Posted Message

Dear Anne,
Thank you so much for your Christmas Airgraph. I really don't know what you must be thinking for neglecting to send you festive greetings. I hope I may have your forgiveness when I explain that the neglect was due to a serious misunderstanding regarding the Xmas airgraphs and the fact which has since caused me to spend nearly a month in hospital with dysentary. I am please to say I am now much better and discahrged from hospital.
You did not say if you are keeping fit. I do most seriously hope you are and the flu epedemic has not come your way.
Yes! I must admit I'm very proud of Neville and more than delighted with the splendid progress he is making. Penelope, too, I understand is getting on well and is a most engaging little miss. Won't I be glad when I can see them all again.
Well, all my wishes will be added but I hope you will have a Very Merry Xmas and a Bright and Happy New Year and may the New Year bring us the peace we all so constantly desire.
Very Sincerely Yours,
Archie

Comments

Sent by: 346524 PFC A. J. Heavens

No. 62 I.G.H (c) R.A.M.C.

India Command

RAMC is Royal Army Medical Corps and the 62nd I. General Hospital was located in Tobruk, Libya in 1943. By December 1943 the Axis had been defeated in Africa and the soldiers could indeed see a very small light at the end of the tunnel. Italy was now free of Nazi occupation and turned sides to declare war on Germany in October. D-day would be in six months, in June of 1944.

I can't find any information about the remainder of Archie's service or if he survived the war. I found that he married Mary A. Pyke in Bristol in 1929, so I assume that Anne Pyke is his sister-in-law.