There are a few US 101st Airborne Colonels that Dick could be referring to in this letter (more if the Lieutenant-Colonels are included). Colonel Gerald J. Higgins was HQ Chief of Staff, Acting Colonel Ewell was commanding Officer of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment from 8th October, Colonel John Michaelis was CO of the 502nd PIR, Colonel Robert F. Sink of the 506th PIR and Colonel Joseph Harper was CO of the 327th Glider Infantry regiment (from the Paratrooper Research Team.)
61st Recce Regt RAC, BLA.
Monday Oct 10th (sic)
Chotie Darling,
Many thanks for letters received this morning dated the 5th and 3rd (?). I sent you a field post card yesterday as I was rather pushed for time and expected to be even more pushed today. However, thing’s seldom turn out as expected and today I have plenty of time, as I’m working as Liaison Officer with an American Colonel.
Sorry to hear you just missed meeting your father in Bristol – better luck next time. Also sorry to hear of your move back to Bristol area, as you had your feet so well under* in the farm!
Things are just beginning to look Autumnal here though it’s much later in these parts. A lot of trees have been shot-up of course which is rather misleading.
I didn’t know Bluain’s husband was an airborne type. Glad to hear he got out OK – also that Ted is still alive and kicking.
Colston Hall* is certainly a consolation for returning to Bristol – I haven’t heard a thing for ages.
I shouldn’t volunteer to go abroad as you’ll probably go to Egypt or somewhere and you’ll never get demobbed. However it’s up to you, of course. I believe Diller was toying with the idea.
Weather has been very pleasant here for the last few days – genuine October weather in fact. The countryside is deadly flat but quite picturesque owing to such pretty farmhouses and windmills.
I’m desperately short of tobacco at the moment as my supply from home is still in the post – 9 wks! Brinner sent me some from Base but he’s not able to get much himself, and I’m smoking quite a bit these days – needless to say. If you could possibly send me some duty-free it would be very welcome Darling (….) and I’ll send you a cheque as soon as my new cheque-book arrives.
I must have spoken too soon about the weather as it’s just started to rain. I’ve now retired into my armoured car where I started this letter. It’s frightfully cramped for this sort of thing. Hope it doesn’t last.
Spent three days with a very nice family in a large town recently. We were harboured in an orchard and Geoff Winser and myself were offered a room and a bed apiece. Needless to say we soon had our feet under** and spent a very enjoyable time there.
Must close here, as I have to meet the ‘Koynell’.
All my love,ChotieDarling
Dicker.
In early October Chotie appears to have moved back to the Bristol area
Her address was now:
W/242328 Pte Chalkley B.E. .
“B” Troop
462. “Hy” M. A.A. Bty. R.A.
Woodlands Camp
Almondsbury
Bristol
Almondsbury is north of Bristol and Woodlands appears to be an area west of here, now the junction of the M4 and M5.
* http://www.colstonhall.org/ Bristol’s concert hall.
**short for ‘feet under the table’ meaning comfortable and welcomed in someone else’s home. Dean Farm near Cheltenham had obviously been hospitable to their ATS lodger.
© Chotie Darling
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