Some of you, I know, have been following my thread with my grandfather’s letters from his time with the BEF in 1939/40. That thread here: A letter home from the BEF Your support and patience for, and very helpful contributions to, that endeavour is very much appreciated and I was delighted that you enjoyed them as much as I did. As I mentioned, I do have more of his letters to my grandmother, Elsie, from June 1940 to 1942. With your kind permission, I will now post these here, and I hope you will enjoy reading them too. As with his letters from the BEF, I am reading these myself for the very first time too, one at a time. I had hoped that he may have written about some of his personal experiences in those last weeks in France and Belgium in these “new” letters, but clearly he had home leave between the time he got back to Blighty and the first of this batch - so any stories that he had to tell he would, perhaps, have more likely recounted them verbally to my grandmother. Before his leave, it is even possible that he may have spoken with Elsie over the telephone, but this I cannot say as I’m not sure if they even had a telephone at home at that time. So many then did not, of course. Equally, he may well not have wanted to talk about any of it at all, not even to his wife - he, like all of them, must have experienced some horrific sights and sounds. The first letter that I have of his, post-BEF, is dated 25 June 1940. If he wrote to Elsie before that date, I don’t have it, but he must have had some form of communication with her from Scotland prior to the letter of the 25th, as he writes in it that he had told her about the scenery. At that time the regiment was at Fintray Camp in Scotland. The regiment’s DRAMA report, courtesy of the RA Historical Trust, records events after Dunkirk to the end of June thus: “By 5 Jun the regt was reforming at the Collecting Centre at Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire. 15 officers and 240 men had reported so far. On the 7th battledress was available for issue and all ranks were being sent on 48 hrs leave and being re-equipped. On 17 Jun the regt was informed that it would be rejoining 5 Div and on the 18th GOC 50 Div came to address all officers and NCOs. On 22 Jun the regt entrained at Knutsford for Scotland and arrived at Kinaldie, near Aberdeen, at 2300 hrs. Moved to a camp at Fintray. The regt was finally collected together and it appeared that casualties had been 2 officers and 60 ORs but dead and wounded were not separately recorded. Four 18/25 pr guns were received. Uniforms and equipment were arriving steadily and two more 18/25 prs arrived on the 27th and six Morris gun tractors on the 28th. There were also some French 75 mm guns.” Finally, I’m not sure if this is the correct section for these next letters? Although they start in 1940, they go on to 1942, so the 1940 section seemed inappropriate this time round. If admin thinks this thread should be elsewhere, please feel free to move it.
25th June 1940, Scotland. Transcript, quote: “25/6/40 Dvr. W. Gatty No. 750930 368/92nd Field Regt R.A. Fintray Camp Aberdeenshire Scotland My Dearest Elsie, Glad to know you are all well as I am fine. I have just received your letter so will answer it now. In a way I am not surprised at Billy and Violet being shifted because I had an idea that it would be a warm spot round about that quarter and Wales is a very nice place, so providing that they get a decent home, they should be alright. * It was a good idea of yours to see Mr Bidwell and it was also good of him to lend you the money and I am very pleased that you were able to see them before they went away. I bet Mrs Hogg was sorry to lose them, as I guess she is stopping where she is. ** Of course it’s only natural that you were stopped on the road (of course you went by coach) as we are leaving nothing to chance. Those barricades are for stopping any vehicles that might try to get through, they have got those everywhere. I have just heard that Jerry was over London yesterday, will you let me know if that was so, because we can’t get any papers up here for news, and only get plenty of rumours. If I had only known at the time I was home what was coming off, I would have gone down to see the kids before they went away. Nothing more has been said about leave so I imagine that they are going to do us out of it. I am fed up with the whole business as you are and only wish it would finish tomorrow so that we could be all together once more. Never mind dear, everything has to come to an end some time so we shall have to wait. I am glad Rose and Co. came to see you and pleased that you are going to their place next Sunday. What did they think of our home, let me know. As I have said before dear, I don’t mind you getting nearly drunk so long as you don’t go over the mark, as I want you to enjoy yourself as