Dedicated to William T. H. Morris. When William’s submarine H.M.S. Saracen was sunk in August 1943 off Corsica, he became a prisoner of war in Italy, and later, following an unsuccessful escape attempt, in Germany. Personal log books were kindly distributed to the prisoners by the Young Men’s Christian Association to provide them with a means of recording their wartime experiences. The following pages are excerpts from the log book which William kept during his captivity and are a vivid reminder of his love for his country, his freedom and most of all, his family.
New posts every Friday until the logbook has been posted in it’s entirety. Click on images to enlarge. Use the links at the bottom to navigate backwards or forwards through the pages.
-Jerm, the Curator
After Dunkirk
June 4, 1940
We shall not flag nor fail, we shall go on to the end,
We shall fight in France and on the seas and oceans,
We shall fight with confidence and growing strength in the air,
We shall defend our island whatever the cost may be.
We shall fight on the beaches, landing grounds, in fields, in streets, and on the hills.
We shall never surrender and even if, which I do not for the moment believe, this island, or a large part of it, were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the sea, “armed and guarded by the British Fleet”, will carry on the struggle, until in God’s good time, the New World, with all it’s power and might, sets forth to the liberation and rescue of the old.
Winston Churchill
Birthday Greetings
Sept. 25th, 1944
Lovings greetings, my dear, this day of ‘43
Tho I’m in exile o’er the sea,
Keep smiling Sweetheart and believe
In God and ultimate victory.
So from my heart I wish you well
Of everything you’d wish yourself,
Sincerely hoping that in ‘44
Together, to celebrate, your day for sure.
Do not worry and have no fear,
This war, the end, is very near,
Then home again, with you I’ll be
To commemorate your day and victory.
Today, no nearer England’s shore,
Your day slips by in ‘44
Another year perforce I send,
My greetings, my Love, without end.
Dreams
Every time the sun goes down,
My thoughts return to you,
We’re wandering thro dreamlands wonderland,
Our kiddies, myself, and you.
Laughingly, carefree, as of old,
Serene in the happiness always known,
Our thoughts, our words, all unfold,
This lasting love, that is our own.
Yet soon will dawn our great day,
When dreams will be a sweet refrain,
Of peace returned, please God to stay,
Our kiddies, you and I, as one, again.
Never more, shall we part,
As life’s span is too short by far,
A day to spare from you, dear heart,
A lesson taught by war, not art.
So when all my dreams come true,
My fellow men cease to irritate,
This POW will no longer be blue,
For, ever together, our happy estate.
As Ever,
Bill
Aug.30′44
