Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton

Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton

Peter Lamprey writes that he is having trouble getting leave but that his out of work hours social life is not bad. He concludes with some banter.

1942-05-25

Envelope and five page handwritten letter

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ELampreyPGuntonW420523

Inverness
10 – PM
25 MAY
1942

[postage stamps]

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

[page break]

[reverse of envelope]

[RAF Crest]

[page break]

[RAF Crest]

Signals Section.
HQ. 14. Group.
[underlined] Inverness [/underlined]

[underlined] Saturday 23rd [/underlined]

Dear UNK. Others. Friends.

Life – I am sorry to say – has now assumed all the appearances of the arse-end of a 250 H.E. - very grim. I stuck a pass in for leave as soon as I got back and they proceeded to play merry hell. Then they slung it out, so I put another in. Then they told me I only get seven days. I – in polite language told them to work it and I am now waiting to see the old man and pull his ear down. I shall

[page break]

either get leave or 14 days. If I don’t get leave I shall make sure I enjoy the 14 days. This place has gone to the dogs since I’ve been away and the sooner they send for me for my gunnery the better this erk will like it.

Outside of business hours however – it is not too bad. We have re-established contact with the life of the town and are now in the position of having some real sorrows to drown. I hope the money outlasts the sorrow. The realities of war don’t look so bad through the bottom of a glass and khaki hides a multitude of pretty legs.

My mail is gradually catching up with me. I notice that you can still write. Some of your news in any case is only what I have always expected. The very thought of

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[RAF Crest]

[underlined] 3. [/underlined]

the dangers the F.O.C. faces is appalling. That Mr. Evans should run amok with a knife is nothing unexpected. I have always advocated the policy of keeping well clear of people who seem to spend their nights in riotous living and their afternoons in getting someone to give them a blow. How he spends his mornings is, as always, a mystery.

Should at any time, anyone feel like sending me a bit of sand, I should advise keeping a few handfuls back to spread on the blood I shall beat out of them at some future date. The news that Brother George is back to his old form is a bit of a blow. How his staff must suffer. But in the days of tommy-guns etc. it is

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nice to hear of the wonders worked with a stone axe and a handful of bricks.

You always mention Charlie and the ginger cat in your epistles. Evidently there is a wrong impression abroad somewhere. I asked for news of my friends. The sooner the military catch up with these babies the sooner I celebrate. That goes for “Old Ivory” to. [sic]

Since returning to this place and spending a week in it I am afraid I have not had a lot of time for letter writing. There are still a few places I haven’t visited yet and I have these omissions to repair before I can say I have really arrived. In any case I dont [sic] wan’t [sic] to tell you all the news as I hope to be seeing you – lets [sic] get this straight –

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[RAF Crest]

[underlined] 5. [/underlined]

I hope to be getting leave.

So my friend – this is again short and sweet. Get the bunting ready. Remember me to all. Thanks for the letters.

[underlined] Pete. [/underlined].

P.S. The morse at the bottom of the letter was lousy.