Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton

Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton

Peter Lamprey writes that they are not flying much at present but have not been able to get any leave. However, they have been able to get into town to the pub. He concludes with general comments on life and offers banter.

1943-02-25

Six page handwritten letter

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ELampreyPGuntonW430225

Sgt. Lamprey.
Sgts. Mess
RAF. Hixon.
[underlined] Stafford [/underlined]

[inserted] 25.Feb. 1943 [/inserted]

Dear Unk etc.

For pity’s sake what is all rush of letters about? Almost look as if you were working up for another long lay off. Still – despite the consequences thanks a lot. The news does not sound as if it is going to be so hot at Park Royal once the big shift gets under way.

Things here are just fine. Bags and bags of rest with only a couple of hours in the

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air every day. The only bother is they won’t wheel out a pass so that I can hike for the hills. We were due for leave but it has been scrubbed for some bloody reason. Nobody knows and nobody cares except the poor blasted air crews.

However we have been making our way into town fairly regular [sic] and I now have half interest in a pub there. He sells it – I drink it. And I have a fine bunch of helpers working with me. Once or twice it has been a moot point whether to throw us out of the bar or swab us out. In fact bar for a slight movement

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[underlined] 3. [/underlined]

of the eyes quite a [deleted] nub [/deleted] number could have been called drunk. I know why they make us keep fit now. If we weren’t we could never last through our rest periods.

Other than that I am not working life goes on it’s [sic] old sweet way. Half the time I am wondering why I joined and the other half wondering if I can get out the easy way. I can’t see a hell of a lot of future in this job no matter what angle I look at it from. If ever anybody talks to me about

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“keep ‘em flying” I shall have the greatest pleasure in taking them apart to find out what makes them tick. Other news is taboo – or the interesting news is.

Glad to hear that the rest of the boys are enjoying the[inserted] i [/inserted] r [deleted] e [/deleted] period of service and hoping it will last for ever. Once Charlie gets the crease out of his pants he will find that he only fancied he was browned off before. It takes quite few months for the real nut brown stain to come right through. As for Moloney, let them shift him from his backyard and

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[underlined] 5. [/underlined]

will I smile – or will I?

There is not a lot to write about and if my letters are getting shorter it is because I can’t sit down for long these days. However I will – as usual – try and write once a week even if it only says I am brassed, which you should by now take for granted.

Remember me to all the herbs and wish Archie luck for me – Jesus what a target he won’t make for Jerry. As for Rusty – George and the others who seem to be in the slide

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give them the usual greetings and hope they are back soon. Remember me to Fred Cooper and the other OPA’s. [sic]

My rest is up on Saturday so I shall try and write about Monday or so.

Look after yourself etc.

[underlined] Pete. [/underlined].