Last week Mass Observation shared the words of Carl and Bobbie in a moving festive event.
Carl Ward was an American Quartermaster who found himself stationed in Dunmow, Essex during WWII. Whilst there he bet Halcyon Elliott (although she was known as Bobbie by friends and family). Mass Observation is lucky enough to be the home of hundreds of love letters sent between the pair. Starting in 1944 and ending in 1947 the letters cover their early courtship, their arrangement to marry, their wedding, relocation to America and the birth of their first child.
What is particularly wonderful about the collection is the fact that we have both sides of the correspondence. Often only one person keeps hold of their letters, but both Carl and Bobbie kept hold of their letters providing a remarkably full insight into the couple’s lives during this time. Whilst the letters tell the story of one couple, they speak to the experiences of many of the thousands of women who met and married American service personnel during the war. Across the course of their letters the couple talk not just of their love for one another, but of their worries about how Carl’s work will impact on their relationship, the daily impacts of war upon Bobbie’s life, the processes and approvals needed for them to be able to marry as well as the arrangements undertaken to reunite Bobbie with Carl after his demobilisation and move back to Michigan.
During the event itself Mass Observation was joined by two young actors, Sunny and Nell, who voiced the roles of Carl and Bobbie. Thanks to them the letters were brought alive and audience members were able to spend an hour hearing about Carl and Bobbie’s life and love.
Also in attendance were various members of Carl and Bobbie’s family (the love story had a happy ending!), six of whom had flown over from American for the event and two who had travelled from Torquay. It was an honour to have the family present to hear Carl and Bobbie’s story come alive.