World War Two – Page 2 – A Family History in Letters

April 1945

This first wartime letter from Cynthia comes at the end of the war with no address, undated, but I deduce that it was written in April 1945 when she had moved to teach in Cambridge. Since Cyn gets chatty when writing to her mother, I will only be publishing a photo of the first page of long letters, and letting my readers get the entire letter from my transcript.

Note on people and events mentioned: Doodlebugs were long range missiles that were launched from Europe to terrorize the British from June 1944 on. Miss Lefroy, Cynthia’s mother’s former headmistress and family friend, lived near Regent’s Park in London- the zoo there was bombed and obviously Miss Lefroy was too. Auntie Trix was Cynthia’s aunt, Beatrice Otway, who I assume wrote from the West Indies, and the ‘Bill’ mentioned later, as in Bill and Jane’s leave being muddled up, is her son Bill Otway and his (future?) wife Jane who are in England. Bren might be her cousin Brenda (no idea whether she is in South Africa or South America); Denis is her childhood friend and neighbour who was in a reserved occupation throughout the war (like Cyn, a teacher) and whose younger brother Bobby had been missing since Singapore fell. Jessie Muir is her longtime friend from school, married to an officer with a daughter Zinnia, see post ‘Friendly Faces’; and Irene a friend who will be mentioned again. Hugh is an American major who had been stationed in Newcastle earlier in the war, and I assume when she says “it seems most likely that they won’t any of them come back to England” that she is expecting American soldiers to be sent home to the US when the war ends- which everyone is at this point anticipating- not that they will be killed.

Dearest Mummy,

This is a little note to answer all your letters, as I know Papa does not like ramblings! To begin with, thank you for all of them, honey, and also for forwarding all the others- they comforted me a lot when I arrived yesterday afternoon. Miss Lefroy’s was very sweet & enclosed a hankie and a little account book for all my expenses- I was so sorry to hear about her bombing again- I didn’t ring her up when I was in town, as it was rather a rush towards the end. Auntie Trix’s letter was sweet too- crazy you know as usual- I am to write and tell her all sorts of gory details! Dot Allan sent me a puff for my birthday & hadn’t even heard I was leaving Newcastle. She is very thrilled because Colin is coming home on 4 weeks leave, & he & Aurea & the baby responding part of it with her. Bren’s letter from S.A. was most affectionate & sounded more cheerful although still homesick. She says Aunt Kate Simpson has been an angel to her which sounds nice. Ralph’s as usual, quite absurd- full of answers to questions I can’t remember! which is rather confusing! There was also a letter from Denis which was very brotherly & sweet & full of fellow feeling- it was nice of him to write & his telegram was funny too. Jessie is again full of woe- she is in bed with a chill & lumbago & sent me a cheque for 10/- for my birthday. Zinnia is at One Oak, & Pauline (our old school friend in the same road) is looking after her, & she sounded very low. Allan has gone back to France, much to my sorrow, as now I may not see him, but she has given me Joan’s (Pauline’s sister) address in Newmarket, so I shall get in touch with her. I really felt sorry for Jessie- but she’s probably sorry for herself too! Frank Hayes’ letter was a funny effort, wasn’t it? I certainly forgive you for opening it- any others which prick your curiosity unbearably you may look at! I hardly think that if he is like his letters we will have terribly much in common, but I feel sorry for him too, poor lad!

It was a shame about Bill & Jane having their leave so muddled up, but I expect that they would have a wonderful time anyway. It is a good idea of Bill’s for you to come down here & all of us to get together- I shall be most interested to hear what is happening to him- I kept thinking I might see them in London, but of course I didn’t. I am longing to see the pictures- Jane must look lovely from what you say.

I wonder if you have seen Irene since she came back, & what more news there is of her romances- she certainly is funny in her remarks over the male sex. I am reading through your letters now & and shall make any remark necessary to answer them, so don’t be surprised if they are very disjointed! First of all the slacks & jumper were for Mona, I had forgotten all about them. I appreciated the birthday card & all your good wishes, my sweet, but I was glad you’d cut the gold band off! You’ll know we didn’t go to Church last Sunday at 8, but at 10 a.m.- not my fault truly, but the boys wanted to come too, but couldn’t wake that early hour, so we didn’t want to discourage them. We waited and had our breakfast afterwards.

