My father volunteered to go to the Middle East in 1941 as a soldier, and it’s clear from his poetry and photos that it wasn’t quite the adventure he’d expected and that he thought often of home. And my mother, who was the girlfriend left behind, sent him photos of herself in her front yard (photos were only ever taken outdoors then), to show him what he was missing.
My transcription of the poem follows the image.
Thoughts of Home
I’ve just come off duty,
And feeling kind of blue,
So the best thing I can think of
Is to drop a line to you.
Writing seems to cheer me
Makes a man remember home,
And makes him often wonder
Why he commenced to roam.
*****
If by chance they get me,
Should put me out of gear,
I’ll go out like a Briton,
Like you would have me Dear,
But in the meantime, while I live,
While the guns and cannons roar,
I’ll pray with all my heart, Dear,
That we will meet some more.
R.E. Bruce
© Patricia Worth, 2013
that’s a beautiful love letter. thanks for sharing.
Sweet. Precious and sweet. 🙂
My mom was 19 in 1941 as well. They looked like movie stars back then, didn’t they? 🙂
What a terrific post. My father in law was in Africa as well, although, on the other side. He was a prisoner of war for 6 years. At 92 he is still out and about, he has only recently started talking of this time. He spent some of his days learning English and Maths. 🙂 D 34
Thanks for showing me that it’s a love letter. I’ve never looked at his poems that way.
When I was a child I always thought Mum looked like the actresses in the b&w movies I watched, the ones she would encourage me to watch because they were her favourites. Perhaps women posed like actresses in movie posters because the photographer couldn’t take multiple photos as we do now; they knew they only had one or two goes at it. Plus, most women like my mother had good posture, and confidence in their own usefulness.
It would be GREAT to listen to your father-in-law talk of those six years. If he talks to you, take notes.
fabulous piece of family history,,, and lovely words. thanks for share 😉
I hadn’t realised how fabulous these poems were until I needed blog material. Blogging has changed my perception of my father. Glad you liked the words.
Lovely!!!
With this history it is nice honour,, I did one of my mother and could and maybe do more..:)