44.9.4 Letter

Dear Mum

    The days are flying away.  Since the eventful goings on last Friday! Well it was a grand day.  I got to bed a short while before midnight.

   I forgot to tell you that I met an ATS friend of Barbara's at the dump.  I learned she lived at Birmingham.  She asked me what part of Oakengates I came from.  When I told her she asked me if I knew Barbara Powell of Walton Ave.  She had been to tea at our house after some tennis affair or some racket.  Anyhow she seemed a charming young lady.  But at the same time another young ATS character wasn't nearly so nice.  She tried to impress me of the amount of low life carried on in pubs.  I replied that she evidently knew the ropes and she sadly answered that she did.  Then the meaning dawned after which she was most uncomfortable.

   It is very near parade time so I must close. Sadly there is not a prospect of further expeditions to the dump.

   Well be sure and keep smiling.  Cheerio

  Very best of love

Charlie

23.8.44 Letter

Dear Mum

   I'm writing at the first chance, you will soon get this.  The journey back was very quick indeed.  I was seated all of the way too, that is a most unusual occurrence these days.

    I managed to buy a jar of brylcream tonight.  A strange sort of surprise from the NAAFI.  But even then the fellow behind the counter told me he had no large ones left.  Which seems very strange to me as there was clearly three large jars on display, and I told him my eyes(?) must be playing strange tricks.  However he removed one from his display most unwillingly.

   For Babs information I did not get sick as she kept reminding me I would be.  Her most expectant moments where in the milk bar, another thing I hope she enjoyed the apples.  I suppose they were all eaten at Joe Sankey's labour time  Well due to my having to get organised I must close.  Thanks for the lovely time.  I hope for further surprises.  Cheerio.

Very best of love

Charlie

1944.6.4 Letter

L/Cpl C Powell

Signals HQ boy

2nd Bn The Parachute Regiment

Army Post Office

England

Dear Mum

 

    Only a few lines to let you know how I am getting along.  We have some grand weather over Whitsun, but those last few days have turned out very dull.  Wally, my mate, is now my store-man, so we should get on very happily.

 

    The battles in Italy seem to be going strong now.  Maybe Gerry will not last very long, though I shall always look out for a desperate stand from them.

I hope you have had a good time over your little holidays.  If you got any holiday.

 

  I bet Fred was swimming most of the time.  I had a swim at some open air bath yesterday but it is not so good in fresh water as in salt water.

 

 

When my pal returns from drawing his pay we have work to do.  That meand I must finish for the time being.  So see everyone takes great care of themselves.  Don't get worrying, I am keeping fit and cheery.  So cheerio,

 

Very best of love to all

 

Charlie

1944.4.22 Letter

Dear Mum

     Please take note of the above change of address.  I have been quite busy and have not been in a position to write for some days.

    I have received the photos you sent, it seems OK, do just as you please with the rest of the.  You know, just dish them around the family.  Thank Babs very much for all the running around concerned.
I did have a little touch of a cough again but has worn off.

I am having to dash away every so often during my writing to keep an eye on some tea I'm brewing. It will be a pity if when it is finished some kind gentleman walks away with it!

The laundry(?) has just turned up after a first night.  I think I shall have to close now, it is tea time.  I pick lovely times to make myself a spare brew of tea. I hope you all keeping well. Cheerio for now

Very best of love.

Charlie

17.04.1944 Letter

Dear Mum

    I hope you are all very bright.  I should be very much brighter myself if I could retard todays date by one week that would mean I would be with you tomorrow evening.

   I had a very comfortable journey back last Friday.  Only having one long wait in which I spent at the news cinema in Birmingham.

   I think I could have got away later than I did, I have an idea it was the Sunday train timings.  I must have collected from LMS at Oakengates.  The guy at the station was in a flat spin about some train due.  From the movement carried out it must have been due in about two days ago. 

   I was very close to getting drunk at the end of my journey which was in the company of a crowd of Yanks and a large bottle of whiskey.  They tried to impress of their drinking powers, but they conked out.  But the last one who decided to pocket the remaining whiskey before he did likewise.  I had consumed rather a lot and sat still expecting to be unable to move at the end of the journey.  But it was Ok.   I enjoyed the lunch you prepared for me on the walk back from the station this end.  I must have got to bed at about 2 o clock Saturday morning.

   I am feeling very well.  Affairs carry on Ok, well I will close now before I get too deep in reflection of the short but lovely leave I had.  And get moody and home sick, there's work to be done.

   See that everyone keeps fit and smiley.  Cheerio

Very best of love

Charlie

1944.4.15 Letter

Dear Mum

    As I write tonight I am once more on guard duties.  It is Saturday night too.  I have not clicked for guard duty on a Saturday for a long time. Never mind.  It is a rotten night too.  It is raining, what upsets me about rain is the fact that maybe it will warrant wearing a great coat, you know I am fond of them things.

I received the darts from Dad yesterday morning.  They are a fine job indeed.

   I bet it was thirsty work in the Brown Lion ect between Joe and Dad that planned out the design.  They were a very nice indeed.

   Be sure and thank the nurse for kindly sending me gloves and charming note.

Well I never managed to run anyone down on my spell of motor cycle riding.  But one wall got in the way.  It was harder than me.  They were only light motor bikes and would not go very fast though I often went fast at the wrong moment. 

   Some one has been enquiring of the signal sergeant who was the madman he allowed on a motor cycle.  First off I made a flying start in a speed wobble narrowly missing everything in my path.

    I have caught a bit of a cold.  Nothing to worry about.  But that I could not run so well on the cross country run today.   We have to wear these great coats on guard duty.  I suppose it is that which caused my cold.

I must say goodnight for now.  I hope you are all well.  By the way has Fred mastered his dancing craze or is the swimming season getting close now.  It is a pity I shall not be available this summer to teach him the finer points to get him out of the splashing stage.

Well Cheerio.  Keep smiling

Very best of love

Charlie