R.A.O.C.
Same as usual
22nd March 1945
My own darling Janie,
I haven’t a letter to reply to so I’ll just have to shoot a line of my own.
Yesterday we had some fun and excitement. Just before we started off to football it looked like rain. After we had been playing for a few minutes there was a thunderstorm and it was raining in torrents. We were all soaked to the skin but kept playing. It was great fun as it was so difficult to stand up when running let alone kicking and turning corners was quite out of the question. Of course it was an Inter-Section game and a great time was had by all and the game almost stopped for laughing.
The thrill was going home after the game. The road was more slippery than the pitch. We had to drive half a mile up the road to turn around, crawling along the road, going into the ditch. Then we came to an embankment just wide enough to take the vehicle. It went right to the edge and the wheel was crumbling it away. If the driver stopped or accelerated he would have overturned (it was deep). If all the men had been on board it would have fallen in. We were dead lucky.
Well, my darling, I started this letter two nights ago and then wasn’t able to continue last night. Are you ready? I’ve had a letter from a friend of mine who deals with repatriation at a certain important Head Office. He said my name is in the next bunch and that it would be through officially in a few days’ time. Now please remember, this is unofficial. Perhaps I shouldn’t have told you but I just couldn’t keep it to myself. So sweetheart, in plain English, I’m now expecting my repatriation to come through at any time. How much time elapses from notification to embarkation and disembarkation I haven’t the slightest idea. I should imagine that it varies tremendously. But as I get more accurate ideas I shall let you know. For security reasons I shall refer to possible date of disembarkation as FINISH. So I’ll hope to finish at such and such a time.
I’ve been to the Officers’s Shop today in order to get a good stock of socks, towels and sheets. I’ve got another pair of shoes and very nice ones they are too. I shall dispose of anything that is in slightly doubtful condition.
Well, my darling, I will close this and try and write again tomorrow.
All my love is yours my darling and perhaps our dreams ate coming true.
God bless you both and take care my loves.
Your very own,
Johnnie xxx
Wednesday 21st March 1945
The Austin 4 by 2 comes in for overhaul. Major Cox says we are taking all transport and that Sunday is zero hour, after which we must ready to move.
I request that I may be in charge of the vehicle train.
Tuesday 20th March 1945
Advance party with Jeff Clarkson leaves.
I have Regents, Jeeps and 3-tonners made over to me. I let them keep the Jeeps and request the others for vetting.
Sunday 18th March 1945
And now it’s to be Poonah. Definitely? Some question of taking transport. I don’t get all this talking, tonnage, guns, car. There is a race meeting at Imphal and most of the boys attend. A day of thunder storms.
Saturday 17th March 1945
Preliminary trials of Humber No.1 satisfactory.
Our first soccer team play one of the best games ever.
War news at this time March 9th saw US firebombs hit a number of cities in Japan, including Tokyo. On March 1th Nagoya in Japan was firebombed by hundreds of B-29s. On the 15th V-2 rockets continued to hit England and Belgium.
In this letter Maurice was John’s younger brother. At the time of writing, his wife Grace had recently died of Diabetes.
Mr.Palmer was the optician who covered for John while John was away in the army.
45 King George Road
Minehead
17th March 1945
My darling John,
Thank you darling for all your cheerful letters. They are a tonic I assure you.
Maurice came down last Tuesday and left here this morning by the 9.10 train. I went and saw him off on my bike.
I think he enjoyed himself. I did my best to make him at home anyway. Joyce and John Pickford were staying down here at the Sundown Hotel so they were around a bit. Russell went to the flicks with Maurice and the Pickfords on Wednesday evening, Then on Thursday morning Maurice, Russell and I had a coffee in Newcombes and in the afternoon Maurice and I went to Dunster and walked up the Sugar Loaf and Grabbist, down Alcombe Combe and had to rush to meet Anthony from school. We thoroughly enjoyed the walk though. Then in the evening Joyce and John came over. On Friday after taking Anthony to school, Maurice and I caught the 9.10 train to Taunton and went up to Taunton School to join him and you as Old Boys.
Taunton School, Taunton
Maurice had a talk to one or two of the masters, nice-looking Mr.French (I like him) and Mr.Williams. it was very funny, they all seemed to think I was Maurice’s wife!! Mr.Williams said “You have chosen a very pretty wife with the very pretty name of Winifred) By the way I paid for Maurice’s membership as well as he is very short of money. I told him to pay you just when he likes. I hope I did the right thing. They are sending the Old Boys’ magazines to you direct. I explained we had a small boy hoping to come to the school one day. They were very interested and badly wanted him when he is seven years old but I would not agree. By the way there is a three year waiting list to get in there so Mr.Williams suggests you don’t waste too much time before putting his name down. I watched a little boy of ten working in the carpentry shop and all I could see was my Anthony there. You know John it will be a terrible wrench for me to part with him and have him there and I shall worry terribly about him. I am not looking forward to to one bit. They have six new tennis courts. The headmaster is leaving next term.
