a man's job.
Well we do hope that the best of luck will go with you and that you will not have too rough a time. We know whatever lays before you you will make the best of things that is the only way we can look at things these days.
Perhaps happier and better days are not so far away as they appear because the big job that we have undertaken out in France seems to have gone off better than anyone dared hope.
It was very nice to have had that little chat on the phone with you but we didn't expect your move as quick as it did happen.
Now that this job has started it won't be long before Jerry cracks up altogether.
Dennis rang us up the next night after you rang but I missed him.
Well the people here are taking everything very soberly and quietly all hoping that the job won't be very long now.
We have been expecting a letter from you but suppose all the strange happenings around you have kept you down to a lot of work.
If there's anything that we can send you on you must let us know.
We are struggling through our work here somehow and we are just muddling through that is something these days.
A good many customers keep enquiring how you are getting on.
We get a game of bowls on rare occasions if it is only on a Saturday night.
There is one thing we don't do the work for the A.T.C. that we have done in the past if we do keep in it.
Well the weather has not being kind to us since this big started. Dennis on the phone said it was very cold up his way.
Well this is all just now so will close with the very best wishes and luck for you and hoping we shall be seeing you very soon.
Love Dad and family
My father, Norman Shaw, took part in the D-Day landings on 6th June, 1944.
