Letter from Jack Darby to Jean

Letter from Jack Darby to Jean

He has been supply dropping over Holland. He's not sure when or if he will get more leave. He has been offered more training but he wants to leave.

1945-05-03

Three double sided handwritten sheets and envelope

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EDarbyCAHWellandJ450503

[postage stamps] [postmark]

Miss J. Welland
7. Queens Drive
Surbiton
Surrey

[inserted] 3-5-45 [/inserted]

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25 2/3.

F/O C. Darby, 154676
R.A.F. Station
Stradishall
Nr Newmarket
Suffolk

Wednesday

My darling Jean,

Thanks so much for your two letters, one received Monday and Tuesday respectively. I've quite a bit to tell you, first of all you will probably wonder what the fractions are at the top, well we are supply dropping now and each trip counts 1/3rd of our o/u, so we have 13

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more trips to do, don't worry they're just a routine trip, in fact we've been carrying ground staff chaps just for a ride for them, shall be probably taking WAAF's before long. We have just returned from The Hague, as usual had a good reception especially from one group who had an enormous Dutch flag on the roof of a block of flats.

Am glad to hear that Eastwoods have got cracking and

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hope you will be able to get the other pipes, also you’ve got some more presents, at the moment I can't foresee me getting another leave, we shall probably be finished before. what is going to happen I don't know, you may have to get married in a hurry, but dont worry just go on with the arrangements and we'll hope for the best, a day or so ago I was offered an Armament Officers course when

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I finished but its a six months course, a really stiff one with no leave so I decided against it, its really a wizard opportunity if I had intended to stay in the service but I don't think it matters, eighteen months ago I should have jumped at it but the prospect of getting out is too strong now I should'nt have the interest.

I had a letter from home today, Dad told me you had been

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over, he also told me that old Bill had passed away.

The news is pretty good, now the Germans in Italy have packed up I don't think the rest will be very long in following suit, my date of May 30th still stands.

Regarding your remarks about cooking, I admit I [underlined] was [/underlined] a good cook before the war but I'm afraid five years have made me forget every single thing (wizard excuse) so I shant [sic]

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be of much use.

The parcel has'nt arrived yet but I'm looking out for it, thanks so much darling. Have been back nearly a week now, it seems ages but its a week nearer my next leave.

Well, darling must pack up now, take care of yourself and remember me to Mother & Dad, do hope his leg is better.

Cheerio, shall be writing soon

All my love Jack