Reg WARD's wartime letters 8 Sep 1941 - 16 Nov 1942
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8.9.41
Darling,
First of all I must say I'm sorry for not writing to you before but we
were supposed to be out until Wednesday last week and then they decided to
carry on with the result that we were still out on Saturday so really it
was nothing I could help.
I have just received your last letter so have a bit of leeway to make
up. I see that although you say it's wet and cold you are still biking
around the universe so maybe when I do get home I shall see you in shorts.
Dad forwarded me a letter from Les. He seems to have dropped in very
lucky, civvy billets, comfortable beds and all, the lucky young blighter.
Eric also wrote but his letter seems to be mostly a gloat over the cash he
was able to make out of his poultry. He just mentions that he is a
"British workman" and no more but I gather that he is at a sort of Tech
College at present and just going into the shops next for a wee while as
part of his training.
I have been out all week as I said and its been grand and warm. We
slept out every night but one and it was a nice change. The one night we
did not sleep out was spent in a barn and I did not know so many beetles
and other horrible little insects congregated in one place. The rats also
were a nuisance as they insisted on running around and over us all night.
The orchards, and there are many, are loaded with fruit. The apples we
had given to us were very good indeed and we must have eaten pounds of
blackberries, the hedges are full of them. There are also some wild
raspberries but the supply of them was not equal to the demand.
I see you have a sale at Buxton's at the Spout; they are some
relations of ours, very distant admittedly but relations nevertheless.
Did not know that your house was a nest of spies. Some fools about
aren't there. Still someone once said "A fool is born every minute -
Thank God some of them live".
I found quite a lot of local news in the D Times. The Wirksworth
Council still seem to produce a certain amount of pity and amusement. Mrs
Land got it properly in the neck.
I hope leave won't be long sweetheart. I'm longing to be with you
again. Do you remember the night we walked back from Hognaston over the
fields?
The nights are certainly getting long now. I'm afraid that there will
not be much daylight in the evening when I get home. There will be a moon
though and in any case what does it matter for even if I can't see you I
shall be with you.
Well darling, for the present. Goodbye.
All my love,
Reg.
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13.9.41
Joanna darling,
I'm glad to see from your letter that you are getting around a little
these days. Keep it up sweetheart and have a good time, it's no use
letting this wretched war get you down. Cycling seems to have got into
your blood but I bet that the moors over by Sydnope and Flash Dam are well
worth seeing now. The heather here is a beautiful purple mass on the
bogs, almost like your biking area except that it's dotted over with piles
of peat even now.
The orchards are showing a wonderful crop of fruit now. The apples
especially seem to be bearing the branches down and as they are mostly
eaters we do quite well whenever we are out.
A big lot of wheat and oats are being grown here now and it's fully
ripe and looks fine waving in the breeze.
We were recently around the Lough Neagh district and it closely
resembles South Derbys. The fields are smaller but it's much better
cultivated and the people are much more up to date (I almost said
civilized) than here. Do you know, Joanna, one of our chaps was talking
to a youth of about 16 near here and was told that he had never been to a
cinema, ridden in a train or seen a bus. The latter takes some believing
but if you saw the folk and the district you would not doubt it for a
minute.
One of the most unpleasant smells I have ever come across is rather
prevalent around here; it's the flax being seeped in pits in the fields.
I should not like the job of getting it out.
Leave can't be so very far away now. Don't think that I'm coming next
week or anything like that, but within a month at any rate sweetheart I
shall be with you.
I had a very welcome surprise the other day; a 10/- note from the
Social Committee per Dad, very nice but not entirely unexpected as you
told me of the dances etc.
Darling, there seems so much to say and so little to write so
Cheerio darling,
All my love,
Reg.
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16.9.41
Joanna dearest,
I'm afraid this is not going to be a very pleasing letter to you. I
have just received your letter and I don't know if you are joking, going
mad, or serious over this matter of conscription. As I read it I gather
you have thought of joining the ATS or some other similar organisation;
Whilst I realise that I have no right to dictate to you I definitely
repeat that if you do or have to without making any effort to get out of
it, that we finish.
You may have thought that I was joking but I am not and if I and my
opinion weigh with you at all, I hope that this influences your decision.
As to your hairstyle being changed, that seems a very frivolous
matter. In any case you know my opinion on that too.
Personally I see no reason why you should not go into munitions if you
have to change your job. One can be too honest in one's outlook but
darling I do hope that you don't decide to associate with those in the
women's service branches.
Well, Joanna thats got a load off my mind and so we will now turn to
more pleasant things.
I dare say that there are lots of people after the blackberries but
unlike ourselves they won't know where to go. I can think of several
spots into which a car party will never penetrate in their search. Have
you been getting any? Rather a painful job sometimes I know. As I said
they hang thickly in almost every hedgerow here and no one makes any
attempt to get them. The orchards too are weighed down with apples,
mostly as red as tomatoes or yellow as plums. They really are a fine
show.
It's no use darling. My mind won't concentrate on anything but this
mad idea of yours and I reckon I have already said enough, if not too much
on that heading so will close and write again in a few days. All my
love, Reg.
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21.9.41
Joanna Darling,
Please don't expect this to be a consoling and apologetic letter to
cover my last one. It ought to be and I wish it were but I can't honestly
write one.
After this rather rotten beginning I will try and forget the episode
for I guess it was no more.
Things here are the same as they were (and I am beginning to think
always will be). Nothing happens and no news. What a life! What are
beetroot sandwiches like? Never heard, seen or tasted them. Are they a
wartime dish? They don't sound too bad though. How did the dance go? I
should think Carson never had so many social events as have taken place
lately, helps though I expect. We had an excellent ENSA concert here last
week; one of the best shows I have ever seen, especially the stooge who
made his first appearance as Hitler (and a very good likeness). He
proceeded to recite a piece of poetry which ran "My Hess is over the
ocean, my Bismark is under the sea" and I can tell you he was good. These
pros we sometimes get do show up the amateurs though. There's a Variety
billed for this week, the posters proclaim their artists as "Worlds Best"
and "The Well Known" etc. so it should be a very good show. Hope I don't
drop for a guard that night anyway.
Leave can't be far away now dearest. I will soon be home again and
with you. A few weeks sounds a devil of a long time to wait but I expect
it will soon pass and then sweetheart I will be able to say the things to
you that are so hard to put on paper.
I hope your dream was not a nightmare!
Well I reckon the third paragraph will have told you not to expect a
long letter so cheerio.
All my love,
Reg.
Leave of 7 days 1-8 Oct
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11.10.41
Joanna darling,
Well dearest I'm back again in the old hut and what a difference to
this time last week.
It was a very long journey back here; we did not arrive here until 10
o'clock at night and were very fed up with it by that time as you will
guess.
On Wednesday it poured with rain all day and made this wretched
country seem even more dreary than usual.
I found a couple of letters from you and the D Times awaiting me, it
seems very old news when I read them.
I have been doing HG's valuation statements and have finished three of
them already. I rather like doing them so of course that makes all the
difference.
We had a very good crossing, it was quite smooth so once again I am
glad to say I can't recite a string of harrowing tales of sea sickness.
As before, nothing changes here, it's still cold and damp but the
leaves are beginning to fall a little now so it will very soon look bare
in addition.
Darling, last week's memories crowd out all this week's news (if any)
so the best thing is to look forward to next leave (and it needs good
eyesight) so for the present,
Goodbye my love,
Reg.
PS Recognise the envelopes?
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21.10.41
Joanna my dearest,
No I did not think that you were neglecting me although to be quite
frank with you I did look for a letter the day before I got it.
So Dad has been brawn making has he, wish I had been there to sample
it and see that it was alright before he finished it. Your remarks about
Bisto Kid are very suggestive of the smells that I know always accompanies
that procedure.
Rouse yourself sweetheart, go to all the hops and have a good time, no
use thinking over last leave (although I'm always doing so) look forward
to the next. Speaking of next leave I don't think I shall get it so
quickly as we hope as I believe that the next two leaves are being put
together. Of course when it comes two weeks will be so much better than
one but it looks a devil of a way off at present.
I'm glad you enjoyed your weekend's housekeeping. What I look forward
to is the day when you will be doing it as a permanent job.
Mr Gould certainly has a voice. He is in Wirksworth choir you know
and he sounds like thunder rolling in the distance in comparison with the
piping and squeaking of the others.
I should have liked to see you gathering the damsons, somehow I can't
imagine you climbing, you are not hefty enough.
Do you know if HG has received the valuation statements I sent him. I
think he will have done by now.
It's rain, rain and then more rain here. Everywhere is muddy and the
lakes have risen about three feet since I came back. Combine this with a
high wind and you have got the weather we are enjoying! at the moment.
Well, sweetheart, that's your ration for now so cheerio and don't
forget
I love you
Reg.
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26.10.41
Joanna dearest,
Sunday again and I had a morning chopping wood with a chap from
Ashover and enjoyed every minute of it. It seemed like a Sunday morning in
peace time a couple of years ago.
The wind is chasing the leaves off now and I'm afraid everywhere will
look very bleak in a couple of week's time and that winter will be on us
very soon.
