Welcome back to part 16, this post covers the letters from March 1945 until May 1945, Peter is no longer going to be moving on from Rhodesia, as he failed part of his course, but he is still able to fly and will now become a flying instructor.
The next letter is from Peter’s friend Sgt John Masefield (1805328). After doing some research I believe his name was Cecil Jack Masefield, but he signs his letter John, and in a later letter his mum refers to him as John also. He was on the same flying course as Peter and they became friends. He wrote to Peter on the 27th Feb 1945 because they were separated when Peter failed his course, but sadly John Masefield will die in a Harvard plane crash during training on the 2nd March 1945. Knowing this, it feels all the more poignant reading his last words to Peter:
“ Dear Peter,
Just a few lines to let you know I have arrived safely at Cranborne and am beginning to settle down. I have quite a decent bunk which I share with a link instructor, Sgt Richards. Food and service in the mess were quite a pleasant surprise although the lounge is not as good as at Heany.
This morning I had my first trip in a Harvard, a couple of hours dual with the Flight commander. It seems rather a nice aircraft although my landings were pretty grim. The idea is to send me solo and then give me some instruction in the back seat before I go on any nav. Tests. All the nav. Staff seem very decent and I think I shall be quite happy here, although the job will probably become an awful bind after a month or two. Fortunately I shall not have to give any lectures. There is no chance of any leave for three months I’m afraid and apparently one has to be here six months before applying for a commission.
I suppose you have got in touch with your friend Mr Searle (I’ve forgotten his christian name again) by now, but he was on the station to meet you and I explained what had happened. Oh yes! Before I forget it, will you please send on my log book as soon as possible and what is the name and address of your tailor in Salisbury?
How is life at Thornhill and the big city? Any chance of getting up here at all in the near future? On Sunday night F/Lt Stokes and a couple of his pals came over to the mess for a ‘sesh’ and I regret to say I got really canned. But never again! On Monday morning I felt terrible and was sick about four times so that I could not do any flying.
Well I haven’t much more to say and I am going to the pictures in a few minutes so for the time being cheerio and happy landings. Yours Sincerely,
John “
Peter happened to write to his sister Joan on the 2nd March 1945 the very day his friend Johnny will crash his Harvard aircraft (AJ708). He is unaware anything has happened to his friend yet as he writes:
“ My dear Sis,
It’s some time since I heard from you as my mail has not yet come through from Queenstown. As you will see from my address, I am back in the colony (Thornhill), not at Cranborne as expected.
I said goodbye to Queenstown a week ago last Wednesday and I was sorry indeed to have to go. It was the friendliest and most pleasant town I have been at since leaving home. Everybody from the shop assistants to the kind people who took us into their homes to entertain us, helped to make our stay there as enjoyable as possible. Mrs Robertson and Mrs Taylor were very good to Johnny and myself, whilst Tony Rowe introduced me to a grand lot of girls at the Waverly private Hotel. We had a grand binge at the Hexagon Hotel before we left. Even though I had not passed the course, there seemed little point in being miserable, and certainly nothing to be gained from it.
The Hexagon did us well, and they gave us a big table with the letters R.A.F. spread across it, and ten of us (five girls and five fellows) sat down to dinner. Wednesday came and we had to leave, they gave us a most acceptable send off. The train left in the evening and at 5 am the next morning we steamed into Bloemfontein. We had four hours to spend there, so we took a taxi to the Toc H and had a shower and then returned to the station for breakfast. Breakfast over, we explored the town, but apart from the magnificent display of flowers in the gardens of the administrative building, it seemed to be very like other towns.
By lunch time, we arrived at the great diamond mining town of Kimberley. In appearance, it was typically European and one could, with half closed eyes, imagine it as an English provincial town! In the afternoon we saw Deanna Durbin in ‘Hers to Hold’ and after that we walked for about a quarter of an hour to the famous Kimberley mine, the largest man-made hole in the world. It is about 840 ft to the surface of the water, and the water itself is over 400 ft deep. It certainly is a breath – taking sight. We left Kimberley at 9.30 that night, had breakfast at Mafeking and all that day and the following night we pushed northwards arriving in Bulaway at 08.30 hrs Saturday morning.
