No. 6

Maycot
12 Commonside,
Keston,
Kent.

5.12.39.

Dearest,

Yours No II arrived this morning and Jill was duly thrilled with hers, to which she has replied as per enclosure.

I enclose desired mittens, which I trust will meet with your approval and satisfaction. You should by now also have received the scarlet Helmet.

(Please note (and emulate) that I always reply to your letters promptly).

I note you have been issued with gaiters and it is very comforting to think that they are doing their best to look after you. I’m not quite sure however that I approve of “Blighty” without my censorship!

Re Vic, you will by now have read in one of my letters that they are not (at any rate for the present) sending him home. Further, I had a sad little letter from Tris this morning in which she asked me to write you, to find out what has happened to Vic’s mail. He is writing to Tris from the hospital and has not…

…had anything from Tris for some time. Tris says he has failed to receive 3 parcels and 10 letters.

The hospital authorities have told Vic that it is up to his unit to see that they are forwarded and so Tris would be very relieved if you would look into the matter for her (and him). Vic’s present address is:-

Gunner L.V. Mattholie, 881168
194 Battery/60th H.A.A.
Section 4,
No: 2 General hospital B.15,
B.E.F.

She is naturally very upset that Vic has not received her letters and parcels. I know you will do what you can in the matter.

Your letter was censored by Mr. Chapple and, for your information, the name of the recent visitor to France (?? Gort) and the place he arrived at was heavily deleted.

Your letter was otherwise intact. The incident pointing to the need for caution in giving information was very interesting.

Mr. Wood, the baker, asked to be remembered to you too.

No, I’m afraid Hugh does not progress…

…much “on the Wyn front”, but she is quite willing to be agreeable seeing him once a fortnight here.

I told Wyn you appreciated her presence here. Incidentally she and Pam will not be able to spend Xmas with us as Wyn only gets two days and this would scarcely be long enough for Wyn to make the four journeys (to and from Bournemouth) by car. She and Hugh are therefore going to Bournemouth to spend the two days with Pam.

I am, naturally, terribly disappointed that there is very little chance of your being with us for Xmas. I was so looking forward to it but then, so must you have been. I shall however do my best for Jill.

Edie has asked me to come up during the evening if I like, though she seems to be having a houseful. I’m afraid however that I’m not very keen on leaving Jill alone in the cottage these evenings. I sincerely hope I don’t receive any invitations from Oak Lodge as I have no intention of accepting any. Incidentally, I have not replied to either your father’s or Audrey’s last epistle. I’ve very…

…little time for letter writing and, in any case, I should not know what to say.

Darling you must be more careful as to the expressions you use–reference “hole in the ground”–and hoping to “join me in the other place.” I took this to mean “heaven” and “hell”, but Wyn read into it something very naughty!

I told her that I should be surprised if you put anything very vulgar in a letter, especially in that connection. It’s not like you, and I know you would realize that the Censor would not be impressed by your lack of respect for my finer feelings.

Of course Wyn is a very naughty little thing and I told her I am sure she is quite wrong.

Re supplementary army allowance, in cases where genuine embarrassment can be shown they are making this up to £2. I duly received and filled in the application form, but have not yet heard anything further. It said, over the wireless, that it…

…would take time to go through.

I hope I get it, as I find it very difficult to manage even with Wyn’s help. I pay for all meat, bread, groceries, fruit and vegetables as I have them and I have only a book for the milk which I endeavor to settle weekly. The gas bill has just come in, and I have just sent Bishop’s the cheque for the October rent and am rather “broke” for the moment.

I am having to let the coal run on for the moment, but as you know I paid for the first 5cwt, since which I have had and use another 5cwt, and have also just taken delivery of another 5cwt so that I only owe for 10cwt.

I have had to buy Jill one or two oddments. So that if I get the additional allowance, and with the approach of spring, this will soon be adjusted. I only quote the above to give you some idea how I am going on.

By the way, I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know that Wyn is trying to have every Friday evening off so that she can mind Jill whilst…

…I take my lonely little self off to the pictures.

It is very sweet of her, and makes a little diversion for me. This week they are showing the R.A.F. film “The Lion has Wings” which I hope to see.

By the way, I received £1 from Spencer Lewis on Monday. He is a month behind but I suppose we must be content with what we can get. He is on the East Coast now and mentioned proudly that they had shot down one enemy and were looking forward to their next victory. He also said that Helen and the baby are going to join him there.

I hope you are taking your Ex-Lax like a good boy, but don’t overdo it!!

I do hope darling you will have more cheering news of leave soon. I miss you very, very much. Please look after yourself and remember I love you. Jill sends a big kiss. With lots from me and all my love,

Yours,

Terry.

PS. Don’t forget about Vic’s letter and parcels darling.