Russell has been busy teaching Maurice dancing.
Maurice Askew, John’s younger brother
Whenever Maurice and I were alone we talked about Grace. I let him talk. He told me he goes out now and then with one of the WAAF’s as it gives him a feeling of relaxation to do so but that anyone else compares badly to Grace and that he would have to go a long way to finds someone who compared favourably with her. I pointed out that was because he was not looking in the same place as where he found Grace. I meant in a church somewhere or something like that and that set him thinking and he finally agreed that I was right. So darling I don;t really think that you and Girlie have any need to worry about Maurice on that score. I tried to warn him against grabbing the first girl who sympathises. He knew what I meant. You know it is veto strange how people just seem to like to confide in me. Why, I don’t know, but they do. I leant Maurice your overcoat while he was here. I hope you approve. He said he is going to save his leave now until you come home and then he would like to spend it down here with you and me.
Oh by the way, Russell has passed his exam. Isn’t that grand? So he is not going to join up as a regular. He hopes to get in the Navy as a midshipman.
Jack Ridler arrived home on Friday from three years in India. Also the husband of that blonde who works in Ridlers and has also been in India for three years.
Did I tell you that Mr.Palmer had got a job in Taunton, to spend half his time in Taunton and half at the Sidmouth branch but he can’t find rooms in Taunton yet.
Maurice tells me (in confidence) that Girlie is trying to start a family but she is not quite sure herself yet as it is very early days yet.
Well, it is Sunday 6.30pm and I must soon put Anthony to bed, I have tons to do before you come home, all the house is re-decorated now, except the bathroom.
You know I simply can’t realise that you will most probably be coming home fairly soon. I shall really have to start in earnest and get my outfit sorted out otherwise I shall have nothing to wear and you would hate that wouldn’t you? Oh John darling I do love you so much and I am so glad you have agreed about postponing my back treatment for a while. You know, I was terrible afraid you would not agree.
Having Maurice down here, he is very like you now in his ways etc. I realised it with a jolt how like you he is and it upset my equilibrium somewhat.
Maurice tried to curb Anthony once or twice, especially sucking his fingers and holding his shawl. This upset Anthony and me terribly because Anthony came sobbing to me and I did not know what to do. Oh darling I do beg of you once again to go easy, very easy, on the disciplining of Anthony. I am afraid Maurice did more harm than good. But what worries me is that Maurice did as I know you will do. I do so want Anthony not to be afraid of you.
So some of your men are coming home? I wonder when you will come, if you yourself have any idea. Then I start thinking of where and how we shall meet each other. I shall be terribly nervous John and probably talk a lot of nonsense and as I sit here and imagine you taking me in your arms and kissing me. Well, I realise how badly I want and need you my love. Russell says I’m so nervy and makes allowances for all my shortcomings.
Oh, Joyce’s baby is expected end of June I think. She does not show at all because I think she’s always fattish. She seems very calm. I only hope I shall be as calm when I am that way again. I often think that if I had had another baby soon after Anthony I should not have worried. It’s getting on for six years now since Anthony was born.
Well, I really must stop and get Anthony to bed as it’s seven o’clock. He is making an awful mess playing some game.
By the way, why not send Mrs.Jones some tea? Her address is 88, Girton Avenue, Queensway, London NW9. Also, what about the Briggs? 146 Ainsworth Road, Bury, Lancs.
Elsie is going to live at Cincinnati after the war and wants us to go and see her. She is now Mrs. Schurmer.
Freda’s bull terrier died last wee from an epidemic that was going around dogs in town.
We are busy in the garden these days sowing seeds, digging etc. Although actually Russell is doing all of it.
Well, sweet, I must stop as Anthony seems precariously near breaking the window in his game.
All my love sweetheart is yours. God bless you and bring you home soon.
Ever your loving wife,
Janie xxxx
PS I have arranged with my mother for you to meet Anthony. Mother won’t “know” you. Oh John, I wonder what your first reaction will be when you see him. Remember, you will have to find Mother first otherwise you won’t know if it is Anthony or not. Can’t I join Mother and Anthony and “not notice” you joining us a bit later? I do so want to watch Anthony and you together. Bless both of you. I love you both terribly.
