Winchester Intelligence course - Wednesday 21st May 1941

Dick was on the 4th Division Intelligence Course

at HQ 4^th Div. in Winchester

from Sunday 18^th May to Saturday 24^th May 1941

20^th May 1942 – Germany invaded Crete.

Winchester

Wednesday Morning

Darling,

                     Sorry I haven't been able to write before. I've been on the course for 2 days now and so far haven't had a spare moment.

           I don't mind that so much, but unfortunately I won't be able to receive any mail whilst I'm here. This means I won't hear from you until Saturday night at the earliest.  Rather a blow, but these things can't be helped.

           The course is very interesting to a bloke who knows sweet ---- all about Intelligence.  I don’t suppose I’ll know much more about it when I’ve finished but still....

           Incidentally, I get back on Saturday night, which means the CSM will try to jump on me for guard on Sunday.  If, however, I can evade this, I’ll send a telegram on Saturday night to let you know whether I can get the day off.  I’ll probably have to go on Church but still, we get back about 11.30. I believe.

           I’m afraid I can’t write any more, Darling as it’s now nearly 0900 hrs.  We have to be in the Lecture Room by 0930 and it’s a fair way to walk.  (I’ve just had a marvellous breakfast!)

                                                                  Bye bye Darling,

                                                                       Your adoring

                                                                                    Dicker

 

© Chotie Darling

 

Dick had his rank as full Corporal confirmed on 21^st May 1941.

 

Copy of Record

Statement of Service                        Army No. 5731671          Richard Kelner WILLIAMS

THE DORSETSHIRE REGIMENT

Order 100/41          70^th Y.S. Bn                 

Promoted War Substantive          Army Rank Cpl          21-5-41

 

24^th May 1941 – HMS Hood was sunk by the Bismarck with the loss of 1,416 men, out of a crew of 1,419, in the Battle of Denmark Strait. 

24^th May 1941 – Picture Post, the most popular magazine of the time, predicted that Poole (where Chotie lived) with the Isle of Wight and coast by the New Forest would be one of the four main landing areas for German invasion.

"Poole was the first landfall out of Cherbourg. It's gentle shelving beaches were ideal for invasion while, as a landing base, it had 5,000 feet of quays, wharfage facilities and equipment for handling cargoes. It also provided airfield facilities for the BOAC flying boats and had millions of gallons of petrol stored near its quays."

Hitler's plans for invasion in 1940 included the landing of the 6th Army from Cherbourg on the Dorset coast.

(From  ‘Poole and World War II’ written by Derek Beamish, Harold Bennett and John Hillier and published by Poole Historical Trust in 1980.)