Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton

Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton

Peter Lamprey writes that has received letters and parcels from his workmates but has been too busy until now to reply. He has put his leave pass in and is hoping to see friend before Christmas. He makes some comments about Scottish pubs and concludes with catching up with friends.

Envelope and six page handwritten document

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ELampreyPGuntonW41XX03

10.22 AM
3 [undecipherable]
1941

Mr. W. Gunton.
Machine Room.
Waterlow and Sons Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road.
Park Royal.
London N.W.10.

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[reverse of envelope blank]

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1384535. A.C.2. Lamprey. P.H.
Signals Section.
HQ. 14 Group.
RAF. Inverness
[underlined] Scotland] [/underlined]

Monday.

Dear Uncle Bill and other folk.

The delay in answering the many letters, parcels, poems and what have you has been quite unintentional and is due to the fact that, unfortunately, my spare time has been used for other purposes. That is now past and I am once more in circulation and capable of carrying on my correspondence with my so called friends.

Things have not gone with the pleasurable smoothness usually associated with affairs in which I am concerned but from now on a more normal state of affairs should prevail.

I must thank all the friends who wrote to me. I am [deleted] axam [/deleted] examining Mr Ashtons last

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effort again before I include him in that category. I’m very pleased to see Mr Denny has again taken up the pen and joins the ever growing [sic] number who attempt to play me with their missives.

The tide of war doesn’t surge so fiercly [sic] in these parts as on other fronts but we are getting by very nicely thank you. The pass has gone in for my leave and I spend most of my spare time on my hunkers praying they won’t give it the elbow. If by some freak of fortune it goes by I will be seeing something of you before Christmas. If by some underhanded skulduggery it gets heaved I’ll see you about 1947. The latter course would most likely suit a number of you, but as always, I shall do my best to see you are disappointed.

The weather here is much the same as the last time I didn’t mention it. The scenery is also still the same and it is only superhuman

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selfcontrol [sic]that prevents me from biting large lumps out of this much publicized [sic] countryside.

We have been getting into town a bit more than on our first few weeks here. The pubs are still doing business and despite all fervent appeals by the S.A. and Mr Hunt to stay away from them, I still consider it my duty to support firms who are doing a good job of work under difficult conditions. As you are no doubt aware, these places are not laid out in the southern style, although the customers are. It is a real treat to be in town on pay night. With a few fireworks it would be good enough for a peace celebration. The fireworks are always held over until we flow back to the billet. This admission will most likely cause Mr. Hunt to sort out a few more tracts for my edification. These I hope to collect in about a fortnights

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time.

I’m sorry to hear my old friend J. Honey is incapacitated. It might be water on the knee. The way the beer is diluted these days is terrible. I suppose Mr. Moloney is still at work? Hasn’t broken his neck or anything sensible yet? Well, I’ll still hope. I heard from an unimpeachable source that Mr Gilbert has once again been in the clutches of the law. He should buy a season ticket, it works out cheaper if you are always visiting these places. From another source I heard Brother George was considering having a smack at me. This I want to mention is rather a dangerous proceeding and liable to have serious repecussions [sic].

I should like to warn all chapel members against a certain party who seems to be lining you all up. Said party has of late been missing his note-case and then dis –

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covering it was at home. Next time he wants to go back to the railway station a responsible official should accompany him. There are too many of these lapses of memory in Slate Club secretaries. I hope to see him on my leave but would never be surprised to see a notice stating he was missing.

The ginger cat I suppose is safely settled in its [sic] winter quarters and purrs every time a set runs off. Charlie Stan, I hope, still continues to fight his defensive action and hold his territorial gains. When Alf launches his blitz however I’m afraid Charlie will be on his knees. Thats [sic] if he fights fair.

I hope and trust Mr. Hunt is enjoying the weather and the local fog hasn’t upset his naturally urbane manner. In any case if he only keeps on long enough he will


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get something done – to him.

This letter must be finished and I shall at the first opportunity come up again with another effusion. Circumstances, as I have said, have been against me this time.

Thank Fred Honey for the parcel and letter and express my best wishes for his affairs. Jack Denny – Sir – I thank you. Harry Ashton – curse you I’ve just deciphered the epistle. Remember me to anybody I’ve forgotten. Thanks for everything from a part-worn – sorry – war worn airman.

Best of luck Pete X.

P.S. The paper inside might interest you.
I’ll write as soon as I know my leave is OK.

[underlined] P. [/underlined].