I have done HG's valuation bills and am sending them on tomorrow.
Keep a look out for them and in your next letter tell me if they have
arrived.
Leave! this is about the most important thing these days; no doubt you
have heard a lot about it on the wireless and in the papers. We are now
getting a fortnight on the list this winter (if it is not cancelled) and
although the BBC promise it at the usual times I don't expect my turn will
come until about February. We know these promises of old - in fact we
were brought up on them, we get four leaves a year already, officially.
Still, I reckon February will see me in Carson again for fourteen days.
I have heard from Les, he seems to be alright and says no raids have
occurred.
I hear that these dark nights have fetched them out again though and
that the planes are busy again. I hope no more have dropped around
Carson, but for the bare information that raids have taken place I know
neither when or where.
Well sweetheart, that's all I guess so cheerio for a few more days.
All my love
Reg.
PS If you are a rogue pinch me a few more of AJ's envelopes. We cannot get
any here without a ream of paper which I don't want.
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2.11.41
Joanna darling,
Today, curiously enough we have received a mail so I have got your
letter enclosing the envelopes; thanks very much for them. Incidentally
it's been a quick mail, three days is about the quickest post I have ever
received.
Yes, the leave is coming round quicker than I had hoped. Think of it
dearest, fourteen or fifteen days with you. Good Lord darling it's almost
too much to hope for.
The snow seems to be early this year. We have no sign of it here of
course, but then the "natives" tell us that they get very little usually,
but they do get lots of rain. It's a choice of evils sometimes but I
would rather have the snow, especially Derbyshire snow.
Yesterday the Medical Officer enjoyed himself by inoculating us again.
I can't say as I enjoyed it, my arm is still sore and stiff but it's
working off now.
If HG has a cold it's a wonder he's at the office at all. He usually
hibernates at such times and if you develop it he will shyly offer you a
tablet out of a wee box he keeps in his drawer.
I'm glad to hear you are not attracting the nasties; I understood that
you were getting pretty well of raids but I reckon that the reports must
have been wild as usual.
I hardly see how a draught across the hearth improves your kitchen, it
sounds a bit uncomfortable to me, but I can appreciate that it makes the
room lighter and more roomy.
Beatrice Bacon and ATS, Edie Stanley and WRNS - no comments in either
case.
I daresay you have noticed how quickly the bills come back to HG. The
truth is I like doing them whilst I loathe writing letters, even to you
dearest and you know that you mean everything to me.
I see old Peat is dead. I expect you would know him well. He was a
crony of mine at times and as the paper says he certainly was old
Wirksworth. In the counter in Brown's office are some old wills, they
are written in copperplate on parchment and Peat is the man. Also there
is a tombstone against Hanson's house telling of a Peat who died at the
age of 109. Old Fred was a very interesting character (if rather
garrulous) He bought antiques and I remember the time he had eight
grandfather clocks. There was a devil of a din in the house when the hour
struck.
Well sweetheart, this may not be a very interesting or lovelike
letter, but it is longer than usual. So dearest I reckon that's all for
the present, cheerio and don't forget I love you.
Reg.
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9.11.41
Joanna darling,
What a day! rain and wind and then wind and rain. We were unable to
get to church this morning, the wind was coming across the loch so hard
that it was impossible to get the ferry across. It got part way and the
wind just turned it round and blew it back onto the bank so we gave it up.
Just as well as the cable is not over strong.
Darling, although the D Times arrived as usual I have not had a letter
from you this week though maybe it's delayed in the post.
I don't know if it's not hearing from you or what but you have been in
my mind all day and I keep remembering and longing for the times we have
been together. Do you remember that night, a Friday, when you lay in my
arms with the firelight flickering on your face? You can't have forgotten
dearest, you were wearing that wide skirted frock of yours and for a while
time seemed to stand still.
I never realised how much I depend on your letters for the material
for my own and I seem to have nothing to say now. So, sweetheart although
this is such a short letter don't forget that I am longing for a word from
you. For the present I love you and leave you.
Ever yours,
Reg.
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16.11.41
Joanna dearest,
Are you practising spring cleaning? Your letter starts off by giving
me the picture of a grimy determined little person smitten with the desire
to turn everything upside down and inside out in an effort to "make the
place look respectable". No doubt you came across a box of old cartridges
and a few ancient pistols and revolvers in your whirl. You may have seen
an old powder flask there too, containing a white powder. I would
strongly recommend you not to put it on the fire, I know. Keith and I
decided to see if it would burn one day. We laid a trail of it in J Mac's
back yard and applied a match. To our surprise it did not run in a trail
of fire like the black powder but whoof - it had gone. So had any stray
hairs that were as usual hanging over my forehead and a few of my
eyebrows. I expect you came across a great deal of useless rubbish
though. AJ always says "don't destroy it, it may be wanted some day".
All right sweetheart, I won't tell any Irish colleens I like their
dress. I don't and in any case I have never seen one in red and green.
There are a few whose colours could be scarlet but I think most of them
would come under green.
There seem to be a big lot of people home on leave just now. Ours is
a week nearer, dearest.
Gloves - the ones you first knit for me are still doing yeoman
service. I have darned them several times (and you would be surprised at
the workmanship) and we got our issue pair only last week so I am not
short at the moment. However, you know what a casual devil I am and I am
quite capable of losing both pairs so I think it will be as well if you
hold on to the ones you have so that I can obtain reserves when required.
Well sweetheart, as usual I finish on the third page - no news as
usual. By the way we had a war correspondent here recently and although I
have not read his article myself, I understand it's giving the impression
that this place is a hub of amusements. If you see this, think of the old
song "Comrades don't believe him, he's such a ------ liar" I think that
man and his ancestors have received more abuse here than anyone I know.
Well angel, thats all, be good and keep smiling.
All my love,
Reg.
Monday
PS Thanks for letter and photo. Will write again very soon.
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23.11.41
Joanna dearest,
Two letters to reply to this time so here goes. Is it a year since I
had my first week's leave? It seems much more than that. Still you are
infallible on dates so as I never remember them you must be right; do you
keep a diary? You must do for I'm sure that you can't remember all the
dates you keep trotting out.
Thanks very much for the newspaper cutting. I'm very glad that the
lad got off. He's a nice kid and he must have had a hell of a time with
Wood.
Gardening again? Do you remember that day I came up for you and you
were pulling out everything, whether it was a weed or not. In fact you
pulled up one bulb, a lily, four times in as many minutes. I'm not
surprised that your hands blistered. They are so soft that a spade must
be a very clumsy thing and it's bound to be rough to you.
I have had a letter from Les. He did not like going back any more
than I do, still he seems to be settling down to it now.
We have got a hut set aside for amusement now so we have a way of
spending the evenings. It's equipped with a wireless, a table tennis
table (home made) and darts etc. so I spend quite a lot of time there at
the moment. Of course the wireless is going full blast all night. This
Vera Lynn is not a Forces favourite as far as I know, although she is
liked certainly, but music and not singing or crooning far surpasses any
one person for popularity.
I expect Cyril Webster and John Bembridge will be in the thick of the
African advance now and here I am in this damn country and I have been in
far longer than either of them. Hope they come through alright.
Well, dearest, I will pipe down, cheerio, Keep smiling.
All my love,
Reg.
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30.11.41
Joanna dearest,
Sunday again so here goes. The weather is still cold but not so wet.
The rains of the last week are now showing in the lakes. They are up
quite a lot and as the banks are rather gentle, the water is about twice
as far across as in the summer. It occurs to me that perhaps I have given
you a false idea of these lakes. They are not separate lakes but one huge
loch made up of hundreds of lochs up to about a mile in diameter and all
joined up by narrow strips of water sometimes not more than fifty yards
across. It's these strips to which I am referring. Nearly all the leaves
are off the trees now so everywhere is looking bare and bleak. Even the
rushes are dead on the loch banks.
Shiningford is a devil of a big house for such an out of the way farm.
It's far too big for anyone to occupy never mind keep clean and furnished.
I have never been over it but I should imagine that some parts, especially
the upper floor, is in a very poor and neglected state.
No, we don't get up at 6 in the morning now. 7.15 is the official
time but 7.30 or after is plenty early enough for me. Even then it's
pitch dark and one stubs one's toes against every imaginable thing going
for a wash.
The nights are very long now and will soon be longer. Never mind
dearest it will soon be Xmas, then New Year and then February won't be
very far away. It can't come soon enough.
I have not quite finished HG's bills but hope to do so this week. I
wish there were more of them, it's high time he had some for checking.
Has he not met any of the others to settle yet.
Will you please send me those gloves when next you write. I'm afraid
the other pair are beyond repair now.
I'm surprised Bowmer's property is for sale; it seems a pity to split
it up, it's such a decent little property. Bowmer's, of course, never did
agree, they have had an inter family law suit on for years. I suppose the
sale is the culminating point.
Well darling I reckon that's all so cheerio.
All my love, Reg.
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6.12.41
Joanna mine,
Sorry I did not mention the photo. I thought I had done so but thanks
very much for it. It's very good and the oftener I see it the more
determined I am to see you in shorts. February may be hardly a suitable
time of the year. Still, I think I shall insist.
