Leading Seaman John A. Blyth
Leading Seaman - C/J 79638 - John Adderson Blyth died aged 39 years on
November 5th, 1940.
John married Jessie Elizabeth Smith in King's Lynn, Norfolk, March 1930. They
had 2 children - Valerie F. Blyth (nee Smith), born King's Lynn, June 1931; and
Raymond J. Blyth, born King's Lynn, June 1932.
John's last letter home was written and posted "at sea" while
convoy HX84 was underway.
The Canadian destroyers Columbia and St. Francis escorted Convoy HX84 along
with HMS Jervis Bay out of Canadian waters to Cape Race (the Grand Banks off
Newfoundland), before turning around and returning to Halifax, NS.
The SIGIL.OFFI.MAG.ADMINRH.GBR is a Latin stamp for naval vessels and usually
surrounds an anchor. The mail must have gone back to Halifax or possibly to
Newfoundland for posting, as Newfoundland was a British territory then, and not
under Canadian rule.
John Blyth was in 16 Mess on board HMS Jervis Bay. A ship's mess or mess deck
was where crew ate, socialized etc. A mess could have half a dozen men plus to
a mess.
Note that John refers to his wife Jessie as "Leana" in the letter
(nickname).
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At Sea Oct 30
16 Mess, H.M.S. Jervis Bay, C/O G.P.O. London.
My Own Darlings Leana, Val & Ray.
Well we are at sea again for about just over two weeks. In few days we get in
port soon fly past. My pal and I had a very nice Sunday afternoon and wining
out with some people. Mrs Day and people we went with before where (s.i.c.
were) away for the weekend, so I did not see them. Went west for a car ride for
about forty miles all around the country, then came back and had tea or supper
as they call it out here, then we sat talking, playing games and hearing the
news on the radio and also a fine talk by some Yank, and we got back to the
ship just before twelve midnight. The night before we went to the pictures and
saw " The North-West Mounted" a coloured picture very good indeed.
Leana I'll send you a pound of sugar and butter from ashore when we get back,
for we are aloud (s.i.c. allowed) to buy it ashore and post it from the ship,
so that will help you out with your ration, for I don't like to know that we've
got plenty here and that you have to go short over there, we've just found out
about sending the parcels. I'll send you one off every time we go into port, so
you won't be short once you start getting the parcels there dearest. xx
I hope that young Rays finger has got quite well again by now, and also that
Val is ok. I'm hoping to see you all before long now, nearly one whole year
since I last saw you, what a time it seems to be a lifetime to me, but we'll
make up for it when I do get home again. Please give my best wishes to Daddy
& Herbert and families when you see them and my love to Mary for me. Well
dearest, I think this is about all for this time, so will close down with all
my fondest love & lots of loving kisses & thoughts always of you and
longing to be home with you all again.
Cheerio xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx from xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx your ever loving &
devoted xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx hubby & Daddy xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx John always &
ever. Xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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For Val xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx from Daddy.
For Ray xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Postcard sent October 25th, 1940. Click to enlarge...
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