Letters Both Ways
Aylesbury and RAF Redcar, 1941: the marriage, the birth, and the strain that followed
In May 1941, a short note went out from 139 Wendover Road to a clergyman: the kind of formality a wartime wedding needed when the bride was seventeen.
Dear Sir.
We sincerely approve of our Son's marriage, to (Miss) Beryl A. Gower, 199 Tring Rd.
Yours faithfully
A.T. & M. Piggott
By October, Vernon is at RAF Redcar and Beryl, seven months on, is waiting out the last of her pregnancy at his parents' house in Aylesbury.
October 1941. Vernon has just started at RAF Redcar, on the Yorkshire coast: his first real stretch of training, and his first long spell away from Aylesbury.
I was so glad to see you yesterday, I miss such a lot & more than ever week-ends. I went to see Nurse Bateman this morning & asked her about the certificate†, I did not show her the extension paper, she said I cannot have a certificate until the baby is born, then I can send it to you.
I do hope you are not posted a long way away, but your mum doesn't think I shall go a lot longer, it will be a good job over anyway. I have also got to see Dr. Dale for another ante-natal examination one day next week.
Have you had any money yet dear, I had an order from Air Ministry Cardington this morning, it's an advance family allowance for £3. I did not expect this so what does it mean, do all the wives get it?
A short paragraph follows about the allowance timing, and news that a neighbour, Mrs Parminter, has had a little girl.
Look after yourself darling, keep out of mischief, I still love you very much my dear, so cheerio for now, God bless you dearest.
With all my love,
Your loving wife,
Beryl
†The certificate — unnamed here and in several letters that follow; it recurs enough that it's clearly on Beryl's mind, but no letter ever spells out what it actually is.
You're a long, long time writing but though there seems a lot to tell you, when it's put down on paper it won't cover much space, I don't suppose, if it is spread out. Everyone is just about the same.
Now before I forget, don't forget to write & tell us what is what & why, even if only like the girl who took home the gold watch — her father said "Where did you get that?" She said "Vernon gave it me last night", so father said "but it's got no works" — girl replied, "Ah! he's giving me the works tonight."
Now — we had a girl, in fact several, up for interview, some quite nice & in fact one — widow 55, Sarg-major touch. Anyway — a domestic of Prestwood, nineteen years old, turned up here Mon 29/9/41 & neither Jim or I knew, or were told. Name Sheila Taylor. Light brown hair (lot of it), muddy complexion, tall as I, big boned & in fact as Bert said, not unlike a cow's rear, only not quite put like that.
Two more pages follow: a medical exemption, Grade 4, and word that he'll never be called up.
Yours very sincerely,
George Gale
The next day, Beryl writes too.
My Darling Vernon, I am so glad to hear from you again, although you are such a long way from home now. All last week I watched for the postman, but he did not bring anything from you, so Saturday & Sunday Mum & I spent a good deal of time watching all the buses go by full of airforce chaps, but they did not stop here.
We had rather an exciting week in Aylesbury last week, they had some big army exercises, and Aylesbury was the centre. They had mock battles, you know old Casey at Hartwell I think he was a German, but he did not get much of a start before he was captured, just like him.
When I was home Tuesday, Dad was in bed getting ready for night work, and Doug, Eileen, Sybil & I were sitting in the dining room, when all of a sudden, those Matilda tanks started coming by, what a noise they made, there were hundreds of them, I asked Doug if they were what he was on, & he said no they are only 26 tons, I am now on the Big Boys, or Churchill tanks, these are 45 tons. Dad had to go stretcher bearing from work last week, there was a train load of about 200 wounded & 21 killed all in these exercises.â€
†Exercise Bumper — almost certainly the exercise Beryl means: a real mock invasion-defence manoeuvre fought through the Chilterns that same week (29 Sep–3 Oct 1941), reported at the time as the biggest ever held in Britain, a quarter of a million troops and real tanks moving at speed. The press put the death toll at nineteen, close to Beryl's own figure here — training accidents on this scale were a genuine wartime hazard, not just play-acting.
A page follows about Nurse Bateman and the still-unexplained "certificate," and news of home.