John and I saw the Fouche’s and we had lunch with Phyllis. At 6pm we left on another train and I eventually found myself here at Thornhill at about 11pm. I have been sent here as a nav. Instructor and should be doing plenty of flying. The camp is the best I have been on, and our stay here should be reasonably enjoyable. My companion here is Frank Broadley (who comes from Lincolnshire). This afternoon we went to have a look at the big city, but found that it is only a small place. However there are two cinemas and a very large depressing hotel called The Midlands Hotel. Some of the shops are large and there are at least 2 promising cafes. This afternoon I’ve bought a bike again.
That’s all sis, I hope you are well, tons of love and kisses, Peter “
The next time Peter writes to his sister is the 8th March 1945. He has by now heard of the death of his friend and talks about John in this letter:
“ My dear Sis,
My mail has at last come through from Queenstown, amongst it were two letters from you, one dated 4th and the other the 19th Feb. It was great to have all your news and to know that you’ve been able to get home again. Here is hoping that your spell in Buxton will end this year.
I’m afraid this is not going to be a very cheerful letter. Last Monday I heard that Johnny had been killed in a prang. You can imagine how I felt. We were great friends, he introduced me to the vices of Molteno and it was through him that I met Mrs Taylor and Mrs Robertson. I shall not forget the happy times we had at Mrs Robertsons place, and at Molteno at Christmas. As you know, he helped to kindle my enthusiasm for music and we spent almost every Saturday evening together whilst at Queenstown. Bob knew him too, and the three of us went riding together on one or two occasions. He also knew the Fouches and Phyllis, so I have had numerous sad letters to write this week.
The other bad news was contained in a letter from Joan at the bank. Poor old Burke had a heart attack and died, just like Uncle Ralph. Burke was a wizard chap, easily the best liked member of the staff at Bayswater. He was a man of integrity and high ideals, and he had a natural appreciation of music and literature. There is no doubt that he is much missed.
Thank you for your congratulations on passing those subjects I did manage at Queenstown – I only wish I could have managed the rest. It was very good of mother to get me photograms of the year, it is much appreciated. I’m glad you liked the photograph, I suppose it wasn’t too bad really.
I had an airgraph from Russ Pine yesterday, he is quite ok and still in his civvy job in Brixham. I really must write to Cled, as far as I know, he is still in Canada. Last Saturday, Frank Bradley and I went to see Dorothy Lamour and Bing Crosby in ‘ Dixie’ I don’t know whether you saw it, but I found it thoroughly enjoyable and first rate entertainment. Before going to the cinema, we had dinner at the Midlands Hotel, but I was not impressed with the place, it is too old and depressing. Frank has unfortunately been sent elsewhere, and on the night he left we had a bit of a binge. This time we went to the Hotel Cecil, a much more modern and pleasant place. The film we saw was ‘ Bataan ‘ far from cheering.
Last Friday I bought myself a bicycle again. It’s a rather heavy ‘Norman’ roadster, but it has a Lucas dynamo, and is very useful to me out there. Price? £9/9/-
Films are occasionally available in the shops nowadays, and if I can get enough films, I will try and buy a camera to use on my next leave. Well sis, that is all for now, I hope you are well. My best wishes to Miss Lynde.
Tons of love and kisses, Peter “
The next letter is from John Masefield’s parents to Peter, it is a very raw letter talking about the death of their son, it must have been very difficult. There is no date but the post mark is 17th March 1945 they say:
“ Dear Peter,
Thank you so much for your nice letter of sympathy. It was indeed a terrible shock to us hearing of the loss of our dear John. I always felt he was so safe there. I do not feel we shall ever get over it. If only he could have come home once more, he was always such a good son and so thoughtful for me, I just lived for his letters. Yes he wrote a lot about you and I have some snaps of you too, and if I had had your address I was going to write to you, so am so grateful to you for writing to me.
