LETTERS FROM THE ARMY AND EGYPT
This Collection of letters are those written by RJLM to her parents between July 1942 when she went into the ATS training through her period in Bletchley Park to the end of her stay in Egypt in early 1946.
Currency: the accumulated inflation between 1943 and 2004 is about 25 times.
i.e. £1 (1943) = £25 (2004).
240 pennies ("d.") = 20 shillings = £1
Part 1: 1942-43.
May 1943 - Egypt June 1943 - Egypt
Hut 72
4 Company
No I.A.T.S. T.C.
Tahvena Camp,
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
It was lovely to speak to you all yesterday. In some ways I was quite relieved I couldn't over the weekend or I would have howled terribly and upset you all v. much. I must say it is just utterly revolting. I don't mind the eternal waiting about, drill etc, nearly as much as most people, but I'm a awful snob. I hate sleeping with other people, particularly so dirty, and all this congestion??, squalor and disgusting food. But I just keep saying its one day nearer Donald, and there are only 6 more days here etc. I must say I am lucky in the two other women and ?? people in my hut, though not quite my type, they are of the same social standing and we get on well together, and never move apart. We have to get up at 6.30, and have breakfast, the best meal of the day, at 7.30 after cleaning kit and buttons. Have been walking or rather standing ever since. My feet appear to me about the best ever! Have an hour nearly off now, so have to be v. quick. Have had to dash off a p.c. to Donald for stockings. Am returning them to you as frightened of losing them. They're heavenly, but B. and Ma. Size 9! Am informing him of this. The cable was a N.L.T. night letter telegram as he was worried, not sure what I was doing, so am cabling this p.m. Got your letter your letter this p.m. Ma and from Joypi[1]. V glad. Haven't been able to read it, but hope to while Elizabeth and I drink tea sedately and without speaking in the town, we get off at 4.30 this p.m. Not till 8 yesterday. Will try to add a bit more to this letter then. Sorry about writing but the rush is terrific. I must do my hair etc but I go on parade in 20 minutes.
By the way my wireless is v. welcome, I am able always to listen to the 7 o'clock news and 1 o'clock. Great relief there is one in the hut, but a terrible one.
It is so nice the Church's being here. They're just the same, I am going there after doing some shopping in the town. I can keep the pop.pop[2] outside the hut, and since it poured all the first two days we were here, I hope it won't for a bit.
Mummy, I am being more than polite, and flatter myself the Corporal, (can you believe it!) in charge of the hut, thoroughly approves of me. I am quiet, quick and polite!
We are very odd, the 15 Cambridge people. They had to ring up the War Office about us. No one had ever heard of "Y" service. We never seem to have anything ???? ??? us, they've even forgotten our pay books! Well goodbye for the present. Will post this this evening.
Please can you send me 2 pairs of stockings, two coat-hangers and another padlock and chain.
Tea Time
I am now sitting in a really sordid tea shop with Elizabeth quite exhausted with just standing and waiting. We had a lesson on how to clean shoes and buttons and how to put out incendiary bombs. This took no less than 3 hours! Well nearly!
Thank you very much for your v. nice letter Ma, I have been able to read it at my leisure. I must say I envy you greatly picking fruit. Will you thank Bunchie too for her letter, I will endeavour to reply to it tomorrow.
Having our heads inspected ..... It makes me quite physically ill .... No less than 25% of the people in my hut, 28 in all. I now wash my hair with pretty near neat dettol every night. Its one of my most appalling nightmare. I never thought such a thing existed, and they don't care. It didn't embarrass them one bit. It appears there is one other female in this racket for the same reason as me. A husband in Egypt. Must find out more. Some of the people were told, that only the people who were very keen would be sent. We think we get commissions at the end of the course, the next one.
Must stop. I miss you all terribly, please write to me lots. I have such a nice family.
Lots of love, R.
A.T.S.
24:VII:'42
My Darling Ma and Pa.
Last letter from this terrible place, thank heavens. No one knows what is happening to us. The C.O. said she had to deliver us to Loughborough. She told us that she had no idea whether we were to stay there or not, we are just to be left at the station! We are causing great astonishment from the C.O. down, as everyone else stays 4 or 5 weeks, and they tell everyone what to do etc and the War Office has told them nothing about us at all. Wouldn't it be funny if we were sent to the same place as Donald was too. I don't believe the RAF uses it any longer, its part of the engineering college there. If its OK, I think sometime I had better have my typewriter for your sake, but I will let you know. I don't know what room there will be.
Marvellous having two letters, a cable and stockings from Donald all in one week. The letter was posted last Thursday!! Isn't it wonderful, and the other 3 days before. He has written you and airgraph Daddy to thank you for something, but what he didn't say. Poor darling, he's very fed up but has the work and is very busy. He has also bought part share in a sailing boat, 17', and is quite crazy about it.
We have been having intensive drill, the 16 intelligence people. You've no idea how much we learn everything than when we have to do it with the other females in one of the huts. I quite like drilling. Really, I mean just to do the little we do. The C.O. told me yesterday, we wouldn't need to learn much as we wouldn't ever need it as we were special, and the Sgt. (man) who takes us keeps saying we must learn enough to be able to tell troops what to do of necessary. They all seem to think we'll be given commissions soon. I do hope so. Thank goodness no more P.T. or games? Anyway. There is definitely one other female, Mrs Grant Lawson, American, who is in the (same) boat as me, and wants to go to Egypt.
I am sorry about Colonel White, I am sure everyone will miss him a lot. I wonder why ever had had to go dashing off like that. I suppose it may be because the ATS are taking over the AA[3] so much. Do you think that is possible?
Thank you very much for your letter Daddy and the lock. Its to lock up my locker. Well I must stop for a bit, and clean my buttons!
5.10
Have just have had tea and am now waiting for a kit inspection. Have just had a more than hectic day.
Up 6.30 make bed, clean hut, buttons and shoes.
7.30 Breakfast. Wait 20 minutes, eat for 5.
8.30 Inspection
Drill
10.0 Collect clothes
10.15 Break
10.45 collect more clothes
Lay things out for kit inspection
12.30 Lunch
1.30 More kit
2.0 Drill
3.0 Lecture
4.0 Pay parade
4.45 Tea
all marching about the camp.
We are definitely going to Loughborough, to No 4 M. Intelligence School. I think we shall then have a course with the ?? going into it, and then get commissions. This is my view entirely. But I have never heard of anyone who didn’t have you Daddy? I mean in the ordinary army. All the officers and W.O. who have been rushing us around today seem to expect it too.
Got soap coupons, and 10 clothing today. Am going to take my pop-pop down to the station after kit inspections and get some food. Am quite worn out. I do hope after this we lead a more comfortable life. Am longing to come home again. I could come on the pop-pop I should think from here, its about 40 miles isn't it? But I suppose the trains are terrible, all cross country. By the way, we are attached to the London area, at least No.4 M.I. school is. I really think as a job it should be v. interesting.
Am very sorry for the enormous parcel of laundry. Could I have my coats and shirt cleaned, my shoes mended, and the blouse washed. I will wire the address tomorrow, then you'll know where I am, and ring up if I can.
Fancy Auntie Emily moving.
Lots of love R.
QUORN 21
Please phone after the news I'll be here!
Please will someone cash the enclosed for me
No violent hurry.
Beau Manor Park
Woodhouse
Nr Loughborough
My Darling Ma and Pa.
I am just utterly exhausted! I have never done so much concentrated learning about things of which I have not the first idea as I have this week. It is very interesting, but I don’t quite see how I shall ever be able to do t. I do so wish I could tell you all about it, I'm sure you would be most interested, I am. And the pity is, I don’t believe I ever will be able to. You would laugh to see me and all rest of the females, sitting at lectures on highly technical things to do with machines and electricity, or along those lines, with quite blank faces, while the 20 or 40men doing the course make intelligent remarks. The men are a very dumb lot, all N.C.O.'s and a couple of officers. The officers are the worst.
I work from 9-15 till 12.30. Then lunch till 2.0. Then again till, then tea, then work, then supper at 7.0. Then again till 8.45 so that I can get back for the news. Then I go to bed quite worn out. I am perennially tired and hungry. Actually the food is al awful lot better than Northampton, which I have nearly forgotten existed, and on the whole quite edible. The tea however would make your inside curl up, its all made with condensed milk! It is brought in a great big aluminium bucket thing with a pouring thing at the top. I however regard it as liquid not tea, and therefore fare better than most people. Get lashings of sugar butter marg. jam and cheese, and oddly enough, very nice lettuce. We have a very nice orderly, one Ruby! same like Lady Dartmouth! Who procured for me ¼ lb of marg. as I said I wasn’t going into breakfast tomorrow, as Mrs Paulson said she would give it to me in bed! I got 1 lb, but someone else got the same idea, so I chopped in half and gave her ¼ too!
