The Security Angel - Thursday 11th November 1943

PS       Sorry its pencil but I left my only good pen at home.

2/Lt Williams RK

61^st Recce Regt

Recce Corps

Home Forces

Thursday

Chotie Darling,

                                    Well I’ve arrived here and am just beginning to settle down, though rushed off my feet at the moment.  I hope you also arrived back safely and without incurring 7 days CB*.

            Things are, as far as I can see, pretty cushy at the moment owing to the fact that most Senior officers are away, on courses, etc.

            Did you leave your groundsheet at Pagham?  We looked everywhere but couldn’t find it.  Let me know if you did and I’ll write them to send it on to you.

            Weather couldn’t be better here – plenty of sun and wind.

            I’m umpiring a stunt for three days soon on a motorcycle which should prove interesting, if the weather holds.  It’s a lot easier than being involved in the wretched thing yourself.

            ‘Fraid this letter’s rather sketchy but the security angel cuts out everything worth writing – almost….

            I didn’t thank you Chotie for a very happy leave – I hate to think of what it would have been like just by myself.  Brinner, unfortunately couldn’t get his leave with me.  He goes home next weekend I believe so he’ll see Diller anyhow.

            Must close here as I’m a bit pushed.

                                                            All my love Chotie

                                                                Dicker

*CB – Military abbreviation for ‘confined to barracks’ also known as ‘jankers’ (slang). It involved being put on a charge and subjected to a variety of punishments for a minor disciplinary offence.

© Chotie Darling

 

Dick had joined the 61st Reconnaissance Regiment

as a 2nd Lieutenant in ‘B’ Squadron.

In 1943 61^st Division in Kent had been relegated to coast guarding duties for the Home Forces* and he was stationed at Lympne Castle, near Folkestone.  The 13^th century castle is set high on a hill overlooking the Romney Marshes. 

East of Lympne lay ‘Hellfire Corner’ – the area around Dover in reach of the German cross-channel guns from Calais and Boulogne, which had been firing on the port since August 1940.

 

17th November 1943 – Oswald Mosley, founder of the far right British Union of Fascists, is released from prison on health grounds to considerable protest.  (From WW2-net Timelines.)