Great Great Great Grandmother Mary Harris

October 1945
Dear Mr and Mrs T
I’m sorry I’ve not written before, I’ve tried many times but I couldn’t. I don’t need to tell you that I can’t believe something like this could happened to Harold and I pray day and night that he may be somewhere. I am still hoping very much. Only sometimes there seems so little hope I am walking about and I can see him all of the time. He was looking forward to coming home.
I did like to come and see you one Saturday but I guess you don’t feel like it yet . Just let me know.

Well that is all for this time I think - I hope you both keep well and may God bless you.

Cheerio and lots of love to you both.

Helene
xxxx

That was an extract of a letter from Harold’s fiancée to his parents after he was reported missing presumed dead.

I don’t know if you detect an accent in her writing but if you did you’d be right as she was from somewhere on mainland Europe. My mum reckons she was German but we don’t know for sure. She was writing from Addlestone in Surrey .

Another day of odd jobs and a trip out to the new Lidl that has opened at the end of Stocklake in Aylesbury.

Dry and bright day.

Thanks for looking in.

Today’s photo would date from the late Victorian era. It was taken at Ludgershall in Buckinghamshire outside their house which was located next to the village green. It was demolished in the 1960s to make way for a new ‘modern’ home.

....