Our volunteer David has been digging into his family history, and exploring the lives of his parents through the letters they sent. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, David has had a look at the love letters sent by his parents…
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My parents met at a Christmas dance at the Rock Hotel in Weymouth on 23 December 1952. My mother, Peggy, had become a widow in September 1950, aged just 24. Her first husband tragically killed in a motorcycle accident. She had been riding pillion but survived. At the time of their meeting, my father, Alec, was a pharmacy apprentice with Boots, a position he commenced having spent a prolonged period of time at Bournemouth sanatorium, receiving treatment for TB.
My mother would tell the story of how, when she first saw my father, her friend tried to warn her off, due to his having had TB. She was not deterred. Her retort was “he’s mine”. So blossomed a relationship that lasted 55 years. They married on 1 January 1955.
Letters kept by my mother show that, whilst “courting” my father would write a letter to her travelling by train from Weymouth to Boots in Dorchester. These letters would contain details of plans for that evening. The letter would be posted on his arrival in Dorchester and my mother would receive it in Weymouth, in the afternoon post on the same day!
29/5/54
Hiya Scamps, how are you? You thought I would write last night didn’t you, but I thought no, I’ll write it in the train instead. Oh damn, Margaret has just got in the carriage and I’m sure she keeps looking over my shoulder, so, I’ll write a few hurried lines when I get to Dorchester.
I’ve just got up here and it’s already 5 to 9. Sorry this will be very short, but just time to say I love you very much. Will see you between 6 and 6.30. Just a light tea, sweet one, look after yourself, will be home as soon as possible.
All my love, Ever Yours, Alec
PS Sorry but I forgot to give you the £1. Will give to you tonight.
I LOVE YOU”
Do you have any love letters from your parents or grandparents somewhere? What do they say about their relationship? What do they tell us about the time they were written? Let us know in the comments below!
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This was a guest blog written for Dorset History Centre by volunteer David Palmer. Both of David’s parents were born in Weymouth – his mother in 1926, and father in 1931. Through them, David gained a fascination for local and family history; a love that he has been able to further develop as a volunteer for the Dorset History Centre. The rich archive that the History Centre holds, combined with the personal letters and diaries that his parents kept, has given David a wonderful insight into life in post-war Weymouth and how his parents fell in love.