A letter home from the BEF

This letter is dated 24 February 1940, which was a Saturday, and clearly he had to return from leave on the Wednesday that he mentions, 21 February.

I don’t mind confessing that I welled up reading a certain part of this one, tear or three and all that. Jim, as it just fitted together so beautifully with those two photos you posted, I think you’ll know which bit I mean.







It reads thus, quote:

“24/2/40

DVR. W. Gatty
No. 750930
No 2 Company
No 1 GBD
BEF

My Dearest Elsie,

Just to let you know that I have arrived quite safe this morning, after 4 days travelling.

Well dear, I’m sorry I made you rush about last Wednesday when there wasn’t any need for it, but we didn’t know did we, and I hope you got back alright.

I just arrived in time to go and see another N.A.A.F.I. show from which I have just returned and it was jolly fine. I saw the (3 Jackson girls), (Jock McKie), (Hal Jones), (Harry Claff and Winnie Wager) and 2 or 3 others whose names I forget. All for 2 Francs (3d), quite cheap eh.

Also while I was home the unit sent for me which I expected to happen, so I should be going back to them any day now. **

If you look on top of the wardrobe you will find my houseknife which I left behind, so if possible I should like you to send it to me as soon as possible. When you do send it, address it to the unit where you used to send letters as I shall probably be back by then. ***

We were on the water nearly a day and a night, and the water was a bit rough, making the boat roll quite a bit, but I stuck it alright. On the boat I met one of our chaps who had been away from the unit sick since last October and he is in the same tent with me. It just shows you how small the world is.

I hope you were still at the station when the train pulled out, as I was still waving, and I couldn’t see you naturally, and I didn’t want to wave to anybody else.

Well dear I don’t think there is any more to say for the present so will close with Fondest Love. Hoping to write you from the unit next time.

From Your Loving Husband Wally xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

For Kiddies xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

P.S. Send me Harry’s address next letter.”

Unquote.

** his remark re the unit sending for him is borne out by the war diary’s “FIELD RETURN OF OTHER RANKS”, dated 10 February 1940 (erroneously dated 1939). His name appears second from last in PART C. of the page, “DESCRIPTION OF OTHER RANKS WHOSE RETURN TO THE UNIT IS PARTICULARLY REQUESTED”. His service record indicates he was posted back to 92 Fd Regt on 28 February.



This is the only time I have ever seen his name in any of the war diaries I currently have, but I don’t have them all. I do realise, however, how lucky I am to see his name at all.

*** I can only read this as “houseknife”. At first I wondered what the hell he was doing with a housewife on top of his wardrobe! It was clearly a tool he held dear and invaluable to him. Wonder what it was exactly, penknife, some other kind?

How pleased too he must have been to find one of the blokes he knew on the same boat back, some good company for him as I can only assume that he would have been quite low after leaving home, Elsie and the kids again.

Now, as you know, I try to do a bit of delving into people or things he writes about where I can and so off I went on my “who’s that” search again. Well, of those performers he saw at the NAAFI concert, I think Hal Jones could well be this bloke:

Hal Jones | Actor, Soundtrack

Harry Claff and Winnie Wager were husband and wife as is described here, but I couldn’t find a photo of Winnie:

Joining members at the fourth meeting of the Lodge

While I found it quite hard to dig up anything concrete about “The 3 Jackson Girls”, I started off fairly confident that La Toya and Janet were not two of them.

I did find a couple of snippets though, one of them in this article saying that the Four Jackson Girls were a backing act for George Formby in ENSA shows in France. Four, not three, however - were there two different acts, or did the three become four when the subject of that article, the wonderfully named Betty Pounder, joined the troupe?

Betty Pounder: The centenary of a remarkable life (Part 1) - Theatre Heritage Australia

This clip from the Radio Times for the week 4 -10 February 1940 lists the “J W Jackson Girls” in the cast of Babes in the Wood, but no way of knowing if there’s a link:

https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/4f6872d9006d444f8476b8d87a7e81bc?page=27

Page 141 of Radio’s Who’s Who lists a Judith Innes Gordon, who also joined the Jackson Girls. Again, whether the same troupe, I can’t say:

https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/UK-Books/Radio-Who's-Who-London-1947.pdf

Were they dancers, the Jackson Girls?

I can’t pin down Jock McKie at all.

 

Housewife is right.

Housewife (sewing kit): British Army

Pronounced Hussif.

https://ww2talk.com/index.php?search/53929233/&q=Hussif&o=relevance

 

Well, blow me down, I never knew that, thanks mate.