much as you can. As I told you this is lovely place for scenery, but otherwise it’s a dead and alive hole, nothing to do and nowhere to go. Francis is getting quite an expert at gardening especially as he is keeping other people’s gardens in order. Well dear, if you send me a parcel, don’t put anything to eat in as I can get that from the canteen. What I would like instead is an extra bit of tobacco as I can’t get any here and cigarettes don’t last long enough. Also I would like 2 more razor blades in case I cannot get any. Yes the regiment came in last Saturday night so now we can expect plenty of spit and polish, and what do you think dear, they brought a lot of mail with them that had been saved from France and I had 5 letters. *** One was from Catford, one from Vauxhall, and 3 were from you. I also got those photos you sent out and was I pleased as they are very nice. I have wrote to Catford, Vauxhall and Aunt Clara. I don’t suppose for a minute we shall stop here long once we are equipped again, as have got 4 guns so far and a few light lorries, but where we shall go to remains to be seen. I expect it will be on the coast somewhere. You know I told you that we had to put the camp up, well the General of the 5th Division came and inspected the camp on Monday and the first thing he did was to have the whole camp moved from the middle of the field to cover under the trees which lined the drive, as it was too exposed to the air, so all our work was for nothing, which is quite typical of the army. **** Well Dear I’ve tried to make this letter as long as possible, but I can’t find any more news now so will close with Fondest Love from Your Ever Loving Husband Wally xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx For kids xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx P.S. You ought to know whether I still love you without asking, and don’t forget Billy and Violet’s address as I shall love to write to them. Remember me to everybody and Rose and Will. Cheerio Darling. XX” Unquote. * Billy and Violet, my father and Aunt, had been evacuated to a warm spot indeed - Ashford in Kent! ** So the Mrs Hogg whom he had mentioned in a few previous letters must have been the lady who took Billy and Violet in when they were evacuated. I presume Mr Bidwell had loaned Elsie money so she could travel to see her children, perhaps in Ashford, before they set off for Wales. *** I presume from this that my grandfather would have been in an advance party, or a vehicle party, which presumably arrived at Fintray Camp before the rest of the regiment. This could well be related to the setting up of the camp that he refers to later. It is also interesting to read that in all the chaos and destruction of the retreat and evacuation, they had striven to save the mail! **** Major General Harold Franklyn, whose visit is recorded in the war diary. The diary also records the arrival on 24th June of the four 18/25 pdrs that Wally mentions.
Absolutely fantastic Martin. The world's a better place today having read what you have posted here. Thank you so much for sharing this; it is so very much appreciated. Kind regards, keep 'em coming, always, Jim. Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record - Aberdeenshire - NJ81NE0074 - FINTRAY HOUSE
Thank you very much for your kind words again, Jim, and for that link. I meant to look for info and images of Fintray yesterday, but didn’t.
4th July 1940, Scotland, but a different camp, Almondbank. The letter reads thus, quote: “4/7/40 Dvr. W. Gatty No. 750930 368/92nd Field Regt. R.A. Almondbank Camp Nr. Perth. Scotland. My Dearest Elsie, Glad to know that you are all ok as I am still fine. Well dear as you can see by the above address we have moved again. I was on the advance party and we left on Monday morning about 9.30, going by road and arrived here at 3.30 in the afternoon, and the rest of the unit came by train arriving about 8 o.c. at night. The distance we covered was 102 miles, so I am that much nearer London. I expect we shall be moving again shortly, so if there is any delay in the mail you will know why. Of course when we moved all the camp had to come down and put up again here and the same thing will happen when we shift till we eventually get to wherever we are going. It’s funny, but since the regiment came to us, the weather has seemed to change and we have had quite a few showers of rain during the past week, although it’s still hot. It seems dear that best part of us are going to be turned into Infantry as there are only going to be 6 guns per battery instead of 12, and we are doing quite a lot of route marches and infantry manoeuvres and I am not at all struck with the idea, especially the marching part, but still we will have to see what happens. * We are 3 to 4 miles from Perth on another big estate, and last night I walked there and back especially