I went down to the village yesterday, more for a walk than to see the
sights and I was surprised at the amount of water everywhere. I knew the
water was up about five feet but I did not dream that so much land would
be flooded by it. Some kids were boating in what is usually a pasture
field. It's surprising how these kids row, the boats are flat bottomed,
like punts and about fifteen to twenty feet long, the oars are about eight
feet long and four inches square yet the kids can get along alright. We
row alright for a while and then the boat spins round and we have to let
it and wait until it is pointing the right way again before we carry on.
They are most unwieldy craft to us. I have seen a man rowing one alone,
he had a few loads of wood, a donkey and a cart on too.
So hostilities have started in Carson have they? The whole world will
be at war very soon. Don't get taking sides over that. What good would
you be amongst the heavy weights?
From Dad's letter I gather he's very busy just now with his holly
wreaths. When Les, Eric and I were at home there was enough to keep us
all busy but now he is on his own he is doing more than ever. How he is
going to get through it all I don't know.
Dad has sent me some photos of Les and myself; Les's is very good
indeed, I have a lop sided grin. I did not realise that this is a little
characteristic of mine before. Yes, the photo was taken in the morning so
there's no answer for the twinkle.
Dearest, that's all I guess, so goodbye darling, keep smiling,
All my love, Reg.
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14.12.41
Joanna darling,
Glad to hear that you are being so pious and good. Also, dearest, I
do thank you for looking up Dad he must be very lonely, especially on
Sundays and having somewhere to pop in if he feels a bit down helps a lot.
I did not know that the Nipper was working Sundays. Dad told me that
he had gone up to the works but I did not think he was on overtime.
I have just been trying to write a letter to Wilf Pearson thanking him
for the ten bob. It's a most difficult job for you have the scene of Wilf
reading it out to a critical audience. I managed it, about half a dozen
lines and don't think much of the finished article.
We had a cinema show here this week. Of course I have forgotten the
title. I had seen it before but still enjoyed it.
Our battalion dance band is broadcasting very soon on Dec 29th and you
may care to hear it. It's to be on the Forces Network and it's popular
Scotch songs, Loch Lomond, Bonny Mary of Argyle etc.
My most difficult thing at the moment is Christmas boxes. What to get
I just don't know. There's little or nothing to be had in this place.
Les is lucky to be getting a 48 hour pass so quickly after his leave,
lucky blighter.
I have not received any of HG's bills. Can you tell me if any of mine
have been checked yet and if so, what was the result?
Goodnight darling, hug yourself for me until February.
All my love,
Reg.
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21.12.41
Joanna my darling,
I'm very disappointed that this is just a letter, I did hope that it
would be more. However, tomorrow will tell and I do hope if I'm lucky,
you will get it before Xmas.
It's not a bit Christmassy here. The weather's not too bad but that
festive air is absent altogether. Still there is almost a week to go yet.
According to Dad's letter he is right up to the neck in work (I almost
said holly) and what about that lucky young blighter of a brother I have
got, another leave in a fortnight!
I had a letter from Mrs Stanley and she expects that Keith will be
home for Christmas. She also does not know if Edith will be exempt but I
am sure that I have seen that teachers are in some paper or another.
Don't think that I have lost or broken the pen, dearest. The only
trouble is that I have no ink and the canteen has closed so it has to be
pencil again.
So Carson is out of the war, is it. I should like to have seen the
scrap though.
I fully realise your position in the new conscription. AJ and HG may
pull a few local strings of course but I doubt their ability in this. I
hope it does not catch you though dearest. If you do have to go, I will
find you, don't worry if you are affected before February.
Dearest, this stupid war can't last for ever and I hope that next year
at this time it will all be over and I shall be able to say to instead of
write, Goodnight my love,
Reg.
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26.12.41
You darling,
Three letters and one parcel to thank you for, some job. That parcel
sweetheart. How on earth did you manage to think of everything? It's
great and what I have tried up to now makes me want to eat the rest all at
once, but I am keeping myself in hand. As a matter of fact I've received
a lot of stuff and still have two boxes full under my bed. You timed it
very well too, it arrived on Christmas Eve and took the place of Father
Christmas very effectively.
Have you had a decent Xmas? I hope so. I only wish I could have been
with you; no matter how big your mistletoe it would have been finished
long before me. I have had quite a decent time (kept sober too!!) and I
am not grumbling at all. The weather has been good but I like snow better
and of course the usual festive trimmings were absent.
I'm very interested to note that the Cinema is paying a dividend
although I agree it's all war profit. I thought you would like the
British Restaurant if you tried it, it is quite good.
Did you get the chocs I sent? I'm sorry they did not arrive in time
but I could not get them before. I know it was a very paltry gift and I
was disappointed that I could get nothing else but it couldn't be helped.
Unfortunately I have already read "Corduroy" and "Silver Ley" and I
thought I never enjoyed anything more. Now I have them again I can reread
them. There are not many books worth reading twice but these certainly
are and they are the type I enjoy most.
The plum pudding! Certainly eat it cold. As a matter of fact, I
shared it up, cut up the two joeys for myself and we all thoroughly
enjoyed it.
No doubt you will have received my letter about the conscription by
now, but I did not know that you registered so soon. What are you going
to do? I still don't fancy the ATS or its sister services. Darling it's
not my choice but yours. I can't decide for you, can I? All I can say is
whatever you do it can't make any difference to my love for you and
wherever you go, I will find you.
Glad to hear of the rise. It's not before time and AJ realises that
he is in no position to dictate to everyone now.
I received a 5/- PO from HG and must write and thank him today. He
also says little about the bills so I presume that they are OK.
Well, precious, all good wishes for the New Year and lets hope that it
will bring us together and so Goodnight, every bit of love it's possible
to send you.
Reg.
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4805498 L/Cpl WR Ward
D Coy
6th Seaforth Highlanders
Home Forces
6.1.42
Dearest,
Sorry to be late as usual in writing. Your letter just received has
awakened me to the fact that it's high time I wrote. You are to blame to
a certain extent though. You should not have sent me "Silver Ley" and
then I might have written sooner.
As you might have guessed, Hogmanay was rather a wild night. I
estimate the number of sober men at 5% and deplore the fact that I was one
of them. You see I was unfortunate to be on duty that night until ten
o'clock so had to be able to walk straight. However, it was a very
festive occasion, the band was playing and those who could dance were
doing flings and reels when not in the ditch.
The old year, represented by a veteran of the last war, was carried
out and the new year, the youngest soldier was carried in. Every one from
the CO down had as much as they could carry so imagine a huge crowd
following a pipe band up a road singing, shouting and dancing. What a
night! Everyone then went to the dining hall for the rum punch (in
buckets) and when I came out every table and form were knocked over and
everyone was wishing everyone else a happy new year. I believe the
Pioneers were working all night to get sufficient tables to stand for
dinner next day.
The New Year's dinner was very good, turkey, pork and pudding and lots
of beer, officers acting as waiters.
I went out last Saturday, five mile walk to the station, 17 miles by
train and saw a lousy picture, back by train and five miles to walk back,
never again!
George Formby is near here I believe, he is giving a show sometime
this week but as we are on night training, I shan't be able to get.
I'm surprised to hear that Tant (Ray Anthony) is over here. I have
not run across him of course but expect I shall be hearing from him before
so very long.
I heard part of the broadcast, some of it was good and other parts
were lousy. One of the chaps is really a much better singer than he
sounded but the other one is just as bad as he sounded. There was a great
deal of patting on the back over it of course but the people who did
express their own opinion were rather unpopular with the artists
concerned.
Has Les gone back yet? I've not heard from home for a few days so
hardly know when he goes back. As you say, I wish I were only half as
lucky. I'm glad that he missed that draft though.
Well dearest that's all I guess. February is getting closer and let's
hope it brings all we expect and hope for, so for the present cheerio and
don't forget,
I love you.
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
11.1.42
Dearest,
This is going to be rather a difficult letter to write. I expect you
have noticed that I generally rely on yours for the best half of my news
and as it must have been delayed this week I am in a bit of a mess.
Please don't write again after you receive this until you get the
next. (That's a bit Irish but you will get the hang of what I mean) I
will write again as soon as I possibly can.
On Friday afternoon I went to see a show with George Formby starring.
It was very good and I enjoyed it. Unfortunately I had seen the rest of
the show before so that took the shine off it. He sang about half a dozen
songs including Mr Woo and various garbled versions of other songs and he
is a very fine comedian. I never expected such a big chap - he must be
over six foot tall and he has huge shoulders; a very well made man
altogether. A huge crowd of women and kids were waiting to see him
outside the hall. I should think he gets fed up with such crowds.
Will you please tell HG not to send any more feeding stuffs bills
(only of course if he intends to do so) until you next get a letter.
Well darling, it's turned out to be just as big a job as I expected.
I just can't think of any news. Some chaps just sit down and write page
after page but I can't do it, I don't know why. Goodness knows I love you
enough, still - so for the present darling cheerio and don't forget it's
creeping daily nearer February.
