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Memoir features enduring love of newly-weds in WW2

Mark Carter & Hsin-Yi Lo
BBC News, South East
Roseanna Rolph A black and white photograph of a British soldier and a woman. They are standing in front of a car on a field.Roseanna Rolph
John and Rita Reed's letters reveal details of what life was like during the Second World War

A woman has published a memoir featuring heartfelt letters between her grandparents, written in World War Two, which showed the enduring love between two people during one of history's darkest periods.

Dear Mr Snippet is about a newly-married couple, John and Rita Reed, and how their lives, home and family were transformed by the trials of the war.

First-time author Roseanna Rolph, who lives in Horley, told the BBC the memoir was a "window into a world that no longer exists" and "one which we can only imagine".

"The letters contain a kaleidoscope of emotions. They show the juxtaposition between someone serving in the military and someone living a civilian life," she said.

Roseanna Rolph A pile of letters written during the World War Two. There are also some black and white photographs.Roseanna Rolph
Roseanna Rolph says her grandparents maintained each other's morale through their correspondences

Ms Rolph said while she was looking after her mother, she was given an "ordinary cardboard box" which contained letters written to her grandfather.

After her mother passed away, she was clearing her study when she found letters written to her grandmother inside an old and battered hat box.

The author said it took her more than a year just to transcribe her grandparents' letters to each other.

An incredible collection of letters sent during World War Two

Ms Rolph said: "Sharing and learning about Second World War stories is my passion. The level of detail about life during the war in the letters is extraordinary."

She explained the book was entitled Dear Mr Snippet because it was her grandfather's nickname.

Ms Rolph said he had written "snippets of information" about the war, army exercises and the Dunkirk and Normandy campaigns, which lead his wife to call him Mr Snippet.

Her grandmother wrote about family life, the Blitz, what was happening around London and rationing.

Roseanna Rolph A black and white photograph of a woman cradling a baby and a British soldier, who is looking at the baby.Roseanna Rolph
Ms Rolph's grandparents' letters discuss the impact of war on their family

During those relentless and harrowing times, Ms Rolph said every decision the couple had made had a "life or death consequence".

"They maintained each other's morale with a lot of banter and funny stories," she said. "They were newly married and were quite cheeky."

Ms Rolph said the impact of war on children was also a focal point in the memoir, with the couple's two young children struggling with absent parents and separation, housing difficulties, ill-health and constant uncertainty.

Some of the letters will be on display at the London Postal Museum from 29 April.

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