Welcome back to part 15, this post covers the letters from November 1944 to February 1945. I think a lot of Peter’s letters are missing at this point because they were being passed round to family and friends to read. They most likely got spread out and lost among the wider family. So until the end of 1944 we have Peter’s mum to let us know what is happening.
On the 6th November 1944 she writes:
“My darling Pete, We were very glad to get your letter no. 46, and to know you are safely settled in your new quarters. We received your cable telling us the news, many thanks dear. Your life seems to be spent swotting!! Apart from the fact that I expect you are disappointed being grounded for a while, the experience you will gain, will be immense, and considering the interest you used to find in mapping out new courses on the home front, you should make an ideal instructor. We all send our very best wishes for your success.
You certainly had a very enjoyable trip, and we have thoroughly enjoyed reading your lengthy epistles. How nice that you were able to meet your friends and make the visit to Rhodes resting place. Also meeting Jay Pulleyn was a trip! Well my dear, we are still plodding along on the home front! Despite the fact that some parts find it very hectic at times! Luckily pop has not had to turn out at night for some time now, and can get a much needed rest! Touch wood!! May still has to fire watch! We have heard from Des, and his relief has at last turned up, so after he has trained him, he hopes to return home. What a happy day that will be, I have got the flags ready! And a few good dinners strutting about the garden! Our one laying hen has produced 41 eggs to date, pretty good! The other two pullets will soon start now.
Mr Davis has given us a group photo with you in, of the play at the Manor School! He sends his best wishes to you. I will forward the photo, also one of myself taken in Bude. May sends her love and she also intends writing soon! I see in the Sunday paper that Flt Lt W. Teeling is raising the in the Air Ministry about the lack of coupons, apart from officers, for purchasing pyjamas, and that men in Britain and Africa are forced to sleep in their shirts or naked! Including yourself! And if they will remedy the position. What a hope! How do you get on with the mosquitoes?
The leaves are nearly off the trees and plenty of work awaiting Des in garden! But he likes it, or did! At present we are having high winds. Today I picked a lovely lot of rosebuds, and with some fuchsias they make a good show. Well my dear son, I must away to bed, am looking forward to your next letter. Pop has been to his club concert tonight, which he has enjoyed very much! May and I went to Pinner on Sat and saw Bob Hope in ‘Thanks for the Memory’ crazy but quite good film! Also ‘Till we meet again’ Well Cheerio, crowds of fondest love and kisses galore from us all, including Frisky! Your loving mum.”
On the 13th November 1944 when Peter's mum next writes, the Bulgarian 1st army captured Skopje. The Japanese destroyers Akebono, Akishimo, Hatsuharu and Kiso, were all bombed and sunk by U.S. Navy aircraft in and around Cavite Naval yard in Manila, while destroyer Okinami was sunk 8 nautical miles west of the city.
“ Darling Pete, Your letter no. 46 written on Oct 16th is the last we have received. Expect the mail will take quite 3 weeks now, which seems a very long time! Especially in the desert!
Joan came on Sat eve, and returned Sunday afternoon, she was looking well and enjoyed her trip home. We got Mr Pullman to bump one of our young cockerels off! It proved to weigh 4 llb and was very luscious! Quite a treat, only wished you were here to enjoy it. Do you ever get poultry dished up?
Joan said she had received a letter from you, and she concludes that you find Queenstown similar to Buxton!! Except the climate! Pop is off to Glasgow tomorrow, until Friday or Sat morning, so May and I will be the two old maids of Leigh!! Ralph is coming on Fri. for a few days, bless him!! May and I are going to see Dangerous Moonlight again, this week we have Tommy Trinder and Betty Warren in ‘Champagne Charlie’ which will be gay and full of life. Also we have a British film called 2000 Women! It is about life in an internment camp and how three airmen who bail out nearby are saved from the Germans. They say it is quite comical.
Mr Stagg has not heard how Albert is progressing, it is three weeks since they wrote and informed her he was on the danger list, with bullet wounds to the head, she sent a cable, but has not yet received a reply.
Well they have at last sunk the Tirpitz, nice work! Lets hope the whole business will end soon. Hope you are keeping fit and enjoying your work!! Cheerio my dear, your bedroom is very empty. Crowds of fondest love and kisses galore from us all, including Frisky, he is my constant companion. Mum.”