to get some tobacco as I could not get any here. ** I see dear that the air raids are upsetting you, and that is just what Jerry wants, so don’t let him beat you, because all you have to do is sit in the shelter and wait for him to go over, as I know that it is mostly the noise that upsets you. You say that you heard Jerry go over, but had no warning, so how do you know that it was him, unless he whistled down to you or dropped you a card. I am glad that Billy and Violet are settled nicely, again in the same street too. They seem to be very lucky all round don’t they. I am writing to them later on to see what they have got to say for themselves. I am glad you have got the photo, but that can’t give you what I can at night can it, so it is no good taking it to bed with you. So you are still on the bar are you and listening to dirty jokes. Well if you don’t tell me any of them when I see you. Look out [sic] the time that we have wasted here doing nothing, we could have had our leave 3 or 4 times over, everybody is cribbing about it but it makes no difference what I can see of it. I’ve told you before Elsie, don’t put yourself in a mess, if you can’t manage it just say so, as I won’t mind, and will make the best of it. Well dear, I’ve come to the end of my news, so will close with Fondest Love from Your Ever Loving Husband Wally. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx For Kiddies xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Remember me to everybody and let me know how you enjoyed yourself at Rosie’s on Sunday. Bye Bye. Love. XX” Unquote. * he never did become an infantryman, thankfully for him (and, perhaps, for us too, who knows what his fate could have been if he had walked that path…). Did it stay at 6 guns per battery I wonder, or was that simply down to a shortage of materiel at that time? ** some walk, seems all that route marching benefitted him after all, then. Maybe not so much the tobacco at the end of it, though! According to the regimental history, the camp he was in was in the grounds of Methven Castle, Almondbank. Some interesting notes here too about the “6 gun” batteries and an “infantry battery”, as you can see: “On 1 Jul the regt moved to a camp in the grounds of Methven Castle, Almondbank, Perth. On 9 Jul six new 25 pr guns arrived and were handed to 365 Bty. On 12 Jul an infantry battery was formed which joined a Div Arty Inf Bn On 31 Jul an Op Order was issued for the support of 145 Inf Bde in the event of enemy action in Stonehaven or Aberdeen. The Bde was to move to clear a passage for the div through the Stonehaven area. From this it would appear that each bty had three tps each of 2 guns.” Methven Castle - Perth - Parks & Gardens
6 August 1940, and I assume from the postal address that he is still camped at Almondbank, which is only 6 miles from Bankfoot. I think he may have been interrupted by something when he sat down to write this letter, as you can see he’s changed the date from the 5th to the 6th, plus he says that the 4th was “yesterday”. Started the 5th, likely finished it next day. This is what he writes, quote: “6/8/40 D. TROOP DVR. W. Gatty No. 750930 368/92nd Field Regt RA c/o Army Post Office Bankfoot Scotland My Dearest Elsie, Glad to know that you are all well as it leaves me still well. Here is a bit more news. I don’t know whether you call it good or bad. My leave has been put back a week so I shall be home about next Monday week. As you say you will be queer next week I think it is a bit of good luck as regards that, don’t you. * This is what has happened. The Major said that there were too many drivers and gunners going away at the same time so he scrapped the old list and made a new one out spreading us out a bit. Yes Darling I thought of the 4th alright, which was yesterday, and of you, but I will make up for it when I come home don’t you worry. I’m sorry dear I asked you that question, it was rotten of me because I wouldn’t expect you to do that in any case. ** I’ll tell you why you never got an air raid warning. Jerry glides in over the coast with his engines cut off till he gets inland so our sound locators can’t pick him up, but believe me he has a warm time of it trying to get back, if he does get back. *** I have just had a letter from Billy and the lady he is staying with. She said she was pleased with the way he soon settled down, but I never had a letter from Violet. Billy tells me he is learning to play the piano, so it looks as if I shall have some opposition, when we get a piano. So you have had troops in our street have you, well I hope you didn’t look too hard Darling, otherwise I shall fetch our boys down and then there would be real street fighting. You say you have an extra mattress on the bed, well I am getting so used to a hard bed that I am thinking of sleeping on the floor when I come home. I have also heard from