Letter to Jean Welland from Jack Darby

Letter to Jean Welland from Jack Darby

He thanks he for her letter. He works seven days a week and has completed his first week with 21 to go. He describes his busy life without time off.

1943-08-15

One double sided handwritten air letter

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EDarbyCAHWellandJ430815-0001, EDarbyCAHWellandJ430815-0002

No.28. 15/8/43.

Dear Jean,

Thanks so much for letter 24 which was forwarded from Moncton. Well, we’ve finished one week of our course here, only another 21 to go, then perhaps we shall head east to Moncton and then on that boat. I believe I mentioned we work a 7 day week here, no time off at all, not even an hour extra in bed Sunday morning, we had three hours [deleted] this [/deleted] P.T. this morning before Church parade, needless to say after all this extremely hard work we all went to sleep during the sermon, really the padre had one of those nice soothing voices, he missed his vocation, ought to have been a night nurse. For the afternoon we had four one-hour lectures, then it was suggested that we worked tonight of course I won’t say what I said but it is scarcely polite. Can tell you this course is really shaking me rigid. These Canadians work on the principle, – if we did have any spare time we might get into mischief, you know, we may go and hold the stage coach up or rustle some cattle. Regarding the course, we are getting all the theoretical side of bombing and gunnery done, this is the most finding part as certain formulae must be learnt. Have just reviewed my snaps I took at Waterton, they’re pretty good, am collecting some quite good stuff, its marvellous what you can do with a cheap camera.

You know, its great to make rude remarks about your singing with the assurance that theres nothing you can do about it, I bet little curly headed Jean does get peeved sometimes, still don’t worry, about next spring I may see ‘the little gal’

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3/

the course here, I could do with some spare time, some of the W.A.A.F.’s seem very friendly but am afraid its business before pleasure, just my luck.

Well, must pack up now, take care of yourself, don’t cause Eastwoods too much trouble.

Yours Jack

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AIR LETTER TO ARMED FORCES

BY AIR MAIL

[postmark]

IF ANYTHING IS ENCLOSED, THIS LETTER WILL BE SENT BY ORDINARY MAIL.

[deleted] Number, Rank or Rating and Name [/deleted] MISS J WELLAND

[deleted] Unit (Company, Battery, Ship, Squadron, etc) [/deleted] 7. QUEENS DRIVE

[deleted] Regiment, Branch, Establishment or Station [/deleted] SURBITON

[deleted] Service [/deleted] SURREY

[inserted] 15.8.43 [/inserted] OVERSEAS.

FROM (Sender’s full name and address)

M 927893 L.A.C. Darby
[symbol]8. B.& G.S.
Lethbridge Alta.

[inserted] 28 [/inserted]

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2/

if you are in the services, well as a senior N.C.O. I shall be able to inspect your buttons and see if your shoes are clean, oh boy, shan’t I have a grand time, these [indecipherable word] airwomen and all that.

So glad to hear you have one or two men of 80 and over lined up, what a shame fats are rationed, what can you use for greasing the stairs, or are you considering a gentle push? Its really a pity [deleted] on [/deleted] I’m on