All my love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Home Forces
18.1.42
Darling,
You were right, as usual, we have moved. You guessed it before I knew
about it though. We are now in a place called Kenley only 15 miles from
London; it's rather a change to being 20 miles from a cinema. I have an
uncle and aunt somewhere in London so as soon as I get their address from
Dad I hope to be going to see them.
It's such a big change I don't think we have realised all it means
yet.
The journey was very tedious and the sea very rough. It was the
roughest I have had by far. However, contrary to my expectations I have
proved a good sailor. Many did not though and had a very poor time of it.
I was on deck most of the time and only got driven inside by the spray
which would persist in trying to wet me through.
It's quite quiet here now but there have obviously been some severe
raids at one time. Let's hope it does not reoccur.
There is snow on the ground and I have had quite a job today thawing
out the pipes. I have been quite successful and we now have cold water
in the house and the cisterns have just begun to fill.
Yes, dearest, I received the gloves. They are a grand fit and come in
very useful as a pair to keep strictly for going out.
I hope that if this change makes any alterations to the leave it will
only be to speed it up, but February is getting nearer.
There does not seem to be any news at the moment. There are electric
trains in place of the old donkey carts though. So sweetheart I will let
you know what sort of a joint this is and more about it when I have had a
chance to look round, so cheerio for the present, precious, and don't
forget
I love you,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
4805498 L/Cpl WR Ward
D Coy 6th Seaforth Highlanders
Kenley, Surrey
25.1.42
You darling,
Now you see where we are and I suppose I had better give you my
description of the place as usual.
The villages, or rather series of villages, in this valley are fairly
new and the best means of conveying to you the type is to say that Derby
Road is typical of the roads and streets here. Some have been evacuated
(those are the ones we live in) and altogether it's a big difference from
Crom Castle and Newtown Butler. The villages lie in a valley; the whole
way to Croydon and maybe beyond is built up and nowhere is the place more
than half a mile wide.
Just over the hill is Kenley aerodrome and the planes are over all day
and every day, circling round, diving and looping all the time and we hear
the guns being tried out on the drome continually. Rumour says that there
are thousands of WAAFs near here but I have only seen one up to now and
she was an ancient hag.
All around here swarms with troops. There's one lot of Guardsmen
about and I have asked Dad if Reg Bacon is still this way. If so, he is
only a mile or two away.
Yesterday I went to Purley, it's two miles away and quite a decent
place. There are two huge cinemas and it's quite a good shopping centre.
We went to the flicks, saw "Meet John Doe" which was very average and
generally had a scout around. We got tea in a canteen named "The Kit Bag
Club" and generally had a good afternoon out. Very different from the
last afternoon I had out. I think I told you what I thought of that.
I am very sorry to hear of Stan Milner's death, it must have been a
devil of a shock for his mother and I expect that she is taking it very
hard. That boy should never have been on a roof. Dad said many a time
that he would not let him go on.
Well sweetheart, leave is getting very near now, say three weeks and I
shall be home and I am looking forward to it. I tried to ring up the
other day but either the phone was dead or I failed to do something for I
could get no answer. It was unlucky for it's not often I can get out
before 6 at night. Perhaps you will be hearing from me one dinner time
soon so don't ignore the phone if it goes when you are not actually
supposed to be working.
The snow has all gone here and today is quite mild, rather different
from the day we got here.
I am a bit surprised that we have had no air raids here. According to
the local folk, there have been none lately and there are remarkably few
signs of there ever having been any. A house here and there appears to be
a bit knocked about but when folk tell of a thousand bombs in a night (and
they are not stretching it) I begin to wonder where they can have fallen.
The children are few and far between here, I suppose that's the result of
evacuation. It seems queer not to see them about though.
Dearest, that's all, so roll on leave and then there will be no need
to write,
I love you.
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Whyteleafe
Surrey
30.1.42
My darling,
I'm sorry that I have been unable to phone you. I have made another
attempt but the operator informed me that it would take at least an hour
to get through so I had to ring off.
Tomorrow I am going to Wallington with one of my mates; he comes from
Dronfield and is going to meet his brother so hope to have a decent day
there.
Leave, prepare yourself for a shock dearest, I shall be home very soon
certainly but it's been cut down to seven days now. It's rotten after
building up ideas for fourteen days but it can't be helped. Unfortunately
the seven days off includes travelling time too.
As it is Friday night, almost everyone is out. The three of us who
are left in have just had our supper. Yes, sweetheart we are all quite
proficient cooks and all we cook we scrounge. Just to show how efficient
we are at scrounging these days, last night we had chips, onions and
toast, the only thing we bought being the bread; tonight herrings in
tomato sauce on toast and cocoa, all made on a fire of coke which in its
turn was acquired. The cookhouse should put a guard on at night,
especially as darkness falls.
All the snow has gone now and the roads are clear again; but tonight
we had a curious storm, rain, snow, thunder and lightning, quite a freak
especially for this time of the year.
Well dearest my letters have accumulated into quite a frightening pile
so I had better get on, so for a few more days (we won't say weeks
although it may be) cheerio and don't forget that soon I shall be able to
say,
I love you darling,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
8.2.42
Darling,
Sorry to have left you in doubt as to when I get my leave. For once I
will be definite - I hope to be coming home either a week today or a week
tomorrow. It's unfortunate that the fourteen days have stopped, you know
it started about three weeks after my last leave and of course has to
revert just before this one.
We have had snow and frost here again, there's not much snow but the
roads are in an awful state just now.
On Thursday I went to a cinema in Purley and saw "International
Squadron". It was quite good, although it was full of propaganda.
Dad has sent me Reg Bacon's address and I am writing to him to try and
arrange to see him soon. He's only four or five miles away from here and
there were Grenadiers in our billets in the autumn.
Well, sweetheart, I shall not be very far out in my mid February
estimate and believe me darling I am looking forward to it. Now for a
week cheerio and soon I will say,
My Joanna, I love you,
Reg.
Leave 18 -25 Feb
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
All as usual
Thursday
26.2.42
My darling,
I was most surprised and pleased to get your letter. I thought it was
just possible but really looked for the mail coming without hope.
First of all dearest, I expect you will want to know how the move
stands. Well sweetheart, it just does not - there is no change from a
week ago and no signs of any preparation yet. Secondly, leave; it's not
started yet but everyone is expecting it to soon. The end of the month is
the most likely time.
I had quite a decent journey back here. The train was in at Derby
when I got there, at Nottingham I only had a few minutes wait and
Leicester should have been the same but the train was half an hour late so
did not get to St Pancras until ten. There I had some supper and so on to
London Bridge where there was a wait of an hour. Still I got in at
midnight so could not grumble really.
I've felt very fed up today, a bit more than usual perhaps for dearest
you made my leave almost too good for me. Did I tell you that Aunt J has
taken a great liking to you? She has and I hope we shall be able to go
together again sometime.
Well darling I don't think there's much more to say except Goodnight
sweetheart and don't forget,
I love you.
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
8.3.42
Sweetheart,
Sunday again dearest so we will get back into the use of the pen
again.
Darling, it seems months since I was with you, but what a lovely week
it was. The other leave I said we were going to get is off but we are
expecting a 72 hour pass very soon so that will be some compensation but
not nearly enough; in fact a lifetime would not contain time enough to be
with you in.
I have settled in to the old humdrum existence again. It was a devil
of a job at first but I suppose you can get used to anything in time.
I have been to Purley tonight or rather this afternoon and seen "Tin
Pan Alley", not at all a bad show, featuring all the old songs. The other
night I saw George Formby at Caterham but I forgot the title of the film
when I came out and have never been able to remember it since.
Tonight I sent word by a Guardsman to Reg Bacon in order to see him
sometime this week. I can't write to him because I've lost his number and
address. I hope that he will get it tomorrow. If so I shall be seeing
him this week sometime.
I knew that you enjoyed your visit to Eyam but I had no idea you would
go into raptures over it. However, I know just how you felt, I had it too
and your definition of "a bubbly feeling inside" just about describes it.
My scrounge in the office lasted me until Friday with a little
judicious planning but I doubt that it's definitely over now so I am doing
the same old foolish parades again for a little while.
Carson Warships week certainly came out very well - about three times
our estimate if I remember rightly. Do you remember the dance? I still
have not made up my mind whether it was worthwhile or not. Still I
enjoyed the only dance I have had in the last two years.
Well sweetheart, I've two more to write before going to sleep (I'm
writing this in bed) so Goodnight beloved, don't forget, I love you and
will love you for ever, Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
12.3.42
Joanna my dearest,
I don't much like writing this letter for I don't think that no more
leave will sound very well in your ears. As far as I can see we shall not
be here very much longer, we have got a full issue of kit - you should see
me in my topee and shorts darling and you would have a good laugh; I look
terrible. Don't think from the above that we are going tomorrow or the
day after but it will not be very long.
And now, I must say goodnight, remember the song, it's bound to have a
happy ending.
