Chotie Darling

CSM Gurd - 10th to 12th September 1940

Tuesday 10^th, Wednesday 11^th and Thursday 12th September 1940

Bemerton

Tuesday

My Darling Chotie,

 

                            Thanks for your very prompt reply to my letter.  You don’t know how wonderful it is to receive letters from you, Darling.  It always cheers me up a lot.

 

         When I think of your glorious hair, your adorably kissable mouth, it makes me weep to think I’m so near, and ‘encore si loin’.  However, Dearest, as Shakespeare says ‘There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will.’  How really true that is. 

 

        We’ve had rather a time for the past few days.  The C.S.M. here now, is a brute.  He’s about 6ft 3, with shaven hair and the appearance and conduct of a Prussian.

 

Now at the moment we have a trio.  There’s du Rose (L’cpl), Gammage (also L’cpl) and myself, and everything we do, (or anywhere we go), is always done together.

 

Enter tragedy.

 

    Gurd, (that’s the C.S.M’s name) is doing his best to make life merry hell for us, and is making a good job of it.  He’s had du Rose on three charges this week already, Gammage on one, and myself on one.  Now what makes him mad is that each time the cases have been dismissed.

 

There was a good show yesterday.  In the morning, du Rose was walking to his tent, with his tunic undone, (which is permissible when off duty) when Gurd jumped on him, bawling:

“Corporal du Rose, what the  -  hell are you doing with your tunic undone?”!, and looking at du Rose’s stripes said, “I’ll have those down, as sure as my name’s CSM Gurd”!

 Now during the afternoon, du Rose and I were walking along past the tennis courts, when Gammage, who was about fifty yards behind us bawled out “du Rose, what the  -  hell are you doing with your tunic undone" etc. in a perfect imitation of Gurd’s voice, when who should come out from the tennis-courts but Gurd himself, in company with several other senior Warrant Officers.  I’ve seldom seen a man get so mad.  He literally fumed.  Ever since then he’s jumped on us for the slightest thing.

 

We went to a Regimental Dance last night and spent our last halfpenny.  It was held at Bemerton about a hundred yards from the camp.  There were about fifty A.T.S. women there.

 

About 10.30 off goes the siren, and we were recalled to the trenches with respirators and tin hats.  (Some of those who were well away, took the A.T.S. along with their other gear.)  Gurd, who is married, took one back to his tent and didn’t put up an appearance until this morning.

 

After about half an hour, the all-clear went and we repaired to the hall once more.  Du Rose immediately fell for a girl in pink, and Gammage and I had our work cut out to protect her honour etc.  He got quite mad when we repeatedly cut in on him.

 

Wednesday

                            I’m writing this immediately after tea.  We were all lined up on tea parade, when the sirens went and we had to retire to the trenches before getting any tea.  What abject misery!  On top of which the tea was the worst ever.

 

I’m at present in the NAAFI as du Rose has received 10/- from home, and we’re celebrating.

   

Gurd pulled us up again today.  At the moment he’s standing outside the NAAFI with his hands in his pockets.  There’s a couple here who have walked out with hands in pockets.  Gurd immediately takes his out and bawls “Three hours spud-peeling”!  What a camp.

 

Thursday Afternoon

        I’m just sitting in the tent having a smoke after a game of football. 

   

Lapse of three hours……

 

    Just as I was writing the last few lines a bloke in the next tent had an epileptic fit.  It took three of us to hold him down.  I had to ring for an ambulance and take him to hospital.  What a show!  I had the devil of a job to hold him down – I of course got no tea.

   

Well, Darling, I must close now, with all my love

                                                                

                                                                Yours as ever

                                                                                    Dicker

PS I love you.

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010

Enter du Rose - Sunday 8th September 1940

Bemerton

Sunday evening

 

My Darling Cho,

 

    Thanks for the letter.  I’m so glad you had such a cheerful birthday.  I only wish I could have been home to spend it with you.

 

    I expect you had quite a show last night.  We didn’t get much sleep, if any.  I still don’t know what happened, and I’m afraid I don’t much care.  Once again, I’ve got fed up and am going to move heaven & earth to get back to the ranks and so on to a commission.

 

    There is only one respectable bloke here now.  Actually he’s French, and one of the few Lanerjacks left.  His name’s du Rose and he’s commission crazy.  His Old Man’s a captain and expects him to become one in next to no time. He comes from Birmingham University, where he was endeavouring to secure a B.A.

 

    We are both going to see the Major tomorrow, if we can, to find out data re junior commissions.

 

    We went on the beer last night in Salisbury ending up with a fish & chip supper.  Mon Dieu, were we merry!  Nothing was going to stop us!  We were going to see the Major on Monday and tell him just what we thought of this crowd, and also his abilities as a Major….We swore solemn oaths that nothing on this earth would stop us getting this coveted commission.

 

    I’m afraid we’ve cooled down somewhat today.  However, I do hope something really material will happen tomorrow.  “Qui sait?” as the French say.

 

    Hughes and crowd came over from Dinton on Saturday afternoon to play cricket against our team.  George, of course, was amongst them as usual.  I didn’t know he was quite so old.  He’s nearly twenty, and can I believe get a transfer then.

