Permalink
Transcription
COpy of letter No.19 from Sgt. Pilot W.M.Wilson to H.M.W.
Silloth,
18th. January, 1942.
Your ordinary air mail letters are catching up now - yesterday I got No.13 so that now I have got all up to 20 except 16 and 18. Now that the Clipper has stopped they are filling in the gap which would otherwise be there.
Monday 19th. I am sorry that this letter is such a long time after the last one, but even in this first half page I have stopped twice and now this is the third attempt. I am definitely going to make some progress this time.
It is now 10 a.m. and I am still in bed - it is my day off today - and for the moment at any rate I've got the hut on my own. I am writing lying down with my head on the pillow and pad beside, it is more comfy than I thought it would me, but if my writing is more unreadable than usual you'll know why. I've got my red cardigan on to keep my arm warm.
Yesterday afternoon I got another letter from you - it was No.18. I do feel pretty badly about my letters to you - there just aren't enough of them. If there was a nice quiet spot where I could go when I wanted to write I would get so many more written but there isn't. We have just the mess and the hut and they are both very rowdy. I want to write to you but it is difficult to get around to it.
This afternoon I am going into Carlisle and I have some snaps to collect. There are some of London amongst them, including some taken of the stage of the Prince of Wales Theatre. I forget whether I mentioned to you that I went to a show there with Tommy and took some snaps. The only other time I tried was on our previous - rather first - visit to London, when I took some snaps at the Palladium, but it was on slow film and now much good. This time I had fast - Super XX - film in the camera and I am rather hopeful. I'll send you what good ones there are.
I haven't get got around to telling you that yesterday I got eight letters and your cable. It was a great surprise to find such a pile there and thanks so much for your cable. It told me - as well as that you had had a letter of mine and you had sent me some - that you are at Carnarvon. I do hope that you are enjoying it and had a good trip up. I'm afraid that the trip is rather tough and very tiring but I hope it was as good as possible. Nodoubt you have Judith with you and are going to stay for some time. It will be decent for you to be with them all for a while and nice for the nips too.
Tuesday 20th. Yesterday was quite a big day. I got up in time for a bath etc. before dinner and at the mess I found four of the lads from Geraldton. I don't think I have mentioned these chaps to you before. Ted McKinnon and Alan Moyle and Col. Veal (from Northampton) and Dudley Dyson. THey had come the previous night by plane and had the day here - in fact they are still here. It was great having the day off with them.
We went into Carlisle at 2 p.m. and went from there to Gretna by bus - it is only a few miles from Carlisle - just over the border. When we left Carlisle it was snowing at bit and when we reached Gretna there was quite a bit of snow on the grown and it was coming down more heavily although it was really sleet and so rather wet.
However, when we got out of the bus it was very cold - a strong wind was blowing which made it colder - and the first thing we did was to find an eating house. Gretna is only a little village but we found a decent tearooms and had some tucker and then out into the snow and wind again.
There was a lot of snow on the ground by this time and we had a lot of fun with a running snow fight along the street. We were off to see the famous Smithy's Shop and his anvil. Its about a quarter of an hours walk from where we were and by the time we got there we were quite warm, but the Smithy's shop was shut we had to be content with a look through the window. We took some snaps and bought some postcards, and then back to the bus.
The snow was holding up traffic so the bus was late and we walked along and I found a pub on the track and had a few grogs before it came along. The rest of the boys were staying in Carlisle for the night, but I had to get back. I could have got back here in the early morning but it is 22 miles and would have been a lot of trouble, so after having some tea I caught the train home. It was a darned good day and we all enjoyed it immensely. It was our first experience of snow and we had a lot of fun in it. Also it was decent for me to meet up with them again and get all the news of the boys.
When I got back here it had been snowing very heavily and was still doing so and there was six or eight inches on the ground. The Canadians even said it was "real snow". Not as much of it as they get of course but it was a heavy fall for England, especially near the coast.
Next morning when we could see it really looked beautiful and I have taken a couple more snaps. It is still with us and snowing again today and it will probably be around for some time yet.
P.T.O.
It is very cold but we get well rugged up. At the moment I have three pairs of socks on and rubber knee boots also two pullovers. It is really very nice to see the snow and I am glad we are having some and there is no need to be cold if you look after yourself - and you may be quite sure that I do. While in Carlisle I got my last lot of snaps and there are a few good ones among them too. I am rather pleased with the theatre ones and also one I took in a fog in Regents Park, London. I'll send them.
I only got to the end of page 7 yesterday and have continued én from there today. I carry my pad around and write when I get the chance.
Tonight another lad and I are going visiting. One of the English lads here has his wife in Silloth and he has asked us to spend the evening with them. He's a good sort and I am looking forward to it.
Received 9th. April 1942.
Postcard of Gretna Green dated 23/1/42 - received 9/4/42.
Have just received your wonderful parcel, also your two cables from Carnarvon. Thank you for all the things you have sent me. It was. just a marvellous parcel. Mother's came at the same time also a cable saying "parcel received" At that rate you won't have got yours yet but I hope its not very long reaching you now.
I'll get in touch with Elizabeth Sinclair straight away. Nodoubt you will write and tell me later who she is but for the time it is enough to know that she is receiving my letters. It is a great idea as the Air Force is much too lax about mail and it is delayed a terribly long time here.
M.W.
