Pathfinder Pack on World War II: Letters and Telegrams
Introduction
Keeping in touch with loved ones was important during the war years. Soldiers could be sent many miles from home and families were aware of the dangers they faced. Families dreaded receiving telegrams from the postman as they almost always contained bad news. Letters to and from the front lines were censored to ensure that they didn't contain sensitive information that could help the enemy. There were also rules for communicating with relatives in occupied countries. The International Red Cross delivered these letters to other countries.
World War II: Letters and Telegrams
Families of servicemen dreaded receiving telegrams during World War II as they almost always carried bad news. This telegram was sent to Mrs Agnes Frank in Glasgow to report her son Maurice as missing, presumed killed. He was serving as a telegraphist onboard HMS Ibis. A letter was sent later giving details of her son's fate, along with a scroll thanking the family for their sacrifice.
Families who lost loved ones during the war were sent a letter of condolence by King George. The letter bears the crest of Buckingham Place and though it was typed, the letter was personally signed by King George. The database also has a letter of condolence sent to the Frank family by Angus Cameron, who served on board the same ship as Maurice. You can find it by typing his name into the search box.
One telegram families did look forward to receiving was the Official Forces Christmas Telegram. This one was sent by Thomas Dudgeon to his wife Annie at home in Newton Village, Dalkieth. The decoration at the top of the telegram has the Royal Coat of Arms as well as various symbols associated with the British Isles.
Relatives in World War II eagerly awaited letters from servicemen. Not only did they contain news from loved ones but they reassured those at home that they were still safe and well. Letters were censored by the war office to make sure that soldiers were not passing on information that could be used by the enemy. This included details of recent campaigns or information on troop movements.
British families might have friends or relatives in the occupied territories and many soldiers from occupied countries were based in Britain during the war. This leaflet gives details of procedures for sending letters, including limits on the number of words allowed and the need for English translations of any messages. The International Red Cross delivered these letters.
This is the front page of a letter sent to Maurice Frank in Glasgow by his friend Alf. It tells the remarkable story of Alf's escape from Paris. He was stationed there when the Germans invaded and was forced to flee the city with a number of refugees.
The second part of the letter tells of Alf's escape from Occupied France. It describes his journey out of Paris to the South West of France. He was unable to get a train and had to walk the length of the country.
The third part of the letter recounts the last part of Alf's journey through France and his eventual arrival in Spain, where he was able to join a convoy of Polish refugees and return to Plymouth.
