To Jessie from Harry Redgrave

To Jessie from Harry Redgrave

A two-page letter from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie. He has just been posted and describes his 13-hour rail trip from London to Prestwick. He has found that the accommodation and food are good. Harry is on a 16-week observer course followed by an 8-week armament course.

1940-01-15

Two handwritten sheets

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ERedgraveHCRedgraveJM400115-0001,
ERedgraveHCRedgraveJM400115-0002

[RAF Crest]

[inserted]

Address letters to me
L.A.C. Redgrave H.C.
c/o Mrs Anderson
Red Braes
Monkton
Prestwick
Ayrshire

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Red Braes
Monkton
Prestwick
Ayrshire
15.1.40

My darling Jessie,

What an awful business this parting is. Im [sic] still feeling blue from leaving you yesterday and at the time felt really upset. From half past one yesterday until now has been absolutely ghastly. To start with I had to hang about for two hours before joining the draft at Euston and then we went round to St. Pancras and messed about until 9.30 when the train started. The sixty of us were given one carriage which normally seated 48 and had to have our kit in with us. You can imagine we were pretty crowded but for all that managed to get a bit of sleep. I think we toured half England and eventually reached Prestwick at 10.30 A.M. this morning. During the thirteen hours run from London all we could get was some tea at Carlisle and at the station here we had to wait about until we were told of our billets and the motor coach could take us. We

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ultimately settled down here at noon about twenty four hours after leaving you. I think we have been very fortunate in our digs. Seven of us are in a country house of some local big wig and are in rooms with two single beds each with sheets and eiderdowns. Oh boy what a luxury I dont [sic] know how we shall get up in the mornings. It is about ten minutes from the flying field and we parade at 8. A.M.

At one o’clock we went over to the drome [sic] for dinner and started duty at two. We finished at five and came back to a marvellous tea at Red Braes. Fried egg chips and two pork sausages and brown and white bread various jams butter and scones and two large cakes. It looked like a banquet set for we seven in our own dining room and with maids to attend to us. I think there are four maids and one is just bringing [deleted] in [/deleted] our evening cocoa . Who wouldnt [sic]be in R.A.F. sitting in the lap of luxury and getting paid for it. As far as the Observer School is concerned it seems as if we have got some very hard work ahead and [deleted] our [/deleted] on it depends whether I become an Observer or not. The course here lasts 16 weeks after which we do an 8 weeks armament course so heavens knows when I shall be home again and I feel so far away. Well dear I feel so tired so good night darling and love to you all

From your loving husband

Harry xxxx