 

    Well, Darling, I must close now to catch the post (6.30).

 

                                                all my love,

                                                         and definitely all yours

                                                                    Dicker

 

PS.   How long can you possibly hang on with your holiday?

I can’t manage anything for a fortnight I’m afraid. Don’t forget to tell me.

                                                                    Dicker

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010

Chotie's 17th birthday - Thursday 5th September 1940

 

 

 

Bemerton

Wilts

Thursday

My Darling Cho,

 

                                    Well, Darling, I must start by wishing you Many Happy Returns of the 6^th*, and in your own words to ‘wish you everything you wish yourself’.  I think, and sincerely hope that everything will come out alright in the end, in spite of this wretched war.

 

          I hope you like the present I’m sending along with this letter.  I’m afraid it’s nothing much, but in the circumstances, you know!  However, Darling, I hope you’ll think more of the wishes (and hopes) that go with it.

 

            I was only thinking last night, of when this show’s over, and we’ll be able to settle down again…. And buy a little boat to explore the whole harbour**.  What a time that will be.

 

            I went down to the river for a swim this afternoon, soon after dinner.  As usual it’s terrifically hot to-day, much too hot to take P.T.  I am forced to have a shower about ten times a day to preserve my mental equilibrium, which I may say I nearly lost last night, when I was woken up by a veritable rain of bombs descending around. So far I’ve heard no news as to where they landed.

 

They had a Salvation Army band here in camp last night.Mercifully, I was allowed out – a blessing for which I was very thankful, though I rather think it’s the best army to be in anyway.

 

Well, I must close now Darling, for tea parade.

 

Your own devoted hubby

                                                                                        Dicker

 

* Chotie’s 17^th birthday on 6^th September 1940.

**Poole Harbour, Dorset.

  

© Chotie Darling, 2010

 

 

7^th September 1940 – start of ‘the Blitz’, night bombings on London and the Luftwaffe’s intensive bombing campaign against Britain’s cities and industries which lasted until 16^th May 1941. London was attacked on 57 consecutive nights between 7^th September and 2^nd November 1940. Over 41,000 British civilians were killed during the Blitz (included by permission of the Imperial War Museum ).

 

The Dorset Blitz - Having failed to destroy the RAF and pave the way for invasion, Hitler believed that the bombing of cities and towns would break Britain's will to resist. As far as Dorset was concerned the Blitz prompted a second wave of evacuation from London and the industrial areas of the North but even 'safe in the country' evacuees found themselves subject to bombing. 

 

The German Blitz against Dorset was not on anything like the scale of that on London or, for example, Coventry, but it did bring the war, along with death and destruction, to all parts of the county. Weymouth alone suffered forty-eight air raids in which civilians, including children, were killed and wounded as well as naval and military personnel.

 

The Dorset Constabulary recorded that approximately 4,307 heavy high explosive bombs were dropped on the county during the Blitz of which 396 failed to detonate. There were 37,007 incendiary bombs recorded as being dropped on Dorset towns and villages, along with 14,550 smaller bombs, categorised as anti-personnel (The Keep Military Museum, Dorchester).

 

A show of some sort at Bemerton - 2nd and 3rd September 1940

 

 

“K” Company

6^th Bath Dorsets

Bemerton

Wilts

My darling Cho-cho,

 

                                                I’m writing this at my first opportunity, ie Monday evening, in fulfilment of my promise.I travelled back with one of “G” Coy’s Sergeants, whom I met when boarding the bus.

 

I’ve just had an enormous meal of tea & supper combined.I had two pints of tea and one of soup. I’m not feeling so good now. The trouble was, I remarked a bottle of Worcester sauce on the table and half emptied it into my soup.  It tasted marvellous at the time, but I’m just beginning to feel the effects.

 

            I’ve spent most of today with the C.S.M.I. He’s drawing 8/6 a day as against my 2/- and I’ve been spending half my time teaching him!What an Army!

 

I’ve got to go to a show of some sort at Bemerton at 7pm.I believe it’s one of these horrible affairs for the troops.I’m expected to help maintain order as there are few N.C.O.s in camp tonight.I can already visualise a shrill soprano murdering ‘Down in the Forest’ etc!

 

            I’m afraid I must close rather abruptly for the moment, darling, as there’s a sergeant shaking me up.

 

 

            It’s now about 7 o’clock Tuesday morning. I’ve just had a shave and breakfast and feel considerably better than I did an hour ago.I went to that show last night.Pretty chronic. I walked out after twenty minutes or so.

 

I must close now, darling, as kit inspection comes off in a few minutes

 

                                    all my love

 

                                                    Dicker

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010

Friendless at Bemerton - 29th August 1940

On 28^th August Dick qualified as an Instructor in Physical & Recreational Training.

 

 

 

Letter posted on Thursday 29th August 1940

‘K’ Company

6^th Bath. (HD)

Dorset Regt.

