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Address:-
MRS KENNETH PENMAN
MAYCOT 12 COMMONSIDE
KESTON KENT

No 2.

Gnr PENMAN 1440280.
SEC 4 194/60 HAA.
B.E.F.

April 6 1940

My Darling

Such a sweet letter! I got it this morning at lunch time, just four days. It was very dear of you to write to me on Monday evening when you must have been feeling tired, I was very sorry that we had to get mixed up at the station with that other man and his relations, I was afraid that their tearful leave taking might upset you a little, I’m afraid they did me. I think the blackout made things a little eerie, you were very brave. I remember when I was being rude to the ticket collector I laughed and it sounded very hollow, I sort of looked round to see if anyone had noticed. I was terribly glad you didn’t come to Victoria, there were literally thousands of people there, and a sort of mob hysteria. I think I told you in my first letter, I didn’t try to find the two others I came home with until I got over this side, I didn’t feel like talking to anyone. I don’t know if the details of the journey would interest you; we got to the coast port at about one and marched to the…

…rest camp, a very large converted factory, there are beds and tons of blankets but unfortunately they called us for breakfast at 3.45. although we were not to sail until seven. We reached this side and marched to another rest camp, where we were greeted with an air raid warning, at about 9.30. Here we stayed until 11 when we entrained, eventually arriving at yet another rest camp at about six where we were supposed to be collected by a 60th lorry. It didn’t turn up, so we had to stay the night. They were very good to us giving us as many blankets as we liked to sleep in; at ten the next morning we were picked up and we got back here shortly after lunch, having eaten at B.H.Q., very tired and dirty. All the boys were on the G.P. with the exception of Mac who had strained a muscle playing football. It was nice to find someone at home to greet me; this is very naughty of me and you mustn’t let it make you unhappy but I’m so homesick it’s almost unbearable. I can’t run away, as you’ll remember I did when I was at Pilgrims, and if I’ve ever wanted to I do now. The others have been very sweet (it’s an unmanly word, but the only one that fits) trying to take me out of myself. My only consolation is that I feel very secure and warm…

…and happy knowing that you love me so, your letter made me feel very glowing darling, but I can’t lift myself out of this awful feeling of dependency when I think this living without you, incompletely it is really may go on for years and years with short reunions that are so short that the returning is so awful that it almost seems (this is pure heresy I’m afraid) that leave is hardly worth while. It is of course, really, I’ve been terribly happy being with you again sweetheart and you mustn’t reproach yourself for “having” said anything hurtful, you didn’t, and if I seemed to be hurt I was a fool.

I love you darling with all my heart and soul, I always will and I think I always have ever since that morning when I first saw you coming down the stairs of the old Ritz such a long time ago.

Forgive me darling for my little moan but I think you’ll understand

yours,
Kenneth.