With Christmas 2009 upon us, I would like to share with you, this letter which Kyffin sent home at Christmas 1940. He wrote this at a decisive and traumatic period of his life as he had just been diagnosed with epilepsy, and therefore had to leave the army. Yet despite his problems at the time, he is pleased that his brother Dick is to replace him, and he is unselfishly thinking of others. This was a trait that he showed throughout his life.
Thanks to Siân for supplying the letter and to Will for the photo of Kyffin in his military uniform.
”Dear Mum, Daddy and Dick,
Thank you very much for the cheque for Christmas, I am sorry I haven’t got anything for you yet, as my brain is totally incapable of working these days.
It was one of the cruellest blows I have ever had to suffer, getting invalided out, but the fact that Dick had got his commission in this marvellous regiment has helped me to bear it a little better. I have a lot of work to do now although I am really out of the army. I have had to do all the mess catering over Christmas and various other things and I will stay here until Dick turns up and can show him the ropes and hand over the uniform etc.
This damned illness apparently started when I cracked my head one rumpus night at Shrewsbury and has been brewing ever since. I am the unluckiest man who has ever walked God’s earth. Nothing seems to go right for me. I suppose something good may happen one day.
…I shall be going out to Major and Mrs Lewis over Christmas day. They are frightfully kind to me and are doing all they can to cheer me up.
Well I am sorry for this dreary letter, But I wish you a very happy Christmas.
Lots of Love,
From John.”
Iwan Dafis