Bemerton

Wilts

My darling Chotie,

                                                    Thanks for the letter.  As you will see from above, I am now at Bemerton again, and don’t I know it.  I arrived here this afternoon to find that ‘G’ company, to which I was attached, has now moved to Dinton, to take the place of ‘D’ who are at Dorchester.  I’m just about fed up as I haven’t a friend in the place now, in fact, apart from the C.S.M.I.*, I don’t know a soul.

 

    Yet another calamity, even greater.  There’s a certain Major here, who is doing his best to stop all week-end leave.  I asked the C.S.M.I. if there was any chance of a pass this week, and his reply was not encouraging.  He said he’d do what he could, but could promise nothing.

 

    I am however putting in for seven days leave, in a few weeks time, ie. after my three months is up.  This should be successful, unless of course all army leave is cancelled, which action seems rather imminent.  Not a very cheerful outlook I’m afraid.

 

    But still, darling, even this ---- army can’t stop me loving you, and after all, that’s all that matters.

   

I heard to-day that Tom was buried when bombs fell close to him at Warmwell.  Apparently he’s OK, but I have heard nothing definite.

 

    Incidentally, it’s a good thing I didn’t try to come on home last week-end, as everyone who went was caught, and put on a charge.  I think they were all reduced to the ranks.  Rather a close shave.

 

   

                                 Well, bye bye for now darling,

                                                        Your devoted

                                                                        Dicker

 

 

*C.S.M.I. = Company Sergeant Major Instructor

 

 

 

 

From the end of August to October 1940

Dick was in ‘K’ company of the 6^th Bath & Dorset Regiment

based at Bemerton, near Salisbury, in Wiltshire.

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010

Sleepy Sunday at Tidworth - 24th August 1940

Saturday 24th August 1940

Tidworth

Saturday evening

My darling,

 

    Thanks for the letter. I got it on Friday, and also one from home at the same time.

 

I’m writing this in bed, which is rather a job, but nevertheless a labour of love as usual.  I was on duty today scrubbing out the gym etc, but will have a glorious day of rest tomorrow I hope.  What everyone does on Sundays here is sleep.  Blessed Sleep.

 

Apparently they get up for breakfast, go back to bed - get up for dinner – go back to bed, get up for tea (that’s if they’re feeling energetic) and then thankfully off to sleep – having had a tiring day.  That’s my idea of the perfect life.  Life as it really should be lived.

 

What about going back to nature after this show?  Living in a cave or tree-tops or quelque chose comme ça?  Just lead me to it, baby.  Incidentally, should you be thinking that I’m tight, I assure you that I haven’t so much as smelt beer all day.  It must be the soothing effect of bed, I suppose.

 

I wish I could have got away this weekend, but it was quite impossible.  I may get a pass next Sat with reasonable luck.  I certainly won’t waste any time in getting home.

 

I was very surprised to hear about the bombing at Poole*.  I knew nothing about it but it just goes to prove that anything may happen- and at any time.  Please look after yourself Cho.  It may seem trivial to you, but it means everything to me, (and I’m not tight…).

   

I must close now darling as it will soon be lights-out

   

            All my love

                                        Your adoring

                                                              Dicker

 

P.S. Ayez soin et soyez bonne**

 

* Chotie talked about the horror of watching Poole being bombed from Pamphill, Wimborne where she was visiting her friend, Mary, the daughter of the gamekeeper.

Her terrified mother refused to go to the shelter when the air raid warnings sounded, instead sheltering with her family under the heavy wooden table in the kitchen. Mrs Chalkley also refused to wear her gas mask but kept vinegar and cotton wool always to hand (why, I don’t know).  Chotie’s father was a ‘Special Constable’ or volunteer policeman during the war

** “Take care and be good”

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010

 

 

24^th August 1940 – the Luftwaffe bombed London for the first time.

 

Ready for a scrap - Tuesday 20th August

On 20th August 1940 Churchill addressed The House of Commons with these words:

 

“Almost a year has passed since the war began, and it is natural for us, I think, to pause on our journey at this milestone and survey the dark, wide field.”

 

Describing our defences he said “The whole British Army is at home. More than 2,000,000 determined men have rifles and bayonets in their hands tonight, and three-quarters of them are in regular military formations. We have never had armies like this in our Island in time of war. The whole Island bristles against invaders, from the sea or from the air”and he saluted the British airmen: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few".

 

 

(Reproduced with permission of Curtis Brown Ltd, London on behalf of the Estate of Sir Winston Churchill.

Copyright © Winston S. Churchill )

 

Tidworth

Hants

My darling Chotie,

 

            Thanks for the letter, which I got at dinner time. I managed to get back all right on time. I’m afraid I’ve no news. I’ve just finished a hard day, and as it’s now about 8pm I don’t mean maybe!

 

            I hope to be home again in a fortnight. It seems a hell of a time but I suppose it will soon go, if we don’t worry too much. It’s still the hell of a time though!

 

            I’m having the hell of an argument at the moment, and I’m getting so mad I can scarcely write! I rather think it’s going to end in a scrap. I hope so. I’ve been doing my best to get a scrap all day.

 

I’ve been to the NAAFI for the last half-hour and had a supper fit for the Borgias.Faggot, chips, bread & butter and 1 pint of Light xxx – all for just over a shilling, which I consider is pretty cheap. I now feel OK for anything (or anyone).