Catford but not Vauxhall yet. Aunt Annie says she is going to try and see you soon. By the way Lovely, don’t take Monday week as certain because that is only a rough guess, it may be later that week, but it will soon be here Cherie so get ready for action. (Martin note: I’m guessing it reads “Cherie” here - all that time in France I reckon ) I see that we are going to get cheap cigs and tobacco after all and I am glad because nearly all my dough goes in tobacco. Several of the boys have got their wives up here in the village. I only wish I could get you up here it would do you the world of good Sweetie. Well Baby, I will close now till next time From Your Ever Loving Husband Wally xxxxxxxxxxxx For Nibs xxxxxxxx” Unquote. * Now, I confess that when I read this, I was puzzled as to how my grandmother would know she was going to be unwell the following week. Mystic Meg? Then Mrs Wobbler read the letter and explained it to the thicko that is me. They are talking about, ahem, lady issues. Don’t you just love the wonderful “avoid saying it” language of the time! (hark at me, it’s 2024 and I just used “lady issues” ) ** I suspect he is referring to the comments he made in his previous letter, regarding the aircraft Elsie had heard overhead. That said, of the letters that I have, there is a month gap between this letter and the last. Perhaps what he refers to here was in a letter in between that I don’t have, but mentioning the lack of an air raid warning does still point to comments made in his letter of 4th July… *** did enemy aircraft really glide over the coast with their engines cut? I love the bit about getting his mates down there to sort out the soldiers my grandmother may have been looking at. I can’t imagine my grandad in a brawl, he always seemed so placid and gentle to me, bless him. On a personal note, it was a huge, but very pleasant, surprise to me when I found out in his letters, from his time in France, that my grandfather played the piano. You may recall his mention of playing in a cafe in Armentières. It is, therefore, another surprise to now discover my father was learning to play too. He may never have followed that right through, I don’t know, he could have been relocated from Wales before he got the chance to fully learn, but he certainly never told me about the piano lessons. As regards having their own piano one day, well, I think I may have mentioned before that I never saw one in their house, sadly.
The next letter I have is dated 12th September 1940. The regiment had moved north from Bankfoot, in Perth and Kinross, to Huntly, Aberdeenshire on 20th August, a distance of 116 miles. It would appear that his own vehicle was temporarily out of service, which meant he had avoided the regiment’s latest exercise. Thus he had the afternoon off…or so he thought! There is a gap of just over 5 weeks between this letter and the previous one in my collection, but he mentions having gone home on leave during this period, which would doubtless account for any lack of correspondence in that time. His record confirms he was granted seven days leave, as you can see here, but I’m not sure whether it started on 26th August, the right hand column, or on the 1st September as seen in the left hand one. The letter: Read as as follows, quote: “12/9/40 DVR. W. Gatty D. Troop. 750930 368/92nd Field Regt. RA c/o G.P.O. Huntly Aberdeenshire. My Dearest Elsie, Glad to know that you are all well as it leaves me fine. I am quite relieved to get your letter, as I have been worried wondering whether you were all right over those terrible raids. This letter has taken over 4 days to reach me from the time you posted it, as I got it last night 11th. The regiment has gone out on a stunt, but as my bus is in dock I have got the afternoon off, so am writing this letter in bed. I don’t know what your weather is like, but here we are getting terrible cold winds and plenty of rain, it’s proper wintry. All the same dear I wish I could find some way of getting you all up here away from those raids as it is so peaceful here you wouldn’t think there was a war on. I know you had bombs near you as one of our chaps lives in Briset Rd off Westhorne Avenue and his house was bombed. Also I hear that the stores in Lakedale Rd got a direct hit as well. * Do you know dear that I was lucky to get home as all leave has been stopped and don’t know when it will start again. Yes Ducks I missed you coming to Kings Cross especially as there were no raids, but we didn’t know that did we. There was hardly anybody at the station, it was properly deserted. We haven’t moved yet and there is a strong rumour that we are soon going to Stoke. If it comes true it is only 130 miles from London, about 4 hours run, which wouldn’t be so bad. ** I wonder what’s up with Aunt Beat as I haven’t heard either so I will write her later on. I have heard from