This letter just couldn't be better if I'd made it up. "I have got home at last for good" says it all. Harry's arrived home at Mill Street, last Friday, 14 months after the war ended and 16 months after his last leave. His prediction of "Thursday at Ripon" proved to be spot on.   This is the first letter that has a postage stamp. (click on the letter for an enlarged image)

"10/-"  means 10 shillings, 50P in today's money, worth about £25 (UKP) today.

We can only imagine the inside of number 19 this last weekend. To see number 19 today, click this link and go to 55 seconds into the film clip. Film link

Me? I'm just overwhelmed with emotion as I "time shift" back to 1920. There's even more emotion as it becomes clear that I've also reached the end of an incredible personal journey.

What happens next? My plan is to spend a few weeks tying up all the loose ends. I'll complete the story of each of the characters, as far as I can, and will publish the photographs and documents that I have that relate to the blog and to Harry and his family. There is a great deal more material than could fit into the book.

Then I just sink back and learn to live without the blog. It won't be easy.

My readers? If you've followed the blog, please tie up your loose end with a comment. Anything will do. Just let me know that a little bit of Harry's life has touched yours. Take a moment to glance at the comments that are, already, appearing while you're adding your own.

If you've put off buying the book until Harry got home, well, there's no excuse now. Signed copy click here. The audio version is on the way soon. I also intend to produce a CD of just the letters, read by myself. The audio publishers are doing a version of the whole book and want a "proper" actor to do it - I can understand that. If you just would like just the letters, watch this space. Email if you would like a sample reading.

To all of you, thank you,

Bill Lamin