 

            I’m afraid there’s nothing of any interest to write, darling, except I still love you all that is possible (if that is of any interest).

 

                    bye, bye, precious

 

                                            Dicker

 

P.S. Il ya toujours l’éspais*

 

* “There is always hope”

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010

 

Returning to Tidworth - 12th August 1940

Dick met up with Chotie over the weekend of 10^th/11^th August 1940.

 

Tidworth

Monday evening

My darling Cho-cho,

 

            Just a short note to let you know that I arrived OK, and without any trouble.I’m afraid I haven’t a moment to spare as we have ‘voluntary’ apparatus tonight, termed voluntary but actually compulsory.By the time I get back it will be dark, and there are no lights here now.

 

            George was on the bus when I got upstairs, I expect you saw him. We had time for a beer in Salisbury, before going our respective ways.

 

            We got to Salisbury at 8pm, and there wasn’t a bus to Tidworth before 9pm!  This was packed full, so they ran a relief which was also packed.  This miserable bus didn’t pull out till 9.20 and arrived in Tidworth at 10.30.  From there I had about 2 miles to walk to my barracks, which I accomplished successfully by removing my boots and gumshoeing past the guards in the shadows. Quite fun.

 

I must close now darling to get to the gym in time.

 

                                All my love

 

                                            Your devoted

                                                                

                                                            Dicker

 

P.S. You might tell Brinner that I made it O.K. but don’t mention it to the rest of the family.  I have n’t time to write them.  That is of course if you should see him.

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010.

 

 

13^th August 1940 – ‘Eagle Day’, start of the major offensive by the Luftwaffe to destroy RAF airfields.

 

 

Dick met up with Chotie over the weekend of 17^th/18^th August 1940.

 

 

17th August 1940 - Hitler ordered total blockade of Great Britain.

Tidworth P.T. course - 6th August 1940

Letter posted Tuesday 6th August 1940

Southern Command Central Gymnasium

Tidworth

Hants

My Darling Cho-cho,

 

    As you will see from above address, I am now at Tidworth. I regret to say I was swindled as regards this course.  The C.O. told me it was to be a two week course, but here I am told it’s three weeks! – which means I can’t get leave for at least another month.  I’m rather fed up as I’d expected to be home again after a fortnight. There’s a chap here who was in the B.E.F.* and has had 48 hours leave in 10 months!

   

Tidworth is rather like Aldershot.  Rows and rows of barracks with suburban houses alongside for N.C.O.’s wives & children.  As I am now a Junior N.C.O. how about getting married?…

 

The place is like a miniature town, with shops & cinemas – also a swimming-pool.

 

            I had to travel here in full kit, carrying kit-bag, in fact everything that I possess.  I felt quite warm when I got to Salisbury.

   

            Whilst still at Bemerton, I met an interesting bloke of 6ft 4½, who is taking a commission in the guards.  I later found out that his father is Lieutenant-General Sir – Barnes**, who, during the last show, commanded the 4^th Hussars! – and he finds himself in the 6^th Dorsets.

 

    I’m told that life on Devil’s Island is luxury compared with this course. They say it is three weeks of living Hell!  I want my mummy…

 

    I must close now, Darling, as I have to write home as well.

                                            love & kisses

                                                        xxxxx Dicker

 

P.S. Je vous félicite ou votre français. C’est très bien***

P.P.S. I tabulate, herewith, full address (pro tempus):-

    L/CPL Williams R K.

    5731671

    Southern Command

    Central Gymnasium 

    Tidworth, Hants.

 

                        Je t’aime encore de tout mon coeur****

        Dicker

 

*The B.E.F. - the British Expeditionary Force were the army sent across the Channel in September 1939. They were defeated in Western Europe in June 1940 and evacuated from Dunkirk.

**Major General Sire Reginald Barnes KCB DSO

*** “I congratulate you on your French. It’s very good.”

**** “I love you with all my heart”

  

© Chotie Darling, 2010. 

Tom's death - 3rd August 1940

Saturday 3^rd August 1940

Bemerton

Salisbury

Wilts

Saturday afternoon

My Darling Chotie,

 

 

    I’m terribly sorry to hear such sad news about Tom*.  I was only enquiring about him a few moments before I got your letter.  Quite a number of N.C.O.s** here were transferred from the 5^th Batt., and all knew Tom well.

 

    Margaret must feel terrible about it.  I know how I should feel if anything happened to you.  She has at least one consolation, in that he was serving in the Forces, - although that doesn’t bring him back.  I hope you will convey my every sympathy to her.  I’m going to Tidworth on Monday next and will send a card as soon as I get the address there.

 

    I was made Lance Corporal a few days ago.  I was rather annoyed at only getting one stripe but will probably get another after my course.

 

    ‘D’ Company, that is, with the sole exception of myself, is going back to Dinton this afternoon.  I rather think I may be transferred to ‘G’ Company (George’s crowd) after the course.  Unfortunately, Toni & co. are all with ‘D’ Coy and consequently I must say goodbye to them in a few minutes time.  That’s the trouble.  You no sooner make friends, than you lose them.

