2
25
122
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6608/ELampreyPGuntonW430126-02.1.pdf
48d081b794132054984e8d9a20bcc185
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Stafford
9 AM
26 Jan
1943
[postage stamp]
Uncle Bill Gunton.
Machine Room
Waterlow and Sons Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road.
Park Royal. N.W.10.
London.
[page break]
[reverse of envelope blank]
[page break]
[underlined] 1. [/underlined]
Once upon a time there were three bears. Father Bear - Mummy Bear and Baby Bear. Why in hell all fairy stories start like that I dont [sic] know. Anyrate [sic] - three bears, and what with the old man on night work and the old mum on munitions during the day, it looks like that's all there'll ever be at that. Mind you - don't think this is going to be all about baby bear. He was a hell of a lot too cheeky and a good swift clump was recommended but never applied.
So getting back to our tale. Three Bears. Usual effects, such as; little
[page break]
[underlined] 2. [/underlined]
little [sic] house in woods and all the other guff. Well one day a beautiful blonde airman called Goldilocks was having a scrounge in these here woods. The erks called him something else but he had them hanging in the right places and it was no good. Moreover he could roughouse [sic] a bit and it didn’t pay much [deleted] dini [/deleted] dividend. Well Goldilocks was, as I say, keeping his eyes peeled for a nice quiet spot in case he ever got round to a date with a WAAF and you don’t want people treading on you at a time like that. All of a sudden he sees a notice –
[page break]
[underlined] 3. [/underlined]
“Private - Keep Out - This Means You” so he went in, and there he found the bears domicile. Nipping craftily round the back he lets himself in and proceeds to have a good old snoop round. Well there it was - like the story book. Three plates of porridge and a bottle of Trubrown [sic] beside the old mans [sic] dish. Having only just had his three course RAF lunch he was naturally starving so he proceeded to scoff the lot. The Bloke that wrote that piffle about “this one was too hot and this one was too cold” never served any time. If its [sic] there – grab it.
[page break]
[underlined] 4. [/underlined]
Well so here we are. Goldilocks – full of porridge and wind and nothing to do. Upstairs we go and there’s the old bunks – beds or pits. Yes and you’re right. What with the old puppies aching and a thick night in town last night he thinks he might as well. Good luck to him. Plot develops on normal lines. In comes the old mum - having passed Mr. Bear on the way up - and baby bear. Playing up to the old tradition the kid starts the old nonsense about “who’s been eating my porridge etc [sic]?” But, what with the old back aching and a bit of pain in the noddle, the old lady slips
[page break]
[underlined] 5. [/underlined]
him a right hander. Well placed but about five years too late. This nice bit of work stopped his game and in any case you couldn’t get the perisher to touch the stuff normally.
Well here we are again. All set for round two as it were. Goldilocks pounding his ear upstairs and the bear family below. Reading the script to make sure there was no boobing, upstairs go the bears. Junior, word perfect as usual, says his little piece all about “someone’s been sleeping in my bed” and then beats it to play with the other kids. Then it was the turn of Mrs. Bear,
[page break]
[underlined] 6. [/underlined]
into the bedroom she goes and on her nice soft bed she spies Goldilocks. With great presence of mind, and in any case the story had got all balled up, she locked the door and well - after all, what with the old man on night work and the kid out of the way for a couple of hours I don’t blame her, at that.
Dear Bill
I am Well.
F [straight line]
Pete.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey rewrites the story of Goldilocks with a Royal Air Force theme.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1943-01-26
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and six page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW430126-02
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Staffordshire
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1943-01-26
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
RAF Hixon
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6607/ELampreyPGuntonW430126-01.2.pdf
73283706378127f1a0ec366436525885
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[postmark]
[postage stamp]
Mr. W. Gunton.
Machine Room.
Waterlow and Sons Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road.
Park Royal.
London. N.W.10.
[page break]
Reverse of envelope
[page break]
Sgt. Lamprey.
Sergeants Mess.
RAF. Hixon.
[underlined Stafford [/underlined]
Dear Bill.
