Chotie Darling
Part 2 Reconnaissance
Chapter 6 43rd Reconnaissance - the end of the beginning
43rd Reconnaissance Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps
13th July 1942 (to 3rd March 1943)
Dover in Kent from 13th to 22nd July 1942 - initially ‘A’ Squadron, then HQ Squadron (on 20th July?).
Preston Barracks, Brighton in Sussex from 22nd July to 2nd September 1942 - 3rd Technical Training Group working at the Dreadnought Garage and Motor Engineering Works, Hove.
2nd September 1942 – passed Trade Test as a Driver Mechanic.
Dover in Kent – initially HQ Squadron R, then Anti-Tank Troop HQ Squadron, then Mortar Troop, HQ Squadron from 28th September.
17th July – Kent
About half the old squadron were transferred to this regt which is in the same corps but non-airborne. I can’t tell you where…
22nd July 1942 – Brighton
The unit I’m now with isn’t too bad on the whole. A very rough lot – but I’m very thankful to be out of the Airborne
30th July 1942 – 21 years old
I do very well here now, as we are working on theory at a civvy garage every day in Hove, and have our meals in a British Restaurant
4th August 1942 – a good time in Brighton
Having a good time here – change from Bulford! (In postcard from Brighton.)
11th Aug 1942 – Music, ballet and bathing in Brighton
There’s a high wind and marvelous sunshine, ideal sailing weather. I’m very fit and enjoying every minute of this course.
16th Aug 1942 – “Mien Kampt”
a rather good film showing Adolf’s rise to power since his early days after the last war and the brilliant way he went about it
21st August 1942 – The French Traitors
the last raid... I saw most of the action in the Channel and was also machine-gunned in the streets – though still alive and kicking.
30th August 1942 – French Canadians and French Films
two barmaids, knowing they couldn’t speak English & thinking I was French, were saying things…those girls almost made me blush
3rd September 1942 – Return to Dover
went to the opera three times and saw ‘Bohème’, ‘Trovatore’ & ‘the Barber’... the Carl Rosa with Joan Hammond and Parry Jones
8th September 1942 – “Our Engagement”
mentioned our “engagement” to the old folks at home in my last letter. Haven't yet had a reply… keep your chin up, Lulubelle
25th September 1942 – Postcard from Hastings
Have an hour to wait at Hastings so thought I'd send you a card. Just going to have a cup of tea in Plumber’s.
28th September 1942 – A Very Happy Leave
I find it very difficult to act and think normally when home on leave … all the time I realise I have to come back to this existence
2nd October 1942 – The Winter Routine
the Winter Routine - no work before breakfast and none after tea…also a later réveillé, a relief after the old 6am stunt
13th October 1942 – Autumn propaganda
arrived back from a scheme … in bed at the moment, just about dead - have only had about 6 - 8 hrs sleep in four days
25th October 1942 – Church Army tea
went into a Church Army place…found to my horror they were issuing free teas…they expect you to stay to a temperance service afterwards
29th October 1942 – Reconnaissance Badge
‘Song of the Islands' is on next week I believe. The boys will be queuing up to see Grable in a grass-skirt...
6th November 1942 – Missing Someone
I’m afraid we will all miss someone before this wretched show is over. War has always been an ugly business
People in Chapter 6 43rd Reconnaissance – the end of the beginning:
Barbara Chalkley (“Chotie”), Guido Benetti, Bill, Boody, Brian Williams (“Brinner”), Danielle, Dilys Williams (“Diller”), Du Rose, Eric Kessler, Horlock, Jones, Lolita, Margaret Chalkley, Mater/Ma/Mother Williams, McLuckie, Mike/Michael, Monica, Pa/Dad Williams, Paul (Monica’s brother), Reinelt, Rita, a subaltern from Chislehurst who studied at the Royal Academy, Eric White.
Books mentioned in Chapter 6:
‘The Descent of Man’ by Charles Darwin – “bought a copy...have been up to my neck in it for some days”.
‘No Hero-This’ by Warwick Deeping – “Quite good. Try it.”
‘While of Sound Mind’ by Stephen McKenna – “I can recommend.”
‘Triple Fugue’ by Osbert Sitwell – “I found only good in parts, I recommend it for those parts. (It consists of four or five short (?) stories.”
‘Ladybrook’ by Eleanor Farjeon – “I rather enjoyed”
‘The Book of the Inn’ by Robert Burke – “a collection of what every famous writer has said about pubs.”
Music mentioned in Chapter 6:
Eileen Joyce with the Bournemouth Philharmonic (Wessex), Moseivitch, Carl Rosa with La Bohème, Il Trovatore and the Barber of Seville (with Joan Hammond and Parry Jones).
Films mentioned in Chapter 6:
‘L’eslave Blanche (White Slave)’ with Vivianne Romance – “a French film.It was very good but not up to the usual high standard achieved by French Directors. She (Vivianne) is very much like Dannielle – also has her hair up.”
‘Mein Kampf’ –“I saw a rather good film a few days ago – “Mein Kampt” (sic) – showing Adolf’s rise to power since his early days after the last war and the brilliant way he went about it – the way he removed Ernst Roehm, Dollfuss, Schnissnigg* and the rest. A lot of it was documentary, ie actual shots, especially of the jolly old Reichstag Fire Trial** etc, and the flagwrapping parade in the Olympic Stadium.”
‘Prison without Bars’ – “the appalling list of French people who have been marked as definite traitors? The list includes ...Corinne Luchaire (of “Prison without Bars” fame)”
‘Suspicion’ with Cary Grant & Fontaine – “Not too bad.”
‘Here comes Mr Jordan’ with Montgomery and Claude Rains - “Not too bad.”
‘Murder in the Red Barn’ with Tod Slaughter –
‘Joan of Paris’ with Michèle Morgan - “Was going to see “Joan of Paris” yesterday, but after one look decided against it, even after your advice on same. I knew America would ruin Michèle in the same way it ruined Boyer and will probably ruin Babin.”
‘Gone with the Wind’ – “Fancy you liking Maggie Mitchell’s tale of ‘Ye Olde South South’! Very surprising. It’s on here. Queues about a mile long for each performance. There’s certainly a sucker born every minute…”
‘Ghost of Frankenstein’ – “Rather poor I thought.”
‘Reap the Wild Winds’ – “Hope to see 'Reap the Wild Winds' tonight, which I just missed while on the course.”
‘The Young Mr Pitt’ – “May also see 'The Young Mr Pitt’, if I get the time.”
‘Song of the Islands’ with Betty Grable – “The boys will be queuing up to see Grable in a grass-skirt...”
Radio mentioned in Chapter 6:
‘The Brains Trust'
Theatre mentioned in Chapter 6:
‘Distant Point’ with Jean Forbes-Robertson in Brighton
The Anglo-polish Ballet
The New Russian Ballet Company
‘Bedtime Story’ with Mary Maguire
Tchaikovsky’s ‘Swan Lake’ with Allied Ballets starring Mela Carter
Chopin’s ‘Les Sylphides’ with Allied Ballets starring Mela Carter
Striptease at The Hippodrome Theatre, Dover
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