 

    Ben and I (he’s going for a commission in the Tanks) went on the beer on Thursday evening.  We drank Salisbury quite dry, and had the helluva job to get past the guards.

The sentry with fixed bayonet said “Halt, who goes there!” etc. and Ben, quite tight, shouted “Deutschland über Allez”!, and tried to blow out the light in the guard Tent.  We staggered into the tent, fell over and woke up the next morning still attired in Service dress, gas mask etc.  What a life!

   

It’s now Saturday Evening.  I’m just waiting for six o’clock when I’m allowed out to Salisbury.  I’ve said goodbye to everyone, Toni, Ben & co. who went back to Dinton this afternoon.  They had to march in full kit! and it’s just about a heat wave today.

 

    The showers are now working here, what luxury!  I’ve just had my 6^th today.  Showers & Choties are just two things that make life worth living.

 

    Bye, bye Chubby, Darling 

        Your adoring

        Dicker

 

*Tom was engaged to Chotie’s elder sister Margaret. He was killed in a motorbike accident on manoeuvres.   

 

** N.C.O. = Non-commissioned Officer

  

© Chotie Darling, 2010. 

Lance Corporal Williams at Bemerton - 29th & 30th July 1940

 

Dick had 48 hours leave on weekend of 27^th and 28^th July 1940 and met Chotie.

Sunday 28^th July 1940 was his nineteenth birthday.

 

 

6^th Dorset’s

South Wilts

Cricket

Ground

Bemerton

NR Salisbury

Wilts.

My Darling Chotie,

                                            I’m writing this on Monday evening, my first opportunity to write since regaining Camp, which I’m trying to do in almost total darkness in the NAAFI*, in the company of Hughes and George. There’s really nothing to write as there is of course no news. I feel terribly flat. We must get really moving on our next meeting. We seem to waste so much time…

 

I was told tonight that I am going on a fortnight’s P.T. course at Tidworth, which I believe is somewhere near Salisbury. Could you let me know where this is, (ie look it up on a map or something?)

            I’m afraid I have to turn in now, but will continue tomorrow.

 

            It’s now Tuesday dinner time. There’s still no more news. I have been on P.T. all the morning and I’m rather fed up. I’m certainly going back to the ranks after I become proficient.

 

            I had a yarn with the Instructor who appears to be rather pleased with my going on this course.He imagines I’m going to come back and teach him something. He must be nuts. Still there’s no harm in thinking.

 

I have another two squads to take this afternoon, what a life! I’m not missing much however, as all the boys are trench-digging.

 

It’s now Tuesday evening. I write a little every time I get a moment to spare.I really must thank you again for this super writing case. It certainly gives me inspiration.

 

I must close now darling, as I have to slip this down to the Post Office without delay.

 

Bye, bye darling

Your devoted

Dicker

 

P.S. Je t’aime encore de tout mon coeur même plusque la vie.**

 

*NAAFI – Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes – official trading organisation of HM Forces i.e. the canteen.

** “I love you always, with all of my heart, and more than life itself.”

 

Dick was appointed Lance Corporal on Monday 29^th July 1940.

On 31^st July 1940 Dick’s medical form stated he was in A.1. condition.

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010.

Salisbury again - 24th July 1940

PS  address 5731671

6^th Dorsets ‘D’ Company

3 platoon

Wilton Rd

Salisbury

Salisbury

Wednesday afternoon

My darling Cho-cho,

    Have just received your letter.  As you will see from above, we have at last moved to Salisbury. We marched the whole way, that is, all except me who went on a bike directing traffic!

   

    We are at present only allowed out one night in four, my turn coming tonight.  We intend to have some fun in Salisbury….

    I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you as regards next week-end.  Owing to the large number of deserters, all leave has been cancelled.  It’s the hell of a nuisance, but I may manage some later on.  There are so many hapless individuals who haven’t had any leave for months.

     

I get a pretty full time now, as many hundreds more have joined up and all have to be trained.  I still haven’t got my stripe, but as there are many Terriers* with ten months’ service still without one I mustn’t be impatient, though I think I’ll have one by my next leave.

   

    I must close now darling to catch the post

    bye bye

    Dicker

* Territorial Army – the volunteer reserve force for the Army.

 

From late July to the end of August 1940

 Dick was in ‘D’ company, and then attached to ‘G’ company,

of the 6^th Dorsets,

based at Bemerton, near Salisbury, in Wiltshire,

but spent most of August on a PT instruction course

at Tidworth in Hampshire

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010

.

Cross Country Running - 19th July 1940

On 16th July 1940 Hitler ordered the invasion of England (Operation Sealion) 

On 19th July 1940 Hitler demanded the surrender of Great Britain. 

 

 

Friday 19^th July 1940

Dinton

Wilts

Friday evening

My Darling Cho-cho,

                                                            Thanks for the letter and photos.  I thought they were pretty hot.  Thanks also for such kind sympathy over my recent illness and confinement (heights of sarcasm!...).  I thought I was with child, as the Russians say.

