Fort Brockhurst, Gosport - Friday 6th June 1941

      5731671 Cpl Williams RK.

‘D’ Company, 70^th (YS) Bn Dorsets.

Fort Brockhurst, Gosport, Hants.

My Darling Chotie,

                                                Just a few brief lines to let you know I'm OK, etc, and give you the new address. I’m still on Ord. Sergeant, and consequently don't have one minute to spare all day.  I'm up at 5.30 and generally don't get to bed before eleven.  I’m afraid I can’t write much as I only have a few minutes to spare.

            As you will see from the address we are in an ancient fort*, built I understand in the Napoleonic days.

            Things on the whole ain’t so bad, but discipline is very hot.  There’s a tremendous amount of spit and polish…which isn’t exactly to my liking.

           I haven’t been outside billets for eight days which also hasn’t been much fun. But that’s the army anyway...just think of that chicken farm!

 

            I started to write this letter in ink, but was called away by the CSM. Since then my pen’s disappeared, mysteriously...some -------‘s got it.

           I haven’t had a letter from you (or from home) as I believe some fool of an officer at Southampton is holding them up.  The rat...

           It’s raining like hell at the moment (9 pm).  Before going to bed tonight, I've got to take First Post (9.30) - and also Company Roll call, Last Post (10.0) - which is also a Staff Parade when I have to report the Company present or otherwise to the Orderly Officer, and then see that all lights are out at 10.15.  After this I have to call a roll of all NCOs in the Company at 10.30.  After that I may with luck get straight to bed.  I'm then called by the Guard at 5.30 the next morning...

            I'm afraid I can't write any more, Honey, as I've only got a few minutes before First Post.  I come off the Ord Sgt on Friday so will write you a nice long letter then.

                                                                        Bye, bye, Darling,

                                                                                    Your own loving

                                                                                                Dicker.

PS. Love you lots - more than ever....xxxxxxxxxxx

* Fort Brockhurst was built to protect Portsmouth against French invasion but in the mid-nineteenth century.  It is now open to the public as English Heritage's treasure store for the south of England - see Fort Brockhurst .

© Chotie Darling