I suppose you cannot find out how it happened. We just had the bald statement that he had been killed in a crash. We had an air letter from him after we had heard he was killed and he had only just arrived at that station then, and said it was a different type of aircraft that he was used to. I should be so grateful if you would write me occasionally, although I expect you will not have much time, with all your own people to write to. But John thought such a lot of you and your companionship, so do write me all about yourself and where your home is. I do hope you will be able to visit us when you return to England. If only John had not put in for Cranborne, he might have still been alive.
I feel so grateful to Mrs collings for giving him such a good time while in Queenstown. I am afraid I cannot write more now.
Yours very sincerely, D Masefield “
A truly heart wrenching letter, I can’t imagine how she must have felt when her sons letter arrived after they had heard of his death, reading his news knowing he would never come home.
The next letter dated 18th March 1945 is from Peter’s mum, she mentions she has had a letter from him dated 27th Feb, so she has not yet heard the bad news:
“ My darling Pete,
We were very glad to get your letter dated 27th Feb this week, and to know you are o.k. Also that you have derived some amount of pleasure out of life lately! You certainly seem to be getting quite a traveller! May has received your letter in which you say you have bought another bike! They are a great boon for getting around! We were very interested to hear about the Kim mine, it is a remarkable feat of engineering. Yes dear, I expect Tom will be very disappointed that you have not returned there, but as you say, you may be able to visit them occasionally.
It was another disappointment that you just failed after doing so well in so many subjects, but no doubt you will gain quite a lot of experience, and get plenty of flying. Des has been home this weekend for 48 hours, he looks very well, and is enjoying his job in Weymouth.
The front wall in the garden suddenly collapsed through bad building! Too much sand instead of cement, so Des helped Pop this afternoon to help clear the site!! We intend building a smaller size wall, a man is soon starting on the job, at 2/6 per hour!
Aunt Clare is returning home on Tuesday, she is very lucky to have made such a good recovery. A W.V.S is driving the car, and the Matron and a Doctors wife all are also coming on the trip! They are going through Bodmin Moor and Bokhampton. Joan is hoping to get home for a week at Easter. She says they don’t expect to leave Buxton for another year and they are all thoroughly fed up!
We are going on much the same routine, work and plenty of it! The grass is now sprouting in large lumps! And would do with an ardent gardener! The two baby budgies have developed into fine birds, cock and hen! The cock is sold for £3, he is going to his new home tomorrow, and sorry I am, to part with him, however they will soon be replaced, I hope, as there are more eggs in box!
The chickens are laying well, the two cockerels boss them pretty much! Devils! I hope to sell them soon. Well my love, the war seems to be gaining in crescendo and the sooner the climax is reached the better, we all shall be pleased!
Must now away to bed, Mr Avery is still billeted with us, but goes home to Ilford most weekends. Cheerio my dear, we miss you a lot, crowds of fondest love from us all, and kisses galore!
Mum “
On the 30th of March 1945 Peter wrote to his sister Joan:
“ My Dear sis,
I seem to have had a lot of letters to write recently and now I find myself with two of your welcome letters to reply to. One dated 1st March and the other dated 12th March 1945.
Thanks for all your news, it is good to know you are still getting a reasonable amount of enjoyment out of life. Have you managed to obtain a new music teacher, and if you have, I hope you will find her satisfactory. It must be wonderful in England now. Springtime is undoubtedly the most beautiful season of the year. I’d give anything to see some really enchanting English countryside again. I am not inspired by the vast thorn-bush covered wastes of this land! Nevertheless there are parts of Rhodesia which are very beautiful, especially the Umtali district and the mountain scenery north of Salisbury.