Don't tell Dad, I will write him tomorrow,
Goodnight sweetheart mine,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
4805498 L/Cpl WR Ward
D Coy 6th Seaforth
APO 1850
15.3.42
Joanna mine,
Well sweetheart I guess we shall be on the move very soon and you will
have to use the above address from now on. I have no idea where we are
going to of course but I will try and write you again from the boat
wherever that is. Rumours of last minute leave are still circulating but
I'm almost certain there can be nothing in them, so it looks like being
some considerable time before I am able to see you and hold you again.
I have seen nothing of Reg Bacon and shall not do so now. It's queer
him getting married now. Still he has got a very nice girl in Phil
Parker. I knew her quite well and she is a very nice person.
So Bill Wright has gone at last has he? Well he has had a good run
for his money. Tom Turner will be saying he is going to pack up I
expect. Still, he said that ten years ago to me and Miss Pattin told me
he had been saying it fifteen years then so he will still be there when
Bill and Chandler get back again. I'm sorry for Bert Matkin but I would
rather he was there than I.
Your conscription is getting too near to be comfortable. I hope you
are not bothering about what I have said. Forget it darling, it takes
more than that to get between us. If it does come to it, have as good a
time as you can sweetheart, it's not all bad you know.
Yes, I know Jackson of Longway Bank, nice chap he is, very up to date
and no doubt will try hard with Shiningford but it's a devil of an
undertaking in its present state. I'm glad Stan Rowland has got a place
for himself and hope he has decent luck with it.
The weather here is almost perfect, it's spring right enough; the air
is warm again, the sun shines all day, the birds are a treat and the buds
are green on the trees. I expect I shall soon be thinking "Oh to be in
England now that April's here" etc. Still it's no use bothering about
that is it?
I went to Purley the other night and saw "Santa Fe Trail". It was
quite a good film with bags of action. See it if you can.
Well dearest that's about all so Goodnight darling, Keep smiling and
don't worry about me.
All my love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
APO 1810
Dearest,
Thanks very much for your letter. I thought I had better reply today
in case it's the last chance I get. We have moved now, of course I can't
tell you where we are or anything like that but the grub's good and
plentiful and tobacco is about a quarter of the usual price - so!
Don't think I have broken or lost the pen - it's just dry and there is
no way of getting it filled at the moment, so as it's a pencil about an
inch long I'm using, you must excuse the awful scribble.
Darling, I'm sorry I can't write a decent letter to you, there's so
much I could say but it would be cut out, so all I can say is dearest, I
will always love you, have a good time and keep smiling, see you in a year
or two.
All my love,
Reg.
PS. Please look Dad up as soon as you can.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
March 29th 1942
Dearest,
I will try and keep my promise to write as soon as possible but what
there is to write about and to arrive to you unmutilated I hardly know.
The weather is now like June, long warm days and cool nights. It's
never cold and never rains now. You and I are going to have a holiday on
a cruise sometime in the distant future but not on a troop ship. The grub
here is very good indeed and there is no shortage of it and we can buy
tinned fruit and other food stuffs if we want to. Tobacco and fags are
cheap, tobacco is about a third of the usual price and cigarettes are 6d
for 20 so you see living is cheap now.
Sleeping in a hammock may have its good points but it does not come up
to the standard of a bed. Still, I can't grumble, I've slept well enough
and have not fallen out yet.
I never realised before how much I thought of the hills and woods
around home. The flat monotonous blue grey of the sea every hour of the
day is boring. The gulls forsook us when we got out of sight of land and
since then I have seen nothing. Some people claim to have seen porpoises
and flying fish but I'm surprised no one has seen a sea serpent or a Loch
Ness monster yet.
Well, darling I guess that's all. Censorship will be very strict so
there's nothing much more I can say. In fact everyone who is trying to
write seems to be looking at one another and saying "What is there to
say", so cheerio, keep smiling this can't last for ever.
All my love,
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
APO 1810
6.4.42
Joanna darling,
Well sweetheart I don't think I have ever been guilty of commenting on
the weather this early in a letter before but this time is exception
enough for anything. It's hot, hotter than hell I think. We are wearing
only a vest and shorts and still we sweat all day and night, the sun burns
down all day and everything you touch is hot. A very large lump of snow
would be much appreciated if you send one.
We have seen land, a land of hills and trees, all green and brown and
having the appearance which the Pitty Wood has when the bracken dies off.
The natives in coloured clothes of all sorts row their long canoes out
with spade-like oars and give a very good exhibition of handling a boat.
They try to sell oranges, bananas and pineapples but as no one knows what
can be carried in them they do a very poor trade. In any case the fruit
they bring out is not ripe.
Bird life is scarce, the only bird is a hawk like gull who picks his
food up with his feet and eats it in mid air. He is a fine glider, much
better than our hawks and rarely flaps his wings. I have seen no end of
flying fish; they seem queer little creatures but can fly fast and for
anything up to 100 yards.
Either sharks or porpoises have been following us for a few days. I
don't know which they are but sometimes we see a large fin or two
protruding about a foot out of the water, float by; whatever they are, I
don't want a closer acquaintance.
Well darling I guess I've no more news, I don't want the letter too
badly cut about when you get it, so it's cheerio. I only wish I could be
with you now. I'm beginning to realise what the poet felt when he wrote
"Oh to be in England now that April's here". I can almost hear that
chaffinch. Cheerio dearest, keep smiling, All my love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
17.4.42
Darling,
Goodness knows what I'm going to fill the paper up with this time,
nothing has happened so I am afraid this effort will be even worse than
the last. Everything seems to centre around the weather so that will have
to be the chief topic.
It's still hot of course but it's cool in comparison with a week ago.
The sweat rolled out of me (you may wonder where from but it's true) when
lying still but now it's possible to walk around in comfort. The sea is
still calm and remarkably blue, it's not at all like the waters around
England. The nights are starlight and in the night phosphorous fish or
seaweed show little lights all over the place as they float by. It's a
queer effect really and looks as if dozens of lights were floating by.
We have been sleeping on deck lately, it's far cooler than down here
but they insist on waking us about half past five so you see that it has
its disadvantages too.
I've seen no birds for sometime now but the other day a school of
black fish about a yard long went leaping by. It's difficult to describe
them or the way they went along, for they appeared to more or less bounce
along like a flat stone thrown on water. They were visible for some time
but were soon left behind.
I expect we shall be getting ashore soon, it will be fine to stretch
our legs on land again. It's over a month since we came aboard and I
guess I've been over every board hundreds of times. Still, it's a biggish
boat and really we can get plenty of room to walk around.
Well sweetheart I guess that's about all so it's cheerio again for a
week or two. Keep smiling, this can't go on for ever. I will soon be
back in Carson.
All my love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Date cut out by Censor, rec'd 20.7.42
Joanna dearest,
I am only allowed to send one sheet so please see Dad and let him know
that I'm OK. You might drop Aunt J a line too sometime please. I have
not received any mail since leaving England so I expect there will be
quite a batch following on by this time and I shall be very glad to get
it.
We have had some shore leave since my last letter and thoroughly
enjoyed it; it's 1a city of white skyscrapers and bungalows, everything
clean with broader streets than any English city with avenues of palms and
other trees down the centre, numerous cinemas and the most friendly and
decent people anyone could wish to meet.
Rickshaw boys are everywhere and although these chaps can run for
miles pulling two or even three of you, it's not as comfortable as a
decent bus. All around the city lie the hills and when you get out into
this district it's mainly wasteland or plantations of bananas. Fruit is
plentiful, oranges, bananas, apples and pineapples are all cheap and did I
feed up on them. Pineapples were 3d each, so you can guess.
This may be the last letter for a week or two and by the time you
receive it you may be able to make a very good guess where I am now, or at
least, where I shall be very soon.
Well, darling, the bottom of the page is getting very near so cheerio,
keep your chin up and please see Dad as soon as you can.
All my love,
Reg.
PS It's getting hotter again.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
May 16/42
Joanna darling,
At last I've got a bit of time to write a letter so here goes.
As I daresay you will have guessed by now I was in the Madagascar
scrap and am glad to say I'm OK and everything is quiet now. We had a
fairly hectic time for a day or two but we are now getting settled down
into some sort of shape. How long we shall be here I don't know, but it
will be some time, I think.
I am at present enjoying 48 hours rest on the boat. Most of it's gone
now but I can't grumble, I've had about 36 hours solid eating and sleeping
and am feeling as fit as a fiddle again.
Madagascar is an awful country, it's all bare brown hills and dust
with a strong wind blowing all the time in the hills. There is
practically no animal life, few birds but an abundance of insects; ants
are everywhere. There are huge spiders, scorpions, snakes and every other
creature which slides, hops or crawls, not forgetting thousands of
grasshoppers, anything up to three inches long, which rise in clouds out
of the burnt out grass.
The natives' conditions are very bad, in the country they live in rush
or straw huts but in the town Diego Suarez they live in huts made of old
tins, bits of boxes or anything and apparently there is no sanitation
system for the smell of the place is terrible. It seems to me as if these
people would be better off under the British than the French.
Money is a bit of a bother. We use French cash on shore but on the
boat it's English money. The French cash I don't like, it's too
deceiving. You have a handful of notes and altogether you have not got
ten bob or anything like it.
