Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton

Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton

Peter Lamprey writes about his Royal Air Force basic training, his companions and a large parade coming up.

1941-05-15

Envelope and four page handwritten letter

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ELampreyPGuntonW410515-01

Dated 15 May 1941.

AC 2 Lamprey
1384535.
84 Dickson Rd.
[underlined] Blackpool [/underlined]

[underlined] 1941 [/underlined]

Dear Bill and other workers.
I have to apologise for my laxity in writing again my social engagements however prevent me from spending time on writing that a man of leisure should. Things have not been going in the usual fluid style of late, we are having more trouble with our sergeant than was at first anticipated and what with getting stuck on guard and leaning on a rifle instead of a bar the sky assumes a distinctly dirty look. Heavy weather has to be faced before we can again say that all is well. Like the rest of the population we have our troubles and they all wear stripes, after this is over the only things with stripes that I shall care for will be barber’s poles and zebras. We have worked our loaves to the extent of getting resquaded [sic] and bid the sarge [sic] goodbye this week. In military talk we have executed a strategic withdrawal and have occupied new positions this will mean another

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fortnight in Blackpool and I hope the constitution will stand it. I am just beginning to feel the effects of RAF training and find I can dance and do anything but drill without turning a hair. An animated conversation on last nights [sic] luck (you know) can be carried on in the ranks without being caught only this trick we had to learn ourselves. I hope some of the boys get posted here before I go – about a month – as I have been developing a wonderful sneer for use on rookies. I see you again took the can back Saturday night and hope everyone got away O.K. we had warnings for nine successive nights and Blackpool was deserted after ten, and we had a hell of a time and walked in halfway through the night. There’s as many ands in that sentence as there are round my favourite barmaid. By the way is Mr. Hunt still well. Or have my prayers been wasted? I expected a comeback from him before now on the sinful waste of [deleted] indecipherable [/deleted] money / time and energy pub bashing. I haven’t heard nay news about brother George and hope he is still performing, now I am in the racket I find he was right in what he told us. They do use rifles in the army now, they’ve

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[underlined] 3 [/underlined]

trained them since the last affair. I will admit however that they have finally dispensed with bow and arrows so he would have to take up some other job, after that I should hear something even if it’s only an explosion. We have a decent mob in the billet, very helpful, if you dont get in quick they help themselves to all your grub and fags, and when we visit, the beer is never put down, except your neck. I’m sorry to keep bringing that subject up but there is nothing else to do now the clocks have been altered, its [sic] too light on the sands and if a young lady goes walking on a Sunday with an airman, she keeps on, its safest. There is a possibility you will hear reports of rioting etc. in Blackpool but it will only be our wing trying to do mass drill next Saturday. There is a big shot of some sort coming down to see it, I suppose the war has upset him and he wants a good laugh, he’ll get it if its anything like the rehearsal. There was only one thing saved half the wing going in the sea, the tide was right out. The right turn on the march was [inserted] the [/inserted] finest sight since they stormed the itch at Wembley and only wanted a couple of mounted police to look like a Hyde Park riot. Still the C.O. was very pleased – when it was over. He still looks shaken but

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he’s game and is going through with it in the hope we’ll all make the same mistakes at the same time. Our wing has the reputation of being the smartest in Blackpool. We get away with the running football and boxing and it seems like we’ll get away with murder this weekend. Well there is no real news to tell and you might let me know if peace is declared while ‘m busy up here. Many thanks to Jack Denny for the epistle, if the boys have forgotten who wrote the last letter for them I can give them the address of someone who can write. Thank everybody for their wishes but I intend to keep healthy. Remember me especially to Dave and Rusty – the guv’nor [sic] and co and one and all
best of luck and many
thanks

[underlined] Pete. [/underlined]

P.S. if you find any spelling mistakes let me know and I’ll do my best to take no notice of it.

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[envelope]
Blackpool
10 – AM
15 MA 1941
Lancs

[postage stamp]

Mr N. Gunton.
Machine room.
Waterlow and sons Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road.
Park Royal.
London N

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Reverse of envelope