Letter to L V Rosser from Dave Smith

Letter to L V Rosser from Dave Smith

Writes from RAF Stoney Cross. Starts with banter over letters and states that he suspects he was experiencing all the joys of being on an operational squadron. Catches up with news of colleagues and writes of his own activities. Suggests they might meet up depending on leave,

1945-03-05

Four page handwritten letter and envelope

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ESmithDCRosserLV450305

[postmark]

P/O L. V. Rosser,
[inserted] Officers Mess, {/inserted]
[deleted] 30 Oatlands Rd, [/deleted]
[inserted] R.A.F. Station, [/inserted]
[deleted] Oxford. [/deleted]
[inserted] Witchford, [/inserted]
[inserted] Ely, [/inserted]
[inserted] Cambs. [/inserted]

[inserted] Dave Smith [/inserted]

[page break]

R.A.F. Stoney Cross,
Southampton.
5 March 1945

Dear Joe,

I was pleased to receive your last letter dated Feb 10, and to learn that you are still alive and well. What has come over you writing two letters so close together? Are your piles spoiling your sleep? I expect you will be experiencing all the joys of life on an operational squadron by now. You can't imagine how much I envy you.

I had a letter from Red a few days ago.

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He is still at Witchford but has got his commission and is already F/O. I would like to see you both again if you would condescend to meet a mere W/O.

Ron Biggs, an F/O nav. who came down from Chippy with us, met Bob Grant the other day up at Bramcote near Coventry. He was doing a Transport O.T.U. course & Speedy Swift & French were with him. I don't know whether you know that Johnny Riley got the D.F.M. for what he did when he had to bale out over Germany. Jolly good effort.

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I am still doing sweet F.A and am pretty cheesed off. All I do is to go over to H.Q. once a week to see if they have any gen for me, and draw my pay once a fortnight. Oh yes, I have also been on three sick parades at weekly intervals at which I have had eight jabs and a vaccination so I must be a walking germ factory.

By the way, Joe, if you can get leave in the near future, and if Scottie can spare you for a few hours, I might be able to meet you in London. Perhaps we could get Red

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to come down & then we could have a real boozy re-union.

What do you mean by the P.S. in your letter – "why burn the Mess at Edgehill"? I think it is. Please explain.

Please give Scottie my kind regards.

Well, Joe, I'll say cheerio for the time being and all the best.

Your old pal,

Dave.