3 November 1915
Dear Dad,
Hope you and mum are doing well. It has been rather rough here in Brighton especially the pier. It’s been converted into a hospital city and Brighton is a major center for treating wounded soldiers.
I wonder when this war is going to end. It has almost been a full year. Many of my school mates, who studied astrophysics with me, all joined as a pals battalion.
Patricia, my girlfriend, who you met in April, has been training as a nurse. She’s very shy, but has shown a stoic and determined nature, which I had never expected. I know this might seem sudden, but I was wondering if you could send me grandmothers ring?
I feel Patricia will make a wonderful wife and also mother to my children. She is educated and keeps a clean house and has excellent table manners. She also has learnt Italian from her grandfather and tends a small garden, which has turnips.
I know you’ll disagree to the haste, so I’m going to have to tell you about the recruitment which may be turning for the war soon. They have said that they will more then likely start the involuntary recruitment with single and widowed men. I would still want to marry her, even if this wasn’t happening, but I think it might also save me from the high death rate which our countrymen are currently facing.
Hopefully we will see you over Christmas and can celebrate the news together.
Love,
Josh
2 June 1916
Dear Dad,
Thank you so much for the snazzy new toaster as a wedding gift! Patricia was over the moon and showing it off to all her friends. She forgot to keep a watch the other day and we had a kitchen full of smoke from the bread, but luckily being bright she realized her mistake and now keeps a constant eye on it.
I’m sure you’ve heard the news about them lessening restrictions on married men being conscripted. Unfortunately, and after much crying from Patricia, I got the recruitment letter in the mail. The poor girl tried to hide it from me for a week!
I’ve been told I am being assigned to a post in France. Apparently near the upper reaches of the river Somme. Let’s hope I remember some of the French that mother taught me. I don’t think it will be too bad, as they are hardly giving us new soldiers any training. We’re expected to be in France sometime around the 1st of July, so only a month of training.
If I am honest, I feel a bit terrified. I also started regretting not using the pals battalion and at least having my friends recruited with me. But then I remembered the devastation of Charlie’s mum when they told her the news of him not coming home and it changed my tune pretty quick.
Please keep writing Patricia, while I’m away. She’s been loving the recipes mum has been sending. The potato pastry recipe has certainly come in handy and has been a real treat in these hard times.
I don’t want you and mum to worry. I will be fine. I will write to you as soon as I am settled. Please give mum a big hug and kiss from me.
This war can’t last forever.
I love you,
Josh
2 November 1916
Dear Dad,
I have never been so happy, yet sad. I’m going home to Brighton. Unfortunately, as one of the blighty one’s of the Battle of Somme’s. I don’t want you and mum to worry. I got caught in an explosion caused by one of these new fangle tank things. They shoot missiles from distances, but are frightfully unreliable! The truth is that I didn’t think the injury was that bad, but after visiting one of the surgeons, well I lost part of my right leg and have severe burns along my body.
I’m worried about Patricia seeing me like this. It’s horrible coming back as only part of a man. I hope she doesn’t leave me. I lie awake at night, not only scratching invisible itches on my nonexistent leg, but also thinking of my wife running away in fear of me.
The worst part is, I’m beginning to understand that my scars are not just on the outside. My insides feel like I am slowly being taken over by this overwhelming force. I don’t recognize my outsides or insides anymore. I keep telling people that I’m broken. Like that toy you once bought me, that I hid under the bed because I was terrified, you’d know I broke it. I feel like that toy and wish the world would hide me away to get me away from the world.
Sorry, the dark moods are sometimes a bit intense. My fellow hospital dwellers tell me that it is normal. But, should be home soon. I’m sure mum will be pleased. I got the care package and it was a bright sunshine in the cloudy days over here. Please tell her how much I miss her.
Hopefully see you soon,
Josh
12 December 1918
Dear Dad,
I felt a bit foolish after my last sad letter to you. Can you believe the Armistice of Compiegne was signed only 9 days later! I wish they had done it two weeks sooner, so my legs would still be working, but let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth. I have made it home to Brighton and my lovely Patty was waiting with open arms, and Dad, the biggest surprise on the planet! We are expecting our first child! Tell mum to start knitting the booties!
Pat and I talked it over and we wanted to call him George if he’s a boy and Gladis if a girl. After you or mum. He or she is due in four months and we are already fixing a room to be a nursery.
It’s not been all sunshine as apparently, I have developed a slight condition where I annoy Pat while we’re asleep by making noises. She says they are screams, but I think she may just be sensitive to noises. Probably just a nose whistle.
Apart from that, the school is looking for a science teacher, so I will be applying. My degrees in astrophysics were very much appreciated and I am looking to start studying to become a professor in the new year.
Hopefully we will see you at Christmas. This will be the last one where you won’t be bouncing a grandson/daughter on your knee, so have found in my stash a cheeky bottle of scotch from before the war to drink to its end. I realise due to the conservation of barley act that this is a rare treat, so hush hush before I have a million men breaking down my door.
Can’t wait to see you and mum,
Josh
7 April 1919
Dear Dad,
You are officially a grandfather! George was born on the 3rd of April 1919 and is a healthy baby boy of 3.5kg. I am the proudest dad on the planet. You should hear his lungs! So powerful. He also has the bluest eyes that have ever been seen. Pat is a bit exhausted and is currently recovering. She did an amazing job and I can’t describe the amazing feeling for them at this moment.
The doctors are very good and they have told me both my wife and son are doing well. I smoked the cigar you sent. Probably was the proudest and happiest moment of my life. When I got to hold him, I could not even believe the welling of pride I felt in this small creature. Those few moments felt like a cathartic shower of rain, which washed away the fear to replace it with hope.
Anyway, please come down, when it’s possible. Since the war has been settled, Brighton Pier has become quite the hive of activity again! We were so sad, when they shut it down, so the enemy couldn’t use it. But it has been restored. So, I’m thinking dinner and a bit of dancing at the theatre?
Let me know,
Josh
Next part TBA
Maxine the Magnificent 