Sunday
O/Tel AJohnson, Class 127, Top Div.
H.M.S. Royal Arthur
Skegness
My Darling,
Well the first week is nearly over! Am about fully recovered from the vaccination and inoculation. My left arm is just a little stiff but I felt no real ill effects except that on Friday morning I was a bit squeamish in the tummy. The worst thing so far has been the cold. There’s a lazy wind here which prefers to go through you instead of round you. Last night was the first time I was really warm and that was because we went into Skegness, Saturday being the first time we have been allowed “ashore”.
They stick very strictly to the nautical phraseology here. Those going ashore are “liberty men” and the buses which take us into Skeg from the camp are “liberty boats”. We got into Skegness about 2pm and made The Lion the first port of call – you see they’ve got me into this nautical business. We sat by the fire and watched the lads playing darts while we lowered a couple of pints. Then we toured the town. What a place. One main street where every other place is a bazaar (admission free) and almost every other shop a barber’s, tobacconist’s or a photographer’s. Then there is one other street, a narrow place running behind the main street, and there are fish and chip shops cheek by jowl along the whole length of it. Fish, chips, bread and butter, tea – 1/2 for HM Forces, 1/6 to benighted civvies!
We spent a full hour over tea, after touring every damn bazaar, and then walked the streets until The Lion opened again. Six o’clock they open in this dive. While we were sauntering along I bumped into Harry Stamforth who was with me on the ‘Waterloo Herald’ and who ended up at the ‘Daily Herald’. He is now in the airforce here. I have made a date to meet him in Skegness on Wednesday.
I think I have told you pretty well all the news. Saturday was a very lazy day and today we have been free since 11am. When I got here I made a few enquiries as to what the position was in regard to non-religious people and everyone was horrified at the mere suggestion. I got a straight tip that I would be “marked” if I kicked over that issue and, even worse, would get all the lavatory fatigues. I decided to embrace religion again and here I am a Methodist and so had to go to church this morning for about three-quarters of an hour. The only advantage is that the padre here is under no illusions. He said the other day that he realised everyone in the Navy had to go to church whether they wished it or not. So far I have kept my mouth shut on both politics and religion. You wouldn’t recognise me here! Never mind, I can witter to my heart’s content when I come home. Every day will be a Saturday!
By the way, we are cooks today, four of us. That means we have to be on the mess a bit before the others and lay the tables and pass the food out. Afterwards we have to clear up after them and wash cups and silver(?). You should see some of the knives. They are real rusty. We have had very good grub so far. Breakfast might be just bacon, or porridge and tinned herrings, or, as today, bacon and tomatoes. For lunch today we had soup – we get a cup every lunchtime and it’s grand in this cold weather – beef, roast potatoes and sprouts, followed by rhubarb. Tea is a very light affair – bread and butter, a cake and a cup of tea. I don’t know what is for supper, but usually it is a hot meal, generally sausage meat and mash, or perhaps, as it was on the first night we were here, oxtail. In addition to these meals we get a cup of boiling hot cocoa about 10.15am and it is welcome after drilling or marching in the bitter cold.
There is a march past here every Sunday and some of the officers are real martinets on discipline. The salute was taken by a Vice-Admiral today and our Chief Petty Officer – usually called Chief – was tickled pink because a Commander told him after the parade that the class did very well considering it was their first parade. I’m glad that happened because old Chiefie is a good sort and very considerate to me. Tell Michael that Daddy had to march past a big sailor and that the band played while we did so. There is a detachment of marines here and they play for ceremonial occasions.
Well, that’s about all the news, love, but try to touch somebody for a scarf and gloves as soon as possible. It’s cold here when the wind blows. When there is no wind it is not so bad. Today, for instance, the sky is clouded for the first time since we came, but there is no wind and it makes a big difference.
I’m sorry about having to leave you all alone, pet. It hurts every time I think of it, but I try not to think too often. I’d go loopy if I did. I ALMOST avoid looking at your picture for the same reason. You’ve no idea what you’ve come to mean to me. As you say, this war has become too damn personal now and if only it could be made to affect EVERYONE in the country in the same way, we’d soon have it finished. Never mind darling, the time will come sooner or later.
I’ve just heard the post goes in five minutes so will answer your letter later. Tell the children a tortoiseshell cat came to see me this morning. A real friendly thing it was. Hug the children for me and tell them all you can from this letter. All my love, sweet. Leave is one week nearer.
Bye, precious,
Arthur XXXX
Feb 151942