Colchester this morning and she hopes you are all well. Yes Love I had a letter from Ben and he says he has sent a box of Luxuries as he calls it which I should get any day now. Yes we have got our extra money so in future don’t send me a stamp, as it is now my turn to send to you. I only wish they would send yours as I know how much you need it. I wonder you don’t write to them dear and then you would know how you stand, as you know that I mustn’t write, and it would wake them up and they can’t kill you for it. Here is the address. To The, Regimental Paymaster R.A. Records Foots Cray Rd Sidcup. Will you do that dear as it is for your own benefit. Just state my name, number and unit and say you have not received my profficeincy [SIC] pay from March 1st and would they please inquire into the matter. I have put a stamp in for you to send. *** We have drawn a cardigan from the stores today so that will be extra to put on. **** Everybody had to have a proper medical test while I was home so I had to go the other day and am pleased to say I was passed A.1. I am glad Eddie has started school as it gives you a few hours rest, but you didn’t say what school it is and does he like it. X From this cross I am writing from our gun position as they finished my bus and dragged me out of bed to go out so I didn’t get off so lightly after all. I have not heard from Billy or Violet yet so I must wait a bit longer. Yes darling I miss you as much as you miss me, if not more but let’s hope it won’t be long before we are all together again. It can’t last much longer the way we are smashing him up. What he has done over here is nothing to what has happened over Berlin and district. It seems that he is throwing all caution to the winds in a last effort but I think he is nearly finished. ***** Sweetie about that watch, I think you will find that they have gone up a lot in price so don’t trouble if you can’t manage it, but get Fran’s first, as I think he has earned it. Well ducks I this is all for now so will close with Fondest Love from Your Ever Loving Husband Wally xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx For nibs xxxxxxx Remember me to all and mum. Ta-ta Passion Flower. XXX” Unquote. * Briset Road is approximately 1.5 miles from Gregory Crescent, but close enough for falling bombs in a raid! Lakedale Road is almost 5 miles from Gregory, in Plumstead, but I think my grandfather mentions it as they had lived in Plumstead and doubtless knew the stores very well. The attached data, from the National Archives, records the bombing on 7 September 1940 and shows three entries for the aforementioned Lakedale Road. The sheet records the Old Tram Yard was hit by high explosives just before 5pm: “120x100 of garage, stables, a stores and contents, including two cars damaged. Two horses killed. Range of buildings and one floor 350x70 contents and stored damaged.” It also says, for the same place “A surface air raid shelter of 40x20 damaged”. Were these the “stores” Wally writes about? Or did his comment refer to another entry that records a hit on Lakedale Road and Plumstead High Street at exactly the same time: “Two people killed, several injured. Buildings damaged.”? May not even be the same raid, of course, as he does not state dates. I was unable to find any data for Briset Road around that time. September 7, 1940: first night of the Blitz ** The regiment’s next move was not to Stoke as Wally writes, despite the rumour mill. It did not move again until 27 October, his son Billy’s birthday as it happens, and arrived in Middleton, Rochdale on the 29th, where it pretty much stayed until March 1941, although it did march in heavy snow to Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent during a 3 Corps exercise on 5 February. *** I presume that what he must mean to say as “proficiency” pay would be from his being a Driver I/C? I was not aware that this extra money was shared between a husband and wife - I say that as he also writes that he has got his, which I am guessing also refers to proficiency pay? I’m not sure at all how that worked. **** It’s possible “Burlington Wally” had to leave all that extra kit, that he wrote about with the BEF you may recall, in France when he left, hence no cardigan! ***** Amazing optimism given this is September 1940, did he seriously believe any of this at the time? Was it the power of our own propaganda perhaps? Battle of Britain cheeriness? Whatever his motivation, this must have done Elsie a power of good to hear. Attached here too, by the way, is his B 103 showing that he was, indeed, passed A.1 fit on 12 September 1940:
