An old soldier's ability - 18th January 1943

5731671 Tpr Williams RK

Mortar Tp HQ Sqn, 43^rd Recce Regt

Recce Corps, Home Forces

 

Monday

My Darling Chotie,

                                                                                    Sorry I haven’t been able to write before, but I’ve been on the Range for the last two days – they always pick the weekends – and didn’t receive your letter until this morning.

            You seem to be settling down after your first week in the “Army” – (notice the parenthesis…). Things are a bit strange at first, but you soon develope the scrounging ability required to become the old solider. Eric & I rapidly became past-masters in this singular art.

            Have you seen anything of the town yet? Never been there myself – only know they make shoes there among other things. I looked it up on the map and found it nearer to London than I had imagined.

            As regards 48 hrs I’m afraid it’s out of the question as far as I’m concerned. Firstly I’m not allowed them as I live outside the limit, and secondly I shall be on a scheme then. ‘Fraid I can’t give you any details.  Sorry it can’t be done Darling – I should have liked nothing better – especially on your first leave.

            Been very busy lately – haven’t had time to breathe. However, found time to read a very good book Enid Bagnolds ‘National Velvet’ – don’t miss it. It’s published in Penguin’s “Forces Book Club”.

            I scarce get time to light my pipe now – or rather your pipe….

            Had quite a lively raid this evening. No details – sorry!

            I’m now forced to wear a G.C.* tape (2 years undetected crime…). Coupled with the old beret, I rival the little pansy.

            I’m afraid Eric will have to whistle for a Best Man as far as I’m concerned.  All I’ve got out of him in the last six months is a Xmas Card, and I suspect Eve brought that.  If I know him, Eve brought them and he just signed them!

            I’m trying to economise in writing-paper – hope you can read this.

            I wrote to Monica to congratulate her for her share in overcoming the Falling Birth rate problem (you see I always tell you these things..)

            I’m going out all day tomorrow on a motorbike – haven’t ridden one for about 3 years. Hope I don’t break my neck – It’s the only one I’ve got after all.

            Must close here to catch post.

                                                                        Lots of love Precious

                                                                                    Dicker

                                                                                    Xxxx

*Good Conduct Good chevron worn on the lower sleeve of the jacket.

 © Chotie Darling

 

Section training for 43^rd Recce recommenced from 18^th to 23^rd January. On Monday 18^th January the 43^rd Recce war diary records an A.A. (anti-aircraft) barrage over Dover at 2200 hours. (From the War Diary of the 43^rd Reconnaissance Regiment held by the Archive and Reference Library, the Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset.) 

 

22^nd January 1943 – the Battle of Buna-Gona in New Guinea concludes with the victory of Australian and US Allied Forces over the Japanese. (From WW2-net Timelines.) 

23rd January 1943 – Allied troops enter Tripoli, the capital of Libya, marking the end of the Italian African Empire.

Rommel’s forces attack the French in the Fäid Pass, east of Sfax in Tunisia, and destroy more than half of the US forces that counter-attack. (From ‘The Second World War’ by Antony Beevor, published by Weidenfield and Nicolson 2012)