If you ever wondered why it's called "snail mail"........................

Love letter sent during World War II is finally delivered - 64 YEARS late

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 10:43 AM on 15th October 2009

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A letter sent by a British soldier during World War II has arrived at its destination over 64 years late, after it was delivered by Royal Mail to an RAF base.

The letter, hand-written on American Red Cross paper, was posted by Serviceman Charles Fleming to a woman identified only as 'my dearest', on March 20 1945.

It was found by staff at the RAF Lakenheath near Brandon, in Suffolk inside a new envelope, after the original was damaged and lost, along with a note from Royal Mail with the words 'found loose in post please direct if possible.'

Enlarge Lost in the post: A letter, whitten by British serviceman Charles Fleming in 1945, has arrived at RAF Lakenheath 64 years late

It is believed that employees at Royal Mail's sorting centre in Peterborough forwarded the 64-year-old letter to staff at the base, which acts as a European station for the US Air Force.

Military personnel also found three photographs inside the envelope which included a portrait picture of Fleming, a picture of his regiment and a picture of him in Florence, Italy.

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The two-page letter, signed 'Charles', has writing on both sides, and offers information about life in a military camp, or possibly a hospital, in Italy.

In the letter Fleming offered to buy his 'dearest' a pair of glasses to help her with her 'night work', and revealed how he had lost weight, topping the scales at nine stone.

He added that he was writing the letter on ARC paper because he has left his usual writing material at another base.

Mystery: RAF Base Commander Jerry Neild holding the 64-year-old letter, sent by Charles Fleming to his 'dearest'

The letter also described entertainment at the camp which included 'pictures or concerts' and the fact a 'convivial evening seems to act as some type of safety valve.'

He joked: 'Don't get the idea I am hors de combat with an American nurse holding my hand!'

Today baffled American staff at the RAF base appealed for Fleming's family to come forward.

RAF Commander at Lakenheath, Jerry Neild said the letter was beautifully written and should be returned to the veteran's family if possible.

He said: 'It's a really lovely letter representative of the age. We believe it came from a British serviceman but it is a complete mystery as to who he is.

'It appears to be part of a series of letters and was posted to us here randomly, simply because it didn't have its original envelope and we have an American connection.

'We think it has come from the Royal Mail sorting centre in Peterborough which is where most of our mail passes through.

'This letter and photographs really are part of history and we are appealing to the public to help us track him or his family down so we can pass it on.'

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said it was impossible for the item to have been in their system for more than 60 years.

She said: 'The item would not have been in our system for that length of time and the most likely explanation is that it was recently reposted into Royal Mail.'

Although technically an RAF station, Lakenheath hosts United States Air Force unit the 48th Fighter Wing and American personnel.

It has hosted US Air Force and its staff since 1948 and is part of the US's strategic air force permanently stationed in Europe.