The Tirpitz was Hitlers battle ship and it took 3 years and multiple operations before 30 RAF Lancaster bombers armed with Tallboy earthquake bombs finally went out and sunk it, with the news being relayed on the 13th November 1944. The last letter for November is dated 30th November 1944:
“My darling Pete, We were glad to have your letter Oct 27th, and today the one written Nov 13th. Although you are no doubt disappointed about not proceeding on ops training, what you are now studying will be of value at a future date.
We were not over surprised to hear about your maths! It certainly looks as though you have much study ahead. Todays daily quotation in sketch is by Samuel Johnson, and is very true – viz- A man ought to read just as inclination leads him, for what he reads as a task will do him little good. Hence your maths!! I expect you will tackle and master them in time!
We are having a mixed grill, as regards weather, frosts at night, and plenty of rain! And wind, one of the cypress trees outside front door was snapped in half like cotton! I’m very glad our farmyard come to the kitchen door to be fed! Our hen has laid 60 eggs to date, very useful, the other two will soon follow suit. I hope! Of course the first three cockerels are just too magnificent to kill! They will be of value as stock birds, and can sell them at 30/- each now, but shall want much more! Am afraid poultry will be just as scarce this Xmas. We are looking forward to having Des come home, any day now. What a long dreary time waiting is.
Albert is now in hospital in Bristol, he is still on the danger list, Mrs Stagg and Stan went to see him this week. Mr Davis is so very pleased at receiving your letter, he is writing you. Young Michael looks such a scream, he now has to wear glasses and what with his front teeth out and leg in plaster, you can imagine the result!
You will no doubt read in the papers that there has been a heavy explosion at an ammunition dump at Burton on Trent. Heavy loss of life. They think a small explosion started a sympathetic one which involved other stores. Well my dear, no other news, hope you are ok. How is Bob progressing, and Noris?”
The explosion in Burton on Trent she mentions is the RAF Fauld explosion, still the largest explosion on British soil. I have done a write up on it here. There is a very sweet Christmas card sent by Joan to Peter, I will put photos below, notice she names the three dogs after each of them.
There are a lot of doodles on the envelope, mostly sums, and a message from someone called John. This is a friend of Peter who will sadly die in a plane crash in only a few months time.
When Peter's mum writes again on the 14th December 1944, that same day the British escort destroyer Aldenham was sunk by a naval mine in the Adriatic sea off Pag. Aldenham was the last Royal Naval destroyer lost in World War II. Also that day, the Palawan massacre occurred in the Philippines when 150 allied prisoners of war were murdered by the Japanese during an air raid.
“ My darling Peter, So glad to get your letter no. 51 and to know you are ok. Mr Davis has received your letter and was very pleased. I hope your photo was a success and that one is on the way home.
We were delighted to receive the lovely trays and necklaces last week, they arrived in very good order. It is very good of you dear, and we shall treasure them. Am sorry we have not sent anything for the festive season to you, but we thought a spot of cash would enable you to buy anything you fancy, so pop is cabling you, and I hope you will have received it before you get this epistle! No doubt you will drink our health in your favourite beverage!
So sorry to hear you were overcome on your recent air trip, expect the elements were against you, I am sure it is a tough job! Fancy your room mate hailing from K on Thames, you certainly have been very lucky with friends. I have received another nice letter from Tom Searles, nice chap!
We had a grand surprise on Sat eve, the phone rang, and it was Des saying he had just arrived at Poole by flying boat. He left on Thursday and slept at two different places before arriving. He said it was a bit patchy at times, but a really good trip. He slept in hotel in Poole and pushed off on Sunday morn, May and pop met him and they got home about 2.30. Pop was lucky in getting a car from station. Des looks very slick in his uniform, and has had some wonderful experiences. He naturally is rather thin and can do with some rest. I decorated the hall and staircase with those trailing flags, out to cypresses at front door! Also a big flag over stairs! So he had a gay reception, Frisky tied himself in knots with joy!
Des has brought some very attractive mementoes for their home, also a lovely snakeskin compact for me and a silver filigree bracelet and filigree compact for evening use! Also lovely bracelets for May and Joan. Bottle of scotch and baccy for pop!
Well my love, Xmas is very near, but dissension seems to reign on earth, there seems no end to it! However we must try and raise our hopes. You will be in our thoughts on Xmas day. I will put your photo on the table! “
At least most of the family was back together again for Christmas, except for Peter. The last letter for 1944 is dated 31st December 1944, Peter’s mum writes with their news:
“ My darling Pete, Well here we are, to the last day of 1944 and I suppose lucky to be alive! We have all certainly had enough excitement, and could do with a spot of peace. May it come soon. Your letters give us much pleasure dear, and the lovely snaps an insight into the beauties of Africa. The falls must be a wonderful sight when the sun shines on them.