15th October 1940, the regiment is still in Huntly, Aberdeenshire. I felt it necessary to censor a line again for personal reasons. Apologies for that. Transcript, quote: “15/10/40 DVR W. Gatty D Troop No. 750930 368/92nd Field Regt. Huntly Aberdeenshire My Dearest Elsie, Glad to know that you are still ok as I am fine. Your last letter took 4 days to get here so there must have been a delay. You ask me if my ears burn, well they do many times dear. Well Love you may notice that I am using the canteen stationery, that is because all my paper and envelopes keep getting damp, and as I have had to throw a dozen envelopes away I think it is a waste of time and money to get any more. We are still here and don’t know when we are moving, as we should have gone today (Tuesday) but we are on a stunt instead, having got up at 4.30am and started off at 6.30 with pouring rain. However, it has left off now and the sun is shining which makes it a bit brighter. * Went and saw Mickey Rooney in “Babes in Arms” last week, but each time I go I miss you, especially as I see other wives there. Wouldn’t it be lovely dear, when we finally get settled for the winter, if you came up to live here, as lodgings are reasonable and Francis could always get work here, and some of the husbands have got their kiddies here because they have been up in the camp, and they also get a sleeping out pass which enables them to go and sleep with their wives, so what more could you wish for dear. I am glad you got your chocolate and will send you some more shortly. I wish I had been there when that swine came down and machine-gunned you, especially if I had a rifle I would certainly had a go at him. ** Yes dear I heard that Lewisham and district caught it bad, but I wonder they haven’t got Mum away before now. I mean the Government, as they are supposed to be getting all the old people away and she would be much happier. I’m glad you have got the kiddies so things [SIC], also I am dying to see you in your new frock…(censored - personal). By the way darling, I don’t care what you do with that money, but please let me know how much you got so that I can satisfy myself that you got it all. Also, in case you don’t know, from the first week in November all allowances are to be raised, so that in all you will get another 7/- on your money. I don’t know if it is true or not, but they say that Woolwich and Plumstead are being evacuated, so if they start on Eltham and you get the chance to come here to me, don’t forget to do your stuff as I’ve also heard that the fares are paid by the government. I have heard from Aunt Beat and she said she was writing to you, but not a word from Catford or Biddy. I nearly forgot to tell you this. Last Saturday we had a visit from the Duke of Gloucester. I was on guard, but when he came they put a special guard of big chaps on and I had to go with the rest of our guard and hide among the trees so I did not get a good look at him as I should have liked to have seen him, but he did not stop long. *** Well precious I think I have come to the end of my tale for now so will close with Fondest Love from Your Ever Loving Husband Wally xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx For Kiddies xxxxxxxxxx P.S. You know I don’t mind you doing a bit of work for anybody good luck to you. I know I have got a clever wife.” Unquote. * the DRAMA report has the following entry which confirms the “stunt”: “On 15 Oct 368 Bty supported 15 Inf Bde in an exercise with 154 Inf Bde.” ** I’ve never heard this before and can only presume my Nan was unhurt as I’m sure my Grandfather would have mentioned it otherwise, and I’m equally sure I’d have definitely been told about her being wounded in any way. My Dad, and my mum too, told me once that the local primary school, which backed onto my grandparents’ garden, had been machine gunned by an enemy aircraft, but I had never checked out if that was true or not - if it was true, then was that the same incident in which my grandmother came under attack? Interestingly, after I’d read this, I tried to find something about it. What I found was a local press clipping from 1995 describing the V1 that landed on Gregory Crescent, but a memory in that clipping from a Mr Hunt, quoted under the photo of the school, caught my eye: (photos from The News Shopper, 1995) Was that the attack on the school that my mum and dad told me about, and was it the attack that involved Elsie?? That’s the school I went to by the way. *** poor Wally, on guard that day, but then denied the chance to “meet” the Duke. Grandad was only 5ft 5”, so clearly not impressive enough for the guard to put on a show! Typical bull**** isn’t it. The sad thing is that you don’t doubt the Duke would absolutely not have cared who was on the guard, he’d probably have just accepted things as they were normally. But no, the brass had to have a 6-foot plus guard to impress him more. This would have been Saturday, 12th October 1940, but I couldn’t find anything about his visit. And finally, but of course: (Image from IMDb)
