Letter from Geoffrey Beckett to his father

Letter from Geoffrey Beckett to his father

Writes of his training and applying for possible upcoming leave. Mentions father will have to write to commanding officer. Speculates over his next posting, possibly to Cranwell. Mentions plans to meet up with his brother Ted and other family in the future. Catches up with family news and gossip. Concludes with his evening plans. Postscript - comments on money he had saved.

Four page handwritten letter

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SBeckettG622136v10007

[inserted] [underlined] I suppose my civilian clothes etc. got back by rail?[/underlined] [/inserted]

[Royal Air Force crest]

No. 622136. A.C.2.
“B” Flight G. Beckett.
Squad 8. Room 2.
Ypres Block.
R.A.F. Uxbridge
Middlesex.
Nov. 13th.

Dear Daddy.

Well I’m still alive and kicking as you will see, though I doubt if I shall be when I get home. We have nearly finished our fatigues and perhaps we shall be able to get some sleep now.

We shall in all probability get anything from 14 – 28 days leave. It is I who have to apply for it and as far as know there will be no need for you or Mom to [deleted] apply [/deleted] write to Group Captain Budgen, the Commanding Officer of this Depot. I have not seen the corporal, but as we all want to know about [deleted] I [/deleted] we will all ask him together. We are not certain that Cranwell will be our next station, but this only owing to rumours. I myself feel certain

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that it will be Cranwell.

I hope to see Ted next weekend. If I can leave here about 12.20 noon I could catch a train from Liverpool St. at 1.30 getting into Clacton 3.15. I should return Sunday night about [deleted] 10 [/deleted] 8.0 p.m. and get [underlined] “home” [/underlined] about 11 p.m. we is o.k. because I’m allowed to stay out till 1 a.m. Monday. Enclosed is a letter from Bert Brown. I hope to see them on Sunday week. Only 26 more days Pop! If I get to Cranwell, I hope to be able to get a week end pas [sic] & then I could see you all a few days before we get our actual leave. The photo’s tell Mom please will not be ready till to-morrow night. Have written to Gris the Swine to-day. Fetch me home in the car Pop. Get one now Daddy, because you can afford now there’s no one to [deleted] look [/deleted] [inserted] keep [/inserted] now

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except Jean, and you’ve always wanted her to be at home. Though I can’t find Mom’s letter, I think she said something about Jean getting a months trial on a job in (Cheltenham)? There’s a chap in our room from Cheltenham. How is Barbara getting on I wonder? Hope she’ll like it. The shops are beginning to get Christmas things in them here. Well I’ll close now and though its only about 7 p.m. I’ll have a bath & get to bed. Please give my best wishes to Ma Shippo and tell her all her toffee has gone and was much appreciated by all. I must get weighed & see [inserted] what [/inserted] my weight is. That lad from Chetenham [sic] has gained 1 stone in 6 weeks. Well again goodbye Pop. [symbol] [inserted] Including Charlie Turner [/inserted] [underlined] Love [/underlined] to all – Geoff. P.T.O.

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Have saved 32/-. That includes 10/- from this weeks wages.

I shall have enough to get to Clacton with 10/- from this weeks wages which I shall [underlined] not [/underlined] put in my Home Safe, & 12/- from next Friday’s wages.

Thanks for the Observer.