Joan and May and of course myself were delighted with the lovely trays and necklaces, they are wonderfully made. The calendar arrived yesterday in good condition, and is a beautiful study. Many thanks dear, you know how much I appreciate it.
We were glad to hear about Bob, don’t you fret at being an instructor for the time being, it is a compliment to your abilities, you will get pushed into the battle quite soon enough, so don’t precipitate it!!
You will be sorry to hear that Aunt Clare has had a serious accident. Clare Rice was on holiday in Exeter, and wrote and asked to visit her, so of course Aunt being the turncoat she is, said she would be delighted, so she arrived for tea, and next day, Aunt visited them in Exeter to lunch, then Tony and Clare went to Aunts another day to tea! And they were all so happy at the reunion! And Aunt Laura spoke to Clare on phone, then they invited Clare to spend Xmas at Lelant, so Aunt, despite the fact of being far from well, goes off on the Tuesday before Xmas (She phoned me up on the Sunday saying she was not going) because of the wild weather, snow etc. But off she went and the next thing was a telephone message from Mrs Rice saying Aunt was in hospital near Penzance after a serious fall.
She has two broken ribs and thigh, so if she survives it will be a miracle, but at present she is supposed to be comfortable after having it set in Falmouth Hospital, where she was removed after some days! To be under Clare Rice’s own surgeon!!! And is on a private ward so we have a lot of trouble to face soon. I will let you know what transpires. It is such a hell of a journey, but pop may make it in a few days time. Clare Rice has certainly bought it!! So sorry to send such a tale of woe, but thought you must know.
We had a very nice Xmas with Des home, and pop managed to get a turkey from Glasgow, also had another of our cockerels! So we did ourselves proud. Joan home for four days. Well my darling boy, I hope you are enjoying life. So glad you were invited out for Xmas. Crowds of fondest love and kisses galore. Mum. “
They have all made it to 1945, in January Peter’s parents have an airman billeted at their house in Ruislip. Peter’s mum writes about their news, the letter isn’t dated but the post mark is 15th January 1945:
“My darling Peter, We were glad to have your last letter, and to know you had a happy Xmas with your new friends. A very nice service card came for you from Cledwyn, on the top was written to - my pal Peter, the address on the back was P/O Roberts C, RCAF Debert, Canada.
I suppose you have had the first exams by now, and hope they were not too stiff. Well dear, Des had a happy month at home revelling in his belongings, he even painted his kitchen! And entertained a number of friends. He has now joined a ship at Sheerness H.M.S. Herschell. He hopes to get home on some weekends occasionally. A telegram arrived congratulating him on his promotion, which he himself had not been informed of!!
You will be surprised to know I have now got a man billeted on us! He is ground staff of RAF on military survey work. He is a commercial artist, very clever. He now works on maps etc. He leaves here at 8:15, so I have to rise and shine at 7:15! He has accommodation, breakfast and evening meal for 1gn! We did not like the idea at first, but I shall be glad of someone in the home at times. He is a married man about Des age, living at Seven Kings, so he will be away most weekends.
You will be glad to know that Aunt Clare is progressing quite well, after recovering from the shock of her accident. Pop went to Falmouth to see her, also Charlie Mollaid. Now my dear, I have a bit of sad news, Uncle Ralph was taken ill on Mon, he stayed in bed on Tuesday and Wed and Dr said he would be ok for a few days. He gave him an injection for indigestion, but on Thursday morning he got out to go to the bathroom, he then fell down, and the people in the house got him back on bed, but he passed away before the Dr arrived. Heart strain, caused through overwork. They had been working every night since Xmas until 8 or 9 oclock. Pop arranged for poor old Ralph to be brought to Grimsteads in Ruislip, where he lies until burial. It has been a great shock as he was here at Xmas. We have not started the new year very well!
Well my dear, I must end this gloomy epistle, hoping you are ok. ”
After the sad news of the death of Peter’s Uncle, I unfortunately still don’t have any letters of Peters for this time. I suspect it is because his letters are being posted round to various family members and likely get lost along the way. The next letter is from Peter’s mum again on the 23rd Jan 1945, she says:
“My darling Pete, How time flys! Fancy it is now Jan 21st, quite a lot seems to have happened since X-mas.