 

3rd March 1940. This letter looks like it may have had an unfortunate encounter with a lighted ciggy. Funny thing is, I don’t ever remember seeing him smoke, neither does my brother, but in many of his letters it’s plainly obvious how valued they were to him and, undoubtedly, to his mates and all the troops.

The regiment was still at Armentières at this time.






Here’s what it says. Quote:

“Sunday 3rd March

DVR. W. GATTY
No. 750930.
368/92nd Field Regt R.A.
B.E.F.

My Dearest Elsie,

Hope you are all keeping well as it leaves me the same.

As you can see by the address I am back with the unit once more and settled down again. We are still in the same place. I left the base last Tuesday morning and after travelling by train for 2 days, arrived here Thursday afternoon. My arm still aches through shaking hands with different chaps.

I had not been back 2 days before I was clamped for a guard from which I have just come off. This afternoon the whole unit is going to see a concert, but as I don’t know what it is yet, I will tell you all about it in the next letter.

I have got all my kit back just as I left it when I went away. It was in the stores. I also had 10 letters, 5 or 6 from you, one from Catford, 2 from Aunt Beat, and one from the Daily Sketch, also the parcel they sent. In it was 2 pr. socks, 2 pr. gloves, 1 scarf, 1 cardigan and 1 helmet. Altogether I have got 10 prs. of socks, 3 prs. of gloves, 3 cardigans, 2 scarves, 2 helmets and nearly a Doz. handkerchiefs. Quite a collection what.

I have not had any letter from Bill yet, whether he did send me or not, I have not received it yet. I found Aunt Clara’s address you sent, so I shall write to her later on. The weather here is still cold, but bright and dry, though I noticed the change coming from the base.

I had a lovely dinner on Friday round the cookhouse. It was my favourite dinner, meat pudding, and was it good! With rice pudding and jam for after’s. It was quite a change from bully and biscuits.

From the time I got back from leave, last Saturday week till this Friday just gone, I did not receive a penny in pay or get any cigarettes, because I had got to the base just too late to receive pay and cigs and left again just before the next week’s issue.

I felt much better when I had a few francs in my pocket, as Joe, who you saw at Waterloo, paid for everything we had, as I only got 16 Francs when I changed my money. He was a real brick.

I went to the Rex Cinema Friday night and saw Spencer Tracy and Louise Rayner ** in “Big City”. I don’t know whether you or Francis has seen it, but it was very good.

Well dear, I see in our orders that the next leave starts on 16th March, but as they are only going to send 10 a week instead of 18, I reckon it will be quite 16 or 17 weeks before I see you again. Still never mind, the time will come round eventually and it will also be summer time. ***

Well dear, I can’t think of any more to say at present so will close with Fondest Love From Your Ever Loving Husband Wally. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

For Kiddies xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

P.S. Just going to dinner 12.30.”

Unquote.

** her name was actually Luise Rainer (like I knew that until I looked)

*** one of those fateful remarks when we know what’s coming…

A letter from the Daily Sketch? And was it their parcel, as he says “they sent”, but did they even send parcels to the troops? Or was it from good old Aunt Beat as ever, but, again, why then “they” and not “she”…

I love his use of “what” after listing his collection of clothing, how very British and of its time. Although I wouldn’t have expected it from a working class man. We live and learn. I wonder how much of his kit he had to leave behind. Pretty much all of it?



(courtesy of IMDb)

 

Excellent Martin.

So much (in the best possible way) "regular" detail of life back then. I love the thought of Wally as "the man with two helmets" - balaclava of course

His non-reg kit list run through; a veritable battery Burlington Bertie by any measure (of clothing "accessories").

Next leave? Me very much thinks not happening for Wally. Calm before the storm and all that.

Kind regards, keep 'em coming, always,

Jim.

P.S. Check out those parcels!

 

He was well kitted out, our Wally.

Another great video, thanks for that. I think Aunt Beat alone accounted for one of those sacks.

 

On a more sombre note, you may remember this still from that BEF mail video, the first envelope the Colonel holds up.



Well, out of interest, I went onto CWGC and looked up the name and number of Pte Hollman and I’m very sad to say that 6284279 Corporal Walter Raymond Hollman, 2nd Battalion The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) died on 2 September 1942. Whether he was killed in action or died of wounds or sickness, I know not. He’s buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery.

Coincidentally he lived in Southfleet, Kent, which is very close to my former home in Longfield.