Please take great care of yourself dear, look after your arm, because I know they can be very painful, & get that cold better, I do not want you ill, & please be a good boy & go to bed early.
Well Cheerio darling, God bless you, I remember I love you very much too, when I go to bed at night I always send you a kiss, so I hope you received it.
All my love always,
Your loving wife,
Beryl
Three days later, the first letter from Vernon himself arrives.
Thanks very much for the parcel which I receive this morning, it came just in time I was dying for a smoke. My cold is much better now but my feet do ache so, but still everybody else's do the same so we just have to grin and bear it.
I still feel a bit rough from the innoculations but that is wearing off. I have had a bath tonight, we have to have two a week down at the swimming pool.
There's no need to send any washing home as it is all done at a private laundry and comes back lovely.
If you have one or two handkerchiefs knocking around I should be glad of them, but don't go and buy any.
Well I've had a letter from George and he's told me all the news and I am going to write to him tonight if I get time, you see I like to get to bed fairly early.
Well give my love to Beryl and tell her to write as often as she can as it does cheer me up to hear from home, also tell her to look after herself as it is nearly impossible for me to get leave from here so I shan't be able to get home at all.
Well God Bless you all at home and look after yourselves.
Cherio
Vernon
P.S. Have you received my clothes yet, also if they don't send that parcel back which you sent to Cardington I should write to: The Commanding Officer, No. 2. R.C., Cardington, Beds, and ask him where it is.
Four days later, Beryl writes again, still weeks from her time.
Vernon Darling, Just a line to tell you I am still hanging on, but oh dear, I do miss you so much, I dread the nights coming especially, I get so fed up and cannot sleep much now. I shall be glad when it's over, though sometimes if my tummy achs a bit I get a bit frightened.
Vernon please try get home if you possibly can, because that was what I was looking forward to most, although I am looking forward to our baby coming, when I told your mum I was fed up one day she said, "ah! you won't feel like that when you've got that other little Vernon here to cuddle & look after," I said I suppose it will make quite a difference, but Vernon dear nobody understands how much I want you, I love you so much Verny sometimes I think I shall go silly when I think of you all that long way from me.
Old Bateman†came in last week, & she had forgotten I had not had a second ante-natal by Dr. Dale, so she wanted me to go up to Dale & make an appointment, to be mucked about a week before its born. My mum said I was not to go up there, so Dad would ring him up & ask him when he could come here to see me.
†Old Bateman — almost certainly Nurse Bateman, who attends Brian's birth two weeks later.
A page follows about Dad's visit to Dr. Dale, and the doctor's certificate Beryl hopes will help get Vernon home, the same "certificate" that turns up, still unexplained to him, in her next two letters.
Oh dear Vern I have gone on all about my woes, & haven't asked you how you are dearest. I do hope you are feeling better now, look after yourself my dear, God Bless you & keep you. Well I'll say Cheerio now dear.
All my love always remember,
Your Loving wife,
Beryl
P.S. I now have my allowance book & got the 25/- alright. Cheerio again love Beryl.
On 14 October, two letters reach him on the very same day.
Here you are my Darling Son, just a little to get on with. "Yes" we had your clothes the day after you were here, but not the parcel I sent you. So I will write about them.
I will send on the paper as soon as George brings it. He promised last Wed. to bring it in the afternoon. Glad you have heard from George, he called & told me all the news. I did not tell you any, because he so wanted to write to you himself.
I have enclosed a packet of Fuller's earth†, put that inside your socks next to your feet, it will ease them.
†Fuller’s earth — an absorbent clay, used for centuries in cleaning wool and, informally, as a home remedy for sore or inflamed feet: applied dry or as a paste, it was considered cooling and soothing.
Oh dear, we are not going to think too much, if you're not coming home we will wait & hope.
Yes, rest all you can, by going to bed early.
Beryl is still jogging along. Shall let you know at once.
I shall send your address on to your sister Cicely this week, she is anxious to get it & sends all their love, & of the best to you.
God bless you & keep you my dear, I miss you terribly.
