Description
Object description
Collection of 132 ms letters (370pp) and aerographs written by Major Denis Frederick Spence Brown MC of B Battery (316 battery from April 1943), 95 (105 from January 1943) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery to his fiancé, Margaret 'Peggy' Shutler, during the Second World War, dating from early 1941 to summer 1945. He describes his experiences of serving in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. He goes into detail about how much he misses his fiancé and much he enjoys receiving her letters (they finally marry in January 1945, when he is on leave in Britain). He describes the horror of heavy fighting during Operation Crusader at Sidi Rezegh, including details of casualties and injuries sustained by friends and colleagues (November 1941), training Greek soldiers, as well as Czechs and Poles (January 1943). He describes the experience of visiting Cairo, Alexandria, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, whilst on leave. He also goes into detail about British attitudes towards American servicemen serving in North Africa. He describes his experiences in occupied Sicily in July 1943 and the reception of Allied troops by local civilians, as well as meeting General Bernard Montgomery (15 August 1943). He goes into detail about his promotion to the rank of Major (November 1943) and the privileges and responsibilities his rank entails. He recounts how he was responsible for policing the local population and his men were involved in breaking up a local Italian crime gang. One memorable experience was a formal dinner held in a stately home by local Italian aristocracy and former Italian Army officers, in his honour (22 November 1943) whilst in the River Sango area. He mentions visits to Naples, Rome and Florence as well as the magnificent castles and stately homes serving as his headquarters. Finally, he writes home about being awarded the Military Cross (awarded May 1945 for bravery during action near Florence in August 1944). Also 5 ts telegrams, 1 certificate of leave and 1 wedding invitation dated January 1945 and 1 photocopy obituary from the Daily Telegraph dated September 1995.
Content description
Collection of 132 ms letters (370pp) and aerographs written by Major Denis Frederick Spence Brown MC of B Battery (316 battery from April 1943), 95 (105 from January 1943) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery to his fiancé, Margaret 'Peggy' Shutler, during the Second World War, dating from early 1941 to summer 1945. He describes his experiences of serving in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. He goes into detail about how much he misses his fiancé and much he enjoys receiving her letters (they finally marry in January 1945, when he is on leave in Britain). He describes the horror of heavy fighting during Operation Crusader at Sidi Rezegh, including details of casualties and injuries sustained by friends and colleagues (November 1941), training Greek soldiers, as well as Czechs and Poles (January 1943). He describes the experience of visiting Cairo, Alexandria, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, whilst on leave. He also goes into detail about British attitudes towards American servicemen serving in North Africa. He describes his experiences in occupied Sicily in July 1943 and the reception of Allied troops by local civilians, as well as meeting General Bernard Montgomery (15 August 1943). He goes into detail about his promotion to the rank of Major (November 1943) and the privileges and responsibilities his rank entails. He recounts how he was responsible for policing the local population and his men were involved in breaking up a local Italian crime gang. One memorable experience was a formal dinner held in a stately home by local Italian aristocracy and former Italian Army officers, in his honour (22 November 1943) whilst in the River Sango area. He mentions visits to Naples, Rome and Florence as well as the magnificent castles and stately homes serving as his headquarters. Finally, he writes home about being awarded the Military Cross (awarded May 1945 for bravery during action near Florence in August 1944). Also 5 ts telegrams, 1 certificate of leave and 1 wedding invitation dated January 1945 and 1 photocopy obituary from the Daily Telegraph dated September 1995.
Physical description
Private papers
History note
RR