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2094731/walter-raymond-hollman/




(Photographs by kind permission of The War Graves Photographic Project)

 

Hello Martin,

Given the date of death and where originally buried (New Zealand Brigade Cemetery) the poor fella likely copped it at Alam el Halfa.

Always remember, never forget,

Jim.

 

I just had a quick look at the battle, about which I know not a lot, on, ahem, Wiki, and you are undoubtedly right. All fits doesn’t it.

His name has appeared on the forum before as it happens, I just found a brief mention here from Tony56

unknown fallen - kent

 

10 March 1940. He was still in Armentières at this time. The DRAMA report states that “On 4/5 Mar the regt took part in a 5 Div arty deployment scheme in the area Frelinghem - Perenchies and included a night occupation. On 8 Mar work on tp posns began.” I cannot find Frelinghem and think this must be Frelinghien.







La transcription, as they say en France. Quote:

“10/3/40

DVR. W . GATTY
No. 750930.
368/92nd Field Regt. RA.
B.E.F.

My Dearest Elsie,

I am still O.K. and hope you and the kiddies are the same. I received your letter alright.

I have just been to the M.O. to have another inoculation, but there is nothing in this one. Well I went to that concert I told you about, and when I got in, I found it was the same one I saw at the base. Still it passed the evening away.

Well dear the first leave batch goes next Sunday, and with a bit of luck, I should be seeing you again about the end of June, roughly 13 weeks and not 6 months as you think.

I thought Bill would come too late to see me and I still have not had a letter yet from him. Just before I started this line the air raid warning went and when we looked in the sky there was a lot of smoke as though there has been a fight, although we can’t see anything yet.

Yes dear I am quite used to my ring now, and I like flashing it in the light. I only wish I was at home to show you whether I love you.* You just wait till June. It’s a pity you didn’t ask that man who he was although I don’t suppose it was anything to worry about. If you go in mum’s club any more, after the way they have treated you, I will marry somebody else. If the furniture people are not worrying why should you as you can’t do impossibilities.

You should soon be having better weather soon as over here it is getting really fine, quite mild and brilliant sunshine.

Glad to hear Francis is still doing his bit, as a few spuds and greens will help you along. I forgot to mention I got the housewife and hanks. alright. **

The all clear has just gone so there was no excitement in that. We are now going to get another 6d a day proficiency pay which is 3/6d a week extra, so I am passing it over to you as soon as possible, as you can do with it more than I can. You must let me know when it comes through.

Well dear I got a new overcoat last week, and talk about a fit. It is one of the new style , officers pattern. It goes in at the waist and fits me as though it was made to measure.

Went and saw Nelson Eddy & J. McDonald in “Naughty Marietta” last Friday and it was the worst picture I have seen them in. It was one of those 18th Century pictures and you know I don’t like that sort. On Saturday, which was last night, I saw the best N.A.A.F.I. show that has been out here yet. You and I have both heard them on the wireless. It was the “Fol de Rols”, you remember, with Peggy Desmond at the piano. They had lovely costumes and I thoroughly enjoyed the show.

Also next Thursday we are having one of those Mobile Cinema shows that’s over here. We are having it in our dining hall where we have got a stage and screen. Some of the chaps were picked to go somewhere and see George Formby and his show, but we can’t expect to see everything can we.

Well dear I have wrote to Mary and Phoebe, Aunt Clara, Aunt Beat and Aunt Annie. As it is getting near dinner time I’m afraid I must close this letter with Fondest Love from Your Ever Loving Husband Wally. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

For Kiddies especially Pops. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”

Unquote.

* Not sure what he means about the ring and showing her whether he loved her - I think that word is “whether”, I can’t see how “whither” would work (I say that as there seems to be the dot of an i there). Perhaps my Nan was giving him a hard time because she thought he didn’t tell her he loved her often enough. All guesswork…

** I take “hanks.” to be handkerchiefs- clearly the dozen or so he mentioned in his previous letter were not enough for ol’ Burlington.

I’d not heard of the fol de rols before, but now understand the Fol-de-Rols were musical revues, with comedy and songs. Here’s one from 1939, featuring Cyril Fletcher - when his face popped up I realised it was the same Cyril Fletcher of “odd ode” That’s Life fame:



Peggy Desmond:



Our George, 25 March 1940:





(image from IMDb).

 

19th March 1940. This one is short and sweet.






It read thus, quote:

“19/3/40

No. 750930
DVR. W. Gatty
368/92nd. Field Regt. R.A.
B.E.F.

