Letter to Mrs Warren from George Warren

Letter to Mrs Warren from George Warren

George apologises for not writing because of his sadness on losing so many of his colleagues. It is a sad letter expressing his feeling if he was lost on an operation.

1945-01-01

Four handwritten sheets

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F/O G. C. Warren
OFFICERS’ MESS (GREEN)
ROYAL AIR FORCE
WICKENBY
Nr. LINCOLN
1.1.45.

Dear Mother,
I’ve been intending to write you such a letter as this for some weeks, & yet I don’t seem to have been able to get around to it…………… & after all it’s not a pleasant letter to write. The strange part about it is that in my first few operations, when I had so little confidence & anything could have happened, there was no letter for you – but now, with the experience of 5 operations behind me, I feel that I ought to get started. I suppose the reason is that so many of the boys are getting lost on operations, and it would be foolish of me to dismiss the dangers as
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Insignificant.
I suppose you’ll be glad to know that I am happier here at Wickenby than I was when I first arrived. The fellows here are a fine lot & and the boys that fly along with me are six of the best. In addition, I like my job very much. The navigation we knew at Port Elizabeth, Millom & Peplow was nothing compared with that which we know here, & these long trips into the enemy frontiers give one a feeling of achievement and satisfaction. In addition, we know we know that we are contributing in a most direct manner to the defeat of the enemy & the saving of thousands of lives. The methods are unpleasant, as we know from our own experience, but the end must justify the means.
If anything should occur to make it impossible for me to come home again, I hope you will
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remember your faith in God’s unfailing judgement, & bear the blow as a brave mother should. You will know that you, at least, did everything you could to make my life enjoyable, worthwhile & successful – and you can never doubt how I appreciate you[sic] help and your continued sacrifice under the greatest difficulties. I might have missed the benefits which God has bestowed on me, had it not been for your endeavours & example, & thank God & you for all I have and am at this moment. Don’t forget this … ever.
Please give my love to Ken & Beryl (Long Liv Viv). I hope Ken will soon be back with you & wish him every success & good
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Fortune - & my own share too.
To Beryl I can only say that she has made a good start in life &, following her mother’s example, she can’t go wrong. I am sure she will be a great comfort to you & help make you happy, as I want you to be.
I hope you’ll write to my friends again – as you used to so often when I was busy- & please send Jeanie a few lines. She’s no ordinary girl, but a splendid type that the difficulties & hardships of this life have knocked into splendid shape. Your worries were entirely groundless & she was nothing to me but a grand girl I could not help admiring. We got on very well together.
Here's to them all, & my love to you and all at home
Your loving son,
George