This weekend is Easter and today is Good Friday. It does not seem like Good Friday and indeed the only things which have so far differentiated it from any other day are the hot cross buns we had for breakfast. Tomorrow we are packing up half an hour earlier, but Monday will be a holiday for us. I had hoped to spend the weekend at Bulawayo, but unfortunately rail travel is banned over the Easter period.
I have a new room mate, a flt sgt flying instructor named Ted Martin. He’s a pleasant chap, a bit of a Jazz fiend, but we have a lot in common including a similar taste in photography, books and landscape paintings. The last few days have been occupied in making our hut habitable. We obtained five pounds of distemper and spent all last Sunday beautifying the hessian walls of our room. The result was a pleasing shade of pink. The table is graced by a primrose coloured table cloth and we also obtained sufficient floral material to make curtains and to enclose the space beneath the shelf. In addition we have covered the tops of our lockers with some powder blue material! The walls are relieved by four tasteful and fully clothed pin ups from the American magazine Esquire and also a wizard landscape by Roland Hilder. We are also obtaining two framed pictures and a leopard skin for the floor! Ted’s master piece though is the wall lamp, which is controlled by switches easily reached whilst we are in bed! An artistic friend is painting a shade for the lamp!
Tuesday evening was very pleasantly spent at Mrs burton’s and I was pleased to find John and Geraldine back from their holiday. Geraldine works in the Civil Service in Salisbury and as I am going there in a weeks time, I hope to see both Tom and Geraldine and thus kill two birds with one stone!
All my love sis, Pete “
Peter wrote to Joan again, another undated letter, but I believe it was the beginning of April, he says:
“ My dear Sis,
Thanks very much for the air letter dated 21st March. I hope you had an enjoyable time at home and that you were able to see Des. Thank you for your kind thoughts about Johnny. I have had a very nice letter from his mother. You can imagine how they felt, especially as they thought he would be reasonably safe. Incidentally he was at Cranborne when he had his prang.
Since you are curious to know why I am an instructor in nav. After failing the course at Queenstown, I will tell you. It depended upon the stage at which I failed, and since I reached the final stages, I was still recommended for instructional duties. Nearly all my work consists of flying and I very rarely lecture. That is how I like it and I am enjoying life at the moment. Even if I had passed the course I would still be on the same job and a commission is not automatic. One first has to hope for some luck in the future.
Bob wrote to me recently, he is in Italy and his letter described his climb up Vesuvius and his impression of Naples. I only wish I could be with him.
Did you see Enid when you were home? It is interesting to know that she is engaged, though it is rather tough that her fiancé has been sent out East. As you say, I think I did the best thing, though it was perhaps a bit drastic! I am still completely unattached. I occasionally write to Joan at the bank, but she is the only girl I do write to. It certainly saves some air letters! As regards girls in this country, the majority are a dead loss. Some of them don’t know how to cook bacon and eggs – cheap native labour has killed initiative in learning the simple arts of housewifery! The poorest whites have a servant of some kind, and most reasonable well to do households boast a cook boy, a garden boy and a wash boy etc. However Geraldine Burton to whom I was introduced by Tom is certainly a charming and interesting girl, but unfortunately I believe she is strongly contested for and in any case she works in Salisbury which is about 170 miles away!!
Yes my bicycle is very useful. On Easter Monday four of us, Ted, Jack Turner, Sid and myself rode up the road to the little rail halt of Lalapanzi. This is not good cycling country. One can travel by rail for hundreds of miles and the scenery rarely changes at all, just mile upon mile of stunted trees. However the mountain districts are quite beautiful and interesting. When we eventually arrived at Lalapanzi Hotel we had a marvellous salad lunch washed down with large quantities of iced shandy! It was quite like old times. The total distance was about 48 miles.
