Letter : “Germans, wine and women”

Introduction

My uncle, Allan Stoddart died in 2004 leaving a widow, Jean with many happy memories and a collection of war time letters he had written, some photographs, diaries and memorabilia. Allan had wanted to tell his story and maybe he did tell some of it but it was never recorded. Jean has given me his letters and so far I have transcribed those written to my parents, Florence and Bill and a few to Allan’s mother. Using extracts from some of the letters, photographs and memorabilia and information from diaries, a small glimpse of his story is now told. Jean and I understand the site’s terms and conditions.

Allan enlisted in Dundee in January 1940 and was UK based until he sailed on the troop ship, S.S. Almanzora with the 5th Division Signals to India in March 1942. Over the next 3 years, the war took him from India to Iraq, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Sicily (landings), Italy (including Anzio), Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Palestine, Italy, Palestine, Italy, (home leave), Belgium, Germany. The 5th Division moved about so much they were nicknamed the “Cooks Tour Mob”.

This Letter

In this letter Allan is in Palestine and much grieving over the recent death of his father.

Letter

2332853
L/Cpl A Stoddart
Signal Section Att. 13 I.B.H.Q.
M.E.F.

4 February 1945

Dear Mother
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Yes, I remember the morning five years ago on the 17th when father saw me away at the station. He gave me some very good advice “In the last war he said, Lloyd George said that Britain was fighting three enemies — the Germans, wine and women”. I can see more clearly now, the full meaning of his words, than I could at the time. I don’t think it needs any one to tell me how I’ll feel about father when I return home. I know about that as I’ve known about the last few weeks. It’s better to say nothing, mother. I was glad to know that the wreaths were still green on his grave and that you put one there for me. He will always live on in my heart.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
With love
Allan

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