"My dearest one" - Benedict Cumberbatch reads Chris Barker’s letter to Bessie Moore

Benedict Cumberbatch reads Chris Barker’s love letter to Bessie Moore (29 January 1945)

In September 1943, Chris Barker was serving as a signalman in North Africa when he decided to brighten the long days of war by writing to old friends. One of these was Bessie Moore, a former work colleague. The unexpected warmth of Bessie's reply changed their lives forever. Crossing continents and years, their funny, affectionate and intensely personal letters are a remarkable portrait of a love played out against the backdrop of the Second World War. Above all, their story is a stirring example of the power of letters to transform ordinary lives.

Benedict Cumberbatch, is a British stage and screen actor best known for his role in the BBC television show Sherlock. He has also appeared in Hollywood films such as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, War Horse, Star Trek: Into the Darkness and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. He has won several stage and screen acting awards , winning an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Play for Frankenstien and received BAFTA, Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for his role in the acclaimed 2014 Alan Turing biopic The Imitation Game.

With thanks to Simon Garfield, author of My Dear Bessie, and Bernard, Peter and Irena Barker