Letter from Jack Darby to Jean

Letter from Jack Darby to Jean

Jean's mother has the flu so he hopes her father will not have to suffer her cooking. He has been getting classes on navigation, signals and armaments. He has been to another dance. There have been lots of films to watch in the camp.

1943-04-07

Two double sided handwritten sheets and envelope

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EDarbyCAHWellandJ430407

EXAMINER 7246

[inserted] 7-4-43 [/inserted]

[part of post mark]

J. Welland,
7, Queens Drive
Surbiton Hill,
Surrey
England.

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51-1166 H & S P.C.90

OPENED BY

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927893. L.A.C. Darby,
31, R.A.F. Moncton,
New Brunswick
Canada.

7.4.43.

Dear Jean,

Have just received a letter from you posted 28th February, sorry to hear Mother has been laid up with the flu, hope by this time she has quite recovered.

Your poor father what a tough time he must have had, do hope he recovered or rather Mother recovered in time to save him from your cooking.

Afraid most of your remarks are a bit too old to reply to now, one thing however, refering [sic] to the land ladies daughter she did’nt have a chance to get cracking I was

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only there three days. (5/- stakes weak)

So you have been causing great amusement by the great ice act, I really must learn to skate here, must have an excuse to come and watch you grabbing strange young men, being sat on, trodden on, run over by your girl friend, bet you take a cushion with you now don't you.

We have started classes here, just merely revision of navigation, signals, armaments, with films (instructional) P.T. and drill. Some of the lectures are by people who are resting from ops, have been getting some inside gen, its very interesting, some of the boys have certainly seen life, they're quite casual

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about it too.

There was quite a nice station dance last Tuesday, plenty of partners, one of the few occasions in this town where there are more girls than men. Among the officers there was F/O Beurling the Malta ace fighter pilot, quite a young chap seemed unaffected by fame, mixed in with everybody although most of the girls tried to get his autograph.

Have not been feeling too fit just lately, have had a very sore throat, believe it is the heat and dry atmosphere of our billets, sometimes at night the

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temperature is 80° although its freezing outside, afraid I don't like this central heating effort at all.

There have been several decent films at the station cinema just lately so have not bothered to go out to town, last night we had a whist drive, increased my score on last time but was about 15 points below top, still better luck later on.

Well, must close now, hope to hear from you soon, in the meantime all the best.

Yours

Jack.