        I’ve just read quite a good Penguin – Carl and Anna*, which is a translation from the German by Leonhard Frank (Karl und Anna), which cheered me up not a little.                                                           

    I feel quite fit now and ready for love as the P.T. bloke says.  He also says quite a lot of other things but not in this letter….

    I got round the C.S.M for a stripe** this morning.  He’s putting me in for one as soon as possible.

    I’m putting in for leave for next week-end (the 27^th).  I think it’s pretty definite.  It had better be… There is a corporal who has just come, who hasn’t had any leave for six months, plus he lives at Wareham!*** – so I’m really quite lucky. 

        I managed to win another cross-country on Wednesday last.  There is a chap here who is junior cross-country champ of the Channel Isles & who gave me the helluva run.  He’s got a wonderful action but is too young to do wonders yet. I’m going to try to mix running and lifting after this show, with your permission…

I’m just going to have something to eat.

 

    Having had a little shandy and some sausage rolls I feel somewhat more cheerful.

    There is little or no news.  We still haven’t moved but are hoping to go, Monday next. Toni has to see some Brigadier or other, tomorrow re his commission.

    George has just rolled up.  He sends best wishes etc.           

I must close now

                                                            bye bye darling

                                                                        Dicker

 

* “a realistic, if sentimental, account of a soldier who seduces his comrade’s wife”

** promotion to lance corporal (C.S.M. = Company Sergeant Major)

*** Wareham - a town in Dorset near Poole

Dinton, sad news - 15th July 1940

 On 14^th July Churchill broadcast to the nation:

“And now it has come to us to stand alone in the breach, and face the worst that the tyrant's might and enmity can do… We are fighting by ourselves alone; but we are not fighting for ourselves alone….”

“This is no war of chieftains or of princes, of dynasties or national ambition; it is a war of peoples and of causes. There are vast numbers, not only in this Island but in every land, who will render faithful service in this war, but whose names will never be known, whose deeds will never be recorded. This is a War of the Unknown Warriors; but let all strive without failing in faith or in duty, and the dark curse of Hitler will be lifted from our age.”. 

 (Reproduced with permission of Curtis Brown Ltd, London on behalf of the Estate of Sir Winston Churchill. Copyright © Winston S. Churchill ) 

Dinton

Wilts

Monday evening

My Darling Chotie,

        Thanks for the letter which I received at lunch.

 

    I have some rather sad news. Hughes fiancée died on Saturday morning.  He was married to her 2 hours before she died.  It was the wish of both of them, and the doctors apparently thought that it would help her to recover.  She actually recovered her memory for about ten hours.  It made me feel pretty bad and also Toni, as we are rather attached to Hughes who is one of the best.

 

    I haven’t been too good lately; suffering from what I thought must have been food poisoning.  I haven’t eaten anything for a couple of days, but stuck to my usual ration of beer, and now feel much better.  I carried on as I couldn’t very well go to the M.D. so soon after starting the P.T. stunt.

 

    However, to revert to more cheerful stuff, I have seen the photos they took of us.  What do you think of them?  As usual, you come out marvellously. 

 

    I understand that Pete is coming here, putting his age on a little … (sotto voce).  I hope Brinner* can manage to do the same.  I don’t know what Ma will say however.

   

I met some really decent chaps here, from all over the place, all writing letters home…

   

However, must close now, as there is simply nothing to say now.

 

    Bye, bye, darling

 

    Dicker

PS Je t’aime encore.

 

 

* Brinner was Dick’s brother Brian, two years younger than him

  

Chotie at Fairhaven, Parkstone, 7th July 1940

  

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010. 

 

 

Dinton, a PT Instructor - 11th July 1940

 Dinton

Wilts

Thursday

My Darling Chotie,

    Have just received you letter, for which many thanks.  I am replying immediately, as usual ….

   

I started P.T. instructing this morning and hope to get a stripe soon.  Toni got one this morning, but as he’s had a lot of previous military training this is to be expected.  I went for an interview with the C.O. - quite satisfactory, apparently.  I get every afternoon off, and have been excused all parades, etc. 

The P.T. instructor is quite a decent sort of bloke.  He’s getting married in a few weeks time, poor chap.  I hope she can cook … He says he will sign a pass (week-end) for me almost anytime I like, so I think I can manage to get home on my birthday (ie about two weeks time). 

    I’m just going to have some tea now.  More later.

Having had 2 pieces of bread & jam comprising tea, I feel a little more contented.

It’s the helluva job to get anywhere to write in this camp.  I’m writing with the pad supported on my lap.  (That’s where you ought to be …)  All the camp had the afternoon off.  There was a crowd of W.A.T.S* at the gate for some time.  Most of the boys trooped down but I wrote to my little Cho-Cho instead.  I think I deserve a big kiss.  How about it?

    Hughes' fiancée has recovered quite a bit according to the doctor, but has no memory yet.  Hughes is going to see her next weekend after his brother’s wedding – hope he bungs back a bottle or two. 

I forgot to tell you that George turned up on Monday night – just after I posted your letter.  He’s getting on very well in ‘G’ Company with Hughes.  George and I won our first game of darts together on Tuesday night.  We hope this will be the first of many victories.