Thank you both very much for your letters. I am sorry I haven't written again this week, but you will see why from above. Re my car, yes I think it would be good idea to licence it. The insurance, it is insured till the end of December, Good heavens, I've just remembered, and the registration book, are with a number of similar licences and such like in an old bank envelope somewhere underneath the sliding lid in my bureau. The envelope is quite easy to find I think, as the papers are bulging out of it. I have just been into Loughborough and have collected my new petrol book.
I hear the 8.0 news in the morning before I start, and had gathered that it was Birmingham that was bombed. A newspaper doesn’t exist at Beau Manor. Am relieved to hear the works are all right. Was it two or three nights running? My spies inform me that there have been sirens and even a bomb dropped here, in fact every night except two since we arrived, but I haven't heard them except one alert while I was getting up one day. We had one the last night before I left Northampton and a lot of people got out of be and clambered inefficiently about and tried to put up the blackouts, and couldn’t, so finally I climbed out and stuck up my two shutters at my en of the room, and went to sleep again.
I am sitting in the Paulson's garden at the minute, in a deck chair. Went to Loughborough after lunch to do some shopping. We get from Saturday lunch time till Sunday night off. Do hope I will be able to come away next weekend. Shall have to go and do some work tomorrow morning.
Wasn’t it marvellous 3 letters from Donald. That’s five since I have been away. They were rather oddly dated 28:VI:'42 1:VII:'42 and 21:VII:'42! Letter lovely and quick. The mail was held up at his end, and he was in a state of depression because he hadn't had any for 10 days, no less! He said he was working 14 hours a day in the one of 28:VII:'42, but that they had created a record output or something for all the M.U.'s ever. I think it had slacked off though again. He didn't sound so busy and was sailing his new boat.
A canteen opened up today in Beau Manor for all uniforms. There I got 20 Players for 1/6 and a KitKat chocolate crisp! I get a ration of 10 a day at 9d normally, though I believe my runs out at the end of the week. We have been getting them from a store up-saris? Thank you very much for the stuff I had in my laundry. I rushed it open immediately and finished it in hopes! Feel rather like a dog. We don’t get an issue of chocolate, but get it when any comes with the cigarettes, which is not often. I can vividly imagine Mrs Farmer's window. Fancy peppermint creams. I seem to get through an awful lot of cigarettes just sitting all day with no elevensis, and also everyone smokes in lectures, including the lecturer. However now there is a canteen, will be able to get tea (condensed milk type) and a bun. We even have it on Cornflakes and porridge (porridge?) for breakfast. Of course my taste being so common I quite like it like that!
Thank you for doing all my laundry. Yes the shirts are quite decent. But I think the colour comes off rather on my underclothes. I might think about wearing the night-clothes, only they are very thick convict striped long sleeved blue flannel pyjamas. A bit hot in this weather I think!
Must be very difficult for you with Bunch not being able to drive either. So glad the frocks were a success, though quite why they sent them home I do not know. I particularly said would they send me them at Northampton. At least to the Church's, however it doesn’t matter. Sorry to have missed C.B.'s party. I must write to Wulf. Did you got to tea with Mildred Sherpenberg?
Shall be thinking of you on Monday. Do hope its not like last bank holiday. I didn’t know the works were closing all the week, Daddy. I hope you will get a bit of P&Q in spite of the H.G.
Lots of love and longing to come home. R
P.S. I should love to make a cake sometime if you can spare the stuff.
Rhondda House,
Fenny Stratford.
Bucks.
30:X:'42
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Isn't this weather shocking? I am so sorry it is like this while you are in London, it makes it all so much more difficult getting about. Cant remember whether you said you were coming back on Friday or Saturday. I do hope you will go and see In Which We Serve Mummy, anyway.
When I got hack to my fury, I discovered that they had told me wrong, and I wasn't on till midnight. They apologised handsomely, not that that made much difference. So I am on midnights till Tuesday am. Then evenings. I am getting tired of being on there peculiar shifts, I have not been on days then for 6 weeks.
Well, its happened... I feel like Donald, he said that to me, one Saturday lunch time, way back in January. I was told on Thursday evening. Don't know when my embarkation leave It, but it must be soon, as they hope to get us off by the end of November. Can't see it myself, since they haven't started doing anything about kit yet, but I suppose to-day nothing will be happening, and to-morrow everything will be in a ferment, and we'll be going to-morrow. Ginny and I, Rufus and Lindsay are all going, which is v. pleasant. They are the two other people I like best, and I think 3 officers, and Mrs Player, and 4 other O.R.s whom I don't like much. I am sorry, very, it is an awful thing to have to do, but I do want to see Donald so very badly. I can't believe it, sitting here in the cold and rain, it is just incredible. Shan't till I actually get on the boat.
I am having Tuesday a.m. till Friday evening off next week after midnights, so I am going to see the Maitlands, and stay one night with Buff, so I will have all my embarkation leave at home. Though I should think it will be weeks before we get moving. Donald you remember went exactly one month after he should have done.
What a lovely age ago my weeks leave does seem.
Must go to bed now.
Ring Bletchley 101 if you want me, but not Saturday, as Ginny and I are going down to the Fountain for dinner.
Lots of Love,
Handwritten:
Sorry, I brought this away by mistake. Isn't it a pity, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff - Nye? - came round yesterday and I was on nights.
Rhondda House,
Fenny Stratford,
Bucks.
2X1:'42
My Darling Ma and Pa,
Am feeling decidedly shivery, can't make up my mind whether this is due to sitting in a room with no fire, or injection! Had T.A.B. and tetanus a few hours ago. My gosh it is cold. Ginny is going to bring hack a paraffin stove when she goes home this week.
Well we were going in three weeks, from last week, ie in a fortnight. But M.I. 8 rang up the War Office, and said that they couldn't release 20 people just like that, and we couldn't go till the next course is over, and that we would go on the next troop convoy, when the second draft were due to be going. That is the first week in January. We are all wild, if there is one thing I wanted to avoid it is spending Xmas here. But I must say it would have been the most appalling rush. PLEASE DON'T MENTION THE DATE TO ANYONE AS it involves a whole troop convoy. I suppose Dr Mc Geoch will be going in a fortnight. I am going to try and wangle Xmas embarkation leave, though I am afraid this is a very faint hope, as they are already trying to persuade me to have it. Ridiculous. Still I may know more when Capt. Firnberg, the head of my section comes back from leave to-morrow.
I came off nights last night, thank goodness, and promptly slept for 14 out of 24 hours! I just couldn't sleep this week during the day, there were two people in and out of the room all the time as they were on evenings, which isn't exactly conducive to sleep. I am going to try and get a bath now, as the water might be hot, I tried it about half an hour ago, and it was just warming up. I have just come away from the Park, it is 6-30.
Have had lovely hot bath thank goodness.
So glad you, had such a good time in London. I adore the thought of Carol Ann wearing gloves. I will go to Harrods and see about the pink coat, but I am afraid that it won't be till Thursday, probably, as I am going straight through to-morrow, as I would like to be there in time for lunch. Oh I don't know, if I get up by 11 or so, I could have time. I'11 see. If I go to the Maitlands now, then I shall be able to come home all the time I have, and possibly meet them once more for lunch or something.
I couldn't meet Di this last Monday, to-day for lunch as I thought I was still going to be on nights, but anyway was on days, I shall try to next Monday, as I will be on evenings.
Ginny is just collecting our hot water bottles, I think I shall climb into bed. It is the only warm place. Have had some food.
I can't think what has happened to Donald's letter, except that everyone else seems to be in the same boat, I am sure though I shall get a cable this week.
Lots of love,
Rhondda House,
Fenny Stratford,
Bucks.
7:X1:'42
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I am in the office at the minute, and have just been and borrowed this typewriter from the signals office next door. If I do a of peculiar things, you will have to excuse it, as I don't know how spacing and things work on these large machines. Have just been along to dinner, did rather well, there was lamb (mutton) when I arrived, and pseudo scrambled eggs when I left.
Thank you both very much for the wire and letter for tomorrow. It really seems like today, being Saturday and so close to the date. Unfortunately Mummy, as I see dinner is off. I do wish Ginny and I could have gone out it would have made it a little less desolate. What a way to spend one's first wedding anniversary. I don't really believe this is me though sitting here. Still it is the best thing I ever did and am ever likely to do, I know, marrying Donald. I couldn't have married anyone sweeter, I am v. lucky. You know I feel almost irritated with this new advance, holding up all my mail, so that I can't even here from him It is so terribly disappointing, and he will be so sick, knowing that I didn't get the things in time. Thank you again Mummy for such a v. nice letter, and Daddy for writing. B. remembered too, I was pleased, so I had two greetings telegrams.
