Letter from Jack Darby to his Wife

Letter from Jack Darby to his Wife

He thanks her for her letter. They were on their way to Italy but turned back due to equipment failure. His pilot Jack has been posted to an Instructors course. They are having a squadron disbanding party with 12 barrels of beer. He misses his wife.

1945-08-14

Two double sided handwritten sheets and envelope

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EDarbyCAHDarbyJ450814

[postmark] [postage stamp]

[inserted] 14-8-45 [/inserted]

Mrs Darby
7 Queens Drive
Surbiton
Surrey

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Tel. No. [deleted] Wickhambrook 259 [/deleted]

Officers' Mess,
R.A.F. Station,
[deleted] Stradishall, [/deleted]
Nr. Newmarket,
Suffolk.

Tuesday.

My darling

Thanks for your last letter which reached me Monday morning. as you will probably realize we did’nt go to Italy after all.

We got up at 4AM and after briefing went out to the aircraft, one of the compasses was u/s but we decided to go, however once we got airborne the other compass was’nt too good, a [sic] electric generator failed and Jack decided to turn back, it was misty and we had a devil of a job to land, however we managed it O.K. They gave

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us another aircraft but flying control would not let us take off, so we've had our trip to Italy as the squadron disbands tomorrow.

Yesterday afternoon we had another shock, Jack has been posted on his own on a Flying Instructors Course much to his disgust so last night we all went out on the beer, as I mentioned Ginger has got his commission and had a nice new hat, – well it was when we started but like all new hats it had to be initiated, after much scheming we got the hat away from him and filled it with beer, now Ginger smells like a walking brewery. Tonight the squadron has its breaking up party (in more ways than one)

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and I see there are twelve barrels for consumption so its [sic] looks like another party.

As I'm writing this Jack has just come in and said that they want him at another station for a court of inquiry so that if he hangs the job out he may be able to miss the course. Regarding the rest, its rumoured we are being posted to Burn, Lincolnshire, a redundancy centre so its [sic] looks as though my leave will be further postponed.

I'm glad the furniture has been sold

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how much more odds and ends are there to be sold? It makes me swear to know that I've done nothing for the days here when I could have been busy at home, thats not the only thing, I miss you more and more every day. I want to hear that contented rumble you make when we are together, I can't describe it any other way but you know what I mean.

I think Gordon's idea of a [deleted word] husbands union is wizard, I'll join immediately!

Well darling thats about all for the moment, will let you know what is happening as soon as possible.

Give my love to Mother & Dad, take care of yourself darling

All my love

Jack.