The news is just coming through, it's queer to hear "London Calling"
especially when he begins to speak of this place. Last night I lay in bed
listening to it and kept saying to myself "Yes, we know". I saw the
corvette strike the mine and was in the reinforcements which went up
across the island. By the time you receive this I expect it will have
lost all meaning so I will drop it.
Do you know if Dad received the two cables I sent, the first time we
were only allowed to send one and the second time I only had enough cash
for one. I hope you don't mind my not sending one to you. I knew Dad
would hand it on to you.
Up to the present we have received no mail since leaving England but
hope to get some during the next few days. It's about ten weeks since I
heard from you dearest and I am looking forward to getting one. I have
read the one I have through time after time and almost know it off by
heart now.
We have practically twelve hours daylight and twelve hours darkness
here, with little or no twilight, the days are very hot and the nights
get quite chilly towards morning. The sea is quite near to us and we get
a dip in it as often as possible. It's very clear water but the rocks on
the bottom are studded with very sharp shells which have to be treated
with a good deal of respect.
The natives here are very picturesque; the women wear silk flowing
robes very much like an ornate tablecloth and are always spotlessly clean.
Just after the fighting they all carried a bit of white cloth on a stick
above their heads and all the men take off their hats when they pass any
troops. They seem quite reconciled to the change and all they want is to
live their own way and not bother anyone.
Transport here is very primitive. In the hills the only possible
thing is the mule. He can climb anywhere and is very surefooted even in
the worst places. The native cart which is used on the flat spaces is
drawn by either one or two oxen. These beasts differ from our cattle;
they have a large hump on the shoulder and very wide spreading horns.
Cars and buses are absent altogether and there are very few rickshaws to
be seen.
Well, I guess that's about enough about this place. What about home?
I expect you will be fairly busy with HG's Agricultural Returns now and
that Dad will have plenty on with his greenhouse plants.
Well, sweetheart, I guess that's about all now so it's cheerio, keep
smiling and don't forget that someday there will be an indefinite
repetition of that last glorious week we spent together.
All my love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
25 May 1942
Rec'd 3/8/42
Joanna darling,
I expect you will require the usual account of the place I find myself
in but it's stiffish job this time and will require a good deal of paper.
I hardly know where to start so I think that I had better set it out under
several headings or we shall never get anywhere.
Firstly I will try and give you some idea of the country itself. It's
a wild rugged coast surrounded by hills and huge rocks; everything looks
brown and burnt up but the trees and mangroves do brighten it up a bit.
They are very green and all seem to be of the evergreen type or creepers.
The sea is very blue and really I suppose it's very beautiful but I'm
afraid I don't see it that way. The roads are little more than tracks and
apart from the coastal road the only possible means of transport is the
mule. Water is scarce but we get a regular supply by the old mule. He
can go up any hillside with a load and never make a false step.
Birds are very scarce really and apart from a sort of skylark very
different from any sort I have seen before. The smallest I have seen is
the tiny humming bird and he is about the most beautiful of the lot. He's
not much bigger than a butterfly and spends most of his time on cactus
flowers where he seems to feed like a bee.
Between this little creature and the big reddish brown hawk there are
several different types, one is bright orange. There are budgies and
birds like jays. They all seem remarkably tame but none of them seem to
be able to sing, they squawk and hoot.
There appear to be no animals apart from the domestic ones such as
dogs, mules and cattle.
The main inhabitants here seem to be reptiles and insects; ants swarm
everywhere and the flies are a nuisance. Still, they, like most of the
creatures are harmless so we must not grumble about them. The dangerous
creatures, snakes and scorpions are not very plentiful and do not bother
us much. They do make you suspicious of each fresh creature you see
though. Bright green lizards are plentiful and are quite tame and of
course, harmless. They average six inches long and seem to prefer being
upside down to any other position. I can't quite weigh them up yet; they
don't seem to feel any pain for I saw a stone thrown at one, cut half his
tail off and he only moved a few inches and seemed quite unconcerned about
it. The chameleon is common here. I've caught several and tried to make
them change colour; they do certainly change their shade and are always
perfectly blended with their background but they do it slowly and it's
difficult to see them change. I should like to put one on a pillar box;
that would test him I know . They are anything from a foot to two feet
long and very slow in their movements.
The butterflies are very beautiful and cover every colour possible,
some are white, some yellow and there are blue ones, orange ones and some
which combine nearly all colours. Locusts and grasshoppers are another
harmless pest. They are up to three inches long and find steering in a
strong wind difficult. The result is when you walk through the dry grass
they fly out and invariably hit you in the face.
Well, darling, I've tried to give you a picture of it all but I know
that I have failed. All I can liken it to is a painting done in red by a
little kid who imagines steep hills one behind the other and who puts a
big orange ball in the sky for the sun.
Up to the present I've had no mail but there are rumours of its
arrival here so am looking forward to getting a line from you soon. It's
only about nine weeks since we left England actually but it seems more
like a year. However, the letters should begin to roll in soon and I
expect that two or three will arrive together.
Well sweetheart I guess that's about all until I get your news so it's
cheerio and keep smiling and have a good time.
All my love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
29.5.42
Darling,
I have been holding this back because I expected some mail before
this, however none has arrived so I had better get it off.
There is really nothing to add to my letter; things just don't happen
here. It's about seven in the morning and the most pleasant part of the
day; the effects of breakfast have not worn off yet and the sun's not high
yet. We had some rain during the night and everything smells fresh even
if it looks burnt up. Night starts here about six o'clock; there's
practically no twilight so the evenings are just a bit of extra time for
sleep. We have no lights and so the only thing to do is to get under the
blanket and look at the stars.
Well, that's all dearest, cheerio. All my love,
Reg.
PS Enclose pamphlet dropped on island.
TRANSLATION OF PAMPHLET
FRENCH PEOPLE OF MADAGASCAR
LARGE BRITISH FORCES ARE PREPARING TO SAIL TO YOUR COUNTRY. THIS IS WHY:-
JAPAN, UNDER HITLER'S ORDERS BROUGHT THE WAR TO THE EAST. THE OPERATIONS
IN THE PACIFIC HAVE SHOWN THAT THE JAPANESE PLAN IS TO SEIZE FOR
THEMSELVES ALL THE STRATEGIC BASES. THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNTS FOR
NOTHING.
BY USING THE SAME METHODS, THE JAPANESE ARE TRYING TO DO IN THE
PACIFIC AND INDIAN OCEANS WHAT THE GERMANS ARE DOING IN EUROPE.
THEY COUNT CHIEFLY ON THE INDECISION OF THE ALLIES TO USE THE SAME
METHODS TO ALLOW THEM TO ILLTREAT THE HELPLESS, ON INDECISION AND
NEUTRALITY.
WE HAVE LEARNED TOO WELL THE LESSONS OF TOTAL WAR IN EUROPE TO BE
DECEIVED AGAIN BY THE AXIS.
VICHY HOPED TO REMAIN NEUTRAL. THE RESULT OF THAT WAS THAT INDO CHINA
HAS BECOME THE MOST IMPORTANT JAPANESE OPERATIONAL BASE AGAINST THE ALLIES
AND FRENCH INDO CHINA, SUBDUED BY THE MOST HUMILIATING DOMINATION, BLAMES
US TODAY FOR NOT HAVING PREVENTED THE JAPANESE ATTACK.
WE PROPOSE TO OCCUPY YOUR COUNTRY TO PREVENT THE SAME THING HAPPENING
HERE.
WE HAVE NO TERRITORIAL DESIGNS ON YOUR ISLAND. MR CHURCHILL HAS
SOLEMNLY DECLARED THAT THE FRENCH EMPIRE WILL REMAIN INTACT.
WE ARE COMING TO YOU AS YOUR ALLIES. WE BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL HELP US
AGAINST THE AXIS, WE ARE ALL ALLIES.
ONLY ACCOMPLICES OR AGENTS OF THE AXIS COULD PRETEND THAT WE ARE
COMING HERE TO ATTACK YOU. WE KNOW THAT THE LARGE MAJORITY OF YOU WILL
WANT TO TAKE UP THE STRUGGLE AT OUR SIDE TO SAFEGUARD YOUR ISLAND AND TO
FREE FRANCE. THE OTHERS WILL BE REPATRIATED OR WILL HAVE THEIR FREEDOM.
LONG LIVE FRANCE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
4.6.42
Joanna dearest,
Many thanks for your four letters dated March 23rd, 30th, April 3rd &
13th which I received the other night. This is the first mail we have
received so it was doubly welcome. There was almost a full moon and I was
able to read them by its light; there were a few clouds scudding about and
every time one covered the moon everyone began to curse it. The
photograph is a very good one indeed; the only fault I can find was that
in its frame it was rather too big so I cut it down and fitted it into the
back of my fag case which has the advantage of keeping it clean and free
from creases and framing it.
