Chotie Darling

Friendless at Bemerton - 29th August 1940

On 28^th August Dick qualified as an Instructor in Physical & Recreational Training.

 

 

 

Letter posted on Thursday 29th August 1940

‘K’ Company

6^th Bath. (HD)

Dorset Regt.

Bemerton

Wilts

My darling Chotie,

                                                    Thanks for the letter.  As you will see from above, I am now at Bemerton again, and don’t I know it.  I arrived here this afternoon to find that ‘G’ company, to which I was attached, has now moved to Dinton, to take the place of ‘D’ who are at Dorchester.  I’m just about fed up as I haven’t a friend in the place now, in fact, apart from the C.S.M.I.*, I don’t know a soul.

 

    Yet another calamity, even greater.  There’s a certain Major here, who is doing his best to stop all week-end leave.  I asked the C.S.M.I. if there was any chance of a pass this week, and his reply was not encouraging.  He said he’d do what he could, but could promise nothing.

 

    I am however putting in for seven days leave, in a few weeks time, ie. after my three months is up.  This should be successful, unless of course all army leave is cancelled, which action seems rather imminent.  Not a very cheerful outlook I’m afraid.

 

    But still, darling, even this ---- army can’t stop me loving you, and after all, that’s all that matters.

   

I heard to-day that Tom was buried when bombs fell close to him at Warmwell.  Apparently he’s OK, but I have heard nothing definite.

 

    Incidentally, it’s a good thing I didn’t try to come on home last week-end, as everyone who went was caught, and put on a charge.  I think they were all reduced to the ranks.  Rather a close shave.

 

   

                                 Well, bye bye for now darling,

                                                        Your devoted

                                                                        Dicker

 

 

*C.S.M.I. = Company Sergeant Major Instructor

 

 

 

 

From the end of August to October 1940

Dick was in ‘K’ company of the 6^th Bath & Dorset Regiment

based at Bemerton, near Salisbury, in Wiltshire.

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010

Sleepy Sunday at Tidworth - 24th August 1940

Saturday 24th August 1940

Tidworth

Saturday evening

My darling,

 

    Thanks for the letter. I got it on Friday, and also one from home at the same time.

 

I’m writing this in bed, which is rather a job, but nevertheless a labour of love as usual.  I was on duty today scrubbing out the gym etc, but will have a glorious day of rest tomorrow I hope.  What everyone does on Sundays here is sleep.  Blessed Sleep.

 

Apparently they get up for breakfast, go back to bed - get up for dinner – go back to bed, get up for tea (that’s if they’re feeling energetic) and then thankfully off to sleep – having had a tiring day.  That’s my idea of the perfect life.  Life as it really should be lived.

 

What about going back to nature after this show?  Living in a cave or tree-tops or quelque chose comme ça?  Just lead me to it, baby.  Incidentally, should you be thinking that I’m tight, I assure you that I haven’t so much as smelt beer all day.  It must be the soothing effect of bed, I suppose.

 

I wish I could have got away this weekend, but it was quite impossible.  I may get a pass next Sat with reasonable luck.  I certainly won’t waste any time in getting home.

 

I was very surprised to hear about the bombing at Poole*.  I knew nothing about it but it just goes to prove that anything may happen- and at any time.  Please look after yourself Cho.  It may seem trivial to you, but it means everything to me, (and I’m not tight…).

   

I must close now darling as it will soon be lights-out

   

            All my love

                                        Your adoring

                                                              Dicker

 

P.S. Ayez soin et soyez bonne**

 

* Chotie talked about the horror of watching Poole being bombed from Pamphill, Wimborne where she was visiting her friend, Mary, the daughter of the gamekeeper.

Her terrified mother refused to go to the shelter when the air raid warnings sounded, instead sheltering with her family under the heavy wooden table in the kitchen. Mrs Chalkley also refused to wear her gas mask but kept vinegar and cotton wool always to hand (why, I don’t know).  Chotie’s father was a ‘Special Constable’ or volunteer policeman during the war

** “Take care and be good”

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010

 

 

24^th August 1940 – the Luftwaffe bombed London for the first time.

