Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton

Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton

Peter Lamprey starts with some general banter and then notes that two of his ex-work mates have enlisted. He comments that there is not much chance of him moving yet and concludes with some catching up with news.

1942-07-13

Envelope and five page handwritten letter

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ELampreyPGuntonW420712

Inverness
11 – AM
13 JUL
1942

[postage stamp]

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

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[reverse of envelope]

[RAF Crest]

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1384535. LAC. Lamprey.
Signals Section.
HQ. 14. Group.
RAF. [underlined] Inverness [/underlined]

[underlined] Sunday. 12th. July. [/underlined]

Dear UNK. – Others.

Listen my friends. It is not often I complain. This is however is just a warning against the perfidious habit of printing lies about me in the “Royal”. If this is continued I am sorely afraid someone is going to get a nasty clump with a handy sized brick. I did not have 14 days leave. I admire the way you peri-shers [sic] try and get me extra leave but it is doing no good. Another little point. I have not left for any more training thanks very much. At the present

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[underlined] 2 [/underlined]

moment I am engaged in jollying the war along very nicely – thanks very much. Life has repented and is now engaged in treating me like the blue eyed boy. If it continues at this rate I shall need twenty-one days sick leave to recu-perate. [sic] Talk about bring on your dancing girls and let’s make a night of it. Half the bother is the nights don’t seem to stop.

I don’t seem to have a lot of spare time these days and the way your last letter read, seems like you do not realise the handicap we are fighting this war under. Remember my friend if I let anything slip the blasted army works a fast one into me and I have to find another date. In any case what the hell do you want every time I write? A set of

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[underlined] 3. [/underlined]

bloody love lyrics? Rest content with the fact that even amid the turmoil of battle, I still remember you.

I received – with a sense of shock – the news that the two love birds have joined up. From now on I am afraid Cherry will have to throw his own bricks. That is if he still has the strength after he has been taught to march and walk, and drill and what all hell knows else. The pity of it is I shan’t see them scraping the fat off Moloney with a rifle – but I shall nevertherless [sic] enjoy thinking of it. I don’t know what he is going in for but if he wants any advice on the subject I shall enjoy withholding it so he can suffer as all us real airmen have. The only advice I can give Cherry is never to stoop in

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[inserted] 4. [/inserted]

the dark as some airmen are always getting into tight places.

There does’nt [sic] seem to be much chance of me moving for a while and from tales that do get through now and again I think life here will suit my style of rugged beauty a bit better than some places. I am still bashing a key for a living and am not particular who for pleasure. There was a bit of [deleted] takk [/deleted] talk about going back to the island but I think I’ll break a leg or something if they mention it again.

I don’t know whether I wrote but I heard from Bill Smith and he seems to have got this war business pretty well banged – in fact if they stop it now I think he’d kick up hells delight about it.

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I haven’t heard from Wyn or Kitty yet but expect they are trying to find some bloody fine excuse for something. From what I know of the previous time they won’t be the ones who have to find them.

This is your lot and for Pete’s sake don’t start yelling. Thanks for the P.O’s – books and good wishes that were enclosed – I feel the same about you. Kiss Brother George and give him something to moan about. Remember me to one and all.

Love and kisses.
Pete. X .