Themes
Staying in Touch
Article Highlights:
Letters
Letters have beeen used by sailors and their families to stay in touch throughout the 20th century. Follow the links to find out how letters are delivered or to read some of the letters that have been sent.
JR Walker
A letter sent home by Leading Seaman JR Walker to his parents. It is sent from HMS Calpe and dated 1st - 2nd October 1945 just weeks after the end of the war in Japan. In the letter he writes that he is looking forward to demobilisation and complains about the physical discomfort on the ship, the poor quality food and the infestations of cockroaches. See the letter or read the transcript .
Harry Smyth
A letter sent home by Rear Admiral Harry Smyth in 1915. The letter contains a description of a Zeppelin shot down at the mouth of the mouth of the Thames. See the letter or read the transcript.
A piece of Zeppelin L.15 shot down at the mouth of the Thames. April 1916. It was included in a letter sent home by Rear-Admiral Harry Smyth. RNM
Delafield Arnold-Forster sent letters to his family describing his experiences trialing the Royal Navy’s first ever submarine.
Read two letters that George Estcourt sent to his wife before he was killed when the submarine M2 sank in 1930.
Follow the link to find out more about letters as historical sources.
To see an example of a telegram, select Next
