On 1st May 1994 Dick became a full Lieutenant
(see Recce Mitch’s post in WW2 Talk)
61st Recce Regt RAC
APO England
Monday 1st May
Chotie Darling,
Caught once again for Duty Officer I find the usual consolation in having time and opportunity in writing you.
I was very sorry I couldn’t make last weekend, but I’m afraid it was just impossible as I was out the whole time.
I’m still doing Squadron Leader* and finding it a little cushier having got the hang of things now.
Managed to get out a few nights ago with a friend - a recently joined officer who used to be in the M of I** and has all the scandals re Brendan Bracken and Churchill*** at his finger tips, as it were. He’s an MA, amongst other things, with a very keen appreciation of beauty in its many forms, and we spent a very pleasant evening walking cross-country to find an unspoiled pub some four or five miles away. The countryside has never looked better, I’m sure, the meadows full of rabbits (lots of baby ones) and the woods full of pheasant.
Heard Caruso’s recording of 'Celeste Äida'**** half an hour ago so I’m on top of the world. (Also heard the second act of Äida a few nights ago – Eva Turner gave a particularly brilliant performance. I think she’s still improving. I heard her ‘Turandot’ when I was in Scotland which is her best, plus I ‘m now beginning to think she ranks after Cancellia & Ponselle.)
Came across Bruce Segler’s name in a copy of ‘Frabreo’ the Jewish Club’s Magazine of which the Adjutant has a copy, so I suppose he’s still alive and kicking. That man had quite a good sense of form apart from a Tchaikovsky mania. He practically refused to acknowledge the existence of Mozart.
I’m enclosing a cheque with this letter, which I trust you’ll have no trouble in cashing, and a few coupons. I would have sent cash, but I just can’t get any here myself.
Hope to hear from you soon.
All my love, Chotie
Dicker
RKWilliams
*Senior officers involved in the D Day Assault were taking part in Exercise Thunderclap – Montgomery’s preparation sessions using a huge relief model of the battlefield to work through potential issues and outcomes. (From ‘Overlord’ by Max Hastings, Macmillan 2016 edition)
**Ministry of Information - the central government department responsible for publicity and propaganda during WW2.
** Brendan Bracken was a close friend and supporter of Churchill. From July 1941 to May 1945 he was Minister of Information.
****Enrico Caruso, the famous Italian tenor who died in 1921. (Listen to Caruso’s recording of 'Celeste Äida' from Giuseppe Verdi’s Egyptian opera.) Eva Turner was an English soprano most famous for her title role in Turandot, Giacomo Puccini’s opera set in Asia. (Listen to Eva Turner’s recording of ‘In Questa Reggia’ from Turandot.) Rosa Ponselle was an American operatic soprano.
© Chotie Darling
1st May 1944 – Commonwealth Prime Ministers meet in London at the ‘Imperial Conference’. (From WW2-net Timelines.)
Recent Comments