My Dear Bessie
Benedict Cumberbatch and Louise Brealey tell a Second World War love story in letters between Chris Barker, a solider in Libya, and Bessie Moore, a Morse code interpreter in London.
A love story in letters played out against the backdrop of the Second World War between Chris Barker, a solider in North Africa, and Bessie Moore, a Morse code interpreter at the Foreign Office in London.
Compiled by Simon Garfield and adapted for radio by Sara Davies
Produced by Gemma Jenkins
A small blue box opened in 2008 revealed a wartime world of love, longing and frustration.
On September 5th 1943, Chris Barker, a Signalman stationed near Tobruk decided to write to a former work colleague, Bessie Moore, back in London. The unexpected warmth of Bessie's reply changed their lives forever.
Chris and Bessie's love letters first appeared in Simon Garfield's book To The Letter, they have toured literary festivals as part of Letters Live before getting their own book, My Dear Bessie, published this year on Valentine's Day.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
![]()
"You have smashed my perimeter defences"
Benedict Cumberbatch plays the part of Chris Barker, a soldier in Libya.
Clip
-
![]()
"I have been busting to send you a smashing reply!"
Duration: 01:34
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Chris | Benedict Cumberbatch |
| Bessie | Louise Brealey |
| Irena | Jane Slavin |
| Producer | Gemma Jenkins |
| Adaptor | Sara Davies |
Broadcasts
- Mon 20 Apr 2015 14:15麻豆社 Radio 4
- Fri 14 Apr 2017 14:15麻豆社 Radio 4
Featured in...
![]()
Love letters
A glimpse into that most intimate of corresponsdences - straight from the heart.
My Dear Bessie - Photographs
See pictures of Chris Barker and Bessie Moore and the letters that inspired the book.
Opening Lines
John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.
The Shakespeare Sessions
Immerse yourself in Shakespeare鈥檚 world