Forces Sweethearts

Drawing on both archive material and contributions from the public, this book looks at various aspects of wartime romance. It includes facsimiles of letters, postcards, telegrams, diaries, Valentine cards, honeymoon hotel bills, concert programs and press cuttings. The book explores the special nature of relationships between men and women in wartime: the way in which war brings some couples together and pulls others apart; how love survives while partners are separated by thousands of miles; and how people cope with the constant fear that loved ones might never return. The book also looks at romance as a symbol of hope; the particular poignancy of meetings and partings; the role of pin-ups as morale-boosters or reminders of home; the inevitable strains on relationships and the vital part played by correspondence; and the tragedy of affairs broken off and loved ones killed in battle. The book is published to coincide with a major exhibition at the Imperial War Museum in London.