Letter from Jack Darby to Jean

Letter from Jack Darby to Jean

He is expecting leave when he gets transferred. The weather has delayed the course again. They have been drinking beer in Newark.

1944-10-21

Two double sided handwritten sheets and envelope

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EDarbyCAHWellandJ441021

[postage stamp] [postmark]

[inserted] 22-10-44 [/inserted]

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

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OFFICERS’ MESS
R.A.F. STATION
WINTHORPE
Nr. NEWARK
Notts.

21st October 1944.

My dearest Jean,

Thanks so much for your letter received a few days ago, am sorry I have’nt written before, but we’ve been flying at odd hours and there’s not been a lot of time to spare.

My word, it must have been a strain to be up bright and early on Sunday morning, how did the partry go? did you give up the struggle and rename them rock cakes? all right put that rolling pin down I’m too far away.

Well, a little gen about

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leave, apparently we are going straight to our next station without leave from here, the idea is that we get leave as soon as we arrive at the new station, we should leave here either Tuesday or Wednesday so don’t write until I send my new address.

We have just two trips to do. the weather has been terrible, we’ve flown in weather so thick that even the birds were walking. Last Thursday evening we passed over Claygate at about 8.30, we were on a searchlight and night fighter exercise, I expect you saw the searchlights, we were’nt coned until we got within 30 miles of Portsmouth then we’d had it. we had about fifty searchlights on us, did everything

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except turn the aircraft inside out but no good, lucky they were friendly, anyway its good practice although a very disconcerting experience.

We have’nt been to the pictures lately, but went into Newark last night as flying had been scrubbed, had a few drinks until they sold out at 9 o/c, the Americans have mostly left the district but beer is still pretty scarce.

The bombing is going fairly well I’ve one more exercise to do, have got two ‘A’ assessments which isnt too bad although the crew tell me I’m never

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satisfied.

Well darling, must pack up now as its nearly briefing time and we may be flying tonight although the weather is pretty grim for tonight

Take care of yourself, hope to see you very soon, it won’t be too soon for me.

All my love, darling

Jack