I have just received Fred Gunners address and here it is. I hope it is not too late to reach Tom.
130525. Cpl. Gunner. F.
3 Platoon. 19th Coy. RASC.
Middle East Forces.
Its [sic] a good job somebody is getting on with the war. We are doing S.F.A. So F.A. to tell. F.A. to write.
Love.
Joe.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes to advise Bill of Fred Gunner’s address.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1943-01-26
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and one page handwritten document
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW430126-01
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
British Army
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Staffordshire
England--Stafford
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1943-01-26
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
RAF Hixon
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6606/ELampreyPGuntonW421224.2.pdf
b10af19f88cabac5d3c8bc6f9f696660
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[postmark]
[postage stamp]
Mr. W. Gunton
Machine Room.
Waterlow and Sons Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road.
Park Royal. N.W.10.
London.
[page break]
Reverse of envelope
[page break]
1384535. Sgt. Lamprey.
c/o Sergeants Mess.
RAF. Station. Hixon.
Nr. [underlined] Stafford [/underlined]
Dear Unk – Others. Bill Spalding.
Once again I climb into the ring for another round of troub. [sic] I protest against the gross misrepresentation as laid forth in the issue of the “Royal” just received. Tiree was never at any time a love nest. As my letters from there points out, ever [sic] the sheep were shy. And another thing my name is not spelt like a soda water siphon. However once more I send thanks for the letter – the Royal and the cash. Thank Alf Barnes for the stamps and may his parsnips prosper.
Before I forget. I have news of Fred Gunner. He is well and
[page break]
[underlined] 2. [/underlined]
has just moved up into the line again after being wounded in the foot in the retreat to Egypt. This was his second spell in hospital as he had been down with dysentery [sic] some while back.
Life - on the whole – has lifted the reins off the horses [sic] neck. From being between the shafts I am now on the tail-board. Not that everything is altogether – shall we say – choice. I had at one time been under the impression that there could not be any more mud about than on some of the other camps I had landed in. I was wrong. This dump is so full of mud that the Southend Corporation have protested against the infringement of their prerogative [sic]. What the hell they put these camps in the arse end of the country for, I don’t [sic] know. You can walk miles
[page break]
3.
in any direction and still arrive nowhere – fagged out. Still life is fair to middling and we hope to settle down and raise a fine time.
The big adventure of being a Senior N.C.O. is that they fetch the beer in to you instead of having to go out and fight for it. And quite a decent drop of stuff if I might say so. At present I am lying low and watching points but can be expected to bust [sic] out at any opportunity and really wreck my perfect health. Some of the mob here are pretty good but some of them are not bright enough to be called dim. If I pick some of them in my crew they will have my resignation by first post in the morning.
I hope the three stooges at last realise what can be done
[page break]
by hard work and application to duty. Not that they will be this side of the drink for long if I am any judge. I hope to run into them at some time and will give them a few tips on success.
The amount of news from here is sweet F.A. and until something breaks the letters will be full of nothing but blah. Remember me to the mob. Look after this and that.
All the best.
Pete.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes that he has had good news of a wounded colleague but that while he is unhappy with life at Royal Air Force Hixon he is pleased with his new status as a senior non-commissioned officer. He concludes with some banter.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-12-24
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and four page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW421224
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Staffordshire
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-12-24
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military living conditions
promotion
RAF Hixon
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6605/ELampreyPGuntonW421014-01.1.pdf
a86ce8f065e72cbfff6166514b525759
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
1384535
A.C.2. Lamprey.
2 Wing. D. Squadron.
c/o 84 Dickson Road.
[underlined] Blackpool. [/underlined]
Dear Bill.
