Correspondence

In an era which pre-dated television - let alone the internet - letters from home provided service men and women their only source of news and contact with loved ones while far away from home. We are lucky enough to hold in our collection the archive of Phyllis Ryan who corresponded with friends who were on active duty, some of whom travelled to the front via India and the Middle East, and became prisoners of war in the Stalag XX-A camp in Germany occupied Poland. The touching letters show the warmth of friendship, as well as the emotional toll of war fare, as well as resilience and hope. A selection of letters and cards are below.

Pictorial postcard from Jerusalem sent by Bryce Nichols, 19 February1941 (front of postcard at top of page).

Letter from Stalag XX-A sent by Bryce Nichols, 4 July 1942

   

Christmas card sent from Canada from LAC John MacDonald, 2 November 1944.

Postcard from Stalag XX-A sent by Bryce Nichols, 23/12/1942.

You can see more correspondence and a soldier's pay book in our Pierpoint Archive which is also part of our Newcastle Collections Online.

View more of our online exhibition: Local Stories