Dad sends his love too, & is very anxious to get all he can for you. I shall send your socks at the end of week, for you to get them about Fri & Sat. I have not quite finished them. How nice to get your linen done nicely, makes things easier, if you trust in the One who truly Helps.
All my love to you dear boy.
I keep looking up & forward.
Your, Mother
Also this day
As promised enclosed. 20 cigarettes equally from Jim – Fred – J.N.T. & self.
Jim says as regards the †L.S.D.!! Things are a wee bit tight just now — what with expectations from a call from the Tax collector, the essential daily tonic to keep one going, and the exceedingly bad rate of pay down here. As you know we are all sincere hard-working, hard done by chaps, up to our eyes in taxes to keep you luxury loving blokes (or is it blokes), residing in palatial seaside residences, swarming with soft-lighted, magnificently furnished rooms, illegible, struck through on best money can buy & served on best of metals etc.
†L.S.D. — pounds, shillings and pence (from the Latin librae, solidi, denarii), not the drug: Britain’s pre-decimal currency, in use until 1971.
Two more pages of office gossip follow: this is the funniest of it.
Yours very sincerely,
George
Two days after that, Mabel writes again, and another envelope, addressed the other way, goes out to Vernon at Redcar. Whatever letter it carried hasn't turned up, but the address survives entire: every rank and number of his first weeks away, most likely in Mabel's own hand.
"1449923. A.C.2.†Piggott. No.7 Billet. No.17 Intake. No.18 R.C. R.A.F. Redcar. Yorks." — his full training address, spelled out in careful capitals.
†A.C.2. — Aircraftman 2nd Class, the lowest RAF rank, essentially a raw recruit’s grade. By the West Africa letters, four years on, he’d made Leading Aircraftman.
Only just a little my dear Son, because I want you to have this pie, I have not quite finished your socks. I hope to get them finished by tea-time and then I will post them at tea time. Of course you may get them as soon as you do the pie; was afraid to chance the late post for this.
I do hope your cold is better, & your feet, let me know if the Fuller's earth does them good.
We are all about the same dear. Got your apples.
Cicely wrote to say, the young man in the office where Bert works gave a message to the Boss for Bert, telling him he was with you. Small world. Cicely has got to Reg. on Sat, and she says it a pity they need Brains, nice to be brainy isn't it, & know it.
Now my dear, God take care of you, and you ask Him too, like I do. All times of the day makes things easier, if you trust in the One who'll Help.
All my love to your dear boy.
I keep looking up & forward.
Your, Mother
The same day, Beryl writes too.
I think I shall send certificate if you don't want it send it back. I don't say anything to your mum what I've told you.
My Darling Vernon, I received your letter this morning, oh I shall be so glad when it's all over, it feels rather uncomfortable being so big & my goodness it does kick me now, your mum said she could feel it jump & rock the bed, it does too, it makes me jump sometimes. I do not go out much now, mum & dad & Eileen & the children come round here to see me.
Several more pages follow: plans for when Vernon might get leave, and how she'll bear being seen out with the pram once the baby comes, before she returns to how much she misses him.
Oh Vernon why did they have to take you, just now especially when I need you more than ever, I'm sure I would not feel it so bad if you were still here & sleeping with me, I could sleep much better then with you cuddling me & listening to my moaning. I just have to lay awake in the dark now & no one to moan at or cuddle.
Cheerio Vernon Darling, I always pray for you too, God bless you dearest, I shall always love you dear, but you know that don't you Vernon.
Your Loving wife,
Beryl
P.S. Douglas is on the Yorkshire moors, he said it blows cold across there dear. Doug xxxx
The same day, another letter turns up bundled in with it. Its opening pages are missing, so neither the date nor, quite, the hand are certain, but everything about it points to Beryl.
Picks up mid-sentence, the opening pages lost.
…just because of what I said on the bottom of page 3 and top of page 4. Please do not take any notice of it, you know how much I love you darling.
Please don't mention anything I have said to your mother, Vernon, because she will think I am a baby, and she is very kind to me Vernon, she looks after me very well & we get on so well together.
Cheerio Darling,
Love Beryl.
