As we mark Valentine's Day, I like to look back on the cards my
grandfather William Danson sent back home from the Battlefields of World
War One to his wife Alice, at home with four young children in
Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire. The first card below was posted in February 1918, and I like to think was sent to Alice for Valentine’s Day.
I never knew my grandmother who died when I was a baby. Grandad was a taciturn countryman, who was working as a cattle man at the local auction mart when he was called up. He was not given to flowery language, so the emotions expressed through these cards seemed out of character, but revealed his closeness to Alice. In contrast the pencilled messages on the back were very prosaic.
I never knew my grandmother who died when I was a baby. Grandad was a taciturn countryman, who was working as a cattle man at the local auction mart when he was called up. He was not given to flowery language, so the emotions expressed through these cards seemed out of character, but revealed his closeness to Alice. In contrast the pencilled messages on the back were very prosaic.
Field Post Office - Feb. 7th 1918
Dear Alice, received your letter allright. I have landed back at the Batt. and am in the pink. I have had a letter from Jerny [sister] and am glad they have heard from Tom [brother]. Your loving husband, Billy XXX
Field Post Office 29 April 1918
Dear
Alice, just a line to let you know I am in the pink and hope all at
home is the same. There is nothing that I want. Will write again shortly. Your
loving Billy, xxxx
I don't know when the card below was sent, but again the love my grandparents shared shines through.
Inside verse
"Oh, Can you read the secret of my heart?
You surely must, dear Wife.
??? of myself, you are the better part,
Companion for my life
The secret is, wherever you may be,
No power n earth can change my love for thee,
Your loving Billy XXXX
William and Alice, c.1916
Unfortunately Alice remains the major brick wall in my family history, as I have not even been able to trace her birth certificate to find out the name of her mother - but that is another complex story!
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