Mrs. Kenneth Penman
Maycot
12 Commonside
Keston
Kent

Birmingham.
14.8.40.

Darling,

How are you sweetheart? I felt so horribly lonely leaving you last Friday morning; however, I managed to get back quite rapidly. As it turned out, I was the last to go on 24 hours leave. The next day it was stopped, owing to the difficulty of maintaining sufficient men on the position for manning purposes.

I am very much looking forward to seeing the photographs of you and Jill. I have now written two letters in succession to you, darling. I hope I’m considered a good boy enough boy to have qualified for a copy.

Have you had any raids since I left? They had one here last Thursday night whilst I was with you; we did not, however, go into action; 2 bombs were dropped. Last night Birmingham had quite a ducky little raid lasting from 10:45 till 3:15. Quite a large amount of heavy stuff was dropped; very little damage, however, seems to have been done. The air raid warning here is about the most horrible cacophony you can imagine; they are not content with the “Air Variety,” every factory whistle and siren joins in!

Last night during all this excitement, I understand that 15 parachutists made a landing; two so far have been caught. This, darling, is not rumour and therefore not for publication—I know you will understand!

This also is confidential: we are working here with an instrument, the most recent instrument that this country possesses for the picking up of enemy aircraft—you will remember that you & Wyn and I had some conversation about it when I was on leave from France.

It is manned by special staff who are nothing to do with our regiment, and none of us are allowed to go near it. It is always referred to in Air Defence Units as a “Cuckoo,” and it is used by the RAF as well as in gun and searchlight units.

I am very interested in this instrument; you can imagine how lucked I am that I have been selected to go on an intensive cuckoo course, starting, I think, next week in Birmingham. It will last a fortnight to 3 weeks, after which I shall get seven days’ leave. It will be a bit lonely leaving everyone I know, and there is no guarantee that I shall return to the 60th. I have thought it over, however, and I think the…

…opportunity is too good to be missed. The only thing that worries me is that I may be out of action when the muck begins to fly.

I intend to ask for an interview with the major before I leave, in order that I may be sure that any records of my prospects of promotion may go with me. I don’t intend to let any little progress I have made go for naught.

I do hope you haven’t been worried by Jerry during the last few nights, although I’m very much afraid you may have been. When we are in action at night, I always think that everything is unreal, and I can’t help thinking about you…

…and Jill and hoping you are safe. I’m very proud of my brave and lovely lady wife.

Yours very affectionately,
Kenneth

*(Made in Birmingham)*

P.S. I hope you’re being a good girl. I heard that Blackheath was bombed the other night.