Sorry I missed you the other night, I just walked, round to see Peggy[4]. The children are growing up terrifically, and are almost like two small boys, instead of babies. Peggy doesn't half have looking after both of them and her fowls and rabbits, making both their clothes. They were both delighted to see me, I think Colin just about remembers me, he is two and a bit.
It was nice to see Buffy, she is determined to come up and see you! How we can arrange it I don't know but still. I think she is very fond of you. When I get back on to days, I will take a Sunday off, and then we could come up on a Sat. night. Oh I almost forgot, most important, I am working on evenings till next Thursday night, and then come on to days, the next day, Friday 13, the day you see Gone with the Wind. Then I have Monday off, ie, 16th., and don't have to come back till Tuesday night, Wed morning. I don't know what the trains are like yet. This is not bad is it; How odd this machine has no question mark, I can't find one. Then the following week, as I will then have done a week of nights, I shall get from Tuesday a.m. till Friday a.m. off, so I shall be more or less living at home for the nest fortnight. I also think I might have been able to wangle Xmas embarkation leave too. The staff Sgt, on whom really the leave rota depends, merely said resignedly, when I tentatively suggested it yesterday, well of course, I knew YOU would want something like that, but quite pleasantly, and then mentioned it again this evening. I shan't say any more for a bit, as by then, they will have got all the new staff trained, and will be able to do without me all right, actually, he is a nice little man, and eternally apologetic that I have to keep going on these shifts, when he knows I don't like it. Though I must say I seem to get lots of leave.
This is a nice typewriter don't you think? Found it, most peculiar place.
By the way, I have had my ears pieced at long last, I managed to get some little gold rings at a shop in Regent St. It hurt surprisingly little, and was a most amazing sensation. I felt the needle push through the first hard outer layer, and rush through the soft middle, and suddenly shoot through the hard outer layer again, sorry to be so revolting, but I was most interested in the different sort of density of ones flesh. Had them done yesterday, they don't hurt at all, unless I catch them. Just have to bathe them every morning for a fortnight, and NOT touch them.
I tried for the lace Mummy but wasn't awfully successful. Will bring what I did get with me, to-morrow week. Sorry about the little coat, I meant to go on the Tuesday, but I felt so darned ill after those injections that all I could do was to fall into a taxi and go straight to Waterloo. The effects nearly all gone after lunch though.
Don't think there is any more to tell you.
Lots of love R
Quite forgot, thank you v. much for the cheque, but I owe you £1, it was for £2.
Fenny Stratford,
Bucks.
21:Xll:'42
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I thought I had better to write you a letter of explanation to tell you what is to do.
I am sorry I was so dopey on the phone last night, but quite honestly I was asleep when it rang, and had been for quite some time, and so my brain wasn't working very well. I was terribly tired, as Ginny and I went down to the Fountain for dinner on Saturday, and then when we got in about midnight, all the other people in our room were on midnights, and so they came in and we all went and had tea and filled our hotties, and cleaned our "buttons and shoes, etc. So eventually we turned the light out at about 1-50, and as you know had got up at 5-30, I was pretty tired, in fact I went to sleep with a book in front of my nose reading.
Captain Firnberg, the head of my section , came in and told me on Saturday evening, saying he thought I would like to know the latest, that I am to have leave from Jan 1, to Jan 7, and then to report in London, and from what I can gather we go immediately then. All our clothes are being collected, tropical I mean, I have had to give in the size of all my things, including my hat.1 See me in a sun lid! It will be funnier still. To complicate all this, Ginny has just had a cable from Peter to say that he was coming home the next day! She has actually thought he might be for the last few weeks, and so there is to say the least of it, one hell of a shindy going on. Very fortunately for her, her Mother in law's cousin is G.O.C. Northern Command. He has rung up M.I. 8 to say she can't go, but the ill-feeling... Also it is of course very complex to find someone at this stage to take her place. I must say I am shattered she is not going, but still she will of course be getting out of the A.T.S. altogether. Well she deserves it he has been gone just three years. But I am glad that I an not in her shoes, I mean with the row.
Well to continue.
I am going on to nights for the last two days that I am here, ie. the night morning of Wed. 30th. and the night morning of 31. This means that my leave, in practice starts at 9-0- a.m. Thursday the 31. I therefore think that it would be a good idea, if as Bunch and Peter and the baby will be up in Lytham, to got straight up there for one night and see them, if the Waddells can put me up for one night, and then come home on say Jan 1. till Jan 7. But I am going to ring you up to-morrow night about all this, when they have arrived.
Isn't it going to be fun, as I am not coming back here ever again, even after the war. I have to bring all my kit home with me, see me reporting at an A.T.S. depot in London with two kit bags, two suitcases, and a zip bag, plus a rug, bag, wet pack, and various other sundries!
Phillis Goode has come but I haven't seen her, but nearly everyone else has.
I do hope you are better Ma, really. Don't overdo it whatever you do.
Well I must stop, since this is all being written in my lunch hour. Thank goodness I do know something at long last. We have a draft number and everything, but I haven't discovered it yet.
with lots of love,
Rhondda House,
Fenny Stratford,
Bucks.
27:XII:'42
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
The last letter I shall write you from here, I trust.
Well I hope you had a good Xmas, and that everything went off well. I am so sorry I missed speaking to you Daddy, on each occasion. Thank you for ringing up on Xmas day, it cheered me up enormously. Not that it really felt like Xmas a bit. It was just like rather a gay day, and that was all.
I am longing to see Carol Arm this week. I feel you are being traditional grandparents and thinking she is really terrific and will be able to do no wrong! Was highly entertained to see a parcel addressed to her as Miss Carol Ann Waddell!
Well at any rate, I had two Xmas dinners, one at lunch at the Park, turkey, ham, stuffing, etc, and v. good mince tart, or Xmas pudding. all well cooked, and then Ginny and I had an excellent dinner again at the Fountain. There were their four servants, a Belgian chef and his wife, a French maid, and an Italian girl, who are all nice, a Canadian Colonel and his wife, quite young, 40 ish. A lieut, same ago, a droopy young man, and a v. funny other man with a face just like a blood hound who made us laugh so much all the evening playing the part of a waiter, very disgruntled that we didn't know what to do. We did the washing up, while the staff sat down. We then played murder and charades until about 2-30, when Ginny and I crawled very wearily to bed, we didn't have to be on duty till lunch time on boxing am. so it was o.k.
All the leaving people, the right type, and one or two other right types are having a party to-night to celebrate. So trust yon won't ring up as there will be no one in our room.
Am going up to town to have lunch with the Maitlands on Tuesday as I am changing over to nights on Tuesday night Wed. morning, and therefore do not work that day. I would go up after work to-morrow night, but unfortunately cannot travel till the Tuesday. Am going to have an early dinner with Beryl and Merry before coming back here to start work at midnight. Feel by Saturday, I am going to be quite worn out missing two whole days sleep in a week, still I shall travel first up to Blackpool, I have a third warrant which I shall convert, and hope to sleep then for a while, I am pretty good nowadays of availing myself of all opportunities for sleeping.
Wasn't it nice, my bible from Donald arrived on Xmas a.m. I had a battery of greetings telegrams too, by the same post. I really feel terrible about this Xmas, but I felt so sure that I would not be in this country, and then when I knew I was going to be, it was too late to do anything. Marvellous of Donald to have got a cable and a letter to me on the right day.
I am sitting in the office solemnly typing this as there is just no work to do, a hang over from Xmas, and on the 25th. there was realty quite a lot, which was maddening. I went to church at 11. I must say it was fun singing carols at the Park the night before. We also missed a really shocking party at Rhondda House, by doing so. Ditto Xmas night. By the way, Phillis Goode has managed to make herself remarkably unpopular in very short time, by being officious. I have only seen her once at pay parade, when she just shot out one or two sentences very quickly as there was a queue behind me, and lots of orderlies there. But I have really been out so much lately and think it very improbable I shall see her again. When I hear the awful, stories of inspections and things she is going to institute, I am v. tempted to tell all the dirt I know of her! However, it doesn't concern me, I shan't be there. Ginny sits around trembling, and we all thank our lucky stars for Mrs Player, who is so vague, and realises what sort of a unit this is, still I can't realty think Phil will get very far, as she will just find people won't do it. One can nearly always get out of things by working late or being on nights or something.
Well happy new year, and I will he seeing yon soon.
Lots of love,
Pencil, hankies and wet pack admired by all and sundry as well as recipient!
W/176595![5]
12 Radnor Place,
Bayswater
W.2
Sorry to have missed the lemon cheese! Love to everyone.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Thank you both very much for your sweet letters which I got this morning. It was lovely having you up for the weekend, in spite of the rush. Life is terribly hectic. Yesterday nearly killed me! We all put our lights out at 10.0! I was going to meet Buffy after telephoning you, but was too dead.
