Letter from David Boldy to his father

Letter from David Boldy to his father

Letter from David Boldy to his father about his daily activities at Hastings, and then at Torquay. Comments on the French government, mentions a meeting with Cecil and cadet training

1940-06-27

Four page handwritten letter

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[inserted in different hand][underlined] London, W.2. [/underlined]. 59, Bathurst Mews,
Boldy - Lancaster Gate
London, W.2. [/ inserted in different hand]

27th June, 1940.

My darling Dad,

I’m awfully sorry I haven’t written for some Time but we have had another change & are working very hard. We spent twelve days at Hasting. It was very pleasant. We did not like the first two days but then got used to it. The programme there was an early morning dip in the sea. This was followed by Parade. We then had maths & signals – the latter is Morse Code – After this P.T. – On Wednesdays we have organised games such as Tennis water-polo, etc . Also a couple of Antigas lectures are thrown in. we have not yet started Navigation but I don’t think it will be long now. After din [sic] we were free to go out. I have acquired quite a habit now of

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going in for a swim almost everyday.

We are now at Torquay. It is a very picturesque place. I forgot to mention socially Hastings was quite amusing. I did not do much apart from swimming. The programme here is more or less the same as at Hastings. The only difference here is that the R.A.F. have never been here before. The result is that everyone stares at us when we drill or march to the dining Hall. It is very amusing. There are masses of girls here so as soon as the R.A.F. is payed [sic] we shall have to beat the town up. the bathing here is not very good as it is very shallow for a long way. I hear however that there are some very nice places close by.

The weather here is supposed to be very hot & tropical. We have

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not noticed it so far as we are not having really good weather at the moment.

The Political news is terrible. I cannot understand the attitude Taken up by the French government. They could easily have fought on from their colonies and Taken the fleet, Air force and all available men & materials. All this will be hopelessly out of date by the Time you receive this letter.

Incidentally Cecil one of my best pals at College was at Hastings under training as a pilot. He is now at Torquay. I met him the other day. As I know where he is I shall be seeing a lot of him.

I am here with most of my friends. Half of us our [sic] in the same room. We are billeted in

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Hotels, run completely by us of course. Our room faces some Tennis Courts and the bay. The view is lovely.

We work very hard here, and am just about all in at the end of the day. I am looking very fit and well Tanned [sic].

At Hastings we had a couple of Air Raid Warnings at Hastings. The night we slept on the Concrete floor of an Air Raid Shelter. Nothing happened & we didn’t here[sic] anything. Anyway we were too sleepy to worry.

Don’t worry about us & keep your chin up.

No more to-day. God bless & keep you for us.

Love Dave. [hand drawn picture of cap]

[inserted in different hand] [underlined] P.S. [/underlined] [underlined] 1 [/underlined]
[underlined] 8th July [/underlined].

I am afraid this will get over weight for the Air Mail if I add a sheet. Dave came in on Saturday the 6 th at 10.p.m. looking absolutely fine. His cap had a white bit in front something like in my attempt at drawing, this is to show they are Air Crew & are they proud of it! We gave him a very happy 18 hours & were glad to have him that long. Steve & his friend John Porace were here for the weekend too. We saw him off at Paddington, 5 minutes from here & met some of his lot. Nice boys. All the little mothers sporting their R.A.F. brooches (winged), & smiled bravely, grateful for the brief glimpse of their boys. Dave took back plenty of luck, 50 cigarettes & my tooth paste! Love Baby. [inserted in different hand]