 

Ready for a scrap - Tuesday 20th August

On 20th August 1940 Churchill addressed The House of Commons with these words:

 

“Almost a year has passed since the war began, and it is natural for us, I think, to pause on our journey at this milestone and survey the dark, wide field.”

 

Describing our defences he said “The whole British Army is at home. More than 2,000,000 determined men have rifles and bayonets in their hands tonight, and three-quarters of them are in regular military formations. We have never had armies like this in our Island in time of war. The whole Island bristles against invaders, from the sea or from the air”and he saluted the British airmen: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few".

 

 

(Reproduced with permission of Curtis Brown Ltd, London on behalf of the Estate of Sir Winston Churchill.

Copyright © Winston S. Churchill )

 

Tidworth

Hants

My darling Chotie,

 

            Thanks for the letter, which I got at dinner time. I managed to get back all right on time. I’m afraid I’ve no news. I’ve just finished a hard day, and as it’s now about 8pm I don’t mean maybe!

 

            I hope to be home again in a fortnight. It seems a hell of a time but I suppose it will soon go, if we don’t worry too much. It’s still the hell of a time though!

 

            I’m having the hell of an argument at the moment, and I’m getting so mad I can scarcely write! I rather think it’s going to end in a scrap. I hope so. I’ve been doing my best to get a scrap all day.

 

I’ve been to the NAAFI for the last half-hour and had a supper fit for the Borgias.Faggot, chips, bread & butter and 1 pint of Light xxx – all for just over a shilling, which I consider is pretty cheap. I now feel OK for anything (or anyone).

 

            I’m afraid there’s nothing of any interest to write, darling, except I still love you all that is possible (if that is of any interest).

 

                    bye, bye, precious

 

                                            Dicker

 

P.S. Il ya toujours l’éspais*

 

* “There is always hope”

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010

 

Returning to Tidworth - 12th August 1940

Dick met up with Chotie over the weekend of 10^th/11^th August 1940.

 

Tidworth

Monday evening

My darling Cho-cho,

 

            Just a short note to let you know that I arrived OK, and without any trouble.I’m afraid I haven’t a moment to spare as we have ‘voluntary’ apparatus tonight, termed voluntary but actually compulsory.By the time I get back it will be dark, and there are no lights here now.

 

            George was on the bus when I got upstairs, I expect you saw him. We had time for a beer in Salisbury, before going our respective ways.

 

            We got to Salisbury at 8pm, and there wasn’t a bus to Tidworth before 9pm!  This was packed full, so they ran a relief which was also packed.  This miserable bus didn’t pull out till 9.20 and arrived in Tidworth at 10.30.  From there I had about 2 miles to walk to my barracks, which I accomplished successfully by removing my boots and gumshoeing past the guards in the shadows. Quite fun.

 

I must close now darling to get to the gym in time.

 

                                All my love

 

                                            Your devoted

                                                                

                                                            Dicker

 

P.S. You might tell Brinner that I made it O.K. but don’t mention it to the rest of the family.  I have n’t time to write them.  That is of course if you should see him.

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010.

 

 

13^th August 1940 – ‘Eagle Day’, start of the major offensive by the Luftwaffe to destroy RAF airfields.

 

 

Dick met up with Chotie over the weekend of 17^th/18^th August 1940.

 

 

17th August 1940 - Hitler ordered total blockade of Great Britain.

Tidworth P.T. course - 6th August 1940

Letter posted Tuesday 6th August 1940

Southern Command Central Gymnasium

Tidworth

Hants

My Darling Cho-cho,

 

    As you will see from above address, I am now at Tidworth. I regret to say I was swindled as regards this course.  The C.O. told me it was to be a two week course, but here I am told it’s three weeks! – which means I can’t get leave for at least another month.  I’m rather fed up as I’d expected to be home again after a fortnight. There’s a chap here who was in the B.E.F.* and has had 48 hours leave in 10 months!

