28th February, 1941
Mrs Kenneth Penman
Maylot
12 Commonside
Keston
Kent
Postmark: Birmingham 7 Mar 1941
Stamp: 2½d blue King George VI
Postal slogan: GROW MORE DIG FOR VICTORY
Ditto
Feb 28 1941
My Darling One:
Thank you so much for your letter, it was lovely to get one so soon after my return. I was so sorry to hear that you had been feeling a wee bit howly although I should hate to think you didn’t miss me, you know how much I do you. “What good is the moonlight, where is the one I love”, I understand perfectly darling.
The enclosed I thought Win might type out and pin up on the public side…
…of the ARP department at the Municipal Offices, to assist the public you know.
I’m not quite sure whether you are pulling my leg in the last paragraph of your letter. If I took it seriously, and if I was a different sort of man and also if “semper fidelis” was not always my motto, I should feel very badly about it. However darling as I don’t think my conscience is ever likely to be troubled in this respect, and as I never have any difficulty in being good; “verbum sapiendum” (excuse all this Latin), I shall confine myself to suggesting that you should take frequent peeps (if necessary) at an oblong red…
…certificate that I think you have somewhere about.
By the way I bought a 4d drummer black dye the day before yesterday, since when I think I have dyed at least 20 lanyards. The boys insist on pulling my leg about my “Dyeing and Cleaning” business, bringing me the most filthy objects of worn out attire (generally underwear) for “pressing” as they put it.
I don’t think there is any more news at the moment darling except that I shall be with you again on Saturday the 15th at about tea time meanwhile a big hug and all my love
Always yours
Kenneth
EQUIPMENT TO BE CARRIED BY FIRE WATCHERS
- Strong leather belt to go round waist with six hooks to support six full sandbags
- Axe stuck in belt. Gas mask.
- Stirrup pump to be carried over left shoulder.
- Extending ladder over right shoulder.
- Whistle carried in mouth.
- Long handled shovel and rake under arm.
- Wet blanket carried on head.
- Tin hat with turned up brim for spare water.
- Spare sand to be carried in pockets.
- Box of matches to light any incendiary bomb which fails to light.
- Roll of toilet paper to be slung over back for immediate use.
Thursday 27th February – Friday 28th February, 1941
- German forces launch Operation Marita, their campaign against Greece, moving troops through Bulgaria in preparation for the invasion.
- British forces begin evacuating troops from Greek mainland in anticipation of German invasion.