Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton

Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton

Peter Lamprey writes that he has a job out in the field although compensated by the presence of a friendly farm girl. He goes on to comment on social life and the good quality of food on base. He mentions a route march before closing with more banter.

1942-09-23

Mismatched envelope and four page handwritten letter

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ELampreyPGuntonW420923

Envelope

CALNE
WILTS.
23 Sep 42

[postage stamp]

MR. W. GUNTON,
MACH [missing] ROOM.
WATERLOW AND SONS. LTD.
TWYFORD ABBEY ROAD.
PARK ROYAL. N.W.10.
LONDON.

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[RAF Crest]

[list of names]

[page break]

138458535 AC 2 LAMPREY.
SIGNALS SECTION.
HQ. 4. GROUP RAF.
INVERNESS
SCOTLAND

[underlined] TUESDAY [/underlined]

Dear Uncle Bill and others.

Once again I write padding the letter with superfluous words to make it appear that you are getting some news. This of course, is a false impression, as the only things that happen here are sunrise and sunset – and you can’t always depend on them. Still – what news there is – is yours.

We have got a job that has removed us from the warmth and comfort of headquarters and planted us out in the fields. Despite our sturdy frames and general hardiness it is definitely a job for eskimos and should any apply for a job down there send them straight up. After three weeks out here I consider the serpentine bathers are pansies. As soon as the snow is deep enough we intend to send for a blue-print of an igloo and have a stab at building one.

Still, the job has its compensations. We have got

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very friendly with the farm girl down the road. She gives us milk and other stuff. If she can only be made to give a little more – things would be interesting and a good time had by all. However patience and persistence are on our side even if right is not.

The bright lights of town have called me on one or two occasions lately and I have been tasting the joys of debauchery and liquor again. The only trouble is that time is always against you. The curtain comes down at nine prompt and the show is over – you’ve had it. After that we visit the night clubs – Y.M.C.A. – S.A. – soldiers and sailors home etc. Sinks of iniquity I’ll admit but I can take care of myself by now.

The food we get here is remarkable – or rather the cooks are –if someone hooked their tin opener we’d starve to death. And the number of ways they serve the stuff up is a treat - if you didn’t have to eat it. They can do anything with it or make you like it. Still theres [sic] always plenty and if you dont [sic] fancy what is on your plate you can always get another helping of it.

For some unknown reason I have received no mail now for

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3.

five days. Either my fans have turned fickle and forgotten me or my latest excursions into literary composition have shaken all my correspondents [sic] rigid. This I can hardly hope for – but am still praying. The muse – as you can see – has deserted me on this occasion, not – I might add – permanently, but just long enough to collect – collate and consider what insults shall hurl and who shall be the target. This should cause my friends to rush to their letter pads and the others to consider the advisability of establishing friendly relations.

Today – feeling full of beans (Heinz baked) and the joy of life we clambered over large stretches of this scenery you keep raving about. It might be easy on the eyes but it is a shade hard on the feet and legs. After two hours I am of the opinion that the whole lot would be better if it were ironed out a bit more. As you are no doubt aware we are very near the historic Culloden Moor. Thank goodness they fight their wars near civilisation nowadays.

And now to the usual madam that I usually stick in these epistles not that I care how you are – I have enough worries keeping myself out of an early grave without bothering whether any of you are

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Suffering from overwork or any of the kindred complaints of civilian life. Mr Hunt I hope still enjoys the best of health – I’d hate to hear he’d passed out while I’m in a place where I couldn’t celebrate properly. Mr Maloney I take it still attends night school and by now can sign somebody else’s name so he can dodge any calling up. Dave is still keeping a firm hand on Rusty I hope and doesn’t let him too far out of his sight. Remember me to the engineers - electricians and all other leadswingers. Give my regards to the opa’s – especially worker – Bert Frankham, Fred Cooper and Speedy. Give my love to the guv’nor. [sic]

See you in church

Pete.

P.S. Start saving up. I might be up Christmas. I’ve altered my leave date, not that it means anything but I’d like to give Maloney something at Christmas. A black baby preferably.

Three cheers
[underlined] P. [/underlined]