Cherry Lewis
When clearing her parent’s house, Cherry found 400 letters written by her father during World War Two.
As she opened each one, she became riveted by its content. The passion, the poetry, the music, and Wyn’s erudite ability to express it all, really brought the war to life. Within these letters lay the story in this book.
Cherry is the eldest of Wyn and Irene’s four children. She trained as a geologist before moving into science communication at the University of Bristol. She has written and edited several history of science books, but this is her first venture into a more general history.
Meet the authors
Cherry and Wyn Lewis
Wyn Lewis (1914 - 2007)
Wyn was born just two months after the start of the First World War, across the other side of Cwmdonkin Park in Swansea from Dylan Thomas, with whom he later became friends.
First child of an affluent family, Wyn received the best education available at the time – Marlborough College and Cambridge University – from where he went to teach Jewish refugees in Italy fleeing the Nazis.
He was teaching at Bedales when war broke out, and was called up into the Royal Artillery in December 1940. In 1943 he was posted to the Lavernock gun site, near Penarth, where he met his future wife, Irene.
Irene Lewis (1919-2019)
We know that Irene answered every one of Wyn’s letters, but where are they now? Sad to say, we do not know and only 6 or so have survived.
Born in Plumsted, now Greater London, Irene was from a poor background and left school at 14. Keen to escape the cramped family home, aged 19 she married Len Hurst, her best friend’s brother.
When war broke out just 5 months later, Len was called up and sent overseas. Irene didn’t see him again for 5 years, during which time she met Wyn.
Irene joined the ATS in 1941 where she quickly rose up the ranks, becoming an officer when only 24.
Others whose letters are included
Irene Lewis
Wyn's parents
Emlyn Lewis
Ethel Lewis
Emlyn wrote to Wyn nearly every week – Ethel a lot less often.
The poet Vernon Watkins was Wyn’s best friend. This life-like bust of him was made by Irene.
Grab your copy of
Love Letters from my Father
Discover heartfelt messages from a father to his future wife during a tumultuous time. This collection offers a unique glimpse into personal stories from WWII that resonate with history and emotion.