Tpr 5731671 Williams R
“A” Squadron
43rd Recce Regt, Recce Corps, Home Forces
My Darling Chotie,
As you will see from above address much water has flowed under the old bridge since I last saw you on Saturday. About half the old squadron were transferred to this regiment which is in the same corps but non-airborne.
I can’t tell you where I am – but I can tell you I’m in the county of my humble origin*.
At present I’m feeling very groggy, having just had a couple of inoculations –which always set me back a bit.
I managed to get back in time on Saturday last. There was a devil of a crowd at the bus station and at least three fights with Red-caps**, but I managed to get on a bus and arrived back just before midnight.
Well, Precious I’m afraid I can’t write any more, as I feel like Death warmed-up.
I think the leave works out all right here, so I shall probably get my next 9 days on time. I can’t see any chance of getting down before then.
Goodnight, my Darling
God bless you
Dicker
*Dick was born in Orpington in Kent. This letter was from Dover.
** Military police
© Chotie Darling
On 20th July 1942 Major A.W.E. Crawford joined 43rd Reconnaissance, taking over command from Lieutenant-Colonel D.Ward on 24th July. At the beginning of the month 43rd Recce had received orders to mobilise for service overseas, less 1st line Reinforcements, and preparation for this mobilisation (medical inspections, overhaul of documents and receipts of personnel), to be completed by 2nd August, filled much of their time. All squadrons also carried out shooting practice.
(From the War Diary of the 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment held by the Archive and Reference Library, the Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset.)
22nd July 1942 - opening of Treblinka extermination camp in NE Poland. More than 850,000 people were murdered here; the vast majority Jews.
Recent Comments