Private J. D. Caves: The Long Journey Home
31 July 1945 At Sea, Monowai
My Own Darling,
I can make no plans for the future yet. Will have to find out just what the war has done to New Zealand first. It's funny the idea of it all now, home coming is getting so close, seems very strange and I'm beginning to dread it all a bit. Just stupid I guess. Because no one could have longed for home and my own girl more than I have these years.
page 140page 141 page 142Denis travelled by train from Wellington to Hamilton then caught the bus to Opotiki. Jean had thought Denis would be arriving on the regular bus service but he arrived three hours early on a special bus for returning soldiers. Jean had just sat down to midday dinner when the phone rang to say Denis was at his parents' home. Leaving her meal uneaten, she rushed over to the Caves house on Ford Street.