I note with amazement, mingled with a certain amount of awe, that the true experiences of a struggling WOP/AG are regarded in a certain quarter with amusement. This is rank treason and I warn these, that they can go on the peg for it. If there is on thing you can’t do in the RAF, it’s laugh. You’re too tired. Bill Thornhill, to whom many thanks for letter, spoke of a certain variety of bird, in Blackpool one aperture is always engaged so the truth of his statement has to be proved to my satisfaction before I agree. I am also glad to see Mr. Evans is holding the fort nobly and well and beating off all attempts by Rusty to interfere. We fired our course over open ranges today. The N.C. O’s were very polite to us as we had 25 rounds of ball cartridge. They also disappeared after
[page break]
[underlined] 2. [/underlined]
giving orders to load, so the visit to the range was fruitless. The squad as a whole have benefitted by their 7 weeks training. When the uniforms were new they certainly looked just a crowd of untidy airman [sic]. They just look untidy now. We can fall in, in record time, into three ranks that take anything up to 20 minutes to get dressed and covered off and then march away at varying speeds and still get away with it. I believe the sergeant’s proud to have so many dumb clucks in one bunch and hopes to follow us in our careers to save being miserable. We have quite a number of unconcious [sic] comedians in the mob as well as some just plain unconcious [sic]. We have a march past the C.O. once a week in our wing and this is his weekly tonic and keeps him cheerful for the rest of the week. It would keep anyone else laughing for a month but you know these officers are hard to please. By the way, I never salute the wrong people now. I look into shop windows to save my arm and the officer embarrassment. One complaint I must make. Someone is evidently disturbed by the references to booze and barmaid’s [sic] but they can rest assured that I never visit the
[page break]
[underlined] 3 [/underlined]
hotels before opening time or after 10.0 [sic] at night and after all barmaids have their feelings. Some of them feel quite nice. One married one talking of her wedding day said her mind was a blank all the time and all she remembered was the throbbing of the organ and the coming of the bride. This billet we are in now should be used, by rights, by a cavalry regiment. The horses would feel more at home and if the committee that sat for an inquiry into why I was moved, like to visit me, I can get another ten chaps to jump on them as well. However I still go round to my old billet for super now and again and the old lady knows a bit of skirt I met dancing so its [sic] very handy. I only dance once a week as it is likely to interfere with my career or something. I should hope, sorry; think, some of the other boys will be getting their papers soon and then won’t I laugh, all my sufferings will not have been in vain and the sacrifices will have been justified, especially if they come up here. I warn them that we are so tough after this training that our last inoculation, two days ago, was given with a pneumatic drill to get it in. In passing I might mention that I have got by on my third morse test and
[page break]
4
seem to be getting ahead as per schedule. I know you are away from all the rigours of war but I must bring it to your notice now and again by mentioning little things like that after the last reserved occupation list we are having some doubts as to whether this is a reserved trade as I dont [sic] want to lose this job, its [sic] regular, clean and very well paid, £1 a day, once a fortnight. I have not found Harry Lentle yet and only hope he has not got lost in the deserts of this outpost of civilization as there are terrible dangers for inexperienced youths. The guiding pressure of an old hand on his shoulder should at least help him to spend some of the money he fetched along. Every now and then wild rumours circulate up here, first the course is being shortened, wild cheers, then its [sic] being extended, deep gloom, then somebody says they dont [sic] know anything and he’s about the only one you can trust. I could easily get a weekend pass but as it is only for 36 hours its [sic] not worth it, so I am gritting my teeth and hanging on until I get my leave when I finish my course. If the rest of the training takes as long as this is going to, Jerry’s got time to invade the U.S. before I get
[page break]
[underlined] 5 [/underlined].
behind my guns. This is a lousy dump for weather, when we are under cover it pours with rain and when we are due for drill it clears up wonderful. Not that rain interferes with our drill or anything like it, once we start drilling we take notice of nothing, thats [sic] one of the sergeants [sic] moans. If the others wish to do different to [deleted] my [/deleted] me, who am I to spoil their pleasure, we’re fighting for freedom. They have stopped all drilling on the promenade, the other amusement caterers made a complaint. Now we take the breath of humour into the back streets and brighten the lives of a few of the inhabitants. This place is filling up with visitors for the holiday and I think we may be able to have a good time. All we have to do is find a couple of visitors with a big capacity for enjoyment, plenty of cash and no morals. If they have the last two requirements I can enjoy myself enough for two. Since starting this short note and evening has intervened and we have made the acquaintance of a new bar-maid (sorry Mr. Hunt. Don’t buy a ticket this week) at our headquarters and she’s blonde, dumb
[page break]
and off Sunday night. I’ll have to put evensong off. And now to the business part of this screed.