First I must congratulate you on passing your radio exam with 82%! Good going. Result of much study! Your description of the Sulphur baths make me quite envious!
We have 3 canaries left, 1 male, 1 hen budgie, I borrowed cock budgie, they have actually started trying to raise a family, in the egg stage at present. The chickens are doing their stuff, 3 hens are laying well and manage to supply Des and May as well as ourselves. I put an advert in the paper this week for selling 2 cockerels! An elderly man came and paid 40/- for a pure bred R.I.R. bird, also 10/- for 9 fertile eggs and gave me 9 of his eggs in exchange. So now I have 2 cocks and 3 hens, gratis! Besides having eaten two cockerels.
You will be glad to know that Des is now 1st Lieut. good going. He looks very smart in his uniform! He has been home for a few days and is now appointed to a base at Weymouth. He goes off again on Wednesday. I have ordered photograms, but it has not turned up yet, they are very scarce. I will also attend to renewing your subs.
Did I tell you that Puck gave us a very nice calendar? Perhaps he has sent you one. It is called ‘Down to Ivinghoe’ Bucks and depicts and cyclist going along the open road. A favourite club run.
We were very pleased with the snaps of Victoria falls which you sent, they must be a wonderful sight. Your lovely parcel of goodies arrived safely to May, she was very thrilled, but mine and Joan's have not turned up yet. We have just had one from Des and it contained marmalade, Turkish delight and candied peel, very good for the face!
Am so glad to know you are enjoying some good concerts. Des, May and I went to the pics this afternoon to see Western Approaches in tech. Very fine picture.
You will be glad to know that Aunt is progressing and hopes to soon have her leg out of the cradle, she certainly is lucky as regards recovery. I expect you have had my letter telling of Uncle Ralphs sad passing, after only two days away from office with heart trouble. Unfortunately he left no will, so that creature can now claim all his money and goods. A bitter pill to us! Des was home on leave so he went to the funeral. We are having heavy snow, but it actually cleared up and sun shone for the last ceremony!
Well my dear, this is all for now, Pop has had a trying time, but is getting over it! Cheerio, Crowds of fondest love and kisses galore. Mum. “
In early February 1945 I have a letter from Peter to his sister Joan, it is undated, but he mentions he is replying to her letters of the 18th Jan and 1st Feb, so I have to guess it is still early February that he is writing. It is nice to see his news again, as so many of his letters around this time are missing. His address is 47 Air School, Queenstown S Africa, but he asks her to reply to R.A.T.G. Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia.
“My Dear Sis,Thank you very much for the very acceptable little book containing selections from Shakespeare. It is very thoughtful of you. I must be in your bad books as regards correspondence, for I find myself replying to two of your air letters dated 18th Jan and 1st Feb – my only excuse is that I’ve been working!
In any case, I regret to inform you that the work has been of little avail, as I have failed D.R. Theory and Magnetism and Compasses, which automatically puts me off the course. I am disappointed of course, and I am sorry to disappoint you. However the course has not been entirely wasted as I have learnt a great deal which will be of use to me, besides partially filling the gap in my mathematical education. I am returning to Rhodesia shortly, and the odds are that I might get onto operational training.
However I am now a free man, and it seems very strange to have no particular task in hand. There is no longer the necessity to get up at 05.30 hrs either! Johnny is still on the course and should have no difficulty in passing. I have met a few fellows with such incredibly retentive and mathematical minds.
I ‘m very pleased that you have got the parcel of chocolate etc. I hope it arrived in good condition, I will send you another one before I leave Queenstown.
As you say, the news of Uncle Ralph’s passing came as a sudden blow, and it must have been pretty rotten for Mum and Dad to have had so much trouble in so short a time.
Desmond’s promotion is no doubt well deserved, but it is a pity he could not have had longer at home. I wish I could see him again, I have almost forgotten what he looks like!
I have not been to any music concerts lately as they have been discontinued and in any case I would not have had time to go. Keep up your practice as I look forward to hearing you play some day. From your own and other letters from home, I gather that the winter is pretty severe. In direct contrast, we have had a spell of extreme heat, though the drought has at last been broken by showers and occasional steady rain. Last week the temperature rose to over 100 F in the shade and even three showers a day were hardly adequate to keep me cool. As for working – phew! Since the showers came, the grass has sprung up miraculously, beautiful and green and in contrast to the parched earth of the past few months.
