Found in an attic, wartime letters of love and longing that lay hidden for 40 years

From a cold, foggy outpost in Scotland, RAF serviceman Cyril Spragg wrote every day to his beloved wife Nora - whom he calls 'Pippy' - and their daughter, between 1940 and 1944.

He dreams of the day they will be together again, urges her not to fall in love with anyone else, and tells her again and again how much he is in love with her.

Eighty-year-old Bob Pritchard, of Comer Gardens, St John's, found the yellowing letters in an old case while he was doing some clearing out. All were addressed to Nora at 13 St John's Road, Newtown, Stourport-on-Severn.

Mr Pritchard and his wife have lived at their house for about 40 years and he believes that the Spraggs lived there before them.

One letter, dated September 24, 1941, read: 'I am longing for you so very much, my darling. We are very much more in love with each other now than when we got married and I though I loved you as much as I possibly could but now I know I love you more and am loving you more everyday'.

Another, dated January 27 1944, read: 'I am longing for this week to hurry up and pass so that I can be with you again and tell you how much I really do love you."

Folded into the letters were photographs of Cyril and Nora on their wedding day and a picture of Cyril looking dapper and lounging against a car.

Mr Pritchard said: "Cyril was a prolific writer. He must have thought the world of Pippy. He must have written to her every day."

Mr Pritchard added that his daughter, Angela, believes she went to Christopher Whitehead School with the Spragg's daughter, Jill.

Now he is trying to trace the family or any living relatives.

He added: "They may be alive, I don't know. It's more than likely the daughter is alive than perhaps Cyril and his wife.

"But they could be alive. They'd be around my age."

IF you know Cyril or Nora Spragg, or any of their relatives, please contact the Worcester News on 01905 742244.