To Jessie from Harry Redgrave

To Jessie from Harry Redgrave

A three-page letter and envelope from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie. He describes the antics of his fellow airman on New Year’s Eve. He is about to be sent to Scotland, so wants to arrange to see Jessie before he goes.

Reverse of envelope has been used for money calculations.

1940-01-02

Three handwritten sheets and envelope

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BEXHILL-ON-SEA
SUSSEX
2 JAN 1940

[postage stamp]

Mrs H. C. Redgrave
“Redwood” [inserted] 43 [/inserted]
Oaken Grange Drive
Prittlewell
Essex

[Page Break]

[Expenses for groceries]

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[RAF Crest]

Room 124
No 4 1.T.W.
Sachville Hotel
Tues. 2 – 1 – 40

My Darling Jessie,

Have just received your letter of Sat-Sunday You old sprucer [sic]. I’m sorry hear [sic] you felt so queer I suppose the cold weather made your tummy ache more than usual. I went and saw Ruggles of Red Group on Saturday and had a jolly good laugh. With it was William Boyd in a western film which was also quite good and the two made the best programme I have seen in Bexhill. On Sunday night there was a terrific clutter at midnight all the chaps coming out of their rooms and singing Auld Lang Syne and throwing dustbins downstairs and all through the night there were ragging parties going round pulling chaps out of bed and generally pulling chaps out of bed and generally fooling around. The next morning we got [deleted] let [/deleted] lectured by e W.O. and warned that we have got to

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[RAF Crest]

behave ourselves from now on and were threatened with all sorts of punishments. During the morning they gave us two periods of P.T. [physical training] and stopped our break just to break us down. The Squadron W.O. [Warrant Officer] is properly on the war path this week and comes round watching us at drill and our Corporal told us that the instructors have been told to “sit on us”.

I’m sorry to tell you I shall not be home this week- end and I think I’m going to Scotland on the 15th. By next Tuesday I hope to know whether I shall get a pass and if so if whether I can use it as the A Flight boys went on the Saturday to get to Scotland on the Monday. I am not sure if we go on the 15th a Monday or have to get here on the Monday. Its [sic] rather difficult to explain but it boils down to the fact that I may not be home again before I go and darling I must see you before I leave. The idea buzzing round my head is for you to come to Bexhill for a couple of days towards the end of next week. I dont [sic] think it is advisible [sic] to bring Pam though I would love to see her but I think you would

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find it rather difficult. I would cost about £3. How are fixed for cash. I could help you out for most of it but I am not paid until the 12TH. If we go on the Saturday I suggest you come on Thursday and I can fix it rot two nights sleeping out. Just let me know if you can arrange to leave Pam and get down here and I would send you a wire to come. Still all this might not happen and I [deleted] shall [/deleted] [inserted] may [/inserted] be home Sat. week for a short leave. Well dear I’ve got to pack up now to catch the post. Give my love to Joyce Mum Pam and Gwen.

from your longing to see you

Harry xxxx