I wrote to you on Wed. so I’ll go on telling you of what we did. First of all, saw the Changing of the Guard & Westminster Abbey- then lunch at the Monseigneur and most of the afternoon I spent sewing ensignia on Hugh’s beautiful new jacket. Then we dressed up in all our glory- me with an orchid in my hair & went to Quaglino’s to dine & dance. We had a lovely time & joined a party of crazy people up from Cornwall, retired Colonel & a diplomat + women folk & all very gay & slightly tipsy! They fell for Hugh, & kept us so late that we missed the last bus & tube & couldn’t get a taxi, & so had to walk back! Hugh said it was 4 miles, but I should say 1 at the most! Thursday we ambled around London- had a very late lunch at the Senior Officer’s Club in Park Lane, then dashed back to the hotel, dressed, had tea & picked up Mary at 6 o’clock at the M. of Food then went to meet Michael at the Café Royal. After that we went on to the Dorchester where Hugh had booked a table & we had a wonderful evening eating & dancing. Michael & Mary both liked Hugh so much & we thought they were sweet- we all enjoyed ourselves.

Friday we had our last lunch at the Monseigneur & Hugh packed in the afternoon then we went to dinner at the S. Officer’s Club again & for once came back quite early. Hugh left next morning at 8 o’clock- a car called to take him to the airport so we had breakfast at 7:30. Then I packed – took my cases to the station & met Mary & Bernie for lunch at the Cumberland.

It was the very loveliest holiday Mummy- I’ve never had such a wonderful time, or gone so many wonderful places, & Hugh enjoyed it just as much too. Now of course, it’s all over, but I’m not being too sad, because it was such a very happy time for both of us. I with you could have been with us and seen Hugh- he is the same as ever- and talked about you & sent so many messages. He’s had a most terrible time- he told me a bit about it, and I hope so much that this leave will make up to him a little bit for some of the bad times, the news is so good now, that maybe it will finish soon. I hope so for his sake & for the sakes of all the other boys- but it seems most likely that they won’t any of them come back to England. You know what I’m like honey, – I just refuse to think about it- Scarlett O’Hara’s descendent “I’ll worry about that tomorrow”. Even if they don’t come back- we had a lovely time.

Bye, bye, my sweet. I’ll write & tell you what work looks like- take care of yourself.

Lots of love from your

Cyn.

Change For the Better: 1945-1946

Sometime towards the end of the war, Cynthia Ewing got a teaching job in Cambridge and moved south. It was a much happier situation for her- she was on her own, living away from home; in a much prettier city, probably less war-torn than Newcastle; nearer to London for holidays and closer to friends. She lived in a house with other women, where they seemed to have their own rooms or suites but shared common areas, and sometimes ate together or went out in the evenings or to visit friends on weekends.

Cynthia’s letters to her mother at this period are undated, probably because the postal service was so good that a letter dated Sunday would arrive the following day in the north, and there would be no doubt in the reader’s mind which Sunday it had been written on! The first letter seems to have been written in April 1945 because there are references to her recent birthday (April 3rd) in letters that her mother has forwarded to her. (Once more, it seems she has started at a new school in the middle of the school year, like her mother before her!) The Easter holidays would have been about a month long, time to move and set up, but the letter to her mother describes the few days with her American friend Hugh on leave in London, and only briefly alludes to work at the very end. Then there is one written on VE Day, when the war was over in Europe. Four letters from the 1945/46 school year follow, starting after a visit from her mother at half term in the autumn, and ending with a hint at Cynthia planning for a more drastic change.

I have included at the end of this wartime section excerpts from a letter my godmother sent me summing up this period, and finished with an article Cynthia wrote years after, ‘Remembering’.

June 1945

The battle in the Pacific continued after VE Day in May, but Cec was due leave after two years on board ship. These telegrams shown how concerned his superiors were at the prospect of losing him.

However it was arranged with the Admiralty, Cec returned to Saskatoon in 1945 and continued his education as planned in the fall.

