To Jessie from Harry Redgrave

To Jessie from Harry Redgrave

Letter from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie. He writes about drilling, being issued with kit and the possibility of a short weekend's leave.

Four handwritten sheets

This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.

ERedgraveHCRedgraveJM[Date]-050001,
ERedgraveHCRedgraveJM[Date]-050002,
ERedgraveHCRedgraveJM[Date]-050003,
ERedgraveHCRedgraveJM[Date]-050004

Bexhill on Sea
Thurs Evening
Dear Jessie,
Was very happy to have your letter this morning and to hear of those little homely incidents which I miss so much here. Please write as often as you can, it doesn’t matter how trivial little things seem to you at home but they do help to [deleted] me [/deleted] keep me in touch with things and not too feel so far away.
Well dear you wont [sic] know me when I come home. They intend to make Guardsmen of us here. We march along swinging our arms and I think we look very smart. Discipline is very hot here and there are all sorts of regulations coming along each day. Hats have to worn walking about the building and always one has to be in full dress with all buttons done up and boots on and if greatcoat is worn one must have gloves on. We have to be in by 10.15 PM and lights are out by 10.30. I find that to Parade correctly by 8.45 I have to clean my boots and buttons overnight.
[page break]
[inserted] 2 [/inserted]
As I told Mum yesterday we had two inoculations and a vaccination yesterday morning and by last night was feeling pretty bad I am glad to say that it is working off now. Otherwise I am feeling quite fit You’l [sic] have some strong man by the time I’m finished here.
There are about 500 of us and the place is all stairs and corridors and we all walk about with shoulders back and heads erect. It realy [sic] is fine thing for any man but one misses the ability to come and go as one pleases. Three places around here are out of bounds these are frequented by officers and we cannot go more than five miles away without a pass. Hastings is just within bounds though we have not been there yet. I intended going to the pictures last night and when we decided we felt too qued [sic] said we would go tonight but that did not come off as I had to collect some kit. That included pullover, scarf, three pairs of socks, holdall, housewife ante gas oilskins, shaving brush, button stick, plimsolls and two towels. We shall try tomorrow night.
Leave here is arranged for one long weekend
[page break]
[inserted] 3 [/inserted]
a month and one short one. The long one is from Friday after 4.30 P.M until Monday noon which would give us two full days together. O Boy how I am looking forward to that. The short weekend is from Noon Saturday until Midnight Sunday and does not seem to give us long enough together to justify the expense, it will cost 12/- to get home. As that is so I have got hold of a short week end pass to use so that three of us can go to Brighton for the day on Sunday. Dick and Mountstephen have got long end passes but I did not apply for the one as I was afraid it might clash with Xmas leave and I do not want to miss that.
You say it rained a lot at Southend well we have had rain every day and it has blown like hell the whole time. The spray from the heavy seas tarnishes old buttons in no time. We get up at 6.30 and do have to make our own beds and clean our sink and on Sat I think we have to scrub our room. Pamela was certainly right thinking I was at work. Was sorry to hear Pat and Joyce were not so well and hope they soon be right Us five from 0.5 were given one room but found it was
[page break]
[inserted] 4 [/inserted]
only for four so we cut the cards and of course I lost so I am in a different room though with nice fellows. This coursed [sic] me to be transferred to D Flight but I am trying to get back to B. For heavens [sic] sake don’t let anybody send a letter here addressed to Mr Redgrave as we have had it impressed on us that we are no longer Misters but 743047 L.A.C. Redgrave H.C. We get to bed pretty early last night it was quarter to ten and its nice to think you think of me under our eiderdown
I must tell you about Bexhill in another letter as I shant [sic] be able to get this in the envelope and don’t think how your letter took as long as I get them often. Give my love to all, and for yourself and Pamela my fondest love and Darling you don’t know how I miss you and I realise now more than ever how sweet you’ve always been
Ever your loving husband
Harry
P.S Am enclosing your 10/-