Owen, I don't think that any ordinary letters have been kept which is a bit strange really. We do have a nice letter and a Christmas Card from the C.O. Colonel Stephenson written when he left the Battalion.
He died in 1995 so I knew him well and he never had a problem talking about the war years but I realise now that most of it was anecdotal. I suppose it's normal that unless someone (and I'm afraid I didn't) asked specific details, the information would not be forthcoming.
I do remember him telling of jumping into a shell hole at Anzio and grabbing the nearest tin hat only to find that it was rather heavy and that someone had screwed two together !
Serving in 17 Bde with two Scottish Battalions must have made an impression on him as well because he used to say that an English unit was always put in between to stop the Jocks from fighting each other.
Incidentally, this is is rank badge. It has seen plenty of bull.
Rich.