Am going to see Beryl tonight. Hope it will be more successful than last effort. Rufus is having dinner with her brother at the War Office, so hope to get some news.
Thank you Daddy for news about suit cases. I shall try to get a cheap one I think, it will be so inconvenient otherwise.
I wrote Donald yesterday saying I
expected a very grateful husband!
Lots of love R.
C/o Donald
21/1/43 (blanked out, but seems right)
My darling Mummy and Daddy.
Well we have just sailed a long trip I am thankful to say. We have ----censored ---------------- if you can work that out! The vibration of the engines is really hardly noticeable, but I think we are probably only doing half speed. It is a warm muggy day, with visibility only about a mile. Such a pity, we ought to be able to see the coast where I lived for 8 months last year!! I could wave goodbye to it then.
I feel so sorry for all the troops on board the ship. Its terrible for them. I keep on thinking of Donald going miserably last year, and thinking of him doing all the boat drill etc which we do. We are of course all quite happy going of our own free wills. I am thrilled to think we are on our way at last. We were all on deck, B. deck we live sleep on, we were then on A deck, having boat drill when we sailed, so we all leant over the rail watching the line of buoys slip by.
Have been doing all my washing this am. It is hanging up in my bathroom. Having a wonderful time with handkerchiefs as I have had a cold and catarrh since the day I last saw you, Lindsay has now a stinking cold and cough too. All but my cough and catarrh have gone now though. The view is of course quite invaluable. We are hoping to win an ironing board. The ships electrician was v. nice and fitted it up with a special plug to fit in the fan. Since there are only 4 such plugs on the ships, I think we have done well. Its an old boat ------------------------------------ Censored ----------
Also the fan thing, it wouldn’t work with an ordinary plug, I expect sea air will soon cure my catarrh.
In addition to oranges every night. We have had fresh pineapples in some form twice!! Can get Lux[6] on board and sea soap, all couponless. Two blocks of chocolate a day cigarettes 1/4d for 50! Eno's, Talcum powder etc etc. I have every intention of sending B some Lux for her nappies.
The day is quite unorganised at present. Called 7.0 Breakfast 7.30. Inspection of cabin 9.30. Boat drill 10.0 - 10.30. Lunch 12.0 Dinner 6.0 Lights out 10.0 or 9.30.
We spend all the day at present sitting in our cabin, sewing and talking. We have 3 common A.T.S at our table, ie Nicola Lindsay, Rufus Jean and mine, who sit quite dumb since out conversations get more and more erudite! We have some belonging to another lot, about half again as many as us on board too. You'd hardly believe it, but not one of them has brought a single book. They haven't one book between the whole lot. Honestly can you believe it. We are of course loaded out with books of all sorts. The other ATS are of course causing trouble for us since they have no idea how to behave, their offices too, at least the head one, are a shocking crew. Believe ATS know nothing etc. Well of course theirs don’t. Still our officers are sweet and do all they can to moderate the effect for us.
The new lot from the 3rd course are quite pleasant. They all have London degrees. Were evacuated to Cambridge so we have quite an amount in common. Some of them are rather foolish, but pleasant.
Well think I shall go on with my sewing now. I shall add bits to this letter whenever I feel like writing. Think that is the best. Am keeping a diary, but unfortunately it can't be sent to you, as I don’t see any point in keeping a proper one without putting in details, such as no.s of troops etc.
The boat has now started rocking gently. I got some Mothersill! Have just discovered I can post this in 1 hours time. Am going to write to B. Lots of love to you and everyone.
R
N.B. We haven't got any place yet. Still cold.
Sorry to end this letter so abruptly. ---------- censored ---------------
I don’t know how long, or why, and may post another letter. Do wish we could get going. Have waited so long, I can't waste another day!
I do hope Donald knows by now. Reckon he ought to have got your cable.
C/o Donald,
Barclays D.C.
Date blanked out (censored?) but Jan 1943[7]
(She left Liverpool about 5 Jan for Glasgow and then in convoy).
My Darling Ma and Pa.
I am lying flat on my back on my bunk recovering - I hope - from sea sickness! At any rate I have up to date managed to keep down my lunch, soup, prunes and biscuits and cheese and butter and an orange. The first meal for tap days! Don’t worry, I haven't really felt very ill, just unable to keep anything down, just like car sickness. I am quite all right as long as I lie flat, and occasionally am all right on deck. It was very funny this a.m. at boat drill, which we have at 10.0 every day, there were far more officers (men) unable to attend than ATS. Poor Mrs Player has been invisible from the first. The North? South? West? East? Atlantic, is not recommended for cruising in January anyway.
I must say I spend hours a day hanging over the side. The destroyers decks (previous three words blanked out, but readable, just) are all awash as in the best films. But then or course, so are ours. It really was rough yesterday. Its lovely leaning and watching the ships heaving up and down and the terrific waves. The colour of the water is magnificent, and is covered with white horses and spray everywhere. My face, even on the promenade deck, is encrusted with salt. The wind is high too. We saw a school of porpoises this a.m. and are hoping to see flying fish in a couple of days or so. For the last three days, I have lived between by bunk and the deck ... All entertainments - thank heavens P.T. are off. We have been to a couple of ENSA shows which were quite good.
I am really quite happy lying on my bunk reading and sleeping, there's nowhere to go anyway. The ship is overcrowded. Feel incredibly sorry for the men. Its quite appalling. Occasionally I have a few words with a Sgt or so, many of them are in the Regular and have been this way before and live it.
Before this, I lay and thought of all the things I must read before we go ashore. I have been making lists! Like Bunch. Think I'll send her things to you instead of to King???? in case Peter has been posted.
It makes me cross to think of Donald never being ill. He said all the china and glass smashed etc on their boat as they have on this. I nearly got thrown out of bed, but sleep through most of it. I have got the bottom bunk and it has an arm to keep one in.
I bought some lovely peppermint chocolate at the canteen, I wonder whether I dare eat a piece. Maybe not. I'll have some butterscotch.
I will finish this at a later date, when there is something less sordid than whose ill and who isn't, in the way of news. Poor Lindsay is v. bad.
Saturday
Its getting much warmer now. I've been on deck half the day without a greatcoat, and I've left all my underclothes off days ago. I suppose we shall soon be in tropical kit. Lovely thought.
It really is amazing what a short time it is since I last rang you up. It seems ages. I do hope you are not worrying too much. I know I am going to miss you an awful lot. I've had such a very happy lucky life up to date! I am fundamentally sure, in spite of my top pessimism, that everything will turn out all right. I hate to think how I am going to manage without home. At the moment, I just don’t think about it quite firmly. I feel an awful swine really leaving you. War is awful. It so appals me to think of all those men being taken away from their families, not that I think they mind so very much, but I shall never forget what I felt like when Donald went and how I've missed him. But of course you know what its all like with the last war. Anyway, I'll never forget you.
Have just had dinner and a little constitutional round the deck in the sun etc with Sheelagh - a Girton girl. Very nice. I like her more and more. We slept together at Rhondda. She's so funny and very quiet till you get to know her. She read English, and give me little lectures on what and what not I should read. I feel a bit shy of expressing my rather, I feel, poor taste in poetry and literature to her. She's most interesting. She also seems to know a fair amount about odd religions, another topic which I like to talk about by the hour.
We all went to a party in the Sgts. Mess last night. I was quite shattered. I feel so embarrassed, I don’t know how or what to talk to the men about. To begin with, half the time I can't understand what they say. If I talk normally, it would sound so snobbish. I shan't go again. Oh I did play whist! It reminded me of Nanny. She's a dab hand isn't she?
I'm not a bit bored. We have lots of literature. Daddy, Rufus has a most interesting book I ma reading at the moment, called Science for the Citizen by Hogben. You'd love it. Lots about the stars. I find it very interesting. They also have Penguin books in the canteen. We all planned our literature so carefully that we have a very varied selection of books.
Rufus and Jean are trying to learn a bit of Arabic, I am doing Science for the Citizen etc!
Its amazing how much we all know about each other's families! It will be so odd sometime in the future to meet them knowing all about them.
I'll give you a specimen day to see what I do all the time.
Yesterday, Friday.
Breakfast 7.30-8.15
Deck 8.15-8.45
Do Cabin 8.45-
Inspection of cabin 9.30
Boat Drill 10.0
Deck 10-11.0
Cabin - read. Talk sew write letters etc -12.0
Lunch 12.0
Cabin or deck 12.45-2.0
Pay Parade 2.0
P.T. 2.30 - 3.0
Cabin or Deck 3.30-6.0
Dinner 6.0-6.45
Sgts Mess 7.30-8.30
Deck 8.30-9.30
Bed 9.30
Occasionally in the afternoon we have a lecture, and P.T. 3 times a week, I think and Pay parade only on Fridays. In fact most of the day we do nothing. The main timetable is we are not allowed on deck 11-12 and in the afternoon much as the men do P.T. which will be v. trying in the heat as our cabins are very hot. Also we can only go on half the promenade deck, not the top deck, officers only. Therefore nowhere to sit.
