Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife

Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife

He writes of his duties and social life at RAF Silverstone.

1944-02-15

Two handwritten sheets

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TEL. SILVERSTONE 252
OFFICERS MESS,
ROYAL AIR FORCE STATION,
SILVERSTONE,
NR. TOWCESTER,
NORTHANTS.
[Royal Air Force Crest]
Tuesday.
Dearest,
This will have to be a short letter, as there’s no fire in the hut. I’ve just had to waste an evening on a dining-in night, & haven’t been able to write until now.
One thing that amused me, however, was drinking the king’s health in water, as I am now on the waggon. It was the same last night too, when spent the evening with Morris & his pals, & had lemonades all night.
I seem to have lost my Bank pass book, but don’t know how I’ve managed it. I’m going to have another look through my stuff tomorrow, but I couldn’t see it when I unpacked. I don’t know where it has got to, because I was very careful about looking through my drawers when I left Cark.
There’s nothing much to report. We just keep plugging away at lectures from 8.15 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. This goes on till next Tuesday or Wednesday. Then we are due to go to the satellite
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for some flying. I believe they are a little behind with their work there, however, so I have heard mention of the possibility of a 48 next week. What do you think of the idea, in case it happens to come off? Is it worth while going to London for a couple of days? Actually, this place is very awkward to leave, as it is so far away from everywhere, but I expect it can be done one way or another.
I’d better get to bed now, I think, as I am getting cold.
All my love,
Harold.
P.S. I got a letter from Mother this morning. I expected a lot of regrets from her because I’m going on Ops, but either the idea hasn’t dawned on her or else she is being studiously diplomatic, as she didn’t mention it. She says that Norman Seddon is home on a month’s leave – ready for the second front, I expect.