20 October 1940, the regiment is still in Huntly: Transcribed as follows, quote: “20/10/40 DVR W. Gatty 750930. D. Troop. 368/92nd Field Regt. RA. Huntly Aberdeenshire My Dearest Elsie, Glad to know that you are still ok as I am fine, but sorry to hear you have toothache again. You will have to have them out later on. As I have told you before dear, you are not to worry about me as we are safe as houses, it’s me that’s got to worry over you and the kiddies and I worry more as each day goes by. You say you want to get out of it, well you can dear. This is the position. If you have anybody to go to your fares are paid for you and away you go. Now would you like to come and live with me. I am going to suggest this. We are moving very shortly now so when we get to our next place we shall settle down for the winter, so I will get billets for you and kiddies and send the address to you. You take this to the town hall and tell them you can’t stand it any longer and want to get away, and they pay your fares and away you go. Besides this the government pay so much billets allowance, this was in the “Kentish Mercury” which was in the canteen, so darling if you would like to do this let me know and don’t start worrying about leaving this and that. In any case we should be together for Christmas and that’s what you want eh. As I’ve said before, several chaps have their wives with them and I get very envious so think it over darling. * You didn’t say who gave you the shoes for pops and Fran. I shall certainly wear my cardigan when you have finished it, but as for the socks dear I am not exactly wanting for them if you have anything else to do. Did I tell you before that we had a big parcel of woollen things from the Comforts Fund, and out of it I got 1 scarf, 1 helmet, 1 pr. gloves, 1 pr. mittens, 1 pr. socks and, funny thing, one parcel was from Barnfield Rd, Plumstead. I have also drawn 2 pr of Winter Vests from Stores so am pretty well fixed up for winter. Well dear you know I have not any club money to draw so you will have to wait till I get a lot of money for your present, but you’ll get it don’t worry. Two more regiments have moved into this town and believe me you can hardly move, especially in the church canteen as the place is not very big. I have heard that we shall be away by the end of the month, and going by rumours we are going to every place in Scotland and England, but nothing definite is known yet. ** Well old girl I’ll finish this letter as I want to get it away so Cheerio with Fondest Love from your Ever Loving Husband Wally xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx For nibs xxxxxxxxxxx P.S. Received your last letter O.K. 18th. Will reply tomorrow Monday. Bye Bye Toots XX Unquote. * I do not know if my grandmother went to live with him or not, but interestingly, after this one, his next letter that I have is dated 20th April, 1941, so a gap of six months. Was this gap because she was indeed living with him for much of that time, or are any other interim letters just lost? Perhaps that next letter will provide a clue, but I’ve not looked yet… ** the DRAMA report, quoted below, shows that the regiment did move shortly after this letter, to Lancashire, where it remained until early March 1941: “On 27 Oct the regt left Huntly on the first stage of the journey to the new station at Middleton, Rochdale. The regt arrived on 29 Oct and was billeted as follows: RHQ in the Drill Hall, Dunster House and Swails Mill, Rochdale and 365 and 368 Btys were in Stake Hill Mill, Middleton.” (extract courtesy of RA Historical Trust) Fun fact, 20th October, the date of this letter, is my sister’s birthday, his granddaughter, not that he would have known that then, and 27th October, the date the regiment moves to Lancashire, was my father’s, his son Billy. I can tell you are all dead excited by that!
Cracking stuff Martin. Some domesticity after the storm, and before the storm! The things those gals did to keep their chaps happy, and the things those chaps did to keep their gals happy "Wear a tight one, look a right one, balacla.................". You know the drill. Kind regards, knit one purl one, always, Jim. P.S. The Christmas "stocking" of childhood (a knitted sock). Seeing a rounded shape within the bottom of same; An orange! Luxury! Arm straight in down to the toes to draw out the rounded shape of................ the matching sock to the "Christmas stocking". My Irish gran always had a wicked sense of humour
Love it. Why can I not look at that 1940 helmet without thinking about the Great Train Robbery. Sue’s on a knitting crusade right now, I’m going to slip these into her pattern pile. Regarding the regiment’s move to Middleton, I found this on the BBC’s WW2 People’s War. Assuming he’s talking about the same place, it seems that Stake Hill Mill was where our Gracie worked. She’s popped up again! BBC - WW2 People's War - '1942-43...Detention at Stake Hill, Rochdale'