Oh by the way, we have to sleep in our clothes except skirts and ??? and shoes and always carry water bottles and life jackets and haversacks! No alarms yet though, Don’t worry.
It is such a pity I can't tell you where we are or anything. You'd be so interested.
Would you mind sending Donald a letter card or something when you get this? I shan't write to him it wouldn’t be worth it, and I couldn’t possibly cope with having one officer's censor it, its difficult enough writing to you and everyone, although of course its not their fault.
By the way, you'll be delighted to hear I grow more and more like a balloon every day. I must have put on pounds! I've burst completely out of my skirt! I'm delighted! I eat all day, when not eating large meals, I eat chocolate toffee and biscuits and wax fat and contented. Donald will be so pleased too I know. I just can't believe I'm really going to see him again, and every knot is taking me nearer and nearer. It appals me to think of you hating it and Donald longing for it. Oh I do so wish this didn’t have to happen.
Will I don’t really think there's much more at the moment. I could burble incessantly, but I think I'd better write to everyone else for a change.
With lots and lots of love, and I'll always remember you and home and all the things you did for me and made possible for me to do. It seems so odd to think of you going on at home just as usual, and I'm not there. Its awful.
R (signed here by the Censor)
Love to everyone.
Beatta, Ma, Joy, Butters etc. I'll write Nanny and B of course and the Cyrils and Gladys.
P.S.
Mummy I am appalled. I thought I had that picture of Bunch and Peter with me. The Catherine Bell one. It’s a smallish size. Could you send it. It must be with my others somewhere, with our wedding ones I should think probably. Would you, could you have one taken? I would like it. I have one of Daddy. I promise you I'll have one taken in and out of uniform and with and without Donald at the first opportunity in the best photographer in you know where.
How are all the incipient babies. Joan White, Colin and Bunty, Jo Ann Booth?
P.P.S.
Re cash. I not only didn’t spend my £10 but had £2 more! I therefore have now:
£20 travellers cheques
£12 Csh (two fivers)
£32
We are paid 10/- a week on board which more than covers expenses on board such as sweets cigarettes books. I wear this, my pearls, gold pencil and gold bracelet on that chamois leather belt, night and day.
The men and sgts are setting up a brains trust. I represent the A.T.S.!
I am still very worried and fed up about that lovely suit case. Its such a waste. Its maddening. Going to Church now.
176595
CPL Maitland RJL ATS
RQAFF R
C/o APO 4545
On board
Date?
My Darling Ma and Pa,
To set your mind at rest. I am divinely comfortable. In a 2 cabin with Jean (Cambridge too). Rufus and Lindsay connect with us by bathroom. We have running water, hot. In our rooms as well. Its really officers officer's quarters. We also feed in the Officer's Mess! This was all much after the journey which was really shattering.
I was awfully sorry, of course I couldn’t let you know at all that we were off. We had no idea ourselves till a couple of hours before. I do hope you didn’t come up to see me or anything. It would have been so awful if you had arrived and found me gone. I do hope now you will go away and have a decent holiday. Go down to Land's End or somewhere.
I really am incredibly lucky to be going. Its marvellous. I just can't believe too that I am really going to see Donald after all this time. Gosh, we will be so happy and thrilled when he gets your cable. Its certainly going be an experience anyway.
Well I think I shall go to bed and write some more in the a.m.
Next a.m.
Life is trying to get organised. We
are all receiving strict instructions about trying to keep the worst behaved
type of A.T.S. in order! Even if I am a most unmodel A.T.S. I can be trusted
not to do that!
This is so terrible, there is absolutely nothing I can tell you at the
moment. Can't say anything.
I am only allowed to put 3 letters in the envelope to the base censor, so would you let Bunch know for me that I am all right, very comfortable and thrilled to be on my way at long last. I wrote her such a v. fed up letter from the last place, about two days ago, after a full kit parade when all I wanted to was to die quietly.
It sounds terrible to say I am thrilled to be on my way. But I just couldn’t stand all those good-byes, and I know you must have hated it too. Because you know how much you and the Manor House mean to me. Soon, when the first thrill of newness wears off, I guess I shall be very homesick. I don’t know if I ever told you my first Sunday at Colwyn Bay, I suddenly burst into tears all over Donald, who was terribly sweet, realising I was homesick. I didn’t quite understand what was happening at all.
Give lots of love to Nanny, I feel so worried, I hope she won't crack up while I am away. Don’t let Bertie forget me, its me he really likes! And see that the cats don’t loose weight.
Lots of Love R
P.S.
One of the three letters in the envelope I had to write to Donald and the Mathes?
My cheque book did NOT arrive, Could you possibly let the bank know and they could cope and cable or something.
Thank you v much for the Horlicks tablets. They are most useful.
Oh, I have about 4 cheques left.
Use Donald's address or Barclays D.C to await arrival.
Also if you want me, I shall go to the Newton Thompsons if we call there, and the Byrons if we call there. You can cable me if necessary. Donald's change of address or anything.
PPS
We had oranges for dinner last night and WHITE rolls.
Eggs and bacon for breakfast and white rolls and white bread.
They say, the steward does, that we are going to have grapefruit!
C/O Donald
3.2.'43
My Darling Ma and Pa,
Am starting another letter to you though the first one hasn’t yet been posted, as we haven't come to a port. I am struck dumb with my own conduct, I thought you'd like to be struck dumb too. I have taken to having cold showers before breakfast! At least I started this morning. This makes life a little rushed as we have breakfast at 7.30, I naturally get out of bed at 7.29, having got Jean up at 7.25, as she's slower than me. Rufus and Lindsay get up about 7.25 too, and we all rush under the shower in our bathroom in quick succession. Its of course sea water. I can't stand it for long, it makes me laugh so. It tickles. I had one one day when it was rough, and to see me trying to stand in one very wide slippery bath and cope with the shower handle made me quite hysterical, so I had to stop abruptly.
We very theoretically have lights out at 9.30, which makes life rather trying as we can't sleep till at least 11.0, so we either lie and talk, or I retire to the lavatory with a book for an hour. Strike me as being a nonsensical idea. Generally we do what Buff and I used to do way back in my last term at Lawnside when we had a two room at the top of the Grove(?).
Very pleasant surprise yesterday, we are now allowed to go on a deck lower than the promenade deck, that's the one which goes from end to end of the ship, the lowest. We can then get some sun. So I spent all yesterday lying on the deck reading. The congestion is of course terrific. One lies all over the rafts and life saving apparatus of all kinds as well as hatches, masts wash basins and under clothes ??? hung up by the troops, not to mention bodies of every shape and description. I read my geographical journals all the morning and improve my mind. After lunch, one Tommy came up to me very politely, (most amazing) and said would I mind telling him what I was reading, as he had - from boredom - spent all the time trying to make out what it was through a telescope. He took one shattered look, as it was something to do with scurvy and scuttled away!
We have mow taken to having corned beef hash for breakfast, which is a little shattering. In one of Donald's diaries, he said that the food remained based on the weather when we left - I quite agree with him ... Ox tail! in the tropics. But he did say that when the water got short, they stopped having soup twice daily.
The sun now gets up and down like a silly symphony. Its amazing. There are some lovely sunrises and sets though.
Oh, I forgot to say that one gets so little sun on the promenade deck as the lifeboats are strung over the ship in tiers so that they can be let down more quickly in event of the ship going down, so the sun just slants down through the propellers and between them.
Sunday
Have just been ironing 2 shirts, on our ironing board (the bit you pull out of a chest of drawers to write on approximately 9"x24"!) hankies etc that means no far as we plug the iron in there. I have quite given up wearing clothes in the cabin, a towel round my waist sufficeth! Well anything else gets soaked in about 5 minutes. My I recommend ironing in a blacked out ship, within a few degrees of the equator for heat! It makes me roar with laughter to think of me of all people standing with just a towel to absorb one's sweat! Sorry to be so revolting, but it amuses me so much. Don’t run a way with the idea, I don’t like it, I do! I'm enjoying it, its so novel. I have to have at least a clean shirt a day, so I'm always washing and ironing. What would we do without my iron, I hate to think.
We were allowed to go down to the hold this afternoon to get at our other kit bags, so I got out my multi coloured frock to wear as sports kit for 2.0 till 6.0. Very sporting! And my red sandals. It was interesting going down into the bowels of the ship through all the troop decks. Amazing, we descended through the floor of the butcher's shop.
Note added:
Sorry this all had to be cut out, as there was pages about something we apparently can't mention. Hence lack of sense.