Everything is just the same here, we are still on our hilltop, we have
tents though now so shall be able to keep dry during the infrequent storms
which we get some nights. The grub is not too bad although I admit I'm
fed up with hard biscuits and bully now and could do with a meal of fresh
stuff for a change. The only fruits which grow around here are a few
cultivated coconuts and a peculiar fruit shaped and coloured like an
orange with a hard shell, it's full of seeds and tastes something like a
prune. We buy coconuts at the native village about a mile away; the cost
is about five francs a dozen or a halfpenny each. It's well worth five
francs to see the native go up into the tree to get them. He climbs up
with his feet on the tree, toes pointing upwards and goes up like a
monkey.
My letter from port just before sailing took long enough to get to
you. I should imagine that this one will get to you in almost equal time.
I understand the mail is leaving here fairly frequently now, I only hope
it arrives as regularly.
I will try and describe the native village to you. Imagine a
plantation of coconut palms about two hundred yards square on a gentle
slope, dot it here and there with tiny thatched houses about 10 foot by
six and five feet high, fill each house with folk of all sizes and there's
the village itself. Across the road, in a clearing between the mangroves
on the beach there are three boats. These are dug outs with a long pole
crosswise and two small boat shaped logs, one on either side which they
use for fishing in the bay. Well sweetheart that's about enough about
this dump so lets read your letters again and see what's happened in
Carson.
I see that Brown's left now. In one of the Derbyshire Times you sent
me I saw that a Brown of Black Rocks was reported dead or missing. Would
that be his brother?
I was very surprised to hear of the deaths of GJ Else and of Brownson
for both always seemed to be healthy chaps. Neither was young of course
but both looked good for a long time when I saw them on my last leave. I
expect George and Alan will benefit under GJ's will and of course old
Brownson never owned anything but a few debts. I expect that Dad is up to
his eyes in work at the present time in the gardens. I only had one
letter from him and that was posted before we left England. I suppose
that there will be some on the way now and that he did not write until he
heard from me. If Edna did send the Airgraph you mention it must have got
lost for it's not arrived here.
It seems a pitifully small letter considering the wealth of material
on this disease ridden, God forsaken island but I guess that's about all.
So cheerio darling. Keep smiling and hope for better days.
All my love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
APO 1850
18.6.42
Joanna darling,
I received your airmail card informing me that the letters I had
already received were on the way. Thanks for it darling even if it was a
bit late.
You will notice that the postal number has now reverted to 1850. We
are of course on the move again, thank goodness for it. I hope I never
see this place again. Where we are going to now I don't know, could not
tell you if I knew of course. At any rate I know that we are heading in
the wrong direction.
The size of those pages appals me dearest, I ought to have bought a
pad with small sheets; it does at least look more and the sea looks
exactly the same as it did five thousand miles away so there's no scenery
to describe. I'm afraid the result will be short as usual.
We have a tame lemur on this boat, he is a queer little creature, very
friendly but very inquisitive. This morning I awoke to find him on my
pillow. It was a bit of a shock I admit but he had the sense to save
himself a knock by immediately licking my neck. He's the sort of creature
you would go mad over as a pet so I will try and describe him. Something
like a cat, something like a monkey, about the size of a squirrel with the
same gentle, cheeky look and a long tail, in fact a tail out of all
proportion to his body; it must be a couple of feet in length. He jumps
all over the place, turns everything over and then comes and curls up on
your shoulder.
The news is just coming through, three o'clock in England, six o'clock
here; the days are getting longer now but of course are not like our long
summer evenings at home.
I have not heard anything from Dad since the one letter I told you of.
There must be quite a shoal of mail following us by this time. We may get
some when we get to our destination, it's a faint hope I admit but one
worth sticking to.
The papers you sent (up to about the middle of April) have done very
good service. I read them through and then handed them on. I think
almost everyone in the platoon read them no matter where they come from.
I see Wirksworth Council are getting on a bit better and don't get at
loggerheads quite so often. It's a pity for their reports were always the
most amusing part of the paper. There were quite a lot of interesting
bits in it and I notice your name mentioned once or twice, not in the
police court proceedings though so I assume you are still behaving
yourself.
Sweetheart, it's a devil of a long way to be from home and you. Still
it can't last for ever and I am hoping it won't be such a long time until
I am able to be with you again and to say Goodnight darling, keep smiling.
All my love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
4805498 L/Cpl WR Ward
D Coy 6th Seaforth
Army Base Post Office
India
5.7.42
Joanna darling,
Look at the address now and you will see that the wanderlust has got
us again and dumped us in a rather wild and wet place of primitive people.
India teems with interesting people and things, the cities especially
are full of colour and the trades remind me of the old series of prints
"Cries of London". Beggars swarm everywhere and the main cry one hears is
the whining of some filthy ragged beggar or of a women with a tiny kid who
holds out his hand and pipes "backshee sahib". It's surprising the number
of people who try to sell fountain pens; there must be more pens to the
population here than anywhere else and very few of them have any inside.
All these hawkers and shop keepers ask about three times the price they
hope to get and as a result is a haggle and many turnings away. Taxis and
gharries are hired on the same principle.
We had several day's journey in the finest railway service I have ever
seen, mainly over great plains reaching hundreds of miles and cultivated
in small irrigation squares. The main crop is rice which requires
ploughing when the ground is flooded and so we saw thousands of natives
working with their bullock drawn primitive ploughs. The conditions under
which these poorer people live is terrible, we would never dream of
putting a pig in some of the houses.
A camp seems to act as a magnet to all kinds of folk and one of their
peculiarities is that they will only do one job, for instance a man who
digs trenches and ditches will not carry bricks; the result is that you
have many people about. We have the char wallah (tea seller) dobhi wallah
(washerman), barbers, bed salesmen and pot merchants as well as dozens of
coolies.
I have still received no mail and don't suppose that we shall get any
yet.
same letter continued 18.7.42
Darling,
Yes, I know you have compared the dates but don't row at me just the
same.
I expect you will have received my Airgraphs by this time and know
that I am in Calcutta and it's a lot better place than the last and full
of interest. Its main streets are wide and spacious but the back streets
or hovel bound alleys are very poor. There are some quite decent cinemas
and quite a decent percentage of whites live here.
Thanks very much for your airmail letter dated May 7th which I
received yesterday. It's grand to hear from you again and to know that
you are alright and that everyone at home is OK. I got a letter from Dad
and one from Aunt J at the same time.
You can have no idea how primitive the life of the country native is;
he tills his field from sunrise to sunset and lives in a mud hut and
generally speaking is little more than a beast of burden. Of course the
city coolie is terribly poor too and may sleep with the oxen on the
pavements and have to be watched out for if you are walking.
The new market here is a modern place and contains everything. if you
show the slightest interest in anything you are whisked inside and half
the shop is down before you know where you are.
The birds here are in many cases very beautiful, they are often richly
coloured and there's one which sings like a thrush. The one which
dominates is the vulture and he is a loathsome creature.
There are a few good canteens here and the place at which we are
staying has practically no restrictions although it is run by the army.
There are football matches every day, yesterday I meant to go to the races
but fell asleep so missed them, perhaps a good job.
I have a crocodile hand made belt for you which I bought in
Madagascar. I am sending it on by surface route, goodness knows when you
will get it though.
Fruits which you cannot get are plentiful here; bananas about 3d a
dozen, pineapples 6d each. Coming here my breakfast consisted of a dozen
bananas and a pineapple and I am getting rather tired of it.
One peculiarity of all the houses, even in the city, is that they have
no chimneys, the smoke finds its way out as best it can. Of course fires
are only needed for cooking so it's not as bad as it sounds.
Well darling I guess that's about all for the present, so cheerio,
keep your chin up, it will soon be over.
All my love,
Reg.
PS One thing I forgot to tell you of are the drums; in the native villages
they throb until after midnight. Did you ever see the film "The Drum"?
Don't forget I love you.
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
c/o Army Base Post Office
India
Airgraph
9.7.42
Darling,
Many Happy Returns of your birthday, I only wish I could be with you
for it.
I am keeping very well. These monsoons leave a great deal to be
desired and of course it is very hot at times. I have had no mail since
the first lot, that is up to the middle of April, but hope to receive some
soon. Let Dad know you receive this as I can only get the one form at
present. Letters follow. Keep smiling and the best of luck.
All my love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
20.7.42 Airgraph
Darling,
I expect you will get this before my letter so you will be surprised
to hear that I am on leave in Calcutta. The camp is very good and the
city is quite decent, good cinemas and canteens. Thanks very much for
your air mail letter which I received on Wednesday. Glad to hear everyone
is OK. In case this reaches you in time, again "Many Happy Returns". I
wish I could be with you as in the last leave. All my love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
29.7.42
Airgraph
c/o Army Post Office
India
Darling,
Back off leave again. Settling down after leave here does not
take so much doing as it did after a week at home. I have received your
airmail postcard dated 24th June. That's quick but perhaps you made a
mistake, the ones I received at the same time are dated May 17th & 19th.
Very glad to hear of your deferment, hope you repeat it. This may be the
only letter you will get for some time but don't let that bother you.
Cheerio dearest. All my love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
6th Aug 1942
Dear Sirs,
Thank you for your letter of 4th Aug. I suggest you send your
District Man Power Board a copy of the report in the Journal for March
1942, pages 92-3 on the arrangements made by the Ministry of Labour with
the professional organisations concerned, about firms and their staffs who
are substantial engaged in Estate management and/or the work of Land
Surveyors or Valuation Surveyors.
