Letters from a Good Man at War: Second World War RAF Pilot Philip Hermolle 6th March 1920 - 4th January 1944
Letters from a Good Man at War: Second World War RAF Pilot Philip Hermolle 6th March 1920 - 4th January 1944 by Philip Hermolle
English | 14 Apr. 2017 | ASIN: B06ZZV4QVN | 646 Pages | AZW3 | 1.8 MB
English | 14 Apr. 2017 | ASIN: B06ZZV4QVN | 646 Pages | AZW3 | 1.8 MB
What was life really like for young men called up in the Second World War?
These astonishingly vivid and eloquent letters were recently discovered in a suitcase that had been put away by the grief-stricken mother of a Second World War RAF Pilot. Written by Flight Sergeant Philip Hermolle, who until war broke out had been training to be a Catholic priest, they prove to be a moving and compelling personal record of an ordinary yet extraordinary life during the war.
They begin in Blackpool, England with a light-hearted feel, but only too soon the tone darkens and letters are sent and received against a backdrop of nightly air raids. By Christmas 1940 Philip’s family home in Birmingham had been bombed, the four younger children evacuated and his parents temporarily rehoused. It is an unbearably sad and anxious time for all . . .
In these beautifully written letters we travel with Philip across the world, from Canada to the Isle of Man, Africa and Sicily to Italy, from the beginning of the war until Philip’s death in early 1944.
The letters have been compiled by Philip’s niece, writer and columnist Sue Hessel. ‘We used to say what a shame it was that we never knew “Uncle Philip who died in the war”. But one of the nicest things has been getting to know this kind, generous, faithful man. There’s even a hint of romance in the letters. I didn’t want them to end. When they ceased, I felt a deep sadness. We lost a good man.’
'38 Banks Street,
Blackpool,
16th July 1940
‘Well we have arrived here without undue mishap,
but the wind is quite coldish and it looks as though there
is rain about and I have not my coat. Still it is not worth
sending it on, but there is my missal in the pocket for
which I would be grateful . . .’
Introduction
Chapter One: Blackpool
‘I am still here at the seaside having the longest holiday I have ever had’
(10 November 1940)
Chapter Two: Stratford upon Avon
Family bombed out of home.
Chapter Three: Scarborough
‘My Christmas Day was really rotten’ (29 December 1940)
Chapter Four: Yeadon, Leeds
‘I think this has been the most adventurous 26 hours I have ever had. Within
that short space, I suddenly find myself wrenched from Scarborough, and what
is more, having had my first experience of flying!’
(Monday, 7 April 1941)
Chapter Five: Wilmslow, Cheshire
‘All pretty well fed up . . . hanging about here doing nothing much’
(Sunday, 18 May 1941)
Chapter Six: At sea
Thirteen days
Chapter Seven: Canada
‘There is a war on, though you would hardly believe it over here’
(29 June 1941)
Chapter Eight: Back home, Bournemouth
‘You see that here I am back in “the old country again” and how pleased I am
too’
(30 September 1941)
Chapter Nine: Jurby, Isle of Man
‘I have been enjoying myself lately, especially when I have been on bombing
details’
(30 March 1942)
Chapter Ten: Blackpool then Brighton
‘I cannot grumble, because outside the camp life, I have been having a feast of
good music such as I have never known before’
(24 September 1942)
Chapter Eleven: Bicester, Oxon
‘I am afraid that at last I have gone the whole hog and completely written off a
whole Blenheim and a lorry as well’
(Saturday, 1 May 1943)
Chapter Twelve: Finmere, Bucks then Cornwall
‘I am afraid it looks rather definitely that I shall have to go overseas’
(17 July 1943)
Chapter Thirteen: Africa then Sicily
‘Life is very rough and ready here and we are all under canvass’
(29 September 1943)
Chapter Fourteen: Italy
‘The weather here is more harsh than it has ever been since I left England – a
gale force icy wind has followed a Boxing day which rained from one end to
the other. Talk about mud and its consequent evils, I bet Flanders’ mud has
not so very much to show us now’
(29th December 1943)
Chapter One: Blackpool
‘I am still here at the seaside having the longest holiday I have ever had’
(10 November 1940)
Chapter Two: Stratford upon Avon
Family bombed out of home.
Chapter Three: Scarborough
‘My Christmas Day was really rotten’ (29 December 1940)
Chapter Four: Yeadon, Leeds
‘I think this has been the most adventurous 26 hours I have ever had. Within
that short space, I suddenly find myself wrenched from Scarborough, and what
is more, having had my first experience of flying!’
(Monday, 7 April 1941)
Chapter Five: Wilmslow, Cheshire
‘All pretty well fed up . . . hanging about here doing nothing much’
(Sunday, 18 May 1941)
Chapter Six: At sea
Thirteen days
Chapter Seven: Canada
‘There is a war on, though you would hardly believe it over here’
(29 June 1941)
Chapter Eight: Back home, Bournemouth
‘You see that here I am back in “the old country again” and how pleased I am
too’
(30 September 1941)
Chapter Nine: Jurby, Isle of Man
‘I have been enjoying myself lately, especially when I have been on bombing
details’
(30 March 1942)
Chapter Ten: Blackpool then Brighton
‘I cannot grumble, because outside the camp life, I have been having a feast of
good music such as I have never known before’
(24 September 1942)
Chapter Eleven: Bicester, Oxon
‘I am afraid that at last I have gone the whole hog and completely written off a
whole Blenheim and a lorry as well’
(Saturday, 1 May 1943)
Chapter Twelve: Finmere, Bucks then Cornwall
‘I am afraid it looks rather definitely that I shall have to go overseas’
(17 July 1943)
Chapter Thirteen: Africa then Sicily
‘Life is very rough and ready here and we are all under canvass’
(29 September 1943)
Chapter Fourteen: Italy
‘The weather here is more harsh than it has ever been since I left England – a
gale force icy wind has followed a Boxing day which rained from one end to
the other. Talk about mud and its consequent evils, I bet Flanders’ mud has
not so very much to show us now’
(29th December 1943)