Oct 191943
 

Tuesday
London
Hello Sweet,
How are you today? Hope vapours are nearly over and that they have not been too bad. I was glad to hear that the Serocalcin seems to be having a good effect. When I came back from leave, Dot was in the midst of one of her periodic colds and so I told her about this course. The next day she got herself a small bottle and took the cold course – nine a day – which seemed to kill the cold right off. She says she is going to get injections against colds, but so far has not done anything about it. According to some dame in her office you can get injections under the National Health scheme, but if that is so it is a new departure, for the panel doctor, I’ve always understood, is not entitled to practise preventative medicine but only curative. A typically British standpoint!
Your letter has not arrived yet so I can’t answer that just now and there is not a lot of news. I believe there was a fairly sharp raid on London last night, but as we were “down below” from 8 to 3 I didn’t know anything about it until it was all over! From all accounts the gunfire was pretty heavy again. I wonder if we are in for another winter of nuisance raids? Anyway, we can’t grumble for we have had a quiet time for the last couple of years.
With all the drafts which have been flying around, the lads got a bit of a kick yesterday when they heard that two Commanders – Bonham-Carter and his opposite number named Banks – have both got drafted to sea. In their case, of course, it means that they are going to be promoted! In the communications branch you always have to do a certain amount of sea time before you are promoted above the rank of Commander. Most of the lads will be sorry to lose Bonham for he is a friendly sort of bloke who is always ready to chat and joke with the lads. He’ll often take a turn at the headphones on a set, too. Banks, too, is fairly popular although regarded as a martinet. More than once when he has come round our place on a nocturnal prowl he has told the D.O. to take a man off a set and not to allow him on again until he has spent a week doing radio exercises. As the fellows he has picked on have often been leadin’ ’ands and the lads he has put in their place have only been OD’s, he is not too popular with the old hands, many of whom are undoubtedly first class loafers. He can certainly shake people up a bit and the Duty Officers trail round after him like a flock of sheep.
I expect Dot will be home about lunchtime today for she’ll have about eight people to prepare a meal for – a job she could scarcely do if she didn’t get home until 6.30. As several of them have some distance to travel I don’t suppose we’ll have a late night, especially if there’s any danger of the warning going. Things like that hanging around in the background rather put a damper on the evening if people stay late. Still, I’ve no doubt we’ll get quite a few beers stowed away.
I’ve just got your letter, for which many thanks, love. No, we haven’t had a really foggy spell yet, but there have been days when there has been a fairly mist but the sun has broken through each day. Today is a real April day with occasional heavy showers and spells of lovely, bright, warm sunshine. What a pity you had such rotten weather for Chris’s visit. Still, the break would do you good. The only explanation I can see for her doctor’s attitude in regard to certificates is that she evidently doesn’t think Chris will be able to carry it right through. For all that, Chris is still entitled to the fruit juice, etc. In fact, more so than women who can look forward to a normal confinement. I know what you mean about being jealous, but it’s not for want of trying on my part, is it?
I do hope you can manage to get the cabbage in and I’m sorry now I didn’t do them myself on the Saturday instead of doing the other digging. Was there enough in the marrow for a meal?
Don’t worry about my attack of the blues, unusual as it was for me. It passed off alright and I think it was due to several things – disappointment at not hearing anything about Whitchurch, constipation(!) and generally being run down a bit. I’ve been having long dull headaches lately and must have been off colour a bit, I think, but I’m alright again now, thank goodness.
I had a letter from Mother today enclosing a cable from Jane in which she says that a letter she got from Mother was the first for two months from anyone. It was handed in on the 16th but I thought she should have had letters by then from both you and I. When I wrote I sent some of the snaps you took at Richmond in April. I think that was the letter in which I asked about the chances of clothing and material. Mother also tells me Freda Watson is going to have a baby. One advantage is that no-one will know she’s pregnant. Surely she can’t get any bigger! I didn’t think she had been married long enough for that, or am I suspicious simply because she had married a Yank? And in a registry office, too, I think! Tut-tut. Disgraceful, and her a good Catholic too!
Well, angel, I must wash a jean, post your letter, doze for a bit and bathe and change, so I’m afraid I must leave you now. I’m still loving you lots and lots, sweetheart. All my love to you and the children and do take care of yourself.
Ever your own,
Arthur X