   

Tidworth is rather like Aldershot.  Rows and rows of barracks with suburban houses alongside for N.C.O.’s wives & children.  As I am now a Junior N.C.O. how about getting married?…

 

The place is like a miniature town, with shops & cinemas – also a swimming-pool.

 

            I had to travel here in full kit, carrying kit-bag, in fact everything that I possess.  I felt quite warm when I got to Salisbury.

   

            Whilst still at Bemerton, I met an interesting bloke of 6ft 4½, who is taking a commission in the guards.  I later found out that his father is Lieutenant-General Sir – Barnes**, who, during the last show, commanded the 4^th Hussars! – and he finds himself in the 6^th Dorsets.

 

    I’m told that life on Devil’s Island is luxury compared with this course. They say it is three weeks of living Hell!  I want my mummy…

 

    I must close now, Darling, as I have to write home as well.

                                            love & kisses

                                                        xxxxx Dicker

 

P.S. Je vous félicite ou votre français. C’est très bien***

P.P.S. I tabulate, herewith, full address (pro tempus):-

    L/CPL Williams R K.

    5731671

    Southern Command

    Central Gymnasium 

    Tidworth, Hants.

 

                        Je t’aime encore de tout mon coeur****

        Dicker

 

*The B.E.F. - the British Expeditionary Force were the army sent across the Channel in September 1939. They were defeated in Western Europe in June 1940 and evacuated from Dunkirk.

**Major General Sire Reginald Barnes KCB DSO

*** “I congratulate you on your French. It’s very good.”

**** “I love you with all my heart”

  

© Chotie Darling, 2010. 

Tom's death - 3rd August 1940

Saturday 3^rd August 1940

Bemerton

Salisbury

Wilts

Saturday afternoon

My Darling Chotie,

 

 

    I’m terribly sorry to hear such sad news about Tom*.  I was only enquiring about him a few moments before I got your letter.  Quite a number of N.C.O.s** here were transferred from the 5^th Batt., and all knew Tom well.

 

    Margaret must feel terrible about it.  I know how I should feel if anything happened to you.  She has at least one consolation, in that he was serving in the Forces, - although that doesn’t bring him back.  I hope you will convey my every sympathy to her.  I’m going to Tidworth on Monday next and will send a card as soon as I get the address there.

 

    I was made Lance Corporal a few days ago.  I was rather annoyed at only getting one stripe but will probably get another after my course.

 

    ‘D’ Company, that is, with the sole exception of myself, is going back to Dinton this afternoon.  I rather think I may be transferred to ‘G’ Company (George’s crowd) after the course.  Unfortunately, Toni & co. are all with ‘D’ Coy and consequently I must say goodbye to them in a few minutes time.  That’s the trouble.  You no sooner make friends, than you lose them.

 

    Ben and I (he’s going for a commission in the Tanks) went on the beer on Thursday evening.  We drank Salisbury quite dry, and had the helluva job to get past the guards.

The sentry with fixed bayonet said “Halt, who goes there!” etc. and Ben, quite tight, shouted “Deutschland über Allez”!, and tried to blow out the light in the guard Tent.  We staggered into the tent, fell over and woke up the next morning still attired in Service dress, gas mask etc.  What a life!

   

It’s now Saturday Evening.  I’m just waiting for six o’clock when I’m allowed out to Salisbury.  I’ve said goodbye to everyone, Toni, Ben & co. who went back to Dinton this afternoon.  They had to march in full kit! and it’s just about a heat wave today.

 

    The showers are now working here, what luxury!  I’ve just had my 6^th today.  Showers & Choties are just two things that make life worth living.

 

    Bye, bye Chubby, Darling 

        Your adoring

        Dicker

 

*Tom was engaged to Chotie’s elder sister Margaret. He was killed in a motorbike accident on manoeuvres.   

 

** N.C.O. = Non-commissioned Officer

  

© Chotie Darling, 2010.