Darling Peggy,

I know how upset you must have been to receive that telegram, but I wanted to tell you what was going on here before you heard something on the wireless that set you off into a panic. Believe me, sweetheart, I was truly shattered by the news as I know you must have been, and I’m still finding it hard to believe that it could be several months before I’ll be allowed to come home.

I don’t know what the papers have been saying, but I expect you’ve heard that now the Japanese are on the point of signing the unconditional surrender, the British government is determined to take back Malaya and Singapore as swiftly as possible. There will be a British Administration put in place to govern Singapore until there can be a proper general election – and in fact there is already quite a British contingent out there to keep order, mop up any resistance and begin the process of trying to find and repatriate our POWs.

We have just been informed that we’re to be shipped over there as part of a vast land, sea and air force to take control, and assist the administration in dealing with those thousands of British POWS who will soon be pouring in. I understand that some of those imprisoned on the island and in Changi have already been released, but there’s no way of knowing yet if Sarah’s father or fiancé are among them.

I can promise you I will not be involved in any fighting, Peggy. We will be there simply to bring order, help rebuild, supply much-needed medicines and food and see to it that the poor souls who survived those camps of horror are given the very best care.

I’ve been unfortunate enough to witness the aftermath of the Japanese brutality, and the sight of once sturdy fighting men reduced to barely living skeletons is something that will haunt me until the day I die. I hope to God Sarah and Jane never have to witness such a thing, and would advise them strongly to stay in England. The authorities will contact them with any news, and once I’m there, I’ll do my very best to find out what has happened to Jock and Philip.

This is necessarily a short letter, for I have to pack and prepare for the sea crossing – which I’m dreading – but which probably won’t be as awful as some of the rough flights I’ve experienced during my time here. Sea-sickness won’t be half as bad as what it feels like to be bounced about in a small plane in the middle of a tropical storm with the thunder crashing and the lightning hammering against the fuselage until you can barely think for the terror of it all.

I love you, Peg, and I’m so very glad Anne, Charlie and the girls are back home with you to keep you company after what must have been long, lonely years without us all. I know you’ve had Cordelia and Dad and your chicks for company – but the comfort of being surrounded by your family cannot be beaten. Give my love to everyone, and I’ll write again from Singapore.

Loving you always and for ever,

Jimxxx