Pretend message was sent back after the 3rd of July (5)

'pretend message' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't judge whether this works.

'was sent back after the 3rd of july' is the wordplay.
'was' becomes 'note' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'sent back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'the trd of july' becomes 'l' (trd letter of 'july').
'note' written backwards gives 'eton'.
'eton' after 'l' is 'LETON'.

Can you help me to learn more?