Letter to Geoff Beckett from Peggy

Letter to Geoff Beckett from Peggy

Transcribed letter with information that it was sent a year after he had gone missing, unknown by the author, to his mother for forwarding to Geoffrey. Catches up on old times and asks after him. Relates news of mutual acquaintances. Writes about Stamford which had changed a lot. Continues with chat about friends. Note at bottom that it was not hard to imagine Peggy's shock and grief when she read the reply from Geoff's mother. Gives some details of official notification and return of annotated log book and reaction of his mother.

1943-11-01

Two page printed (transcribed) letter

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In November 1943, a letter arrived at May Beckett’s, for forwarding to Sgt G Beckett. Written in blissful ignorance of the fact that he had now been missing for almost a year, the letter, from a girl he had known, is a poignant reminder of what a popular and fun loving young man Geoff was and how life and the war were moving on, without him.

19, Gloucester Rd
Stamford.
Lincs.
1-11-43

Dear Geoff.

I expect you will be surprised to hear from me after such a long time, but I often wonder how you are getting on these days, so I thought I would write to you. I think it was last Christmas-time when you wrote and wished me a merry Christmas, so I think it’s my turn this year to write to you. Well Geoff, I’m afraid I don’t know where on earth you are stationed now, so I shall send this letter to your home address and hope it will be forwarded on to you.

How is life treating you these days? I think it’s about two years since you were at Wittering, or should I say left Wittering, although it does’nt [sic] seem as long as that!!

How is Peter getting on now? The last I heard was that he was training to be an ‘observer’ in Canada, but I expect he is back in England now, is’nt [sic] he? We all had some very good times together did’nt [sic] we Geoff?

Did you know that Mary is out of the Waaf now? She is keeping house for her dad and brother. Her mother died about 6 months ago, after a very long illness and Mary came out of the Waaf soon after. She has just started back at ‘B and Co’ again, on part – time work in the telephone exchange. I’m still on the same job too.

I often see the McCarthy girl and often Mary and I would like to ask her if she knows how you are, but she looks at us so disdainfully that neither I, or Mary with all her cheek, have ever plucked up the courage to.

You would’nt [sic] find Stamford altered a great deal since you were here. By the way Geoff, have you been here lately? There are’nt [sic] many R.A.F. left at Witt’ now, it all seems to be Yanks and now and again you see a few sailors. (I hope I’m not giving away vital information)

[page break]

Now and again we go down to the dance at Blackstones on Friday nights, but now we are getting older (!) they don’t seem to bother me as much. Let me see now, you must be nearly 23, getting old Geoff!

Actually, I don’t really know whether I am writing to a married man or not now, because I think you said you were engaged last time you wrote. Anyway, I haven’t put anything bad in this letter, have I?

I don’t think you would recognise either Mary or I now, at least I should say you might recognise us, but I feel much older and sensible now, than in the days when we knew you before. Remember the number of times we used to ring you up when you were on duty – it makes me blush to think of it!

Well Geoff, I think I’ll close now and if you can find the time to drop me a line I would very much like to hear from you.

Best wishes

Peggy.

It is not hard to imagine poor Peggy’s shock and grief, when she read the reply that Geoff’s mother will have sent her, or the sadness with which May herself felt, as she put pen to paper.

The following month, on the 17th December 1943, Sergeant G. Beckett’s Flying Log was officially annotated, ‘Death Presumed’ 17.12.43.

The word ‘MISSING’ had been written against the last target, NIENBURG, this signed by S/Ldr G. Haywood. O.C. ‘B’ Flight and dated 5/6/43.

The final acknowledgement of Geoff’s presumed death was the signature of Wing Commander W.A. Williamson. O.C. 44 Sqdn.

Geoff’s mother May Beckett, did not accept that her son was dead, until her daughters Barbara and Jean, made her face this very unpalatable truth. Geoff was not coming back. They did not know where or how he died, or if he had a known grave. They were not to know until nineteen fortyfive.