My Dearest Elsie,

Glad to know you are all keeping well, as I have got a slight cough which I cannot seem to get rid of, due to the different kinds of weather I suppose. Apart from that I am fine.

Yes dear, I have got plenty of woollen clothes, but I don’t suppose I shall need them now, as it will soon be summer time. No I shall certainly let you have the pleasure of washing my pullover when I come home, as I dare say I should make a mess of it.

Glad to hear you are both getting on with the garden as it will save you buying stuff. You say I am lucky to be able to go to the pictures, I know you would sooner me do that than go drinking in the cafes, and the pictures only cost 4 francs (6d). We will both go again when I see you in June. *

Glad to know you are getting better weather, as it will certainly do both you and the kiddies good. The weather here is changeable, one day it is scorching hot, and the next it is snowing or raining! Have you moved downstairs yet now that the weather is changing. **

We had a mobile cinema here last Thursday in our dining hall, and they showed Pathe Gazette, a cartoon about Lord Haw Haw, and James Cagney in ‘Something to Sing About’, but I had seen it at Sutton. ***

On Friday I saw ‘The 13th Chair’, and ‘Tarzan Finds a Mate’, both good pictures.

By the way, we have now got a gramophone in our billet, but before we could use I had to make a new sound box out of the old one. Now we have a wireless for which we all pay 2 francs a week for hire. It gets more like home every day, the only difference is that you and the kiddies are not here. So whenever you are listening to the wireless remember I am listening too.

Do you know I had to wait 8 days for your last letter. I wondered what had happened.

Well dear I am just going to turn in bed as it is 10 o.c., so will close with Fondest Love from Your Ever Loving Husband Wally xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

For Kiddies xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”

Unquote.

* and see her in June he would - just not quite how he imagined it!

** No idea what this refers to - the house was a normal one, 3 bedrooms upstairs, lounge, kitchen and bathroom/WC downstairs (I spent lots of hours there)

*** before embarking for France in September, the regiment had spent some time in Cheam, near Sutton, Surrey, which is when he must have first seen the Cagney film. This from the DRAMA:

“At 0045 hrs on 1 Sep the Adjt received the telegram which set in motion the embodiment of the regt. All were notified immediately and started arriving at RHQ. Fearing an immediate bombing of London as soon as hostilities broke out, arrangements had been made for the regt to mobilise at Cheam, near Sutton, Surrey. At this time the regt was part of the 1st London Div. By 1200 hrs on 3 Sep embodiment was complete.”



(images from IMDb)

I’m guessing that the film he saw was Tarzan and His Mate, rather than “finds” a mate, although perhaps it was released in Europe under that other title.

I didn’t have any luck finding the animated Haw Haw cartoon.

 

Off topic slightly, Martin, but was Driver Gatty or any of his friendship circle, involved in the rearguard near Bulskamp? I'm hoping to revisit the area with Christian next week and can perhaps we can try to attempt to retrace his steps if he was... Regards John

 

Not off topic at all John, it’s all very relevant to this thread. In answer to your question, he must have been in that fight. I doubt I’m going to find any written evidence from him to that effect in his letters, but I’m sure he has to have been there. He didn’t get back to the UK until 1st June 1940 according to his record.

You and I are both familiar with Christian’s De Moeren/Bulskamp thread, that’s how I found out about the 92nd’s part in that. Gun Buster, Captain Austin, was an officer in his Battery, 368, so he, they, were undoubtedly in the fight there. You may recall that I firmly believe that 368 was the first Battery to open fire on the church at Bulskamp.

I believe Christian Luyckx is pretty sure of 368’s position during the action. Enjoy your trip, please pass my regards to Christian and thank you for retracing my grandfather’s steps, that’s amazing.

 

23rd March 1940, Easter, the regiment is still in Armentières.






Transcribed thus, quote:

“23/3/40

DVR. W. Gatty
No. 750930
368/92nd Field Regt. R.A.
B.E.F.

My Dearest Elsie,

Glad to know you are all well as it leaves me the same, except for sore feet through so much walking on these terrible roads. Sometimes it’s a job to walk straight. When I said there was nothing in that inoculation I meant that there was no after effects, only a slight sore arm for a day or two.

Yes it would be nice to spend a day at the seaside, but we will have to see later on. The sooner you send those photos the happier I shall be. I’m glad Edie [sic] has been to see the other two nibs*, as no doubt it did him good, and it was good of Charlie as you say. Did Billy give Edie [sic] his train he promised him?

