To: Private WE Freeman, Recovered

POW centre, Bombay, Indian Command:

Dearest son, After all this long time,

 

we are so excited, we hardly know

what to do. It seems so strange

to be able to write.

 

So many letters, via War Office,

Red Cross. When she heard

he was safe she sent three in a week.

 

Some camps seemed to have fared

better than others. I still tried

to think your luck would hold.

 

You were missing 15 months

before I heard you were in Jap hands.

Mrs Smith heard this June

 

that Taffy, as you used to call him,

died in June 1943. She still hopes

they have made a mistake.

 

We will make it up to you,

as far as it is in our powers.

Last year we had a bad hit,

 

but we were lucky. The house

was much damaged, but our furniture

was safe. Also your piano.

 

Do you know I am getting on now,

63 this birthday. Pop says it does not

seem true. I do so wonder how you will be

 

after all this time in the terrible heat.

There was bunting down the street

when he returned. He hid indoors for days.