Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Title
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
Peter Lamprey writes complaining about life at Royal Air Force Yatesbury. In particular that his course has not started and they are doing fatigue duties in the mean time.
Creator
Coverage
Language
Format
Five page handwritten letter
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Rights
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Identifier
ELampreyPGuntonWXX08XX
Transcription
1384535 LAC. Lamprey.
Hut x66. A4 Unit.
No 1. Air Crew Wing.
Yatesbury. [underlined] Wilts. [/underlined]
Dear Bill etc.
It isn’t often I write in a sorrowful vein but circumstances have at last forced me into it. One of the reasons for not forcing my sorrows on you is that I never get the right amount of sympathy and in any case nobody seems to read what I write. I have made some big boobs in my time but coming back here is the last coat of paint. From the sound, and look, of things. This course is going to cause some heartbreak and sorrow. When I think of what I have left behind I could break down and
[page break]
[underlined] 2. [/underlined]
weep bitter tears.
The feeling of being well browned off has taken on a real and grim meaning. It has reached a new level in density and all I hope is that some of my best friends feel as brassed off as I do. So far we have done sweet fanny adams except a load of fatigues. Having arrived just too late to be stuffed into a squad we have had a week of humping and hauling. Not that we mind, but the suspense of waiting for a load of work to fall on the back of your neck is something terrible.
I don’t know if Charlie has written you yet, but I should imagine he is just about in the stage where he is wondering why he ever got born. That is one of the few bright spots in my drab life. All I want is to hear
[page break]
[underlined] 3. [/underlined]
that old ivory and the ginger cat are suffering in a like manner and I shall begin to feel better. The first six weeks in the RAF are terrible and then it starts getting worse so they can start worrying about it in plenty of time. If they are wise they should invest in a revolver or a shillings-worth of gas.
Of course, now we are the elite of the the[sic] service the[sic] treat us better. At one time only sergeants bawled us out – now they let anyone do it. Not that we grumble. The N.C.O.s here are decent from the soles of their feet down – I doubt if Hitler would have them in his black guards. They’d make them look like pansies. Most of the P.T. instructors are so tough that if a bloke opened one up he’d find only
[page break]
[underlined] 4. [/underlined]
barbed wire in their stomachs. They are all these unarmed combat merchants and if only they sent a few over to Russia the perishers would manhandle a few Panzer divisions just as light entertainment. Their favourite amusement seems to be breaking everybody’s neck but their own. I think I’ll take a few lessons in sprinting just to see if I can’t keep a couple of jumps ahead of any bright ideas they might have about me.
If I last out this part of my course I think I will suprise [sic] the instructors, and what[sic] more I shall suprise[sic] myself a hell of a lot more. After the glory of the highlands and the ease of life in Inverness I feel that I can really get down to binding again. As long as it is not my heart or neck
[page break]
[underlined] 5. [/underlined]
I don’t mind but it is certainly going to be tough on somebody.
I managed to get the old nut over the fence last week end and beat it for the hills like steam. The youngster was out of hospital when I got home and seemed fairly well. If the stable door is slightly ajar this week end I am afraid the old horse will be in clover again, thanks very much.
This I am sorely afraid must be your lot up for the present. Remember me to all those in the company. If anything big turns up I will let the right people have it.
See you sometime.
Pete.
Hut x66. A4 Unit.
No 1. Air Crew Wing.
Yatesbury. [underlined] Wilts. [/underlined]
Dear Bill etc.
It isn’t often I write in a sorrowful vein but circumstances have at last forced me into it. One of the reasons for not forcing my sorrows on you is that I never get the right amount of sympathy and in any case nobody seems to read what I write. I have made some big boobs in my time but coming back here is the last coat of paint. From the sound, and look, of things. This course is going to cause some heartbreak and sorrow. When I think of what I have left behind I could break down and
[page break]
[underlined] 2. [/underlined]
weep bitter tears.
The feeling of being well browned off has taken on a real and grim meaning. It has reached a new level in density and all I hope is that some of my best friends feel as brassed off as I do. So far we have done sweet fanny adams except a load of fatigues. Having arrived just too late to be stuffed into a squad we have had a week of humping and hauling. Not that we mind, but the suspense of waiting for a load of work to fall on the back of your neck is something terrible.
I don’t know if Charlie has written you yet, but I should imagine he is just about in the stage where he is wondering why he ever got born. That is one of the few bright spots in my drab life. All I want is to hear
[page break]
[underlined] 3. [/underlined]
that old ivory and the ginger cat are suffering in a like manner and I shall begin to feel better. The first six weeks in the RAF are terrible and then it starts getting worse so they can start worrying about it in plenty of time. If they are wise they should invest in a revolver or a shillings-worth of gas.
Of course, now we are the elite of the the[sic] service the[sic] treat us better. At one time only sergeants bawled us out – now they let anyone do it. Not that we grumble. The N.C.O.s here are decent from the soles of their feet down – I doubt if Hitler would have them in his black guards. They’d make them look like pansies. Most of the P.T. instructors are so tough that if a bloke opened one up he’d find only
[page break]
[underlined] 4. [/underlined]
barbed wire in their stomachs. They are all these unarmed combat merchants and if only they sent a few over to Russia the perishers would manhandle a few Panzer divisions just as light entertainment. Their favourite amusement seems to be breaking everybody’s neck but their own. I think I’ll take a few lessons in sprinting just to see if I can’t keep a couple of jumps ahead of any bright ideas they might have about me.
If I last out this part of my course I think I will suprise [sic] the instructors, and what[sic] more I shall suprise[sic] myself a hell of a lot more. After the glory of the highlands and the ease of life in Inverness I feel that I can really get down to binding again. As long as it is not my heart or neck
[page break]
[underlined] 5. [/underlined]
I don’t mind but it is certainly going to be tough on somebody.
I managed to get the old nut over the fence last week end and beat it for the hills like steam. The youngster was out of hospital when I got home and seemed fairly well. If the stable door is slightly ajar this week end I am afraid the old horse will be in clover again, thanks very much.
This I am sorely afraid must be your lot up for the present. Remember me to all those in the company. If anything big turns up I will let the right people have it.
See you sometime.
Pete.
Collection
Citation
Peter Lamprey, “Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed April 27, 2024, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/6631.
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