Give my love to Pete’s Barbara the next time you see her and tell her, I already have one Barbara, and as she’s rather a handful, I have all my work cut out to keep her under control without any more. 

 

I hope you will give my wishes to Betty** & Leslie for perfect marital bliss in the future and all possible happiness.

There’s a bloke with a wonderful voice in this tent singing “At the Balalaika***”.

        Je t’aime encore****

Bye, bye, darling,

     Dicker

PS Write soon (or needn’t I say that!)

 

* Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service

** Chotie’s eldest sister who married Leslie Hall in 1940

 

*** Song from the popular 1939 film based on Posford and Grün’s operetta ‘Balalaika’.

**** "I love you always"

 

      
 

© Chotie Darling, 2010. 

 

Dinton, third week as a soldier - 8th July 1940

From July 1940 tea and margarine were rationed. Meat had been rationed since March, bacon, butter and sugar since January and petrol since 1939 and the start of the war.

3^rd July – Britain attacked the French Fleet to prevent it falling to Germany.

 

Dick met up with Chotie again, for the first time since joining up, at the beginning of July,

probably over the weekend of 6^th and 7^th July 1940.

 

 

 

No 5731671

Pte RK Williams

‘D’ Company

6^th Bath & Dorsetshire Regt.

Dinton

Wilts

 

Monday evening

My Darling Chotie,

 I’ve written at the first opportunity after reaching camp. We only just made it – both buses being late. I haven’t seen anything of George yet.

 

Apparently, conditions have got better since Sunday. We now get up later, and we get a little more food than before.  Perhaps things will improve now.

 

 I hope you managed to get home from Bournemouth all right. I expect you know the way by now.

 

I’ll be damn glad when this show is over and everyone can settle down to civilian life as before, sailing and drinking Solder*. Here’s hoping.

 

             I’m writing this in the canteen drinking shandy.  Pause, whilst I relight my pipe.

 

 

            I’ve got some blisters on my hands through trench digging.

 

             I wonder how George will like this life. I understand he’s going to try for the pay section of the company. The pay corps certainly have a jammy time. No parades or anything like that, though I believe they work rather long hours.

            I feel terribly sorry for poor Hughes. It turns out that the Doctor was wrong and instead of pneumonia, his fiancée contracted meningitis, which is of course, almost invariably fatal. She’s been unconscious for days.

 

**Un peu en français:

 

            je peux te vois dans mes rêves, parce que je t’aime plusque la vie.

 

C’est bon, n’est-ce pas?

                                                        bye bye darling

                                                                                Dicker

 

* Solder – perhaps a reference to pewter ale tankards?

 ** “A little French: I am able to see you in my dreams because I love you more than life. That’s good, isn’t it?”

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010.

The Battle of Britain began on the 10th July 1940. German forces attacked Britain by air.

Dorset, where Chotie lived, was in the front line during the Battle of Britain with attacks aimed at military targets such as Portland and Weymouth Harbours, the Royal Naval Torpedo Works on Portland, the Naval cordite factory near Poole and Westlands Aircraft factory just over the border near Yeovil. The ports, airfields and supply dumps in the county were targets in their own right, as well as being alternatives when bombers were unable to reach their primary targets. Luftwaffe bombers from northern France, escorted by fighter planes, flew in over the coast heading for strategic cities inland such as Bristol, Liverpool and the Midlands. On their return they would drop any remaining bombs on the county before heading back across the Channel.

Spitfires from the aerodrome at Warmwell, supported by Hurricane Hawkers from Exeter and Middle Wallop near Salisbury, took to the skies above Dorset in defence of Britain. During the battle the Dorset police recorded that fifty-four British aircraft were lost in the county, with eight of them crashing into the sea. Against this total, some ninety German aircraft were shot down here - split almost evenly between bombers and their fighter escorts - thirty five of them falling into the sea.

(Compiled from information in The Keep Military Museum, Dorchester and from ‘Dorset’s War Diary - Battle of Britain to D Day’ by Rodney

Legg, Dorset Publishing Company 2004 Tel. 01963 32583 ).

Dinton first letter - 27th & 28th June 1940

  

Quidhampton

Wilts

Thursday evening

 

My darling Chotie,

 

  

Thanks a lot for the letter.  It cheered me up no end.

I also had a letter from Mother and one from Diller*, at the same time.

   

We are having a pretty strenuous time at the moment, two route marches and two sessions of P.T. every day, as well as squad drill.

 

    We have now received details of our future training in the army - we do six weeks concentrated training, at Quidhampton, to which we are returning on Saturday or Monday next.  (We are at Dinton at the moment, a small – I should say minute - village, in the heart of rural Wiltshire, situated about 10 miles from Salisbury.  There is one shop and one pub.  It’s hopelessly dull, as we have nothing to do after about 5 o’clock pm.)  After this 6 weeks we are posted to various isolated centres on guard duty, par example – aerodromes (which are the best), bridges, petrol dumps, and key positions. 

 

Our sergeant told me that this is a cushy job, with as much as forty-eight hours leave every week in some cases!  I must get posted within thirty miles of Poole, in order to be able to get home and back within the 48 hours.  The only thing to do is wait and hope as Dumas** says.