PPS All being well, if Russell is still here, we are going to a Grand Ball at the Regal on April 4th. I shall probably wear my green velvet evening frock. Russell hates going yo dances without me as I am the only one who can dance his intricate steps!! I have asked Mother if she can come down and look after Anthony.
Same as usual
16th March 1945
My Darling Janie,
Thank you for your letter dated 8th March.
We have another officer staying with us at the moment. He’s on a course. He’s a very nice little man indeed and is keen as mustard. He’s a school master in civvy life and so is able to take things in quickly. Moreover, he’s just done an Infantry course and is very useful for instructing my chaps in their usual training. With he and Tom Moffatt get about a letter a day from their wives. Sweetheart, that isn’t a nasty hint. The wives just haven’t got anything else to do. No, I’m getting one each week from you and that’s grand. I’m now in the happy state of having practically done my time (I hope). In any case, I think I have, which is the same thing from a “hope” point of view and so I say to myself (hopefully) “Well, any time now” and it’s a grand feeling and anyone I speak to, should say “Oh, of course,, you’ll be going any time.” (Unless they say “Oh, you specialists don’t stand a chance.” But in any case they look at me with envy and I feel a hell of a veteran, and that’s a nice feeling as well.
For nearly two years I was being overpaid on basic pay and underpaid in allowances and as a result was sightly in my favour, I kept mum (bad type, this husband of yours darling). Anyway, it has now all come to light and so I owe the authorities 760 Rupees, about £60 so I shan’t get any pay for three months, starting from March. It’s too much to expect to leave India before I’m paid up. Of course nothing happens to your money. Say, I suppose that it is coming in regularly? Or hadn’t you noticed? If not, check it. I’d sooner make corrections at this end an not the other. 400 Rupees a month (about £30) since August 1942. Try and remember to answer this as my last two monetary queries have met with the usual nil response.
I played in an Inter-Section football game on Thursday and instead of feeling damaged I felt better after the game than before. What with new chaps (footballers) coming into the section I’ve lost my place in the team, wguch of course I expected.
I can see that our little man needs sunshine and days on the beach. That would put him right I’m sure. Children need the sunshine more than adults. By the way I’ve had very little catarrh since I’ve been overseas. Of course it always follows a chill in the head as it used to but without any effort on my part goes off. What I used to do at home was to draw a normal saline solution (one teaspoon of salt to a pint of water) up my nose, and also gargle the solution. See if you can get Anthony to do this. It’s very simple after a bit but the first once or twice was lousy but there’s no doubt it cured it.
Don’t be too hard on Diana sweetheart. She does work in an office from 8am to 5pm and there again there is a very great shortage of women for the dances and so on that are held in the various army establishments. Why, even Nathalie feels duty bound to go out twice a week to such affairs. However, let’s leave it at that.
Diana Franklin, daughter of local tea plantation owner, and friend of John’s
I do hope that you also enjoy Maurice’s stay my love. I’m sure he will.
Maurice Askew, John’s younger brother, who had recently been widowed.
It’s very interesting to know that you are re decorating the homestead for my benefit. To be sure it is going to be very strange for me to have a house and garden of our own and you can’t guess how much I’m looking forward to it. I’m wondering how I shall take to gardening. Being a normal sort of chap I think I shall like it, but we shall have to indulge in original layouts. I want trees and flowering shrubs and nice grass with just odd beds of flowers so that good maintenance doesn’t take too much time.
Just imagine Russell is getting forty five shillings fir just a part-time job, about the same as my lower paid chaps for campaigning overseas.
Russell Barker, Janie’s younger brother
You know lots of young chaps are earning wages that make Russell’s look like petty cash. He is going to get a shock when he is called up. Must be rotten for Russell waiting so long for hs results. But it’s good for you, my sweet.
Well, that is all for now my sweetheart. Not too long now and before you know it I’Il back with you.
All my love is yours sweetheart and our little boy’s.
Take care and your one and only will be along to show you he’s your one and only,
Johnnie xxx
Friday 16th March 1945
Bring the engine home. We straighten an Aero towing bar for RAF. I’ll have to pack in manufacture and do repairs for all and sundry, the number of vehicles is shocking.
Thursday 15th March 1945
Spent most of the day collecting a good Humber engine tor the other and providing the big-ends are ok all will be well as I have all the other parts necessary.
Wednesday 14th March 1945
We had a free-for-all Intersection soccer match and, boy, what fun. This continual rifle range practice is having its effect and there is a marked improvement in the shooting.