Not only did he complete his M.A. in Physics successfully, he was awarded the 1851 Commonwealth Scholarship which sent him to Cambridge University in England for his PhD. There he met Cynthia, and the story continues…

But before this happens, it is necessary to go back to Cynthia’s war time, 1944, and catch up with her life.

May 1945

There are no more letters home, but there is a speech giving Cec’s take on his wartime experience.

In 1971 Dr Gerhard Herzberg, the Director of the Pure Physics Division of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Cec’s boss, won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. It was an honour, and thrill for all in the NRC, and also somewhat of a joke, since Dr. Herzberg was, to everyone, a physicist! To honour Dr. Herzberg, the Governor General gave a dinner and reception, the NRC scientists were invited, the invitation stating that medals were to be worn. So Cec had miniatures of his medals ‘suitable for wearing with evening dress’ made, and that is how I own a picture of the young Lieutenant Commander C.C.Costain, with his medals.

Miniature Medals, Atlantic star missing.

At a tribute to Dr. Herzberg years later, Cec gave a speech about the time before Herzberg joined the NRC, the time in the 1930s when Professor Herzberg, seeing the writing on the wall in an increasingly Nazified Germany, accepted a guest Professorship at the University of Saskatchewan, moved with his wife Luise to Canada, started a family, and educated Cec Costain and many other future Canadian physicists. Here he is, addressing his former professor:

And later in the speech, he explains Herzberg’s influence on his wartime experience:

The end of Cec’s war service involved a Distinguished Service Cross and a promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. The explanation for the medal that I remember hearing was that Cec just happened to notice- up late? working his usual 18 hour day and night? tweaking his radar system to reach further than ever?- a kamikaze attack in time to warn the fleet.

A clipping from the local newspaper saved by his proud parents, and The London Gazette, a link with Nelson, provide documentary proof.

Indomitable Service

April 1945	1st	Damaged in KAMIKAZE attack during operations off Sakashima Gunto group. 14 men were killed and 16 wounded. Extensive damage to Island structure and some fires were started. Flight deck was cleared and fires extinguished with an hour.
	9th	Flying operations transferred to targets in Formosa (Operation ICEBERG OOLONG).
	11th	With HMS INDEFATIGABLE carried attacks on Schinchiku and Matsugama.
	16th	Transferred with TF57 to renew attacks on airfields in Ishigaki and Miyako in Sakishimas.
	20th	Returned to Leyte.
May	1st	Sailed from Leyte to resume attacks on Sakishima Gunto group.
	4th	After replenishing with ships of TG57 launched first of a series of air attacks with HMS VICTORIOUS and HMS FORMIDABLE on airfields at Hiara, Nobara, Miyako and Ishigaki.
		Hit by KAMIKAZE aircraft but remained operational.
	9th	Damaged in another KAMIKAZE attack but continued flying operations with gaps for replenishment until 23rd May.
	20th	In collision with HM Destroyer QUILLIAM which was seriously damaged.
	25th	Sailed for Manus on completion of operation requirement for TF57.

June 1945		Relieved by HM Aircraft Carrier IMPLACABLE and refitted in Sydney.
July			On completion remained at Sydney.

February 10 1945

Indomitable Service:

January 1945 Joined Task Force 63.

4th Deployed with HMS INDEFATIGABLE and HMS VICTORIOUS, H M Cruisers SUFFOLK, CEYLON, ARGONAUT and BLACK PRINCE screened by HM Destroyers KEMPENFELT, WHELP, GRENVILLE, WAGER, URANIA, UNDAUNTED, UNDINE and URSA for air attacks on oil refineries at Pangkalang Brandan, Sumatra (Operation LENTIL).

16th Sailed from Trincomalee with TF63 for offensive sweep in Indian Ocean prior to transfer of British Pacific Fleet for service in Pacific area.

24th With HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, HMS INDEFATIGABLE and HMS VICTORIOUS carried out air attacks on the oil refinery at Pladjoe, Sumatra. Cover was provided by HM Battleship KING GEORGE V, HMS ARGONAUT, HMS EURYALUS and HMS BLACK PRINCE screened by Fleet Destroyers. (Operation MERIDIAN ONE)

29th With same aircraft carriers launched raids on Soengi Gerong oil refineries and airfields at Lembak and Tanglangbetoetoe (Operation MERIDIAN TWO). (Note: These attacks were marred by various problems. All seven KAMIKAZE aircraft which attacked Fleet in retaliation were destroyed but 16 RN aircraft were lost in action and another 14 by deck landing accidents. 9 pilots captured after baling out were executed by the Japanese in August 1945. (Operation MERIDIAN TWO).