Yes dear, we had quite a heavy fall of snow last Thursday as you did, though it started raining first. That 3/6 extra you had is I believe the London area allowance as nobody has heard anything about the extra 6d a day yet. Still you will see later on.

From what you tell me about the garden, it looks as if we shall have apples, strawberrys, and cream when I come home.

To-day is Easter Saturday and we had the Colonel’s inseption [sic] ** this morning, and this afternoon off so I am laying down writing this letter, and listening to Jack White and his band on the wireless. We have shifted our billets to another house and have been split up, but there are five of us in our room, and we have the wireless with us.

I have not heard from anybody since I have been back, only you, and I wrote them all as soon as I got back to the unit. Yes dear I would like a small parcel especially tobacco, but don’t go too rash as a little is as good as a lot to me.

Yes I bet pops looked sweet in her suit, I am looking forward to seeing her in it. Went to the Rex last night and saw Laurel and Hardy in “The Bohemian Girl” and Greta Garbo and Robert Donat in “Lady of the Chameleon”. I’m not struck on her, as she is too fond of the sob stuff. You ought to have heard the boys give her the raspberry.

We have to go on parade at 7.00 now for a 15 minutes P.T. drill, you know, arms upward stretch, knees bend and all that. By the time we have finished, I shall be a trained athlete, perhaps.

Have just heard that to-morrow being Easter Sunday, we have got a lay-in, the first parade being 9.45AM and that suits me. I’ve only got one moan and that is, that they are not giving us any Easter eggs, to have in bed. We are now listening to Charlton v West Ham on the wireless.

Well dear as it is nearly tea time, I think I will close with Fondest Love from Your Ever Loving Husband Wally. I.L.Y.O. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

For Kiddies xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Remember me to neighbours.”

Unquote.

* I think he has, rather oddly, misspelled Eddie, his youngest son. It can’t be Edie as is written, as he goes on to say “he”, not “she”. I also have no idea if the word I have highlighted is, indeed, “nibs”, it’s a guess. My theory is that Eddie had been to visit his older brother and sister, Billy and Violet, who had both been evacuated, so is it slang for kids or siblings? A pet name for his kids perhaps? No idea.

** he means “inspection”, presumably. I would assume this to be the Regiment’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel C. B. Wood.

For the first time I see he has added some letters after his kisses to Elsie, in this case I.L.Y.O. I assume that ILY is “I Love You”, of course, but no idea what the O would be.

I tried to find a film starring Greta Garbo and Robert Donat called “The Lady of the Chameleon”, but without success. I believe, therefore, that he had, in fact, watched “Camille”, the actor being Robert Taylor, not Donat. Camille is based on “La Dame aux Camélias” (The Lady of the Camellias), by Alexandre Dumas fils (son of Alexandre Dumas of Three Musketeers fame).

I love his quip about the reception she got from the troops!



(Image from IMDb)





(Image from IMDb)

By the way, for those of you with a football interest, West Ham beat Charlton 2-0.

Game played on 23 Mar 1940

Here’s a close up of that mystery word:

 

I think it is kids
Perhaps he was rushed when writing

 

You could well be right Clive, he had a bit of a spelling ‘mare in this letter, which was unusual .

 

I think : "nibs". The "k" "t" and "w" examples from the scripts are clear. Discounted an "m" or "w".

nibs - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

 

Cheers. I had looked at the definition of nibs earlier in case it was slang for kids that I’d not heard before and all I could find was the usual slang for a self-important person, “his nibs”, you know. That didn’t seem to fit here somehow, but, if it is nibs, then maybe it had a personal meaning to him and my grandmother. If so, I’ll never know.

 

Further to Clive’s suggestion that he may have been rushed writing this, it’s possible he could also have been very tired.

As I say, a few spelling errors in this, his son’s name twice, the nibs/kids mystery and if you look closely, although I transcribed it as the Colonel’s “inspection’, he’s actually written what looks like “inseption”. It’s unusual for him to make this many slip ups. All part of the fun and learning of reading these and I could keep guessing forever .

 

Reminds me of a drinking song, either by John Still ( Bishop of Bath and Wells ) according to "The Week-End Book" first pub. 1924 or "anonymous" in online edition: "Tib" in my Penguin printed version ( 1938 ) or "Kit" online !

"And Tib, my wife, that as her life
Loveth well good ale to seek,
Full oft drinks she, till you may see
The tears run down her cheek;
Then doth she trowl to me the bowl,
Even as a malt-worm should;
And saith, “Sweetheart, I took my part
Of this jolly good ale and old.”