April 1941 – a secret commando unit, the Small Scale Raiding Force, was founded at Poole in response to Churchill’s proposal for “self-contained, thoroughly-equipped raiding units with specially-trained troops of the hunter-class” to “develop a reign of terror down the enemy coasts”. Initially their HQ was the Antelope Hotel in Poole. ‘Pop’ Seymour the landlord, the Poole pilots and the Naval Officer were the only locals who knew of their existence on 'Maid Honour', a requisitioned Brixham trawler moored in a southern creek of Poole Harbour for their demanding training on the Purbeck hills and coast.
(Extract from ‘Poole and World War II’ written by Derek Beamish, Harold Bennett and John Hillier and published by Poole Historical Trust in 1980.)
1st April 1941– 10 killed and 20 injured in a raid on Warmwell aerodrome in Dorset. (From ‘Dorset’s War Diary - Battle of Britain to D Day’ by Rodney Legg, Dorset Publishing Company 2004).
3rd April 1941 – beginning of pro-Axis uprisings in British Iraq.
6th April 1941 – Germany attacked Greece through Bulgaria in Operation Marita.
6th April 1941 - the Allies captured Addis Ababa, the capital of Abyssinia (now Ethiopia).
Telegram on Tuesday 8th April 1941 from Southampton
LEAVE POSTPHONED LETTER FOLLOWING = RICHARD
Southampton
Wednesday 9th April
My Darling Chotie,
I'm writing as soon as possible to let you know the worst - and the best.
The point is this. I should have been on leave from ‘After Duty’ on Tuesday. However, on Tuesday afternoon (I only wanted about 2 hours to go!) the O.C.* (Capt Burgess) told me I wouldn't be able to go as I had some board or other on Thursday. Even if I had come home, I should have had to go back again as, if I missed going before this board, it would probably mean waiting six months or so before I had another chance.
Looking on the brighter(!) side, the O.C. said that if I get recommended for an O.C.T.U.** I should get leave before I go, which won't be longer than a fortnight away and will probably be ten days not seven.
Another thing. If I'd been going on leave and not going to see this board, I should have been inoculated and vaccinated. Well, the way it seems to affect me, I should be in bed for at least three days. I’ve still got the hell of a throat, and it's been over a week since the last.
So, altogether Darling, it’s all for the better that it has been postponed. It would have been marvellous to be home for Easter, but we can probably have as much fun afterwards. Also leaving it until after Easter, I can get much more cash than I could at the moment.
I've explained everything against taking this leave Darling, but I'm really terribly disappointed at not coming home. I’d have chucked the whole stunt to get home for Easter, but I'm not going to back out now. I spent about an hour trying to get through on the phone yesterday. I reckon all the wires were down or something - in any case, the girl was completely daft.
How have you been keeping, Darling? I feel OK now but have been under the weather for a week or so.
Incidentally, I've got hold of a battered copy of ‘Rebecca’ from a lending library in Shirley. It's due back in a week, but I can easily pay the fine. I'll send it on after this letter and bring it back after my leave.
Well, Darling here goes for breakfast. I didn't tell you it was early, did I?! I'll write some more later.
Afternoon
The O.C. called me into the office this morning and told me I have to go to Winchester tomorrow. It will only be for the day I suppose.
George will be home tomorrow for seven days. He's just been raising Cain owing to the fact that they only gave him £3 to go on leave with! Poor George...
Well, Honey, there doesn't appear to be anything else. I expect you think I've said enough already! I only hope I have some better news next time.
If they let me get away suddenly, I'll send a telegram.
Bye, bye, Darling,
Dicker
* O.C. = Officer Commanding
* O.C.T.U. = Officer Cadet Training Unit
© Chotie Darling
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