Chapter 7 43rd Reconnaissance – the beginning of the end

Chotie Darling

 

Part 2             Reconnaissance

 

 Chapter 7     43rd Reconnaissance – the beginning of the end

 

 43^rd Reconnaissance Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps

(13th July 1942) to 3rd March 1943.

 

Dover in Kent – Mortar Troop, HQ Squadron (from 28^th September).

 

Chotie enrolled into the Auxiliary Territorial Service

 at Southampton on 17^th December 1942

 

Chotie joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS)

at No1 Training Camp, Northampton on 8th January 1943

and her enrolment was approved on 12^th January 1943 

 

Chotie was posted to 236 Os.F.C.T. Regiment

at Oswestry in Shropshire on 3rd February 1943

 

War Office Selection Board, Brockham Park, Betchworth, Surrey - 10th to 13th February 1943

Dover in Kent – Mortar Troop, HQ Squadron (Home Details, O.C.T.U. Candidate) from 13^th February to 3^rd March 1943 

 

 

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10^th November 42 – the beginning of the end

Rather surprised to hear of your expected "change of employment. Whatever service you decide don't sign-on for 'General Duties'

 

17^th November 1942 – Rough-hew them how we will

Most blokes find that the feminine services are able to get leave when their ‘soldier hero’ gets his

 

26^th November 1942 – Leave next Wednesday

Just a few lines to let you know my leave comes off next Wednesday … subject to cancellation for a hundred and one reasons

 

13^th December 1942 – Berets

Great excitement this morning, as we were issued with berets. Really rather good.  One wag said bitterly – “all we want now is a skirt…”

 

21^st December 1942 – Which Christmas?

Roll on Christmas … (Incidentally which Christmas is the war going to end by now?)

 

27^th December ‘42 – A rather quiet Christmas

We (the unit) entertained about fifty Aussies & Canadians over the holidays.  Quite good fun. ..eight pints with Xmas dinner

 

3^rd January 1943 – “Just relax Lulubell”

I must wish you all the best of luck on your entry into the Forces.  I don’t intend to give you a sermon but be very careful won’t you?

 

11^th January 1943 – A far cry from Dorset

So you’re in the Army at last… Don’t forget to give me a lucid description of the Sarn’t-Major.  Yes Ma-am….

 

18^th January 1943 – An old soldier’s ability

You soon develope the scrounging ability required to become the old solider. Eric & I rapidly became past-masters in this singular art.

 

23^rd January 1943 – Writing Letters

I suppose you’ve discovered that writing letters is just about the last thing you feel like in the services.

 

30^th January 1943 – Post-War Reconstruction Committee

I go to Evening Classes …take French and German and am also a member of a Post-War Reconstruction Committee!

 

4^th February 1943 – The Warsaw

Glad to hear you’ve had such a time on your 48 hr. Only wish I could have been at the old ‘Sloop’ as well.

 

7^th February 1943 – Safely in Salop

This is the main guard I’m on and there’s bags of spit and polish. It took me 24 hrs to get ready. Heluva waste of time

 

16^th February 1943 – Alex Johnston

What’s the crowd like you’re with?  Hope they’re better than my lot.  If ever there was a dull mob it’s the Recce.

 

25^th February 1943 – How many women have you slept with?

First question the psychiatrist asked me, was “How many women have you slept with?”….

 

 

 

People in Chapter 7 43rd Reconnaissance – the beginning of the end 

 Arimand Banu, Barbara Chalkley (“Chotie”), Bert, Brian Williams (“Brinner” – Dick’s brother), Dilys Williams (“Diller” – Dick’s sister), du Rose,Eric, Eve (Eric’s girlfriend/wife), George, Pamela Gluning,  Don Johnston, Doug Lightfoot, Margaret (Chalkley/Lewis), Mater/Ma/Mother (Williams), Monica, Pa/Dad (Williams), Ted Lewis.

 

 

Books mentioned in Chapter 7:

‘Tambour Terrace’ by Eleanor Dunbar Hall – “Good book”

‘Kitty’ by Warwick Deeping – “quite good.  That’s the 30th of his I’ve read. Recommend it.” 

‘The Bridge of San Luis Rey’ by Thornton River Wilder – “Have just read a very good book – have meant to read it for some time now, and fate delivered the thing to me when I most needed something to read...by an American...  It’s really rather brilliant.  Published by Penguin” 

‘National Velvet’ by Enid Bagnold – “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.” 

‘Dewer Rides’ by L.A.G. Strong 

‘The Moon and Sixpence’ by WS Maugham

‘The Colonel’s Daughter’

‘Tare Harvest’ by Eleanor Peters

 

Music mentioned in Chapter 7: 

The Warsaw Concerto by Richard Addinsell – “plays the old “Warsaw” like nobody’s business”/ “Johnston (that’s this friend of mine) knocked hell out of a canteen piano last night. Played the professional copy of the 'Warsaw’, and rather shook everyone. I can manage the first half dozen bars! I calculate it would take about fifteen years to get it pat…. Nil desperandum”/“I’m still trying the old ‘Warsaw’ at every opportunity. I can now play (?) the first six bars….You should hear this friend of mine play it. Just like Kentner himself.”

“At this Tech. Institute they hold a recital of discs every Thursday. Last week I heard Joan Cross, Gigli, Solomon and Kentner.  Marvellous programme.” 

 

“Bryn bought a couple of discs when on leave – the ‘Warsaw’ and Gigli’s ‘ La donna è mobile’ (Rigoletto) so will probably wear these out when I get home.”

 

 

Films mentioned in Chapter 7:

‘The Saint’s Vacation’ and ‘Reap the Wild Wind’ – “Neither was particularly outstanding.” 

‘Eagle Squadron’ – “Wasn’t it LUVLY!!  I nearly cried.”

‘In which we serve’- “Wasn’t very impressed I’m afraid, though Captain’s wife’s speech was rather brilliant.”

 

Theatre mentioned in Chapter 7:

The Hippodrome Theatre, Dover – striptease and comedy.