Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton

Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton

Peter Lamprey writes about how fed up he is with life at Royal Air Force Inverness. He chastises his work mates for not writing to him.

Four page handwritten letter

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ELampreyPGuntonWXXXX06

[RAF Crest]
Signals Section.
HQ. 14. Group.
RAF. [underlined] Inverness [/underlined]
[underlined] Sunday [/underlined] 6th
Dear Unk-Others.
Far be it from me to complain in any way. Once before I have had to point out that I am no believer in one way traffic. Especially letters. If somebody doesn’t write to me soon you are going to get a letter that will take a lot of living down, I should hate anyone to be intimidated by threats but I have some brand new words I haven’t had the pluck to use – so far.
Life – I am sorry to say – has for quite a while, found the greatest delight
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in smacking me across the head with a blunt instrument. Gone are the blue skies and all I see in front of me is a grim vista of grey days. We have been everywhere but home – seen everything but the beer on the counter – done everything but enjoy ourselves. Life my friends – is one big sell.
However – knowing that my sorrows will only raise three hearty cheers from all you loafers I will discontinue the recital and turn to lighter things. I take it everything is much the same at Park Royal? Nobody joined up and let the wheels of war run a bit faster? Good. By the time some of you skulkers [sic] get your papers the
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[RAF Crest]
Good jobs will be well in hand and with a bit of luck I shall meet some of you humping bags of it.
In your last letter – and I might mention its [sic] a hell of a job remembering that far back – your [sic] informed me that Mr Evans had lost my ruling pen. You might inform the old RIP that he had better promote one before the Armistice or the War will flare up in a totally unexpected place. Not that I mind him using it. It’s a pleasure to know that some of you perishers can write. What is more unexpected is that he can do anything straight at all – even with a ruler.
Brother George I notice, has not tried to cross my path again with one of his
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blistering epistles. This might be just that I know all his funny stories or sheer cowardice. From what I read there are still one or two people who believe in his bow and arrow ideas. However I hope he is still fit and well and he might let me know when he is going to break his rib again and I’ll book a front seat – I can do with a good laugh.
The news – as you will have noticed by now is non existant [sic] and as I don’t give a hoot about how you are all faring I’ll get me some sleep in for a change.
Remember me to all
Love Pete X
PS. Tell Charlie I am still waiting.