Corsham, Wilts
Thursday evening
My Precious Darling,
I must beg forgiveness for not having written before, but to tell the truth (for a change) I simply haven't had ten minutes to myself for three days, during which I've had only three hours sleep. I hope to spend my first night actually in bed for about six days.
Well, Precious I won't bore you with my troubles, but will write you a lovely long letter to make up for not having written before.
Darling, it makes me so wonderfully happy to know that you still love me, that I'd go through Hades quite cheerfully, knowing that you'd wait for me at the end, and that we can really begin again after all this.
I don't know how blokes exist in this hovel without anyone to think of in the long hours of guard at night. I know I'd soon pack up if I hadn't you to think about, and worship all the time. No matter what I'm doing, Darling, I just can't forget you for one moment. You mean so much to me now that I'd forget all about Commissions or anything else just to be near you and to hold you in my arms again.
Cho Dear, we must never let anything let anything part us - ever. Whatever happens we must do our best to face it, as I know my only happiness lies with you.
Please don't think I'm raving or tight or anything. I'm perfectly sane (as much as usual), and, as it's Thursday, perfectly sober. It's just that I've reached the stage when I don't care what happens so long as you still love me.
I'm afraid I've a disappointment for you, Darling. I can't get leave for at least a fortnight. There is no leave for senior NCOs all over Christmas. I hope I'll get a 48 soon after Christmas. I think everyone is going to get one then.
I'm also afraid I won't be able to get a present to you before Christmas as, of course, there's nowhere to get anything. I managed to get to Bath for a couple of hours last Monday, but since it was about 8pm all the shops etc were shut. There’s no prospect of getting there again before Christmas.
Well, Darling, I must close here, as I’m wanted by the Company Sergeant Major.
your adoring
Dicker.
Well, Darling, it's now Friday night, and once again I find myself on guard, and again a 24 hrs one. I had to go on again this morning as my Old Friend (?) Sergeant Gurd went on a leave and has not returned as yet. He's overdue and has been marked down as absent.
This means that he'll be busted, I fancy. He's been playing merry hell here for the last month or two since he's been busted to a Sergeant. I expect this will mean he'll be back where he started all over again. He's been made up to a Sergeant four times this year, including a CSM, and been busted again. He's a first-class soldier, but far too egoistic for my liking.
Just try to picture me now, Darling, sitting in the Guard Hut, writing this at the Guard Table with the hurricane lamp burning away and spluttering like an old Colonel.
There's a raid on at the moment, and Jerry’s dropping hot iron around. It's rather a job here when there’s a raid on as all the Guards have to be doubled and extra ammo dished out, etc. However, I expect to get through it is usual.
I was almost on a Court Martial the other day because someone or other pinched five pounds of ammo. I went scrounging round the Sergeants however, and managed to replace them. But it was a close shave for all that.
It's pitch black tonight. I've just been out to change my guards and walked bang into a Spitfire much to the general detriment of my nose.
Gurd is scared stiff of going out to change guards as they all have their rifles loaded, and many have threatened him in the past. You only get two warnings here and then you're fired at. A bloke was shot here about three days ago. Luckily it wasn't on my guard as it's rather a gruesome business.
What a morbid subject! My mind must run in queer channels!
Well, Cara Mia, I must close now as the Orderly Officer is coming (he is a -!)
Goodnight, my Darling
All yours
Dicker
© Chotie Darling, 2010
20th December 1940 – Allies drive Italians out of Egypt.
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