Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton

Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton

Peter Lamprey writes that he is feeling ill after celebrating Hogmanay. He notes there is not much news and concludes with some banter.

1942-01-02

Envelope and three page handwritten letter

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ELampreyPGuntonW420102

INVERNESS
10 15AM
2 JAN
1942

[postage stamp]

[inserted] EXAMINER 6399 [/inserted]

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

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1384535. AC.2. Lamprey.
Signals Section.
HQ. 14 Group.
RAF. Inverness.
Scotland.

1st. [Underlined] Jan [/Underlined]

Dear Uncle (and for this letter) my friends.

Many months seem to have passed since I last saw your ugly pans but I put that down to the fact that I am feeling low. Having celebrated Hogmany [sic] in the truly Scottish style all I crave now is a quick death. This feeling I hope will pass, as I have one or two things to attend to this year.

Many thanks for the parcel which I found surrounded by a surging mob of airmen when I arrived at this hole – dump or what have you. Having rested I have now gone back to the job of winning the war, with a good heart. Things are once again under control. The RAF, once more, is at full fighting strength and now you can

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expect a change to come over the aspect of the war. Expect on for a while my friends, as I have my contacts to resume and cannot guarantee any real change for a while but, as I said befor [sic], things are under control.

I haven’t had time yet to study the lie of the land but I think the supply of pleasure is still good and plentiful and easy. So I must get me to town tonight and sample a bit.

There is, as you can guess, very little to write about at present but I feel the muse stirring and would never be suprised [sic] if, one of these days, I break out into a horrible attack of rhyme. The main trouble is to find out who to insult first. Collectively, I could insult you easily but I like to feel my mighty truths go home singly. I hope Mr Ashton is still in the best of health. I’m a bit of a dab for telling lies. Mr Hunt is as usual liable to every disease bar brain fever. In passing I might mention I have been thinking of signing the pledge and only drinking

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what he pays for, but on second thoughts I realise I should die of thirst so I’ll leave it.

I hope everyone had as good a Christmas as I did and all returned to their labours? fit and full of what it takes.

Dear Uncle – Wyn wrote to me and wanted to know why you didn’t turn up Tuesday. I bet that shakes you – you don’t even remember marrying the girl I suppose?

Thank Arthur Gilbert for his letter and I shall write to him and Fred Cooper as I let Fred down. Kiss Doug for me and will write over the weekend.

Look after yourself while nurse is away.

Best of luck.

Pete.

P.S. Compliments of the season.

PP.S. That goes for Moloney – I feel big hearted.