February

4th Arrived Fremantle with British Pacific Fleet.

9th Arrived at Sydney to prepare for operational service as TF113 with US Navy.*

*From http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-04CV-HMS_Indomitable.htm , accessed April 21 2020

H.M.S. Indomitable

c/o British Fleet Mail Office

San Francisco, California, USA

Feb 10, 1945

Dear Folks,

Before you get any false ideas, I’m in Australian waters and hence the change of address. I hope mails will be quicker, my last were one month to six weeks old. I’ve had three from home lately, a record. Thanks a million.

I received your Christmas parcel in fine style, thanks a lot. I’ve been eating steadily ever since. Those pliers are beautiful, Dad.

I’m glad to hear Christmas went off well. Mine was OK but rather squeezed in between a lot of work. We have been at the Japs again as you probably heard, so I’ve been as bad as usual getting things organized such as letter writing, sleeping etc. But I’ve been making up for it the last couple of days. I have a week sick leave coming up as soon as the opportunity occurs. I’m not sick, but I think the Captain thinks I may be in the future so that’s what scares him. He is really grand. I don’t seem to have the interest or energy I used to have but perhaps that’s the tropical effect. At the moment, I’m trying to work myself out of the “indispensable” category so I will have some hope of relief and leave. At the moment, it is still distant. I’ve been here so long I’m almost part of the fittings.

Is Marybelle training at home – she always swore she wouldn’t.

Russell and Carman seem to be doing OK. Tell Russell he will have to pull up his socks in physics – remember I used to be a “physician”. I’ve certainly forgotten it all.

How does my bank balance look. I transferred £300, about $1,325 from UK in May and I forget whether you told me it arrived. I’ve been dealing with so many kinds of money I forget what a dollar looks like or is.

Send my love to Lena Merle Dix & the nephews. I may write them again someday but I don’t know when.

Bye for now

Love

Cecil

P.S. Re your argument, I go where the ship goes, regardless of the theatre. This “region of service” does not apply to any naval personnel. Service with RN or RCN is optional for me.

November 25 1944

Indomitable service:

October 1944

15th Deployed with Task Group 63.3 for diversionary operations in Indian Ocean during US landings on Leyte (Operation MILLET). Six aircrew were lost.

17th Launched air attacks with HMS VICTORIOUS on Nicobar Islands. HM Cruiser PHOEBE provided fighter direction facilities and AA defence. Group was screened by HM Destroyers WHELP, WAKEFUL, WAGER and WESSEX.

19th Repeated air attacks on Nicobars. During retaliatory attacks by Japanese torpedo bombers, ten of the twelve enemy aircraft were destroyed.

November

20th Deployed with HMS ILLUSTRIOUS to launch air attacks on Belawan Deli. Cover was provided by HM Cruisers NEWCASTLE, ARGONAUT and BLACK PRINCE screened by HM Destroyers KEMPENFELT (ii), WHIRLWIND, WRANGLER, WESSEX and WAKEFUL. (Operation OUTFLANK).

(Note: Original target on Pangkalan Brandon could not be attacked due to weather conditions in the area).

22th Became part of British Pacific Fleet with HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and HMS VICTORIOUS.*

*From http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-04CV-HMS_Indomitable.htm , accessed April 21 2020

H.M.S. Indomitable

c/o British Fleet Mail

Nov 25, 1944

Dear Folks,

I just realized the date, so I’m going to try and get some Christmas letters written. I hope I haven’t left too late.

I received your letter of Oct 29 and the parcel including pen and razor blades. The pen is working fine. I’m sure I’ll manage a lot more letters. There was a box of powdered crumbs with them. It was well packed, but I’m afraid it’s a waste of energy to send cookies etc. mom. Parcels take a terrific beating coming out here.

I’m sure I won’t know the old place when I return. I’m not as optimistic tonight as when I wrote my last letter. I’m afraid Wynne will be disappointed if she expects me to return by New Year’s. Incidentally, you might be right about her letters.

