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My mother's parcel

Regular letters and parcels from home were the only way that soldiers living thousands of miles away could keep in touch with their families and friends and were vital in maintaining morale. But all the homeward-bound post had to be read and censored and this was the often-unwelcome duty of the officers, especially unwelcome when the letters revealed long-distance arguments between husbands and wives.

William Ridley

William Ridley's biography (PDF) [50KB]

Willian remembers receiving a parcel from his mother in North Africa in 1942.

William Ridley's transcript (PDF) [35KB]

Charles Turnbull

Charles Turnbull's biography (PDF) [50KB]

Charles remembers the importance of mail, tobacco and hot meals in Normandy in 1944.

Charles Turnbull's transcript (PDF) [33KB]

Paul Armstrong

Paul Armstrong's biography (PDF) [47KB]

Paul remembers censoring soldiers' letters home.

Paul Armstrong's transcript (PDF) [34KB]

George Iceton

George Iceton

George Iceton's biography (PDF) [51KB]

George remembers helping other soldiers write letters to girls back home.

George Iceton's transcript (PDF) [33KB]

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