Letter from John Law to his Father

Letter from John Law to his Father

He thanks him for his letter. He expresses warm feelings to his father for what he has done for him.

Four handwritten sheets

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ELawJHLawHF[Date]-01

My dear old Dad,

Thanks an awful lot for your nice long letter, I’m always so glad to hear from you. Your letters seem to clear away any browned-off feeling I may have. At the moment I’m writing this in the guard room – but don’t get alarmed Dad, I’m only on guard! On all tonight till about 1/2 past six tomorrow morning and then on fatigues all day. Still It only comes now & again and I don’t mind doing it. I think we have nearly finished our. flying part of the training at this place or [underlined] nearly [/underlined] anyway! Well I guess I was surprised when I heard you had tried for the R.A.F. but I really think that you have done, and are doing more than your share, believe me, dad, I am

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and always will be, very proud of you, and I think that you have the hardest job of all of [indecipherable word] just waiting, [indecipherable word] the alert all the time, ready to alleviate suffering. I only hope that I can show the same courage and fortitude that you have shown and that if & when I ever return to civvy street, that I may be just as good an ordinary citizen as you. Although in civvie clothes, [deleted] I [/deleted] a man can still be as self disciplined as a soldier in the field as you have shown me. I feel in my heart that your job is on the home front and to look after Mother. I think you married a good woman, Dad, although her relatives are made of soft material, everyone has their weaknesses & faults but Mum is very dear to me, as indeed you are too, and I should do my job

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much more efficiently and with a good heart if I know that you are there at home looking after her.

I try, and always will, to live up to the standards you have set me. I take my job very seriously because I realise that one day, maybe soon, mens [deleted] life [/deleted] lives may depend on my capabilities. It will be a responsible job but I am trying my hardest to get through O.K.

I could never back out now & take a soft ground job as mother once suggested, I must carry on where [deleted] my [/deleted] I think my duty lies. I am not brave and as yet I have felt no fear in flying but I am not disillusioned, I realise fully what a job it will be if I am ever good enough to fly with the best lads in the world and if they were good enough to fight

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and die for this England, then who am I to back down from my duty?

Well Pop old pal I must leave you for the time being, but not in spirit. Keep smiling for me and remember – “They serve, who only stand and wait.”

God Bless and Keep you safe dear Dad, I [sic] proud to be,

your [missing words]

Johnny

Don’t mind the old women and weak hearted men, show them how to quit the grousing & do the job with a smile. Believe me, we lads are thankful for folks at home like you, It gives us something worth fighting for –,

Shake Dad