If they will not alter their decision, please let us know, giving us:-
a)the number, date and office of registration of Mr Vivian Joan Stevenson
whose services you wish to retain and the dates of his application for
deferment. (Is his second Christian name Joan?)
b)The names and ages of those working in your office before the war,
including principals. Some idea of the volume of work you have to handle,
besides Estates management of some 7000 acres.
We could then ask the Ministry to review the case.
I return the letters from the Man Power Board.
Yours faithfully,
HN Hurst. Asst Secy.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Mill Ash
Duffield Road
Derby.
Employee: Stevenson Vivian Joan
Occupation:Surveyor's Assistant. RCBJ.8.3
With reference to your application on form NS 300 for the calling up
of the above named employee, I have to inform you that after careful
consideration the O.M.B. has decided that deferment cannot be granted.
The employee will be regarded as available for calling up for service
when required, but, in normal circumstances, at least 6 days notice of
calling up will be given.
Yours faithfully,
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
14.8.42 4805498 L/Cpl WR Ward
Airgraph D Coy 6th Seaforths
H1167
Darling,
Many thanks for your postcard of June 10th. I replied but sent it by
surface route so you may not receive it for sometime yet. If Dad received
the photo you ought to have had one too, I sent them together. You will
have seen by the papers that everything is rather unsettled here, but
fortunately we are in a quiet place. I believe most of the locals are
Moslems.
The lightning is flashing just as it does at home in August and I
expect the drums will soon be talking, so cheerio sweetheart, All my
love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
30.8.42
Airgraph
APO 1167
Darling,
We have had no mail for some time now but as things are fairly quiet
here it will not be long now I hope. It's very hot here, I expect the
monsoon season is nearing its end and the hot weather will soon be here.
I saw some natives dancing the other night, they dance round yelling to
the tune of the drums. It's amusing to watch but it gets monotonous very
quickly. Well the bottom of the page so cheerio sweetheart. All my love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Durban South Africa
??
??
??
??
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4805498 Cpl Ward
D Coy 6th Seaforth
Paiforce
Joanna my darling,
Thanks very much for your interesting letter of Aug 17th, very glad to
hear you had such a good time on your birthday and that my airgraph
arrived at the time it did. I'm not so glad to hear of your enlistment
but as it can't be helped we must make the best of it. I do hope you will
be OK. I suppose that you will have a new address by now and that this
letter will have to be forwarded on to you.
We have been on the move again since I last wrote, never mind where
to.
It's high, very hilly and rather cold at night, wonderful scenery but
nothing more. Fruit is fairly plentiful in some cases but it's mainly
melons, tomatoes and pomegranates.
I can quite imagine that GM & S will be in rather a mess when you are
called up. HG will no doubt be saying "Thank God the Agricultural returns
are finished" but I know how they will be fixed when you leave. Poor old
HG will think there is no end to his troubles.
With regard to the birthday present, just please yourself darling. If
your suggestion pleases you, carry on. I leave it entirely with you.
You are quite right, there is not much glamour about the south of the
Equator, mainly dirt and poverty from what I have seen. Still, under
different conditions it might be different.
Well sweetheart, it's a long way from Carson, wish we had got a bit of
its greenness and colour here.
Cheerio darling, keep smiling and if you do get your photo taken in
uniform don't forget me for one.
All my love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
25.9.42 Airgraph APO H1474
Darling,
Thanks for your mail up to the Airgraph dated 10.8.42, the cable was
held up. Still, thanks for it. Please tell Mrs Stanley I got theirs,
will write to them. We have been on the move again; it's very hot here,
127°F in the shade one day but it's a dry heat so not too trying.
The flies are the worst, they swarm all over you.
Have you received that belt yet? The scenery here is soon summed up,
sand and nothing but sand. It does go cold at night but in the daytime -
phew - sometimes you can see lovely inviting streams and rivers but they
are just mirages. We see plenty of camels in the distance. Cheerio
darling, Keep smiling.
All my love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
4805498 Cpl WR Ward
D Coy 6th Seaforths
Paiforce
25.10.42
Joanna my darling,
I've no doubt that you have been wondering where on earth Paiforce is.
I hope you have not been trying to find it on the map as you did with Sans
Origine. Paiforce stands for Persia and Iraq forces. Now we are able to
tell you this I suppose you will want more information. Well I will tell
you what I can without getting bits chopped out.
In the desert the main population is Arab; these men are the big
hooked-nose men you see pictures of, they are nearly all big men of fine
physique; their women all dress in black and they are anything but
beautiful; they look more like crows in their flowing garments. The chief
animals are camels and goats. There are huge herds of camels and often
you see a caravan of them carrying very big loads with the old Arab on
top. In the hills are an entirely different and much less picturesque
people. They are all farmers and sell their fruits and eggs to us at a
fair price if you have the time and patience to argue with them. We buy
grapes, sugar melons, plums and apples here and until recently it was
water melons, dates and pomegranates. Well, I think that's about enough
about the folks here, let's try those at home now.
Have you been called up yet? That's the most important question at
the moment. I hope not sweetheart, you know my opinion of the ATS and its
kindred gatherings well enough. I've had no mail except a very old one
from Aunt J since I last wrote to you so reckon no news is good news,
leave it at that.
The long winter nights will be coming on you now, makes me think of
drawing an easy chair up in front of a big fire. Not much chance of that
in a tent though and in any case I've not seen it light after seven since
we left home. Never mind darling, those days will be back before so very
long I hope. Until then, it's cheerio, all the best of luck.
All my love, Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Nov 5/42
Darling,
Thanks for the two air mail letters dated July and for your two cards
dated 19th & 24th September which I have received in the last three days.
Apparently heavy air mail travels surface these days for it always
takes a lot longer than airgraphs and postcards.
I had already heard from Dad that you were being called up, how do you
like it now that you are actually in it?
I was very glad to hear that you had been to Eyam, Aunt J was very
keen on you going I know and to tell you the truth I thought that you did
not mean to go.
How did the short holiday go? hope that you made the best of it. You
will be looking forward to your first leave now, eh soldier.
Although the address is the same as previously and we are still in the
same country we have been hitting the trail again, a change for the
better. It's a combination of the last two camps, a bit of rolling desert
surrounded by hills, the climate is now like an English summer day and a
rather late autumn night.
Mrs Stanley certainly seems to have done you well on Edie's 21st
birthday, the menu certainly makes my mouth water. I thought that all
that stuff would have been unobtainable these days.
I hope that the threat to the Hall woods has not materialized, it
would rather spoil the look of the valley although the Dene did not look
so bad as I expected after it had been dropped.
Well dearest the war seems to have taken a turn for the better now so
maybe it won't be so long now, hope not anyway for this district holds
practically no attractions for me. It's all right to look at or go
through but it finishes at that.
Cheerio, all the best, don't get three tapes and start bossing me
about too soon.
All my love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
12.11.42
Joanna my dearest,
Many thanks for your postcard dated Oct 7th. Aunt J sent me your
address. Well, soldier you go to some trouble not to say how you like
your new job. Quite honestly now, how do you like it? No evasions now,
just the plain facts.
Thanks also for your two letters dated 24th & 30th of August and for
all the news which they contain. You seem to have done very well on your
birthday. I'm sorry I have not been able to get anything for a Xmas box
for you but I've not been in a town for some months now; since my last
leave at any rate.
We are now able to mention the names of a few of the places we have
been in recently. The first one which jumps to mind is Baghdad, not a
city of flying carpets or snake charmers but a mixture of east and west,
the inhabitants all in European clothing. Try and picture the river
Euphrates, a broad river sweltering under a burning sun, fringed by date
palms and scattered with dhows and barges with flocks of pelicans flying
overhead. I saw Babylon but only from a train, very much like any other
city of square mud houses and filth apparently but of course did not see
the hanging gardens.
Outside the cities everything is as old as civilization itself. It's
almost like being transplanted backwards a few thousand years to see the
folk and houses.
Well, dearest, no more room, write soon. Cheerio it's not for long
now.
All my love,
Reg.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
16.11.42
Dearest,
The main object of this letter is to wish you a very happy Christmas
and all the appropriate wishes for the New Year, hoping that I shall see
you before it's over.
I sent a letter yesterday to what I understand is your address;
however I see by your Pc of Oct 16th that you still use the Carson
address. You seem to be well and truly in amongst it all now but it won't
be for long now, I believe.
How do you like canteens? here we have only got a very poor PRI. He
is supposed to be unable to get any stock. At any rate, he does not.
Will you be able to get home for Xmas, your leave will be about due by
that time I should think. I hope you will be lucky. Christmas at home
will be a rather empty sort of time this year I should think. Nearly all
the younger lot will be away then and there won't be much doing.
Well, sweetheart, I guess that's about all. Have as good a time as
possible wherever you are. Keep your pecker up, all the best. Don't wear
the mistletoe out in any YM or Canteen.
All my love,
Reg.
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