Chotie Darling
Dedicated to the memory of my mother
and all those who hold the forever young of war in their hearts.
Part 1 The Blue Cockade
Chapter 4 Intelligence
Dick was in Intelligence from early July 1941,
probably until 20th April 1942 when he officially transferred from the 70th Dorsets to Reconnaissance.
The secrecy surrounding certain Intelligence units
meant that participants often remained officially assigned
to their original regiments.
From July to September 1941
he was Trooper Williams Intelligence Section, HQ Company while he trained at Fort Brockhurst, Gosport, Hampshire.
July 1941 – coal also now rationed.
July 1941 – formation of the British Special Air Service – a small scale fighting force suited to raiding and reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and close quarter combat deep behind enemy lines. They were the first to use the motto “Who Dares Wins” and were parachute trained to reach the enemy by air.
1st July 1941 – Germany and Italy recognise the Japanese government of China.
3rd July 1941 - Soviet Premier Josef Stalin exhorted the Russian people to defend their soil by adopting a "scorched earth" policy, destroying anything that might be useful to the German advance.
Dick’s ‘Seven Days’ leave
appears to have been taken at the beginning of July,
at about the time he joined the Intelligence section.
The Sandbanks peninsula, Poole, had been a restricted military area since July 1940 but in the summer of 1941 sea bathing was once more permitted for residents of Poole on a small strip of the Sandbanks beach. This was courtesy of the Russian resistance to Hitler’s forces deterring Germany from any invasion of Britain. Before the war Chotie’s family had a cherished beach hut at Shore Road, Sandbanks, but all the huts were removed to clear the line of fire against invading forces in 1940.
“Happy days were spent in the summer going to the beach. We had a hut on the sands at Shore Road, Sandbanks and I cannot remember when I could not swim. We pumped up car tyres, which were great fun to dive through and play with - these were the days before lilos and plastic beach toys. In the evening we would collect all the rubbish left by picnickers and have a bonfire. Salty, sandy and dishevelled, glowing from the day in the sun and weary from all the playing of games and swimming, we were piled into the back of the milk delivery van to wend our way home.” From ‘Grandma’s Story’ written by Chotie for her grandchildren.
FAREHAM SERVICES INSTITUTE
Intelligence Section
HQ Company, 70th Dorsets
Gosport, Hants.
My Darling Chotie,
Having just been to the flicks and finding myself at the above address, I thought I’d write you to let you know what news there is and that I arrived back safely but very late. The trains were all over the show at So-ton and I had to go all the way to Romsey, from Totton, and then back on the same train to So-ton. When I got to Fareham the last bus had just gone, and consequently in the company of several others I had to walk (!) to Brockhurst - about six miles!
And not one car passed me all the way.
In the interests of National Economy I am using both sides of this note paper.
This Intelligence game is proving to be a cinch, ---- all to do and plenty of time to do it in. It is in fact, just my vocation.
We've just been to see ‘ Honeymoon for Three’ - quite amusing. I was going to see ‘Rebecca’ again but it was on in some vague suburb of Pompey, and consequently I changed my mind.
I went to the Coliseum again last night. Annette was there again – strip-tease. I regret to say I got hopelessly tight afterwards. There were four of us, and I've no idea how we got back again and believe it or not, I was by far the most sober of us all.
After an hour's steady drinking, it developed into a competition, and we started on Brandy and Chablis. Gertie (Kirkwood) was crawling about under the table before long, and Welsh, a bloke from Plymouth Grammar, looked decidedly ill. Billy Ede, has lived most of his life in France & Germany and is consequently rather hardened. After that we got split up and Bill and I later found the others in Gosport trying to climb a pile of sandbags. I managed to get to bed, but got up again about midnight and had a cold shower which sobered me up considerably.
I'll never forget that night. We're all on Intelligence. What a crew. I had the devil of a hangover this morning, but luckily it's Saturday so there's ---- all to do.
Well, Darling, there's no news as usual. I hope you managed to get back all right.
I've written with some pens in my time, but I've never seen the likes of this one. The ---- nib keeps getting crossed.
I must say bye bye now Darling as I have to get a bus back to Brockhurst.
All my love, Darling,
Dicker
PS. Je t’aime encore de tout mon coeur.
© Chotie Darling
12th July 1941 – surrender of Vichy French Syria and the Lebanon to the Allies.
13th July 1941 – Anglo-Soviet Pact. Britain and the USSR pledged to assist one another against Hitler.
Recent Comments