Two more postscripts follow, the second explaining what she'd said and asking Vernon's forgiveness, then the letter cuts off mid-sentence, the last page missing too.
A week goes by before the next letter arrives, longer and warmer than the ones before it.
Here's just a little more for you, my dearest Son. Did you get the box of apples, I expect you did, the cigarettes (Players) although in another box.
Beryl sends all her love, and is still about; shall let you know as soon as possible.
Oh yes my dear if only the war was over, & there was signs of you coming home the time seems too long for me now.
There does not seem any news to tell you special excepting Dad says: if you have any complaints, give a weeks notice & come home.
Dinky still grows, follows me every where, even if she appears to be asleep, when I go into another room I turn around, and there she is.
I said yesterday (in fun of course) ah, I shall have to give you the sack. Her answer, you can't, you can't do without me, because you would not have anybody to lay the lunch. How's that, and she is sure I would not be without her.
Now my Darling, be sure you don't forget to ask God to give you all the help you need, to keep cheerful, in the trying times. He will help you. I do.
Oh glad you got your parcel from Cardington.
Tons & tons of love & thoughts dear, always of the best to you.
Your Mother.
Four days later, Vernon writes once more, not knowing that by the time this letter reached home, Brian would already have been born.
Thanks very much for parcel which I received yesterday. I am sorry I haven't written to you before only I don't seem to get much time to myself and not only that we can't write a letter in our billet very well as we have only got candles for light & no tables or chairs so the only chance I get to do any writing is when I go to the N.A.A.F.I.†Writing Room where I am now.
Well things are just about the same here, it's raining and very cold & the sea is very rough & stormy. Well I daresay Beryl has told you that we shall have to be here for 8 weeks instead of 6 weeks owing to the days getting shorter & bad weather, still it's not too bad here the only snag is that it's such a long way from home.
Next week, that is to say Tuesday or Wednesday, we are going to change our billet because the one we are in has been condemmed, we are going into a rather nice house, quite a big place with nice big bay windows right on the sea front so perhaps we shall be more comfortable.
Glad to hear Beryl is still O.K. and I do hope it will soon be all over for her sake and I do so wish I could be at home but still I suppose we shall have to make the best of it.
We were told that in case of invasion we, that is all us R.A.F. chaps at Redcar, would be put into the infantry and go with the soldiers but still I don't think there's much chance of an invasion while we are here.
Well we haven't been worried by Jerry since last Tuesday night when the bombs dropped in our street, in fact things seem very quiet around here (Excuse pencil only, I have just run out of ink). Well I don't think there's much else to say except look after yourselves and may God Bless you all.
Well cheerio and all the best
Your Loving Son.
Vernon
†N.A.A.F.I. — the Navy, Army & Air Force Institutes, which ran canteens, shops and recreation rooms for servicemen. By 1944 it ran some 7,000 of them.
By the next morning, Brian had arrived.
Here you are my Darling Son the good news. Your Son & Heir to all your wealth has arrived. Beryl is doing OK, for everything is OK. She is a real brick, but he is lovely, like you, well over 9lbs, 8.25 this morning. I am writing at 5 o'clock tea time.
How thankful to God I was you were alright, I kept wondering and dare not say a word, only to Dad. When your letter came this morning, just before the boy arrived, I was glad, and when it was all over & Beryl could read it, that was a relief. Now my dear Thank God yourself that everything is well.
I shall be sending you something tomorrow, but I want Dad to go & post this for you to know the news. Beryl send tons of love to you. She nearly finished a letter to you yesterday, now that will be of no use, she will write another one. Dad sends his love, and has nursed your boy, he says he's lovely.
Now my dear no more this time. With lots of love & every thought.
Your affectionate Mother.
Beryl xx Mother xx Baby xx for Daddy.
A card enclosed in an OHMS envelope from the Ministry of Health: "Brian Denis Guy Piggott born 27th October (Monday), Weight 9 lbs, Length 22ins, to Beryl Anne Piggott and Vernon Denis Guy Piggott." It's the only place in the collection where Vernon's own middle names, Denis Guy, are given in full.
Beryl had begun her own letter to him that Sunday, not yet knowing. Two days later, from bed with Brian asleep on her arm, she finishes it.
