Heartfelt letter written by English mother to American family during WW2

[Heartfeltzero]

This letter was written by an Elizabeth Williamson. She lived in Liverpool, England. She had a son named Kenneth Williamson who served in the British Merchant Navy during the war. She was writing to an American back in the states thanking him for the Hospitality they showed her son while he was there. The letter reads:

“46 Lombard St
West Derby Rd
Liverpool 6.

Saturday
9/12/1944

Dear Mr. Wood,

I have just received your letter dated November 8th, just a month. It was very welcome indeed, and I am very grateful to you for making Kenneth so welcome in your home and entertaining him so well.

I feel quite sure that both he and his chum fully appreciate your kind and generous hospitality. He has been going to sea since he was fifteen and is only eighteen now, although like hundreds of young lads, he gave his wrong age. His first ship being a Norwegian oil tanker, so you can imagine how i worried and watched for news. He has made some very good friends in New York and visits them every time the ship calls, and they write fairly often.

He is full of praise of the American hospitality and thinks them the most kind hearted people in the world to all service men and that you all cannot do enough to give all seamen a “hearty welcome”. We may be very wonderful, but what about your boys from “over the seas”. I have spoken and know quite a good few, who were stationed near, for twelve months, and left just before D Day, and have been in all the fighting in France.

You see, we English owe a lot to America and realise it was their help and money which enabled us to carry on fighting. So thank God for “Uncle Sam” and may “God Bless America”. Thanks again for your kindness to my son, Kenneth. I am very glad the sea has not roughened or spoilt him. Trusting this finds you in the best of health and spirits.

I remain yours very sincerely,

Elizabeth Williamson”

[BlackCat1982]

I wonder whether Kenneth was a survivor from a ship sinking? Another nice find Heartfeltzero.

[Willmore]

Hi JB.

Another fantastic letter, thank you for sharing it with us.

I found some information about Kenneth.

Spouse: Dora Jean Danks
Father: Thomas Henry Williamson
Mother: Elizabeth Christina Swales
Birth: 25 Apr 1923 Preston, Lancashire, England
Death: 23 Aug 1986 Preston, Lancashire, England
Residence: 1939 Lancashire, Lancashire, England

It looks like Kenneth may have been married twice (I am not 100% sure) and had five children.



He had a brother who died during the war -

Edmund (Aircraftman 1st Class RAFVR 643926) Williamson (1918–1940)
BIRTH MAR 1918 • Preston, Lancashire
DEATH SEPTEMBER 1940 • Whitechurch, Shropshire

PRESTON AIRMAN KILLED IN ROAD CRASH Aircraftsman Edmund Williamson, aged 23 of 10 Nelson Terrace, Preston has been killed in a motorbike accident in the Midlands. News to this effect has been received by his parents.

Aircraftman 1st Class Edmund Williamson (unknown-1940) - Find a Grave Memorial



Kind regards,

Will.

[Heartfeltzero]

Thanks!

[Heartfeltzero]

Hey Will,

Thank you for the information. Very interesting. Very sad that one of the sons was killed.

[Willmore]

Hey Will,

Thank you for the information. Very interesting. Very sad that one of the sons was killed.

My pleasure.

What is very interesting/unexpected is that according to ancestry I am related to Kenneth through his paternal line and we would be something like 5th to 8th cousins.

Kind regards,

Will.

[Heartfeltzero]

Oh wow. That’s unbelievable. Very cool!

[Willmore]

Yeah I am really surprised too lol.