Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula

Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula

Announces that camp has been liberated but only one third of prisoners were still there. He had been able to stay behind as he was in sick bay recovering from diphtheria. He was over illnes but does not know when he will be back in Britain.

1945-04-19

Two page handwritten letter and envelope

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SValentineJRM1251404v20022

19 April 1945
British Army Hospital in Germany
My dearest Ursula: the camp was liberated by a unit of the British army on 16th April, unfortunately only one third of the fellows were still there. The Germans having evacuated the rest a few days earlier.
I managed to stay behind because I was in the sick bay recovering from diphthria, I got over the illness with the exception of the usual after effects, the worse of which is a temporary but more or less complete (paralisce) of my limbs.
I don’t know when I shall be brought back to Britain nor when I shall be able to see you. But I am anxiously longing to be with you and Francis. During all these years I have missed you terribly and the day of our reunion will be one of the great days of my life. I will let you know as soon as possible on my return to Britain.
With fondest love to you both John