(ie the censor removed a part - probably relates to stop at Mombassa)
They hang around all day for pennies and get lots. Still you know the procedure at ports much better than I do. Its all such fun. But I do wish Donald were here, and you weren't all at home in England in such a horrid mess and cold. I feel a bit low too with all the loving couples all strewn about! Not that I wish to emulate them, but it will be nice to have a husband again! It always made me so jealous at home with everyone like Gordon and Marg (Swanson). Still it won't be long now.
I am going up on deck now till bed time - 10.30. The ship isn't blacked out till then in this port, and it is heavenly lights everywhere on the shore and ??? on deck as lights and stars (this part crossed out - censor?)
Yesterday ENSA sang from the boat deck to the troops on the troop deck. I was on the promenade deck in the middle, and they sang some folk songs (the troops I mean) really beautifully. Its all lovely. Its quite cool too. Actually today has been very pleasant, I lay on the deck all the afternoon in my silk frock, and did nothing except for an hour when I went and played Housie Housie (Bingo) with the troops. There's one staff sergeant who follows me everywhere, and produces blankets for me to sit on, cigarettes, drinks etc from nowhere, and tells me all about his wife all the time. They all do at the slightest provocation. I feel so very, very sorry for them all, with me going to Donald and knowing how miserable Donald was to go, and me to be left. (Have just looked at my tummy, a pool has accumulate! Please don’t be horrified! Its so funny, I've never been like this before!). So I sit and listen while everyone tells me about their families, and show me photographs. They're all so plain too.
Oh isn't it perfect, from now on all other ranks including ATS are issued with one bottle of mineral water a day on H.M. Govt! We drink gallons of them.
Am going on deck now for an hour or so. Will continue this later, or rather another day, as it won't be posted for weeks.
After a lapse of 10 days or so.
It has been incredibly hot, and is now getting cool again. So sad. I am wearing your new jersey ma for the first time, over my shirt and drill skirt. Its no warmer than English summer now. I shall never think England warm again.
Lindsay has got engaged. Isn't it terrific? To a man in the same thing as us. He's very nice, and she's a picture of love's young dream. Can't help feeling they ought to meet each other's families before getting married though. I feel awfully old!
There's quite a nice officer on board who was at school in Shanghai during the last war with Francis and Jack. Isn't it incredible! We discover the most amazing things. I have even seen some pictures of his, also Jean, the girl I sleep with, cousin is engaged to the man with whom John Gibson shares a flat!
Have done quite a bit of sun bathing. Rufus, Sheelagh, Jean and I usually sit on the troop deck with some men in the same racket in the afternoon on the rafts. These are thrown off the boat if it sinks (like Noel Coward's film). There's usually some breeze there right in the bows of the ship. Its very hot, and one gets beautifully burnt. I am not very brown really owing to wearing a pith helmet, dark glasses and not being allowed to wear a sun top. Such a pity.
How are you getting on? I was allowed to send 2 EFM cables today. When they will be sent off I don’t know. Hope they won't take too long. Wanted to get a third for Joy's birthday but couldn’t, so sent you and Donald one. Don’t forget, always look carefully at the numbers on the cables. You can nearly always tell the date. I always can. The last two in a block of numbers usually are it.
I do hope you are all right Ma, and have not been ill again. Trust you have been away for your spring holiday. Its so amazing shut up in this ship. I feel completely out of touch, and as though life in England must have stopped where it is when I left. Shall long to get your letters. Am writing a day by day letter for Donald. Hope it will amuse him. Do so wonder whether he will be in khaki or blue when we meet. This is the last sheet of my block of paper, so I think maybe I had better end this letter.
Nearly everyone but me has had gippy tummy due to the heat (Donald has had it once out there). I haven't! I swell with pride! I like the heat.
Have written B. a long letter and the Maitlands. My letter writing has not been so prolific this lot, last time I managed 16, this time so far only about 8. There isn't much really one can say.
I must say I do long for somewhere comfortable to sit, a glass of milk, a decent cup of tea, and some of Mrs Jones's[8] cooking! Everything tastes the same. I drink little but iced water and Eno's!
Don’t please worry about me, honestly I'll do all right. Do wish I could communicate with you more quickly. I miss you so much,
With lots of love, R
Also signed by another - probably the censor.
Telegram:
58 C CW T 600 OVERSEAS 25 FEB
EFM PARKES OAKEN WOLVERHAMPTON
ALL WELL AND SAFE ARE YOU ALL RIGHT PLEASE DON’T WORRY
ROSEMARY MAITLAND.
In pencil, Recd 17 March 43
2 letters as airgrammes relate to this period:
Mrs L. Byron,
Willingdon,
Kloof Natal,
S Africa
28.2.43
Dear Mr Parkes,
You'll be glad to hear that Rosemary, looking very well, and full of the joy of life, had dinner with us today, Sunday. We wished Frances[9] could have been here, so that they could have met, but Frances is in Johannesburg, but Pauline is down on "sick leave" after a period in hospital, so she could tell Rosemary all Frances's latest news. Rosemary seems to have enjoyed every moment of her comparatively quiet life since she left you. She sends you her best love and will write as soon as possible, but I expect you may still have to wait for a letter for a while. Rosemary enjoyed seeing all our flowers and plants in the garden. My husband was here and was delighted to meet Rosemary once more and to hear your health was so much better. He joins me in kind regards to you both.
Yours v. sincerely,
MA Byron (Mrs)
A. Norman Henwood,
3, Eastbourne Rd,
Durban,
March 6th, 1943
Dear Mr and Mrs Parkes,
Last Thursday I heard from Joan and Bunny that Rosemary had been up at their house the previous day, so I rang her up at her hotel and asked her to come and have tea with me in my office that morning,. I had never met her before but we were soon good friends. She is looking very fit and is quite happy and is enjoying Durban. I took her home for lunch and she then met my wife and daughter, Elizabeth. Yesterday she came to lunch again and spent the afternoon here. We were to have played tennis on our own court, but unfortunately rain prevented that. Actually it rained all Friday and Saturday and half of today, but it looks as if it is going to clear-up now. Our summer is nearly over and the days are getting cooler and more pleasant. We do not know where Paul is now, but he has joined his new destroyer HMS--- which was apparently only commission last month, and might not even be at sea yet.
We are all well here and my wife and I are kept very busy on YMCA war work, which is increasing always. It is difficult to get supplies: cups, saucers and plates are just unattainable: we have to use heavy tin cups and plates instead. I suppose you know that Joan and Bunny have another son, born six weeks ago. We saw Joan today and she is quickly getting strong again. We were trying reckon when you were out here: I think it was early 1934 before we got into this house, but I believe it was being built at that time. I hope you are both well : we will look after Rosemary while she's here : I will advaance her some cash if she wants it. Our love to you, sincerely yours Norman
The following 4 short letters are on what appears to be photographically printed paper. They are airgrams.[10]
Mrs DS Maitland,
51 South Ridge Road,
Durban
8.3.43
My Darling Ma and Pa,
Have been meaning to write this for ages. Went up to Bunny and Joan about two days ago. Am very well indeed, the food and fruit is heavenly. Sorry there is one hell of a lot I want to tell you but can't. Our plans are however completely unchanged. Everything is still the same. I have got a job while we are here, sorting men's letters - casualties - and finding their addresses. Wonderful idea! The Henwoods are being sweet to me. Had lunch at Norman's yesterday. Hope you are all right. Have sent baby clothes and 2 food parcels to you. All love R.
Mrs DS Maitland, in transit 11.3.43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Well I am still here, and I must say I am enjoying it enormously. If only Donald were here instead of at the other end, waiting. Poor darling. I have cabled ......censored....... Have had several meals with both Norman and Bunny and Joan Henwood and the Brysons - they are all being most sweet. I saw Frances for one day which was v. pleasant. Did you know Joan has just had a baby - boy - James - and was v. ill. He is 5 weeks old. Am living in a hotel on the front. Comfortable. Good food. Working quite hard. 8.20 12.45, 2.14 4.45. Sunday and two afternoons off. Redirecting casualties mail. We are just doing it while we are in transit. Hope it won't be too long before I get there. Lots of love R.
Mrs DS Maitland, in transit 18.3.43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Do so wish we could get some letters here. I am longing to hear how life is home. Just finished my day's work, had a bath, am now going out to dinner. To a canteen! They are excellent here. Wonderful food as good as the hotels. It embarrasses me, ma, I corps men who take us out always will pay, and no one can get any more money. Its all I can do to pay for my own cigarettes. Lindsay is engaged to one as I told you. Then there are 2 others v nice who take Rufus and me out. Am longing hourly to hear from Donald. The Henwoods have coped for me. No news yet of how long we are here. Not that I could tell you anyway.
Lots of love to you and everyone R.
