Letter to Phillip Matthews Mother from N Ledeben

Letter to Phillip Matthews Mother from N Ledeben

The letter thanks her for her letter and apologises for not sending a photo of her son's grave. She promises to take another. She has been placing flowers on his grave. Then she takes about her family. He husband made a drawing of the graveyard showing where Phillip is buried and she enclosed that.

1949-06-26

Five handwritten sheets and envelope, one sketch map

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EKemplerBMatthewsA490626

[two postmarks] [two postage stamps]

Mrs. A. Matthews.
87. Woodland Rd.
Northfield
Birmingham.
England.

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From N Ledeboer Bernet-Kempler
4 Egberton Catelaan
Almelo
Holland.

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From N Ledeboer Bernet-Kempler
4 Egberton Catelaan
Almelo
Holland

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Almelo June 26th 49.

Dear Mrs Matthews.

I was very pleased to hear from you and I wanted to send you a photo of your son’s grave, but it was a very bad one, so we’ll make another one and send it to you as soon as it is ready.

I was glad you told me something about your son and when you can find a photo of him, I should love to have one, so that I can imagine what he looked like. I can understand your grief, when you heard that he was missed. It must be awful to lose your son in that way especially. We are only allowed to put flowers on his grave. I had wanted to

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put nice plants on it, but it was not allowed and so I bring fresh flowers to it. Of course we cannot ever forget, what your boys did for our country.

I have four children, my eldest boy is almost twenty one and is in the army now. He probably has to go to the Indies in a few weeks and you can understand that I don’t like it very much. Things are not as they should be there just now.

My eldest daughter is eighteen and is at a horticultural school near the Hague. She likes it very much. Two years ago she was staying in WallSall [sic] I think, it is near Birmingham. She had a lovely time there and should like to go to England once more.

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My other boy is twelve years old and is at the lyceum (a high school) and my little daughter is 9 years old. She is a little sweet-heart, but very small and thin.

I see in your letter that your daughter married yesterday? Did you have a nice day? And your son, who has taken up farming, is he still at home?

I have a sister-in-law, who has a big farm in Canada. They like being there very much and her daughter came to stay with us last year. My husband has a dying mill and is always very busy.

In July we hope to go to Preston. Last year some people from Preston were staying with us and so they asked us to come to them. It will be nice to see England

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once more.

Dear Mrs. Matthews, I must finish now. I send you hereby a drawing that my husband made, so that you can see where your son is buried and when you come to Holland, you know where he lies. Whenever you want to come, just write to us and you are quite welcome to stay with us. My kind regards to your husband and son and daughter.

Sincerely yours

Nikky Ledeboer-
Bernet Kempler

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[drawing of map of the cemetery in Almelo]