PASSED BY CENSOR: No. 621

Mrs Kenneth Penman
MAYCOT
12 COMMONSIDE
KESTON
KENT

No 22.

B.E.F.

S.I.F.

My Darling,

Thank you so much for yours No 15 recieved tonight. I was very worried to hear that you had not then (the 21st) yet had a letter from me. I can only hope that during the last week they have come tumbling in. I advise you so it doesn’t seem fair that I should appear to neglect you because of the rotten army’s bad organization, you know I never could.

I had a glorious bath yesterday. We are supposed to have one a week, but they are usually showers, and it is not unusual to arrive at the sort of municipal bath house place to be met with the word “fini”. However on this occasion I had a real lay me down bath, it was grand, and afterwards we saw William Powell and Myrna Loy in “Double Wedding” which was very amusing. The French cinemas are nothing like so luxuriously appointed as are ours. The one that we go to occasionally is managed by an English ex Sergeant-Major. He is not however very much liked by the troops. He seems to have the idea that owing to his being British we shouldn’t patronize any of the other cafés.

I am so sorry that Ethel’s brother should be one of those whose leave was postponed during the recent tension. I expect however he will be home very shortly if he is not already.

You musn’t worry darling about me. In spite of the cold I manage to keep remarkably warm and up to the present we have managed great big fires in our billets and also on guard. We use much more coal than is issued. We buy 100 kilos (about 2 cwt) every week. There is however some talk of coal being rationed. I have hopes though that we in our billets will continue to be lucky having worked up a lot of good will with Mme. Rickett Smith. She is fat and forty (I thought I’d better mention that in case you read this to Wyn).

I love your cold weather sleeping arrangements. It’s not allowed in the army. I think I can excuse it though whilst the temperature remains at 28º below freezing point. I shall love to hear what were Jill’s comments on the arrangement.

It’s a bad business about the pipes freezing. You cannot tell of course until they thaw whether any damage has been done. It is, you know, when they actually freeze that the trouble happens, as the water freezes it expands as the ice is formed and the pipe bursts.

It’s terrible news about Vic. I do hope…

…he makes a quick recovery now he is home. You will remember I told you months ago what ghastly places these Army Field Hospitals are. The pity is there is nothing one can do about it. A man I know was sent to one with impetigo (it’s a sort of skin disease which generally attacks the face). He was put in a bell tent with three others who were all suffering with VD.

As I don’t know Vic’s address I’m enclosing a note for him which I should like you to give to Tris for him.

Do you ever imagine you hear a knock on the front door Darling? Often now when I’m quite alone, on guard or in bed, I play a game. It’s such a grand exciting game. First in imagination I polish my buttons, draw a days rations, pack my kit and go to BHQ. From there I go to RHQ and from there to the station, to the port—on the boat—off the boat—on the train to Waterloo—to Bromley North and then, wonderful sight, a 146A and then… Oh it’s an awful kids game but I’m sure you understand how I’m longing Darling to see you again. With all my heart and soul I long for you, and longing for you.

I kiss you good night. Instead of writing to you I’m going to dream about you,

Always yours,

Kenneth.