Mrs DS Maitland, in transit 19.3.43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Have at last managed to borrow a typewriter to write to you though I am afraid you will have to use a magnifying glass to decypher it, though I have seen Donald's to his family and they are pretty good. I thought I would mail several of these together, Making it one long letter.
It really is so lovely here, I shall in all ways but one be sorry to go, the thought of packing again is shattering. It has been raining pretty heavily for the last two days, but seems to be clearing up again. I have never seen anything like the rain, one day we had 6 inches. Ever since I have been away, I have wished I had, a, binoculars, 2, pocket meteorological instruments, and a book on the geography and geology of the country, no one know anything about it, and cares less. There doesn’t seem any way of finding out either. About the only thing I have discovered is which are cannas!(?)
Feel I ought to give you a specimen day of what I generally do all the time. Scramble out of bed dead at about 7.45. We have managed to convince the chamber maid that we, Lindsay, and a girl called Sherry, and I do not like in fact, hate to be called at 6.30, stagger down to a hurried breakfast, egg bacon, toast and marmalade. 8-20, start to work. 8-30, arrive, then we sort the casualties mail and redirect to different hospitals or wherever the people have gone, all the time eating fruit and grapes. Lunch 12-45. Generally not in the hotel as the food is lousy, in one of the numerous pleasant milk bars instead. Then back to work at 2-15, and on till about 4-30. Very often we get let off early, and one afternoon off a week as well as Sat. and the whole of Sunday. Then I usually go back and have a bathe, and surf, and then a bath. We usually find the I.Corps men waiting around for us or on the beach, then we finally go out to dinner, and they catch the 11-40 train back to the camp they are in.
Altogether a very hectic day. We are, I believe not supposed to go out alone at night, and anyway I wouldn’t like to, with all the coloured people and troops in varying stages of alcoholicness about. I have been to one or two flics since I have been here, two to be exact, but mostly we mess about outside, it is so lovely or go and dance someplace. It amuses me beyond all measure to think of myself wandering about with a bunch of privates. The mane who generally looks after me though is very pleasant, tall stringy and blonde, 30, with a wife and was before the war, more or less and idle rich man, who raced cars and motor cycles in between wandering around Europe. He won't .....
Rest missing.
(Probably written between Durban and Mombassa)
My Darling Ma and Pa.
Have discovered that I can post a letter to you tomorrow. I have actually written no less than 20 pages. But unfortunately half the letter hangs on a fact that I can't mention till we get there, so I shall send yours and Bunch's and the Maitlands when we get there, by air mail. So I guess you may even get the letter before you get this.
I am quite comfortable, very hot, and slightly bored and longing for news of you. Mildly worried at the thought of the difficulty in contacting Donald, getting leave etc. but I fail to see how they can refuse me this.
Very sorry to leave Durban, but for seeing Donald and leaving you. It'll be heavenly to arrive, find Donald and read dozens - I hope - of letters. Can't imagine anything nicer, except maybe - but not quite - eating fruit again!
I do hope and pray you're not too worried considering the length of time I have taken to get there. I am now getting rather bored with being on ship I must say, but have enjoyed the whole thing enormously. I do so wish I could think of you enjoying life too. Its so awful to think of you still being at home, and life being so dreary. It is rather awful to think of enjoying war - but till now, when I am getting rather bored I have, and am sure I will, if things work out to plan when I get there.
------censored ------- news, details of life here etc, are in my 20 page effort, and 10 more pages to Bunch, so I will air-mail them when I get there. Hate to think how much they'll cost.
Lots of love to you and to Nanny,
Rosemary.
-------- censored ---------------- the post of
best. More information when we arrive. Don’t know whether we go ashore or not. Do hope so. Would love to see it, knowing how you liked it.[11]
H.M.T. -------
Somewhere in the Indian Ocean.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy.
Back in the land of rigorous blackouts - worst crime in the penal hierarchy, smoking on deck after blackout, carrying life jackets everywhere, + water bottles and bags, lying on one's bunk under the fan wondering whether it is better to sweat and spend a comfortable night in the cabin, or sleep on deck, be stiff in the a.m. and be woken at 6.0. I naturally do former, and sleep from 11.0 till 7.45. The day is so long if you get up too early.
This is a lousy little boat, and believe it or not, all native troops, but for a few officers and Sgts - officers who were once Sgts! Sheelagh's words not mine! Darkest Africa are however quite charming in their way and very clean. They play drums and bugles and are generally rather like that. Their mess decks are miles cleaner and smell much less than those of the Imperial (English) troops on the last ship. Isn't it pathetic. They are not allowed to make much noise, especially after dark for fear of submarines, as sound carries so over water! Poor things, I feel so sorry for them, they are sick as dogs - the boat heaves all over the place, even in this velvet like sea, and don’t understand what is happening at all. They are so tidy too, but have a tendency to wear their greatcoats and lifejackets all the time.
Having darkest Africa instead of Imperial troops has a few advantages. We are allowed on the boat deck and can wear bathing suits from lunch until dinner, providing we walk through the natives properly clad. I am hoping to get quite a lot browner. I have stopped burning thank heaven. We also have a lounge with a few Sgts - about 6 or so, which isn't bad at all. Such a relief after the last ship. We even get tea at 4.0 with pretty reasonable little cakes. Much better tea and coffee this time and food. I am lucky, I am in the second sitting now with the officers, Sgts, ATS and Lindsay and Jean. Breakfast 8.45, lunch 1.15 Tea 4.0 Dinner 7.0. Much more sensible hours. Bed 10.0 Inspection 9.30 - boat drill - as always 10.0. P.T. no more thank god owing to the heat. I therefore sleep nearly all day. All afternoon in the sun anyway. After dinner I sit on deck with Sheelagh and Jean and look at the stars and say how far away they look and pick holes in the people we don’t like. I am sharing a two cabin with Lindsay. I have the top bunk this time. It is more roomy than the last time, though unfortunately - no bathroom or porthole. But we haven't nearly reached the hottest point yet.
Am just dying to see Donald. It will be just incredibly wonderful to have him again after all these months. Its all so unreal. I wonder what he'll look like in khaki and how brown he'll be and how much thinner and what his moustache is like and so many things. We land 1 1 hours by train from him or thereabouts. Am also beginning to worry vaguely about getting leave when I arrive. Still I don’t really see how they can refuse me on such genuinely compassionate grounds. I do hope he'll be pleased to see me. I suppose he will.
I was terribly sorry to leave Durban. Quite shattered. I so enjoyed the few weeks we were there. It was all so dream like and unreal and detached from life, it was very difficult to believe any other world existed. But, of course, for longing for to see Donald, I'd never have wanted to go, and even that feeling was lessened for the time being, it wasn’t quite so urgent, knowing that I would eventually. Mow its only a matter of days. I don’t believe it really, I won't till I see Donald's smile. I've travelled half way round the world to see it! But I have enjoyed it.
Both families of Henwoods were very sweet to me. I was sorry I couldn’t see more of them, but it was such an effort to get there, and then to get back again. They always had to bring me back at night as we were not supposed - or rumour has it - to go out alone at night without a male escort! Not that I would have wanted to at all. The town seethes with troops and sailors of all varieties and stages of sobriety, as well as hundreds of natives. People tend to get knifed if one is not careful and wander into the wrong part of the place. There being few police about nowadays. In fact one night when we were having dinner - as we did some 3 nights a week - in the Free French Club - two ATS Sgts were there, and one wanted to go home before the other and got sent back by some redcaps in a motor cycle to get her friend as they didn’t want her wandering around near the native quarter alone at night. Wonderful place the Free French Club. Really more or less a canteen run for the French by French people, who mostly couldn’t speak English. Dinner 1/-!! A largish quite decent room with about 12 or 15 little tables with checked table cloths. Dinner, soup v. good. Meat v. good and vegetables - all cooked divinely ice cream and fruit salad and/or fresh fruit. The last time we were there I ate a whole pineapple. The fruit salad is of course always fresh fruit - peaches, bananas, grapes, passion fruit, pineapple, apples etc. No better cooking anywhere in the town. We used to dance there too while having dinner to a radio gram, and play ping pong. We used to stay there till it shut and then wander up and down in front of the sea, Oh such lovely warm nights. I always meant to bathe, but Charles never would bathe ??? It was very hot and the sun was out. Incidentally the water was 78° one day I noticed! That is the Indian ocean too! We didn’t often have dinner in the last hotel I was in, in fact I had dinner there twice, and lunch once. The food was lousy. At the hotel we were in for the first few days the food was good. They charged 2/6 for soldiers' dinners! This amused us frightfully, especially as every night Ken and John and Charles had two helpings of every course! Some 5 or 6 in all! Still they never had any food in their camp, too late for breakfast and lunch was lousy. A nice lot of men on the whole. I really found it interesting to know some Privates! Really I mean it! Charles almost talked me round to his point of view, why for 31 years he has refused a commission, there is a subtle dignity in being a private. Especially when we met and fed with some of the officers of the ship who had terrible accents compared with our Oxford or Cambridge ones! And of course in our racket you so the same work anyway.
