Letter from Jack Darby to Jean

Letter from Jack Darby to Jean

He is expecting leave at the end of his course. He notes that progress has been made at destroying V-1s. He has been at the cinema. He expects to fly solo that night. His bike is muddy and he is planning to clean it.

1944-07-08

Two double sided handwritten sheets and envelope

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EDarbyCAHWellandJ440708

[postage stamp] [postmark]

Miss J. Welland,
7. Queens Drive
Surbiton
Surrey.

[inserted] 9-7-44 [/inserted]

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8/7/44.

P/O. J.Darby. 154676.
Officers Mess,
R.A.F. Station
Barford,
Nr Bloxham,
Oxon.

Dear Jean,

Thanks so much for your letter dated 6th which arrived today. I’ve had two from you but nothing from home, I think I shall give them a ring tonight if the line is fairly clear, shall be night flying so must’nt make it too late.

I’ve been checking up on my leave at the end of the course, according to my calculations I should

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finish here about the 6th August as we may be late finishing I should think the week 14th – 21st would be wizard if you can arrange it. I’ll see if I can ask the met people to provide us with some good weather about that time!

We are doing pretty well in the destruction of the flying bombs, yesterday was the best day so far, although there were less sent over. I think these efforts will gradually lessen the numbers that get through.

Last Thursday we went into Banbury to the pictures, saw Noel

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Coward’s “This Happy Breed, a really excellent film if you hav’nt seen it, of course we cycled in and for once it wasn’t raining.

Tonight we should go solo, this night flying is a bit of a bind but has got to be done, one thing we get a good break. Just when we get down also a ration of chocolate.

When you mentioned that people seem to be going back to 1890 way of enjoying themselves, for one awful moment I thought you had been singing but thought that London has enough trouble at the present

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time, apart from this I wont comment on it.

I’ve been looking at my bicycle these last few days, its really in a terrible state, covered in mud from the airfield, shall have to give it a clean when I have a moment perhaps I shall do it tomorrow morning as we have until 11 o/c off if all goes well tonight.

Well must say cheerio for the moment, take care of yourself, shall be writing again soon.

All the best

Yours

Jack