At last I received the first news of the kid’s exams. If you have told me three times already I’ve lost a lot of mail. I’m glad they are doing well – Keep it up kids. I hope I’ll be back in time to go to University with Carmen!

I don’t think Percy has enough practical aptitude to make a go of his previous job. It was always like pulling teeth when he tried to fix his old bike.

I’ve got another officer now so when he is trained I’ll be able to relax.

I’m having a bad time with this letter because I keep killing cockroaches – a couple of dozen so far.

I’ll close wishing you all a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope I get home sometime during the year to make it happier.

Love to all

Cecil

November 11 1944

Indomitable service:

October 1944

15th Deployed with Task Group 63.3 for diversionary operations in Indian Ocean during US landings on Leyte (Operation MILLET). Six aircrew were lost.

19th Repeated air attacks on Nicobars. During retaliatory attacks by Japanese torpedo bombers, ten of the twelve enemy aircraft were destroyed.

November

(Note: Original target on Pangkalan Brandon could not be attacked due to weather conditions in the area).

22th Became part of British Pacific Fleet with HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and HMS VICTORIOUS.

*From http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-04CV-HMS_Indomitable.htm , accessed April 21 2020

[November 11, 1944? No date on letter – outside of envelope is marked 11/11 with Cec’s initials, post mark 1944}

P.S My complete address

Lieut C C Costain RCNVR

HMS Indominable

British Fleet Mail Office

Dear folks,

I’ve recently been told off for not writing you, but that’s not the only reason I am writing. For the first time in over a year I have time on my hands. The Captain was beginning to think I was folding up – he wasn’t far wrong, and I’ve been sent on a weeks leave. It’s marvelous cool, tennis, billiards walking. And marvelous food and service. It’s at an officers rest hostel, several of us are here and its grand.

I received several letters from you lately – two sea mail on the visit to Whitefox, and some more on the trip to B.C. & house painting. Things must be looking grand. I hope you don’t sell the place.

Wynne told me she had been over to see you and play with Carmens airplane. I think she enjoyed herself. I hear from her quite often and reply to each one – which means I owe you for letters.

The war seems to be dragging on and on, so I can’t see much point in sticking to the end of the war for a short leave. I expect to be home on leave this coming summer, but I don’t count on it too much. I’ll have three months due, so should get at least two. But I’m a long way away so it’s hard to certain. If I do, I’ll help get rid of some of your canning.

Bye for now

Love

Cecil

September 22 1944

Indomitable service:

August 1944

23rd With Eastern Fleet to provide air-sea rescue facilities during US air attacks by XX

Bomber Command on Sumatra (Operation BOOMERANG).

24th Launched air attacks on Padang with HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and HMS VICTORIOUS covered by HM Battleship HOWE and units of Eastern Fleet. Targets included cement works at Indaroeng and harbour installations at Emmerhaven (Operation BANQUET).

September

18th Deployed with HMS VICTORIOUS escorted by HMS HOWE, two cruisers and seven Fleet Destroyers to launch air attacks on Sigli, Sumatra and photo-reconnaissance over Nicobar Islands (Operation LIGHT).

Two aircraft accidentally attacked HM Submarine SPIRIT which was acting as Plane Guard.*

*From http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-04CV-HMS_Indomitable.htm , accessed April 21 2020

Sept 22, 1944

Dear Folks,

I received your letter today telling all about your trip to BC. My Gosh was I surprised. You always said you’d have time to gad about when the kids grew up. You lucky people. I suppose I’ve seen my share of the world and will see more, but I’ve always wanted to see the mountains and BC. Not to mention my numerous cousins. But it is high time you had a real holiday.

Pardon the interruption, one of our numerous cats just walked in and jumped up on my letter. We have quite a few but they aren’t very homey.

I’m doing quite well lately, I get fits of depression if I get too tired but they don’t last too long. My health is fine, I’m luckier than a great many in that respect. This is a foul climate for a white man. We have just had another crack at Sumatra, but it wasn’t very interesting.

I don’t know whether I’m stuck for good or not. I’ve been on here a long time now, but one of these days they will find they can run the ship without me. I suppose I’ve been on here too long now, but I don’t care much because I doubt if I could find a better ship.