That’s all sis, all my love and kisses, Peter “
Poor Peter seems more subdued in this letter compared to his earlier letters, and I am not surprised. He has found it a great blow to fail his course and seems to feel he has let his family down too. The sudden passing of his Uncle I am sure has caused him to reflect and miss his family even more.
The next letter is from Peter’s mum on 7th February 1945, also on this day Paraguay declared war on Germany and Japan and the 2nd Ukrainian front captured the southern rail station at Buda.
“My darling Pete,
We were so delighted to receive your topping photos on Saturday, they are extremely well taken! And the enlargement is fine, I shall soon get it framed! You look a bit thinner, but expect the heat and exam swotting takes it out of you.
Glad to hear you manage to enjoy life now and then. Your journey on that Heath Robinson Railway sounded a bit tedious! Glad you got back safely! You certainly are lucky in meeting such decent people.
Your parcel to us has not yet arrived, Joan and May have received theirs, but I am living in hopes! Des is now dug in at Weymouth Junior college, this week he is on a gas course at Portsmouth, he certainly gets around. He is hoping to spend a few hours at home this weekend.
Have you heard from Bob lately? Joan tells me in her last letter that you were returning to Rhodesia at the end of the course. I hope, my dear, you will be successful, after so much intensive study.
Our billitee is proving quite good company, and not much trouble. You will be glad to know that Aunt Clare is making quite a good recovery! She is still in Falmouth Hospital. We are all ok except for the usual colds, but the elements have certainly done their damnedest this winter. 6 ins snow on and off for 3 weeks! Luckily we managed to get our coal ration, some people had to carry it home. I was actually lucky to get some Seville oranges, so having saved our sugar ration I made 14 jars marmalade! The first since war commenced!
We have at last got two baby budgies! Bred in cage in birdroom! She had six eggs, but only the two chicks, they are just over a week old! Only hope they survive, fancy arriving in such cold weather!
Well my dear, I hope you are ok. Jerry is getting a proper plastering now, the planes are constantly going out in 1000’s! A rocket exploded lately in the air at 4 o clock one morning over S. Ruislip, some noise! We are lucky to be living here! I expect it will not be long now before the flags go out! Joan is hoping to come for a couple of days next weekend.
Now my darling son, you are ever in my thoughts, take care of your dear self. Did you receive the last lot of money ok? Do you want some more? Cheerio, crowds of fondest love and kisses galore from us all, including Frisky, Mum. “
She writes again shortly after this, it is undated but Des has just finished the gas course mentioned in the last letter, so I think it is a week later:
“My darling Pete,
We were very glad to have your letter dated Jan 27th and to know you are alive after the strain of taking so many exams! Especially the maths! Joan was here when your letter arrived, and we all said jolly good! Many times!
Glad you get a dance occasionally, certainly makes a nice break. Also that you have heard from your various friends. We have not seen ‘Puck’ lately. It was bad luck about Hammond
Joan has received a nice letter from Tom Stokes, am afraid I have not answered his Xmas one yet, if you are seeing him, please give him my regrets, I will make an effort soon! You can guess with the added work of our billitee and the time wasted in shopping, I have my work cut out to get everything done!
Des was home last weekend just for a night! On his way back from Portsmouth. He came 2nd in the gas course. May has been to lunch with the Watts family, she has just gone home after having supper with them!! They are well and ask after you, also Miss Thomson! Her mother is still alive, but very feeble.
Our front garden looks in a mess, as the whole wall suddenly collapsed due to the severe frosts. You will be amused to hear I managed to get a bargain in the form of a cream table cabinet with enamel top, three good deep drawers and divided cupboard for £5, so kitchen looks quite modern and tidy!! I trailed over to Hacbridge Common and bagged it! A man delivered it for 4/-!
Our poultry are doing their stuff, and it is a treat to get decent sized eggs. Frisky is as full of beans as ever. He caught a big rat in garden some time ago! He stayed out all one night a week ago, girling, he haunts the school on bridge in St Martins! Bad lad! Michael has a black dog with a long tail! It followed him home, so they had it cleaned up at Pets stores, and he trails it about on a lead!
Our airman lives at a place near Seven Kings, he goes home most weekends, so it means only five days to cater for. He is not much trouble, and bright company. Well my dear son, I hope you are o.k. events seem to be speeding to a climax, only hope it will be soon. The Japs are having a good pasting now! It seems years since you went away, and what a lot you have seen and learned!
