March 17, 1942
CTC Headquarters
Eglan Court.
7 Knyveton Rd.
Bournemouth
(Original Return Address was
Censored)
March 17, 1942
Dear Mom, Dad and All:-
On night duty again so am
knocking out a few lines as I work.
In my last letter I told you
I planned to spend Sunday with some people in [--(censored)--]. I
did so with a friend Bill Ducasse, a Canadian.
We went to 11:00 o'clock Mass
at St. Mary's a solemn pontifical High Mass and than went to see the McIlwraiths.
He is pastor of the Church of Scotland in [--(censored)--]. Rather
surprising, yes, no? They asked us who said the Mass and when we
described him, told us it was the Monsigneur. If that isn't tolerance
I've never seen it.
Their two daughters aged about
[--(censored)--] sixteen ran out to meet us, Bill having told them about
what time to expect us; and I do mean ran out, because they met us about
three or four houses down from theirs. Bill introduced me and we
went in. Mrs. McIlwraith met us inside and gave us a fine welcome
indeed. She then shoo [--(censoring on other side of this page in
the original letter destroyed this part on this page)--] stairs to the
living room with its big fireplace and easy chairs to chat with the kids
and await dinner. It was just like being home. The eldest daughter, Margaret, was acting very grown up and youngest one, Jean was asking me numerous questions about America.
The Reverend came in after
a short while and bade me a warm welcome, just as the dinner bell rang
downstair.
We went down and, after the
Reverend said Grace, started in on the first course served up by the maid,
cream of tomato soup with diced vegetables in it. This was the first
time I'd had any of it over here and the Mrs. insisted on our having a
second helping, which we didn't refuse. We then had some fine roast
beef, buttered cabbage, roast potatoes (two helpings each) and bread and
butter. Dessert consisted of custard and prunes. The cooking
was first rate and Mrs. M. reminded me of Mrs. Kroll (except for stature)
being sure we were getting enough to eat. It was sure a fine feed
and we were just like members of the family.
After dinner, we adjourned
to the living room again and read the Sunday papers and listened to the
radio. The reverend had to buzz off for an afternoon service, but
returned about three-thirty and we had quite a discussion of the war, etc.
About four o'clock a Dr. and his wife dropped in for tea and to meet us,
Bill having known them before. The "Doc" was sure a witty fellow
and quite a well-known figure in political and social circles around town,
as was the Reverend. The tea consisted of China tea (rarely used
here now because of it's price) and three different kinds of homemade cakes.
Boy oh boy! Lying around in a big easy chair or the davenport was
like being King for a day. The Doc left about five-thirty and the
reverend had to buzz off again so once more we were alone with the kids
and Mrs. M.
We fixed a midget radio they
had and listened to it after we got it fixed. Bill fell asleep on
the davenport, much to the girls' amusement, and I read some more papers.
We hadn't had any sleep the night before having worked all night.
Pretty soon the Reverend came back and just as we got discussing the latest
news the supper bell rang (about seven). Scrambled eggs, (real ones),
not powdered, toast and jam, scones, fruit cake, and American Coffee (the
last can she had, saved for just such occasions) made up the meal.
Once again we retired to the living room with the family and learned all
about what the kids were studying in school while they, like Jerry used
to, sat on footstools before the fire and did their homework. The
youngest had been out two days of the past week and had to have a written
excuse, the importance of which she was trying to impress on her mother.
After they got their homework done they got out their autograph books for
us to sign and the youngest was showing me her stamp collection and movie
star photographs, etc. just as though I were her brother. She also
does a bit of sketching, like Jerry, and drew a picture of her sister as
she sat before the fire. The evening passed very quickly in this
fashion and when it was time for us to leave to catch our bus, the reverend
walked to the street car with us to give their touseled Scotty dog an airing.
They bade us return again soon and we made a date to take Mrs. M. and the
kids to the movies the following Saturday afternoon. They also told
us they had a spare bedroom and anytime we wanted to stay in town overnight
to give them a ring and all would be ready for us. We got downtown
and caught the 10:30 bus back to camp tired, but feeling very well satisfied
with the world with our bellies full. The generosity and hospitality
of the people over here is practically unbelievable and really indescribable.
I'm certainly glad I came.
I was off last evening, Monday,
so I took one of the WAAF's on the station here to the "flicks" as they
call them here. We had tea at the theater cafe and then saw Nelson
Eddy in the "Chocolate Soldier". We both liked it, the singing was
very good. The girl, I suppose you're all curious, is a Lancashire
lass about Rosemary's size (and age, incidentally) with flaming red hair.
She happened to be on the watch with me so I asked her to go along.
It's nothing serious I assure you, I only met her the day or so before
and she's too young at any rate. There are some very attractive girls
on the camp among the thirty or forty here, but I'll take an American gal,
anytime, in preference.
Well, so long for now and don't forget to write, all
of you.
By the way, increase the waist
about an inch on those pajamas if you haven't already sent them.
Cheerio.
Bob