Last weekend I spent at Salisbury and I had a glorious time at the Searles. I left here Sat. midday and arrived one hour later – returned Monday morn. As usual we played records, went to the pictures, rode horses and went for a car ride – wizard! That’s all sis, tons of love, Peter “
An interesting view they had in those days of ‘housewifery’. The next letter is from Peter’s mum dated 18th April 1945, she says:
“ My darling Pete,
We were very glad to get your letter dated March 29th and to know you are enjoying life! We were very amused with your decorating efforts! I hope the various colours blended well! Certainly sounds very gay! And the leopard skin most alluring! Are they very expensive out there?
Yes dear, it is good being able to see Des occasionally. May is going to Weymouth on Sat for the weekend! Des has been offered the appointment of Resettlement Officer, which he seems very suited for.
We have at last got the front garden wall rebuilt, am afraid Des could not do anything other than help clear away a few bricks! His weekend leave being so short. However Mr Avery also helped and Pop knocked the remaining side wall down and cleaned off every brick ready for the mason who did the rebuilding at 2/6 per hour! He has made a very good job of it, and it looks quite attractive with a lower wall. It has cost round about £8, but if Pop had not done the rough work, it would have been between £30 or £40 at 2/6 an hour.
The next thing is to try and get the front painted. I have at last taken the strips of paper from the landing window, and put up an attractive curtain with silk fringe! We are very lucky to have escaped with so little damage considering how those dam bugs used to arrive practically on our door step!! It is marvellous being free from sirens and loud bangs!! But the noise of our own air armada especially at night for hours is pretty hectic! What a mess Berlin must be in!
Isn’t it good news that Bader the legless pilot is alive, and been set free at last. Wasn’t it a pity that President Roosevelt passed away before the actual end of this ghastly war. He was a marvellous man. Lloyd George also has gone the way of all flesh!!
Well my dear son, I must now away to bed, as I seem to have a pretty long day. We have had the most wonderfully hot weather for April, this last week is a record! How do you like your new appointment? Difficult to say anything about I suppose, anyhow we are very glad to know you manage to get a kick out of life! I often think of you dear, when your friends go by on their bikes! Would you like me to send some of your Gazettes out? Well cheerio dear, crowds of fondest love and kisses galore, mum. “
On the 19th April 1945 Peter wrote to his sister Joan, he says:
“ My dear Sis,
Thank you very much for your air letter of 5th April. I am sorry I have not written recently but I have been very busy and have not had much inclination to write letters I’m afraid.
Thanks for all your news, I’m glad you had an enjoyable time at home though I’m sorry to hear that mum has been ill. It’s good news too that you have managed to get booked up for another holiday at Bude. I too am looking forward to my leave. A letter came from Mrs Brickhill the other day, so all being well I shall be staying part of the time with them. It will be fine to get to know them. I also hope to go to Molteno again, but I rather doubt whether it will be possible to fit the train journey in as it necessitates some awkward detours which may not be covered by my rail warrant. If it is not possible to go there, I shall spend the whole of the time at Durban as I’ve no doubt that there will be plenty to do there, finances permitting!
Have you started your new music lessons yet? Last Monday evening my room mate Ted Martin gave a lecture on Jazz. He was so eloquent and so near to convincing his audience, that F/LT Pyle – one of the officers in my section, was hard pushed to do justice to his subject of classical music. It was a really interesting evening. There may be something in Jazz, but it leaves me rather cold.
Last time I was at Tom’s place, nearly a fortnight ago, he had obtained some new records, including a complete recording by the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra of Tchaikovsky’s fifth symphony.
Recently my friend Bob Bloomfield and I flew to Bulawayo and in the evening went to the concert given by the Bulawayo municipal Orchestra. The programme was quite well chosen and it included Ballet music from Faust and Mendelssohn’s Piano concerto no. 1 in G minor. The orchestra was rather disappointing, but the pianist was excellent. He was a visiting soloist from the Union – his name? Glyn Townley and his performance was undoubtedly polished and a joy to watch and to listen to.