   

Please excuse this paper etc but until I can get to Salisbury its all I have.

   

 Bye, bye darling

 Dicker

(PS The food here is putrid)

 

 

I wasn’t able to post this letter yesterday and consequently have added another sheet.

 

As I stated, the food is rotten, and there is very little of it.  We get nothing whatsoever after 4.30pm every day.  There is a canteen here and half our money goes on food.  It’s criminal.  However, we are constantly reminded that there is a war on and cannot really grumble.

 

We get up about 6 in the morning and wash & shave in the open air.  We have to be in each evening by 10 o’clock, but as there is nothing to do and we are always pretty tired, we don’t particularly mind.

 

They are mad on discipline here.  Every thing has to be just so or you’re in trouble straight away.  I’d still go through it all just to get back to civilian life.  I might mention that 15 blokes deserted a couple of days ago owing to the conditions.

 

I think about you a lot, Darling.  It’s terrible not seeing you.  Were it not for the fact that we are on the go all day, I think I’d go mad. 

 

I’m going to put in for leave in about a fortnight or three weeks time.  I hope it will be successful.  I may get off on Saturday dinner time and will be at home Saturday afternoon.  I’ll have to leave again Sunday tea time.

 

We can but hope.

 

 I must close now darling

 Bye Bye

    Dicker

 

* Diller was Dick’s sister Dilys, two years older than him

 

** “Until the day when God shall deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is summed up in these two words,--'Wait and hope'.” Quotation from ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ by Alexandre Dumas.

  

© Chotie Darling, 2010.

 

On 30th June 1940 Germany began occupation of the Channel Islands.

The Guildhall, Salisbury - 23rd June 1940

 

 

Sunday 23rd June 1940

 

ENTERTAINMENT OF MEMBERS OF H.M. FORCES

ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS

THE GUILDHALL,

SALISBURY 

 

Pte RK Williams

6^th Bath & Dorset Regt.

Quidhampton

Nr Salisbury

Wilts

Darling Chotie,

 

   

     I’m writing this in the Court Room of the Guidhall Salisbury, in the Company of about 200 members of HM Forces.  At least half of these are Australians as the place is packed with them.  I left camp this morning at 9 and do not have to return until 10, this evening.  I hope to come home one of these Sundays as I appear to get Sundays off at present.  I can get a bus to Bournemouth at 9am which gets me in about 11.  I should have to leave again at 6 in the evening, so it would be a case of hail and farewell. 

 

 

I went to the morning service at the Cathedral – the choir was wonderful. 

 

 

There are hundreds of commissions in Salisbury.  I’ve thrown about 200 salutes so far without knocking my hat off.  We wear battle dress, and I managed to get myself a hot overcoat. 

 

 

In this room there are RAF blokes, Aussies, Sailors, Merchant Seamen, and every kind of soldier, but no officers of course.  They dish out envelopes and this paper quite free which explains why I’m using it…  I miss you an awful lot, Chotie, but when I see these Australians who have come thousands of miles and won’t get home for years, I feel it would be selfish to grumble.

   

You can write to the address overleaf if you wish.  Found a Captain yet…?  It is now impossible to get a commission until one is twenty*.  As far as I know it is also impossible to get a stripe.

   

                    I must close for the moment

                                                                                         love (every bit)

 

Dicker

 

 

 

PS Please give my best wishes to all the boys if you should see them and tell them to join anything but the army!

  

 

 

* Dick was eighteen when he joined up and wrote this letter.  At the time only men aged between 20 and 35 were being conscripted.

  

© Chotie Darling, 2010

 

 

25^th June 1940 – The Times reported that the Australian troops, recently arrived in England, were training keenly in ‘a lovely stretch of English countryside’.

First Letter - 22nd June 1940

 

 

Miss Barbara Chalkley

The Hollies

Commercial Rd

Parkstone, Poole,

Dorset 

Salisbury 

Saturday  

 

Darling Chotie*,

  

 

 I’m terribly sorry I haven’t been able to write before but have not had a moment to spare.  I’m trying to write on a window-sill at the Drill Hall at Salisbury, as the Sergeant has gone out.  Had a rather stiff medical, with eight doctors.  I could have kidded one, but eight was too much.  Unfortunately I passed A.1.

 

 

I left Weymouth at 2pm Friday afternoon for Salisbury.  Arrived here at 4.30 approx. and was given tea by Sergeant of the guard.  We are at present under canvas in the heart of the country about 2 miles from Salisbury.  It is only a temporary camp of about 30.  We are moving to a larger camp sometime next week.  At the moment I have no number nor address, but will let you know immediately I get one.

   

I must close now as the Sergeant is coming and try to get some stamps.

 

 Bye bye darling

  Your devoted quack-quack

 Dicker

  

 

 

* Hindustani for ‘Little One’

  

© Chotie Darling, 2010

 

22nd June 1940 was the day France fell to Nazi Germany and signed the armistice.  Broadcasting from England, in French, General de Gaulle asked all free Frenchmen

 “to continue the fight, wherever they are and by whatever means they can.”