30 Mar 1943, John Charter's wartime journal

Another month nearly gone. We have heard that quite definitely we are to be repatriated soon – I wonder! I used eagerly to swallow all these delicious rumours but nowadays I have either grown cynical or have found that to over indulge in wishful thinking is merely to bruise one’s tender shoots of blind hope and bring upon oneself a feeling of depression and frustration. On the other hand, of course, the more cautious of these rumours certainly do help to stimulate you and keep you going in this benighted place – how we all detest it!

I remembered to wish Aunt E. ,“Many happy returns of the day” a week ago.  I wonder how she spent her birthday.

((Aunt Ethelwyne, Agnes Charter’s sister, provided a home for John and his sister Betty whilst they were at school in England whilst their parents remained in Ceylon.))

On Friday, 19th March we had a tremendous thrill: we were resting after our lunch when “Bicky” gently pushed open the door and waved a letter at us. It was from Mother and Father, from Ceylon. We had been longing for news of our families and were so excited to get this letter (although it had taken 8 months to arrive) and hear they were alright. I wonder how Betty first heard the news of our safety. I have heard that the BBC at home announced that relatives and friends of internees could receive news of the internees on application to some authority or other – the Foreign Office or the Red Cross I suppose. They must have been worried to get no news for practically 6 months. Betty got news at the end of May. Father cabled the Crowley’s and received replies. I am glad they are in touch with each other. Mother’s and Father’s letters were very non-committal, so I imagine they have been told to stick entirely to personal news. Mother cheerfully writes,  “Let us know when we are allowed to send you money or a parcel.”!  I wish we could.

A week later a letter from Chère arrived, from Australia, dated 26th June (M & F’s was dated 3rd July). We were considerably surprised and delighted to hear that Pop had gone on leave to Australia and that part of the Crowley family was again re-united. Yvonne had had a letter some months ago from a friend of hers in England, briefly informing us that Pop had been transferred, but where to she could not say. A few days later two more letters from Australia arrived, one from Pop and one from David. Chère heard the news of our safety and of Pop’s leave to Australia on the same day – I should think she went almost ‘cuckoo’! I am so glad they are together. David’s letter was a classic and will have to go into the family museum – his first letter to Yvonne. Y was very thrilled, not to say overcome.