Well Vernon darling another week's gone, & it finds me still walking about. It makes one so miserable at times & so awfully fed up with everything, I dare not go out for not that I feel like going out far by myself, it would be so different if you were here to take me for a little stroll in the evenings, it gets dark so quickly though now, I only hope it does not last much longer, I shall be so glad when it's over Vernon, & I can say "Vernon darling we have the loveliest baby boy & he's just like you dear," then I can cuddle him & love him.
She writes on for another page, missing him, before laying the letter aside, unfinished, on the Sunday.
Vernon Darling, the letter your mum sent to say your little son was born at 8.25am yesterday morning, oh Vernon he's so lovely, bless him, he weighs 9lbs naked & is 22ins long, please excuse the writing dear as I am lying in bed with baby fast asleep on my left arm as I am trying to write with one hand, he is a lovely baby Vern, just like you, by the way he's got your shaped head.
I was only 7 hours in labour but the pains were hard, I got not much rest in between. Nurse is very pleased because I have not torn a bit and did not need any stitches. Your mum was in the room all the time, I had to lay on my left side with knees up and a bit of the bolster in between my legs, your poor mum was on the other side of the bed and at first I clung on to her hands and nearly pulled her over. Then when they got worse Nurse tied the bindlot on the bed rail and said I could pull on that, but bless him he's so sweet.
Don't take any notice of some parts of the first part of the letter which was started Sunday, I was alright then, & I was going to finish the letter Monday morning but instead I had baby Monday morning & the letter must be different, but I thought I would send you the first part as it was.
A page of news follows: Mum and Eileen's visit, money pressed into the baby's hand, a note from Uncle Ben and Auntie Cis in Tring.
Oh my darling please hurry & come back to me, so we can live in a little house of our own, just you, baby & I, & then we can do as we like. Well I'll say Cheerio & God bless you darling & I kiss baby for you, I know you would if you were here.
All my love, darling Vernon, & Brian sends his love to his daddy.
From Your Loving Wife & baby.
Beryl & Brian.
P.S. Remember the roses I sent with the little rosebud on it, well he's here now darling.
Burn this letter when you've read it.
P.S. again, because it looks rather bad. Nurse Bateman says she thinks baby will need to be circumcised, I don't know if that's how to spell it, but you know what I mean, the foreskin cut, isn't it, what do you think about it, write & answer me.
Three days after the birth, Mabel writes again.
We are all well my Dearest Son. Beryl & Baby doing fine. I am sorry I did not get this ready for you yesterday, but I was very busy, there's a little more to do now. Never mind, with God's help, we shall be alright. Oh my dear he's lovely just like you. Beryl can feed him now, but I fed him a little with Nestle's, Nurse told me too, and he took it from the spoon, quite naturally.
It don't seem very nice to me, you being billeted on the front, you will be nearer the shelling Dad says, he don't like it. I wish you were here, I miss you more every day, another 4 weeks before you have done your training. I should think my dear, you will be able to come home on leave then.
A paragraph follows about paperwork needing his signature, and news that G. Margerson (not George Gale, she's careful to correct herself) has gone into the Army.
Now dear there does not seems much more news, at present. Dad was a bit cross Mrs S. & I. coming to see Beryl, Monday afternoon, after my being up all night Sunday & fetching the nurse I was proper beat. I know, we all like to see new babies, but there will be plenty of time.
Beryl's letter is inside this parcel. Dad sends lots of love & fags, and toys from myself, hoping you will like the contents.
Once again keep looking up my Son, please God take care of you while you are away.
Your loving Mother, my Darling.
Then, in the second week of November, Beryl's own parents step in.
I am sending this by Nurse. Eileen & Auntie May were told to keep away from you & we have all got to do the same, so I shall not be able to come any more, we are very upset. Dad thinks you had better come home so if you will he will fetch you on Monday in a taxi, get your things packed & don't stay there any-more, they are tired of looking after you.
I am writing to Vernon & shall tell him every-thing, you won't get on there, they are the same to every-one, now do as I tell you, it's for your own good, we will look after you & make you far happier.