I wish I cold remember how much of all this I have told you before. Still forgive me if I repeat myself.
The only thing I regret is that there was no-one who knew anything of the country who could tell me anything, and that there wasn’t more time to get around. Still on two of the Sundays we were there I went once 20 miles out to the Byrons and saw some of the hill country and thought it was lovely, and once about 10 miles down the South coast to Amanzintoti. We also went North two or three times out to a place to dance, in the open. A marvellous drive through sugar cane! I always meant to pull a bit off and suck it. We saw the monkeys too. The Norman Henwoods took me round the Burmes Drive .... wonderful views and monkeys ...
Of course the only thing we ever though much about in Durban was the food. Doesn’t it sound awful? But really after England and the ship - where the men were not only badly fed but actually hungry, and so were we part of the time - it was heaven. Jo - the Staff Sgt who shared a bench with me - and I used to eat say 2 lbs of grapes in a.m. and 1 in the afternoon, and I of course ate say 3 2oz bars of chocolate as well. Had a milk shake on the way home. Then a bathe and than the serious question of the day. Who was going to eat where, and when. Then of course immediately we had finished dinner, which we had early - about 7.0, it was nearly time to go and have a drink in one of the numerous milk bars - army drugstores. In fact on one lovely occasion, when Jean and Sheelagh came up from Unkomaas - where the ATS who were working had been sent 30 miles along the South coast - we actually did a milk bar crawl! I wouldn’t like to think how much milk I drank that evening. I think it’s a lovely habit, all these milk bars. They're a thousand times nicer than any in England. They are so much more original etc. I do hope there will be some where we go. I am missing it now.
Darling Mummy and Daddy, I hope you won't think this is too awful a letter to write home. It seems so really, but this life is so detached. The war in Durban, even "up North" as they call the M.E. seems so unreal. It was all more like a gorgeous summer holiday. I felt awful sometimes, lying on the beach in the sun, eating and wandering around, enjoying myself so much, to think of you at home in England, worried to death overworked and underfed - comparatively - though I know you personally aren't. And I'm sure Donald is in a state thinking our plans have all been altered, and he won't see me, or I've been sunk on the way or something. It was all so inconceivable while we were living so happily and comfortably then to think that you could be worrying about me, and that he would be too. Now again I understand that there is a reason to worry! It was so funny the first night ashore, I lit a cigarette in the dark, dropped it in a panic, thinking that I was still on board ship! Oh I do wish you could all have been there too to enjoy it.
I have put on lbs in weight. Even my shoulders are fatter. I hope to heaven I shan't lose it all before I get there. I am eating as much as I can and trying not to sweat it all away! I've never gone up so quickly as I did in the first few weeks. I'm very pleased. Well of course, I've never eaten so much, and rarely enjoyed myself quite so consistently. We had to keep pinching ourselves and saying is this really Africa? I must say I found the African moon very disappointing. Not even as large as it is in England!
But I want to get to the end of our journey now. I am fed up with travelling and unpacking and packing and trying to keep tidy under adverse conditions. This ship too is such a come-down after the last! And it'll be so wonderful to see Donald. Such a change after the other 3 - Ken John and Charles... John is ¼ Spanish, ¼ Italian, and 1 English, name of Romero. The brownest person I ever saw. Otherwise very much like Peter to look at, very irritable unless he slept in the middle of the day, Charles, furious between 5 and the time he started his dinner. They took some coping with. But I liked them, and they were nice to us and took us around. Ken is engaged to Lindsay as I told you. Can't help feeling this is possibly a mistake. I get older and more conservative every day. I feel its so important one should see each other's backgrounds before marrying. They matter so much! - Don’t you approve, Daddy? - But I really mean it. Donald and I interlap so nicely. However, since they are going to a different destination from us, it is unlikely we shall meet again for some time. A pity. I would have liked Donald and Charles to have met. They'd like each other, being mad on cars and both equally good at doing nothing but sleep.
This letter must be very muddled. I do apologise. I was sitting on deck with Jean and Sheelagh gazing at the stars reminiscently and discussing our journey up to date, when I felt the urge to put some of my wandering thoughts on paper. Its now 11.0, Lindsay is sleeping on deck, and I'm lying on my top bunk writing madly, clad in a pair of pants, under the fan. The bunk underneath me feels just like ironing when the clothes are very hot and steaming! Disgusting!
It feels just the end of a holiday of some sort, coming home in the car, half way back. One's mind all in a muddle, thinking half of what's to come and half of what's gone. Well I must stop for the minute. I do hope that this won't be lost or sunk. It’s a masterpiece I think of length, even of nothing else.
Horrors ... I don’t believe I ever told you of the first night we landed in Durban. It was quite perfect.
We went ashore about 4.30. Lindsay, Rufus and I, clad in stockings - silk - ties, drill skirts and tunics, feeling very hot and buttoned up, having to wear heavy shoes apart from all the other clothes (after this first day we went back to open necked short sleeved shirts, skirts and any old shoes) with Charles, Ken and John, looking unbelievably awful in shorts - Charles' are quite the shortest I ever saw on any man and he has v. long rather the thin side legs, and canvas leggings and boots and to crown it, their drill tunics made exactly the same shape as serge ones, button up to the neck, no shoulders. Just fantastically awful. They were supposed to wear long pants, but got away with shorts being I. Corps (Intelligence Corps) the South Africans were awfully funny - they are so amused by the Imperial Troops - English always called Imperial here - the first lot who came ashore apparently were cockneys, early in the war. They wore long pants or v. long knee length shorts with bits buttoned up to let down to their boots at night to protect them from the mosquitoes, these ghastly tunics, and pith helmets! The cockneys were small too, the S.A.'s laughed till they saw how tough they were. Then they stopped. To continue the South Africans wear v. short shorts by the way, and such better they look. I only hope Donald's are short, I hate long ones, and I'm sick of sewing men's up. But I think he said he took 3" off the bottoms). Anyway we didn’t wear pith helmets.
We dashed out of the dock, thrilled to bits. You probably remember the docks are right in the town. We all jumped into rickshaws and said take us to the middle of town. Thy did. We roared with laughter in the funny little carts. Remember you sent B. and me a picture of one once. Then we rushed into the nearest shop and bought 6 bananas, a peach, 2 milk flakes all standing on the pavement with lots of other troops all roaring with laughter. This took another 6 seconds. We then hunted for a taxi, and said take us to the best hotel. We want some tea. We all piled in all over reach other, and landed up at the Edward. You may remember it on the Marine Road. Incidentally we were finally in a hotel only a couple of 100 yards along. There we behaved civilisedly. Ate tea, and I phoned the Brysons. Then we went for s stroll. I went to the snake park. Quite interesting. Then we came back and had a drink and dinner. A very wild and hilarious party, thinking it would be our last all together. Not a bit of it of course, we all met again the next night in the same place. (in pencil My pen would of course run out). It was all such fun after being treated - particularly - the men - as the scum of the earth. All the ship were there of course. Everyone was v. gay. Going back we got a taxi to the docks, but had to walk the rest of the way. Real African rain. I've never enjoyed getting wet before. But everything was fun. We walked through a lake. Had to be on board by 12.0. I hadn't a day patch anywhere. I rang the water out of everything even next morning. You should have seen the bathroom with 8 people's wet clothes - of course the funny part was next a.m. - reveille at 5.0, put on wet clothes, pack and have breakfast and set out for unknown destination! Was I tired by the end of the day or was I!?
Well anyway I am tired now good night 11.30 pm.
Next A.M.
I am afraid this letter is definitely Africa from the Troops point of view. It ought to be from the geographer's I know, but every time I got interested somebody sat on me! Very pathetic.
Have just had a v. pleasant lecture on all these native troops from the military point of view. They seem quite charming if completely without intellect. Anyway quite harmless though I would much rather be in a lifeboat with Imperial troops.
I am afraid I had to get some more money from the Henwoods while I was there £10. Lindsay and Rufus were idiots ad left the country with very little, so I am afraid I lent them some. I know that you will disapprove strongly of me doing this, but I will get it cabled back when we get there, and what else could I do? We were there so long and there was so much one could buy. B's baby clothes to begin with cost £3-15. I was a bit shaken when I discovered I couldn’t send more than £2 worth out of the country, so I faked the label. I wish I could have sent you more food parcels, but they were terribly expensive, 2lbs of sugar and 2 lbs of fruit 6/9 ... scandalous. They had to be sent from shops and they profiteer terribly. The trouble is to get the stuff packed. They have no tins or