Aunt Clare is progressing. The limb is now being massaged! Must now away to bed, 11 o clock! Pop has had a very bad cold, but is better again. Cheerio darling, crowds of fondest love and kisses, Mum “
Peter’s mum does such a good job of describing their lives in her letters, you can almost feel you are there as a fly on the wall. She writes again on the 25th February 1945:
“My darling Pete,
Another week has passed, and March will soon be here! With plenty of spring flowers, we hope! The spikes are well up in garden, but a single daff bulb in pot in shops cost 7/6! Daylight robbery! The frogs are starting croaking in the pond and popping their heads out on survey work!!
You will be pleased to know, we have at last got two baby budgies! Both greens, strong chicks, just started coming out of box, good work in a cage!!! You would love to see the wild rabbit which haunts our garden, it comes up to the chickens, stares almost right into their eyes! Then the chickens try to peck him, but no luck! Frisk does a lot of barking at it, but it always gets across the border!
Your last letter is dated 27th Jan, nearly a month ago, but perhaps one will arrive tomorrow. Expect you have had a busy time with your various exams. Hope dear, you have been successful in the last ones. You have certainly done very well in the other subjects, expect you feel pretty washed out after so much swotting.
Have you heard from Bob yet? Also is Noris still at Salisbury? Aunt Clare is making good progress, but expect she will remain there another month. Pop intends going down for a few days soon.
We still have our billitee, he is very little trouble, other than he does not like getting up! He leaves at 8:15 but goes home most weekends, so that makes a break for me. We get the princely sum of £1.1.0 per week.
May and I still go to the flicks, last week we saw Frenchmans Creek with Joan Fontaine, Arturo de Cordova. It was in Tech, also Basil Rathbone was in it, quite thrilling. Also saw The Merry Monahans, Donald O Connor, Peggy Ryan and Jack Oakie. This picture boasts fifteen old songs and five new numbers, quite gay in places!
I hope one fine day, to come across a decent portable gramophone, it would be nice to enjoy the music of ones own choosing sometimes, instead of the muck we have to suffer.
I have managed to make quite a nice lot of marmalade, which is a treat after being for so many years without. Also ice cream is once again on sale! But grapes are still about 25/-- Des is hoping to get home for one night next week!
Well my love, I must away to bed, we have enjoyed a quiet Sunday! Hope dear, you are ok and enjoying life! Planes go over here in 1000’s!
Cheerio, crowds of fondest love and kisses, mum “
In late February she writes again, now having heard about Peter failing his course, it is undated, but a letter of the 13th of Feb is mentioned.
“Darling Pete,
We were very glad to get your letter dated 27th Jan and 13th Feb, despite the disappointing news it contained! I expect dear, the strain of swotting at those damn maths, used up your mental energy! Anyhow dear, you have really done remarkably well, and as you say, no doubt will come in useful later on. But it certainly was hard luck, after coming so near the goal! Never mind, better luck next time! The intense heat must be very trying, how do you fare with the insects? Do they nibble you?
The money order arrived today, so I have collected it and put it in co/op shares. You need not have returned it my dear, as it is your own allotments and you never know when you may require extra cash, if you have not dispatched more, don’t do so as you must have some reserve, and it costs £1 or more to send, this end.
Well my dear, the war is speeding up now, and tonight the news is given that Bologna has fallen. Lets hope the other defences won’t be too tough, otherwise it will drag on into the summer. By the time you get this it will be stale news that the Germans have started using flying bombs again, with longer range. Also 70 raiders, piloted, got through on Sat night. But they scattered over various parts of this old Island! We have had three alerts so far and a few bumps!!
Des was home just for the night on Saturday, off again Sunday afternoon. In charge of fire instructions and gas! He has been to Portsmouth, he hopes to spend tomorrow night here! Dad has gone to Glasgow today and hopes to return on Friday. May is staying here to keep me company. You will be glad to know our budgies have at last produced two babies, both green, I borrowed the father from the Pet store, so Mrs White has sold her share of the kids!for 3 gns, but I decided to keep mine, until they have another round. Slightly different price from peace time! 2/6! Heart breaking! The wild rabbit still comes in garden and teases the chickens! We get 3 eggs most days, very useful.
Charlie Mollaid is now a Captain! He is at Salisbury, also doing a gas course, suppose that will be the next curse to endure!
Aunt is progressing quite well and now gets up daily, a remarkable recovery!! Well my love, no other news, must now away to bed 11o/c Hoping you are o.k. crowds of fondest love and kisses galore from us all including Frisk! Lovingly, mum “
To be continued...
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