The rest of the page is faded with age, but the sense continues: a nurse will look in on her, and the visit is being arranged for the following day.
love from
Your Mum & Dad
On the Monday morning it happens. Mabel writes before the taxi has even left.
Well my darling. This letter is not very cheering. I feel broken hearted. They are fetching Beryl & the darling away this morning. I never knew a word till yesterday. She was going. You are gone my dear. Now they are taking your baby from me, I never complained, we should have been happy enough if we were let alone, Beryl could have gone home just as much as she liked. Now baby is going, and I have nothing.
I expect her Mother wants the money she is having. Now I have nobody. I think the best thing to do is to call a sale, and sell everything except just a little for a small house, Dad's willing, but Oh dear I was looking forward to Beryl's help & you coming home again, but now I know, they will get you up there, and it properly finishes me.
Lots of love my dear, from your Brokenhearted Mother.
The next day, from her mother's house, Beryl writes her own account of it.
You will see from address I am home with mum, Dad & Eileen fetched me & baby yesterday in a car, my mum said she had written & told you she was fetching us home. Vernon my darling I do not know what you think about it.
A page follows about how weak she still feels, and Nurse examining her before she was allowed up.
Baby & I have the front bedroom, Eileen sleeps with me at the moment until you come home on leave, we have the settee & one big chair & a fire, & Dad is going to have a loud speaker up here from the wireless and mum said this can be our room darling & when you get some leave we can be alone up here.
Vernon dearest I feel happier here, you see it was rather dull for me & baby at your place really, only ever seeing your mum & dad, I don't think they can really be bothered with babies at their time of life, it's only natural really. You see Nurse Bateman said she was afraid I might have a breakdown if I stayed in such a morbid atmosphere.
Eileen baths our baby for me until I get stronger, & between us we are regulating his feeding times so that he will not want feeding at nights, & Eileen is awfully good to me Vernon my darling. She said when you come home on leave she can have baby with her, as she is training him to sleep in his cot at nights & then my darling husband we can sleep together knowing he is in good hands, & mum said if we wanted to go out together we can leave him with her, but still it will be nice to take him out together won't it.
Eileen is more my own age & she takes the baby off me quite a bit which all helps to strengthen my womb & stomach.
A few lines follow explaining why she feels the move was for the best, then a turn to lighter news.
It's not wise to start spoiling them though, he's so very sweet & cuddly, you could so easily spoil him. By the way he has gained ¾ of a pound in a fortnight and is now 9¾ lbs.
Vernon my darling I do so love you & look forward to you coming home on leave again, & I know you love me & baby & you will come straight to us.
All my Love always,
Your ever Loving Wife,
Beryl
A day or so later, Mabel and Dad write back, still grieving, but gentler now.
Thank you very much for your letter my Sweet Son, you have always helped and your letter cheers me. Now don't you be miserable, is not you brought trouble, but joy, if the darling had remained here.
I can tell you it was a shock, when her Dad brought her case on the Sunday, & said he was fetching her in the morning. I asked Beryl what was the reason, she said she did not know, only her Mother said the work would be too much for me. I said, how was it that was not thought of before, not when it was all over, & you well and strong again. But when I asked her Father, if Mrs Gower had wrote to you, as Beryl said she had, and she thought you had sent the answer it was alright, he said no, it was Beryl's own doing.
You have not only married Beryl but you have married the whole issue of them, with Mrs Gower ruling everything in the money line.
A paragraph follows about visitors coming to see the baby, and Mabel and Dad agreeing to leave Beryl be until she's up and about again.
I never knew any one have such a good time, especially the first. It was all over in seven hrs. from start to finish, and if baby had been a little smaller, it would have been half the time. Dad loved the baby too & feels it very much.
I love to you so very dearly, and baby was part of you, excuse all the mistakes in this letter, I don't feel very up to it. Now my darling we will put it all in God's Hands, He knows best, and don't forget, you are not to be miserable. Dad & I wish you could come home, you are ever in our thoughts.
With our love to you, & hope you will get and enjoy all that's in the parcel.
Your loving Mother & Dad
