A Second World War Christmas

Although none of the scenes in the current version of The Third Letter are set explicitly at Christmas, there were a couple in previous drafts. And this meant I was able to research just what the holidays were like for people trying to create a sense of cheer despite the rationing of food and loved ones away from home.

One fact I soon learned was that Allied soldiers in camps near towns often hosted Christmas parties for local children, sharing with them some of their food (which was better than the British public received) and handing out small gifts.

Photos: AP Photo

I decided to have a little fun and set a scene at a Christmas party for local children in December 1943 with all my main characters: Clara is there to help her schoolteacher sister, Letty, and has dragged along best friend Reenie, who is only interested in which soldiers are at the party. And, of course, among those soldiers are William, Clara’s boyfriend, and Ifan, who William has warned Clara to keep away from, calling him “trouble”.

Extract from a deleted scene from The Third Letter

“Clara followed Reenie into the market hall, stopping short at the sight that greeted them.

It hadn’t looked this good in years, the painted paper chains of old newspaper hiding the cracks that ran along the walls and snaked their way to the ceiling. But where had they found that much tinsel – real tinsel – to tie around the holly sprigs dappled with Epsom salts in imitation of snow that hung at each window?

A scent of fir drifted across the hall from a Christmas tree so tall its top had been bent over to fit it in place. Laughter and chatter filled the hall as the children snatched the crackers scattered precariously amongst the tree’s lower branches, those higher up left untouched – for now. The tree quivered to its tip with each assault.

Letty appeared at their side. ‘Would you two be able to round up the stragglers?’ A frown marked her face as she rubbed at a grubby mark that might have been a handprint on the front of her skirt. ‘Oh, we’ll never get Musical Chairs started at this rate!’

‘Remind me again why I agreed to this.’ Rolling her eyes as Letty left to supervise the games, Reenie linked arms with Clara. ‘Let’s take a walk. We can round them up while we see who’s here.’ Reenie’s eyes scanned the room, her gaze seemingly more on the many adult – and male – occupants of the hall.

Over by the tree, a small gang of children hovered, expectant, by an enormous pile of presents, each wrapped in brown paper. Behind them, the wall was decorated with a giant mural on sheets of newspaper tacked to the wall. Some clever artist had painted a Father Christmas who bore a striking resemblance to Winston Churchill, complete with cigar.”

It was fun to be able to sprinkle in a few of the details that I learned about how Christmas decorations were made at home during the war. In the following scene, we learn that Letty has decorated their home with painted paper chains made by the pupils in her class.

Photo: Imperial War Museums