Last Sunday I cycled out to Lalapanzi for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. I am travelling to Salisbury by rail tomorrow night and am spending the weekend with Tom. Well sis, that’s all for now, cheerio and all my love and kisses, Peter “
The last letter for April is from Peter’s mum, she writes on the 23rd April 1945 and there is a little note at the top of the letter that says “ What do you want for your birthday?” She writes:
“ My darling Pete,
I’m afraid this epistle is very much overdue, delayed action!! Joan came home last Monday evening, she has to return early on Wed morning, much to her disgust! Of course I have had my usual end of tether couple of days in bed! Touch of prevailing flu! However, I am now much better and as the sun actually shone this afternoon, after a wild, wet night. I, and May, have managed to clear the garden of the deads and had our annual bonfire! Joan had gone to see Aunt Belle and Betty! Poor Aunt has had a hectic time, most of the time on her own, with the various bangs! And the nervous tension has resulted in an attack of dermatitis on her face, hard luck! However it is now clearing, and we only hope we have seen and heard the last of the devils inventions!
One went travelling over a few days ago, at a great height, heaven only knows where it came down! Anyhow we all hope the end won’t be long delayed. Guess most people have had enough. We were most grieved to hear your sad news dear, it is all a great heartbreak. I certainly think they should give you a longer holiday after so much swotting. Also poor Mr Burke was evidently another victim of overwork and strain.
Well my dear, your various books arrived safely today, all in good condition, the package containing the small pamphlets was the only one that felt the strain! And the postal folk had repacked it. What a lovely possession the Sanctuary book is. Also the others are very well compiled, you certainly have visited some wonderfully interesting places. We were horrified to read about the sad end of those two in the missing plane. Those swines should be exterminated, a dose of gas on them, would clear the earth of a lot of insects. It really makes ones blood boil to think they are allowed to get away with it. It is all bloody awful!
Joan sends her love, and will be writing soon, she is at present enjoying your books, and has just showed me the lovely flower you had pressed! We have quite a good number of daffs now in bloom, and the lawn is in pretty good condition, as Pop used a lot of weed killer last summer on it. We have had poor Monty for dinner this weekend! He was so aggressive! I think his wives are glad! We now have 3 hens and 1 cock!
Well my darling son, no other news, we all join in sending crowds of fondest love and kisses galore, including Frisky! Lovingly mum “
On the 6th May 1945 Peter has another letter from John Masefield’s parents. It gives insight into what many families had to go through during the war:
“ My dear Peter,
I was very pleased to get your letter, it seems a link with my dear son to hear from you occasionally. It is very good of you to write when you must have so many letters to write to your own people. Thank you for trying to find out the details of John’s crash. I had a letter from the authorities after the official enquiry telling me the same details.
I am writing this on Sunday afternoon as I used always to write to my John then, and I do miss it so. It is nine weeks since I heard, and it seems like nine years, but I will not write you gloomy letters, you need cheery ones. I was very interested to hear about your home and your people and I do hope after you get demobilised, you will be able to pay us a visit. Your interests must have been the same as Johns, as he was very fond of photography, music, etc. It is heart breaking to see all his boxes of things waiting for him to come home.
I am very glad you like it at that station and have made some good friends I expect you are all ----- at the good war news. The island here (Isle of Wight) is looking very nice, have you ever been here? It is quiet, but very pretty. I am glad you mentioned that John was sent to Cranborne and had not applied for it. Somehow it does not seem quite so bad. I hope you will write to me again soon. With kind regards,
Yours very sincerely, D Masefield. “
She tried so hard to inject some cheer into her letter, but it must have been very difficult. Also on the 6th May 1945 Peter’s mum wrote to him:
“ My darling Pete,
Well here we are, awaiting the great event everyone has been longing for, for years, now it is only a matter of hours. We have waited up for the midnight news for some evenings, but it will be announced during the morning. Is it not grand they have had to bow to ‘Monty’! What a man! And what warriors under him. Those brutes have had the end they deserved, only a pity they could not get Hitler alive.
