Richmond resident Kay Vallance recently discovered a stack of long-lost letters written by her father, Arthur William Baylis, to his wife, from his wartime stations during the Second World War in the U.K.
K29134 Sgt. A.W. Baylis
6th Fld. Coy. R.C.E
Can. Army O
June 10th (1944)
My Dear Sweetheart;
Once more I take pen in hand to snatch out a few lines; everything is A1 and I am in the pink, with regards to news you will know as much as us – have not seen a paper in the last week or mail in a fortnight –but we expect the latter over anytime now, still why complain it could be much worse, besides we have to establish very firmly the bridgehead before we can expect such luxuries to come in.
Some French people especially the older ones seemed overjoyed to see us, some not so – children, well just a new excitement – one must remember that the Germans were here for four years and I suppose made many friends among the French people, especially the young women, we have been given to understand that many were married to the Germans.
During the course of the morning of that eventful day (D-Day); while working our way through one town, the people came out with bottles of wine or some applejack or other, and baskets of fresh eggs – some chaps put the latter in their tunic pockets and inside their blouses – no use to say what happened to some of the eggs. Believe it or not I did not take any with me but later on in the day we paused for a breather in a village when around comes another basket of eggs, this time I did not refuse but fried two in my mess tin on the spot – they were good!!
No more about this business, now it looks like we are on our way home- this job had to be done before we could come home, now that its’ begun – set my place for xmas dinner.
I hope you are all in the best of health and everything going well with you,.
Love to all at home and best regards to the mens’ club.
Cheerio for now darling and God Bless
As ever, love Bill.
K29134 Sgt. A.W. Baylis
6th Fld. Coy. R.C.E
Can. Army O
June 28th (1944)
My Dear Sweetheart;
Just a line to let you know I’m in the pink and feeling fit. Thanks for yours posted on the 11th. I can quite understand how you all felt about the news (D-Day invasion) it caused great concern everywhere but as I said in a letter previous its’ just so many steps nearer home. As you will notice I’m enclosing a letter received from the Staceys, They are a grand family and have been swell to me. So when you have time do drop them a line. Re-my clothes as long as I have my dressing gown or a pair of coveralls I’ll be happy for a day or so, anything to get out of battle dress. Had a letter from Mrs. Fulton two days ago also 300 cigs. She would very much like to hear from you and if you’ve lost her address its 643 Prince St., Truro NS.
Re- one item in the enclosed letter about Audrey going to Canada – I told them I had sent her photo to you, which I take it you have already received. Helen mentioned your having received one and that’s the only one I sent. I suppose I shall hear about it from you in your next letter. There is not much to add to my last letter only –looking forward to the time when we will be together again which I hope will be soon.
Cheerio for now and all the best,
Love to you all and God Bless
As ever, Love Bill.
K29134 Sgt. A.W. Baylis
6th Fld. Coy. R.C.E
Can. Army O
13 W.E.F.
July 11/44
My Dear Sweetheart;
Many thanks for yours of June 29th. Please don’t make excuses for your shortness of a letter – a line or two is a great comfort to me and I can quite understand your feelings of late- it has been a very trying time for all of us and almost impossible to think, and I hope for all concerned that it is over soon. My letters to you have only been short ones and I should be the one to do all the apologizing.
Glad to hear you are all well etc., I mentioned the receipt of your letter in mine to Dad –guess I was feeling the same as you when I wrote him, we had just finished a rather tough assignment.
In one way I can understand Olive’s attitude to life- its tough on her but she should try and remember that there are thousands in the same boat and for the present she hasn’t a worry in the world.
We are gradually penetrating deeper into France but God what sights- whole villages flattened to the ground, just a mass of rubble. The last area we have just broke through was a regular stronghold and the resistance put up was terrific, my old ears are ringing yet. Many of the prisoners taken are mere lads about 16 years of age-they really don’t know what it is all about but all they know is “Kill”. A mad bunch of fanatics but happy to be prisoners and out of it. One German officer brought to a dressing station close by us had been moved from the Russian Front, he said he wished he had stayed there-the Russians are good fighters he said, but the Canadians are fighting devils-nothing seems to stop them.
Glad the picture of Audrey arrived OK, and it doesn’t flatter her the least bit, I hope you do write to them they would so appreciate it I know.
In papers from England we read about how well the lads are treated in Normandy-rest camps and all comforts-well maybe so but not for the 3rd Canadian Division. 36 days of it now without a letup. How much they expect men to stand I don’t know-the infantry are worse off than we are, wherever they go we go too- the only ones yet that have got back to the beachhead from the invasion force have been wounded-not serious enough for removal to England. The Limey lads may be the ones who get back but the majority there now have not been up forward yet. Perhaps we will get a surprise one of these days.
Our last objective was tough on the civvy population. I understand there were 4,000 casualties, killed and wounded, but even at that the population were overjoyed and glad to be rid of the “Boche”.
July 12th. Sorry but I was taken away from you yesterday, hope I have time to finish this now. Had quite a surprise today, I met Major Webster, remember me telling you heard that he had been sent home after being wounded in Italy-strange how rumours get around. He is a picture of health; they have only been over here a few days and are moving up.
Enclosed are some of Jerries equipment, they are on wire pins like the figure 7 and used for mine markers - we have got a great deal of his explosive materials such as mines, grenades of all types, quite a variety-a great many tanks were knocked out in the last drive and many of his big guns. When we entered the town, or rather city all roads were blocked high with rubble in some places 10 ft. above the main roadway-it was hard to say just where the roads were-in one street two jerry tanks in first class condition were blocked n and several smaller jerry cars. It is quite a job to get the roads cleared to get our own tanks and transports through, in some cases we just bypass the towns and go overland across fields.
Yesterday we were working on a section of the road clearing mines and checking for booby traps on abandoned vehicles; uncovered from the mass of debris we came across both jerry’s and civilians in a horrible mess.
Is there a God? Seeing this makes one wonder more than ever.
Well darling enough of this.
Good to hear young Margaret is doing so well at school I sure will see a difference in these youngsters and am I looking forward to being with them again. Flash!.! I forgot to say I had some strawberries about a week ago were they good, quite a treat even if they did go down without cream or sugar. I have noticed a few cherries ripe too but as yet not sampled them.
Now I must close and get this in the mail.
Love to you and all the very best to your own dear self.
Cheerio for now darling and God Bless
As ever, love Bill.
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