I have had several letters from Wynne lately and one from Lena. By the way, do you know why she gets them in twos – because I get mine in threes.

It is pretty difficult to write a letter these days without one to answer, but yours are coming in better now.

I’ve been doing the odd bit of swimming, but I’m afraid I don’t tan even out here. But I’ve stopped burning which is one consolation.

How did the kids do in their exams. You mentioned them writing but not the results. You wondered if Wynne knew definitely where I was. Don’t be silly, there’s a war on. There’s only one time you will know and that’s when I’m home and you won’t be sure then. But I’m afraid that’s a long way off.

Bye for now

Love

Cecil

August 11 1944

Indomitable service:

July 5th With Eastern Fleet

H.M.S. Indomitable

Aug 11, 1944

Dear Folks,

Well I have had a surprise this past week. I received three letters from you, dated May 14, 28 sent to Norfolk, & one air letter (June 10 or 18,)?? So all in all I am fairly up-to-date. Glad to hear Lena passed her exams, you don’t know how glad. You mention her writing a letter from her new job, but where is she working and what is her address? Also Percy‘s address if he is still around. It was good to get news of the Bomfards, I’m glad they are doing so well. Percy may be putting on weight but I’m afraid I’m sweating a lot off.

I’ve been spending quite a bit of time with Les lately, talking over old times and new. It has given me a new lease on life so to speak to meet up with him. He seems pretty content but is thinking rather seriously of the Foreign Service which we are due. He’s going to apply, and may get it after awhile, but it’s doubtful. At least he has a much better chance than I have at the moment. He hasn’t changed a bit, but he says I have. I suppose he is right, certainly the responsibility hasn’t done me any harm, if it has bent my shoulders a little more.

I got one letter from Bid today, giving me — for not writing, but it’s not my fault entirely they take several months, and probably will be longer now. Your last air letter came in double quick time but I suppose soon winter weather will stop most of the mail flights. Since mine is just beginning to catch up that will probably make another three months gap, so don’t forget to get a few away before the bad weather. Parcels are pretty hopeless out here so to send letters instead.

You didn’t say anything about the kid’s exams how did they do and what grade are they in now anyway.

I close now & answer some more of your letters later

Love to all

Cecil

July 16 1944

Indomitable service:

May 1944 Completed refit and returned to UK to embark aircraft.

June Passage to Trincomalee.

July 5th Joined Eastern Fleet with HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS.

Prepared for operational duties with Fleet.*

*From http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-04CV-HMS_Indomitable.htm , accessed April 21 2020

HMS Indomitable

c/o GPO London

July 16, 1944

Dear Mother

I’m afraid I have neglected my letter writing for the past few weeks, but I felt I musn’t miss your birthday, and so, late as they are, Many Happy Returns.

I am in the in the Indian Ocean now, so mail is pretty poor. I have received one air letter from Wynne since I arrived, which took just under five weeks in transit, which isn’t too bad. I’ve got quite a stock of air letter forms, so I’ll use them and hope you will do the same. My mail hasn’t really caught up with me for three months but maybe it will settle down soon. Writing letters with nothing to talk about is a wee bit difficult.

But I have had a very interesting time lately. This is certainly the “other half of the world”. I’ve bought a few trinkets of various kinds including a nice leather briefcase for myself but I don’t know yet whether to risk sending them or not. I think shopping and bargaining is about our greatest relaxation. If I don’t do a fair amount I’ll always be sorry.

What are you doing for holidays this year. After working all spring you ought to take a good one. It doesn’t seem possible, but I suppose the kids are finished another year of school. Don’t I wish I was. As the war drags on & on my years of schooling ahead seem very formidable.

How did Lena’s exams go. I wrote to her some time ago but haven’t had any reply yet. She seemed to be having a good time down east but then she always did.

It can get pretty hot sometimes at home but nothing like this. I have stood the heat fairly well to date, and hope it hangs on the same. It may be a bad climate for heat rash etc. but ah the fruit. Fresh pineapple and oranges etc., really hit the spot. But I won’t make you jealous.

Well, that about exhausts me and my news so I’ll close now and hope to hear from you soon.

Love to all

Cecil