I went with Mrs Egerton this week to the flicks and of course saw the Belson Camp horrors, a most ghastly sight. What a world!! May and I walked over to see Bobs parents on Thursday evening, his father was pottering in the garden, which was looking very attractive with tulips and plenty of blossom on fruit trees. His mother also was busy getting supper after being to the cinema. Barbara is getting her trousseau together, ready for her union with the Canadian she met on the boat!! A pal of yours and Bob rang up on Wed evening, Alan Matheson. Rick 5744. He wished me to tell Bobs people that he had seen Bob some time ago. He said he will come to see us soon. Bob is, as you know, in Italy. His mother expects he has been over Germany. Have you heard from him lately?
You will be sorry to know that Syd Matthews is missing from ops over Germany, he bailed out with seven others and nothing has been reported of them since. Des was home for one night this week, he looks very well and is living for the day when he can wear a bowler hat again!! Amazing!! Your friend Tom had sent a very nice large photo of himself to Bobs people. He looks a fine type, they certainly are the essence of kindness. I will write them a line soon.
Des is hoping to start a nine days leave, a fortnight today, Joan is also coming for the weekend. How I wish you were!
How do you enjoy your lectures? Also plenty of trips in your bus! Joan says she has heard from you lately, but the last I received was written Mon 29th. Apart from colds, we are all well. We had a two hour snow storm on Wed eve, after having a heat wave! No other news dear, hoping you are ok and enjoying life, also your wizard room! Do you want any books?
Crowds of fondest love and kisses galore, mum. “
Peter writes to his sister Joan on the 31st May 1945. He is about to get 29 days leave, and tells her of his plans. It must have been frustrating for him that he couldn’t go home for the time, he says:
“ My dear sis,
Very many thanks for your air letter dated 5th May. Am sorry to know you have had a bad cold, and I hope you are feeling ok now.
Tomorrow night I go on leave for 29 days! I catch the 00.40 hrs train on Saturday morning which arrives in Bulaway at 06.00 hrs and I have to hang around there until 11.30 hrs when I catch the train for Jo’burg. This train will carry me southwards throughout the rest of Saturday and throughout the night and all day Sunday, and I should arrive in Jo’burg at 6.30pm. I anticipate spending three days there and am leaving for Wurlan on Wednesday where I am staying with the Brickhills for the rest of my leave. Gosh I am certainly looking forward to it, if only to have a month of comparative freedom from the noise of Harvards!
Thank you sis for your concern on my behalf! I am certainly not in a hurry to get myself attached. There may be a shortage of decent men at home, but there’s certainly a shortage of girls, decent or otherwise in this female forsaken country! Geraldine is the only girl I have met out here whom I really like, an excellent type. Incidentally, has Enid returned my book?
The recent cold spell in England must have been very unwelcome. It’s been darn cold here too. Jo’burg has had a heavy fall of snow and we’ve had some sharp frosts here. I wonder if Des managed to get himself a bloody great hangover. Mind you, I didn’t do so badly!
How are you getting on with your music? Yes I have heard the New World Symphony – Tom has a recording of it, and I like it very much.
My work brings me into contact with all types of pupils, from the Yes sir, very good sir, three bags full sir type to the conceited bumptious type with the double barrelled name who tries to ‘flannel’. Have you heard the one about the instructor who was flying with a pupil one day, who was particularly poor at keeping a constant height. In despair the instructor barked “Good heavens man, watch your height” and the pupil in reply having misunderstood the instructor, said “5’ 6 sir”!
Last weekend I went up to Salisbury and as usual stayed with the Searles. Saturday evening was particularly enjoyable as we met Ted (Who is at Norton on a refresher course) and also Geraldine and her friend Pam. We had dinner at Meikles and then went to the cinema. Sunday was spent quietly playing some of Tom’s records and I returned here in the afternoon in time for the padres evening service.
That’s all for now sis, so cheerio and all my love, Peter
p.s let me know how long this takes to arrive, it’s sent under a new free air mail scheme. “
To be continued...
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