Letter from Geoffrey Beckett to his mother

Letter from Geoffrey Beckett to his mother

Writes of lack of letters from home and that their station had been bombed and machine gunned over the last three nights. describes his duties and activities as well as damage to the station and casualties over the three nights. Suggests that they could stick it as long as the Germans could give it. Asks if Nottingham was badly hit and mentioned that their fighters had been successful. Catches up with family news and gossip. Comments again on damage to the station and speculates on the future activities.

1941-05-10

Six page handwritten letter

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SBeckettG622136v10027

Excuse dirty cover of book. Its new though!!!

R.a.F. Wittering.
May 10th 1941.

My dear Mother,

Thank you for the letter which came one day last week (this week rather). Earlier on this week I had begun to wonder if I should ever see any of you again as for the last 3 nights we have been bombed and machine-gunned. However, when not on duty at nights now I go over to a wireless [deleted letter] hut across the fields and sleep between blankets across there.

[page break]

The first night ([deleted] Tuesd [/deleted] Wed.) I was on duty at at [sic] 1.30 am.
"whoof" about 6 times & rat-tat-tat. I nipped out to what was what & shoved out the only incendiary burning, & helped to douse a H. Explosive on the parade ground. However he had hit one of the blocks, the one next to ours, & 5 blokes were killed in bed.

Then the next night I came off at 11 pm. & at 12.45 am was wakened by "whoof" again. I automatically slid out of bed and under. Then under

[page break]

the stairs, back to bed; 2nd attack came! Under the bed with blankets & all on top – rat-tat-tat- and our gunners opened up & got him. After that with bombs falling in the distance 3 of us took our blankets etc. down into a shelter (3 am) & slept there till 6.30. Duty at 8 am. till 5 pm. Pictures then 5 – 11 pm. (last night) & then slept up across the fields. He bombed up Again last night, no one Killed & no damage hardly. Putrid bombing. Its about time

[page break]

someone covered that moon up! On at 8. am. till 2.30 pm – then on at 5 – 11 & 8 am tomorrow (Sunday.) We have to work like heck with all the bombing, but even so our pilots are having a very successful time at night. We can stick as long as he can give it!! Was Nottm. [Nottingham] hardly hit? Boots – Lace factory I believe? Our chaps fetched 2 down near Derby the Same night. Hope they did not fall at Chaddesden.

How is Pop these days? I will

[page break]

come over when I can get, also must visit Jean. Letter from her & Cousin Margaret!!

Hope Jim, Bab. & Bruce were O.K. in Merseyside. All the Becketts have just about had a taste I think now. We just lay in bed the first night waiting to be blown to atoms. The windows & all came in plaster etc. This camp is beginning to look as though someone has been having a bally good time heaving bricks about!! Big bricks ‘an ‘all! After Sunday though

[page break]

we shall be able to sleep well – we hope. Everybody volunteers for night duties now as we work under 10 feet of concrete underground. Before everybody was trying to get off duty at night. The top stories of these blocks are deserted at night. Our room is on the top story & only one bloke slept in last night & [deleted letter] he had to.

Well cheerio for now.

Many Happy Returns Mother for the 14th.
(Don't bother replying)

Your Loving Son – Geoff