[underlined] Rusty. [/underlined] Thanks for letter etc. Thank Dave and give him my regards. The wife and family are rubbing along nicely.
[underlined] Jack [/underlined] Thanks for letter. You’ll hear some more funny sayings when you get in, only you have to obey them with a click and not laugh.
Charlie and his ginger [underlined] cat [/underlined]
Dont [sic] despair you’ll learn to write if you try hard enough. You don’t need a box every time.
To All & [underlined] Sundry [/underlined]
Thanks for your wishes and I’ll try and get back despite them.
Remember me to everyone The Guv’nor, [sic] Engineers etc.
Best of luck.
Pete.
P.S. Try and find out Harry Lentle’s address.
[underlined] P. [/underlined]
[page break]
[postmark]
[postage stamp]
Mr. W. Gunton.
Machine Room.
Waterlow and Sons Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road.
Park Royal. N.W.10.
London.
[page break]
Reverse of envelope
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes about life during basic training at Blackpool. He mentions shooting, uniform, drill, social life, Morse code tests before complaining about all the time his training is taking before ‘getting behind his guns’. He concludes with friendly banter.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Six page handwritten letter with mismatched envelope.
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW421014-01
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lancashire
England--Blackpool
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military living conditions
military service conditions
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6604/ELampreyPGuntonW421009.1.pdf
2fead08c3d3e73bc4924cb0f32a85b85
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
1384535 A.C.2. Lamprey.
Signals Section.
H.Q. 14 Group. RAF.
Inverness.
Scotland.
Thursday. 9th [underlined] Oct. [/underlined]
Dear Bill.
Last night as I lay dreaming
In my cosy little bed.
A word procession formed itself,
And drifted through my head.
I saw again, the friends I knew
In days, so long remote,
When work was done at 5’oclock [sic]
And change – a ten bob note.
No martial band was mustered there
No even ranks they took.
But passed along, as they were down
In “Rusty” Harbours book.
First there came, as well we might
Our old friend of the chair
Harry Ashton, still the same
His “order” filled the air.
P.T.O.
[page break]
2.
Then Alfie Barnes – I see him still
Much older – wiser – sadder
And carrying upon his back
His little five rung ladder
Then Harry Beacham – looking round
The walk’s not his taste
He’d rather ride – he always would
He finds no cause for haste.
Mussolini? – surely not
Not in this grand parade
It must be Tommy Caldwell with
His hair all disarrayed.
Bill Collins now – he knows this game
I see it in his face
If he thinks he can better me
I’ll let him take my place.
This mighty girth – this cloud of fog
This stench of scorching tripe
Why bless my soul and all above
Its [sic] Coleman with his pipe.
“If I was you” – I know that voice
I’ve heard it times to [sic] many
And round the bend, as sure as eggs
Comes my old pal – Jack Denny.
[page break]
[underlined] 3. [/underlined]
Then “Uncle Bill” – still scrounging round,
No fuss – no row – no noise,
But hung around – from head to foot,
With parcels for the boys.
And Arthur Gilbert, as of old
Must stop to have his say
He reckons – and can prove it too
The routes the other way.
That brilliant head means Harbour D.
Those flaming auburn locks
I’d know him still – for in his arms
He hugs his old tin box.
Then Brother George – he’s silent now
That’s mighty strange I’m told
The reason is – the passing years
His hands must feel the cold
No meek voice this – no whisp’ring [sic] tone
No mild accents here faltered
But Honey. J. his mind made up
Is getting something altered.
And Brother Fred - his granite jaw
Was set as he displayed
Upon a pole – a banner with
The virtues of first-aid.
P.T.O.
[underlined] 4 [/underlined].
Then Eddie Hunt – now walking past
Now trotting at the double
Is looking round and trying hard
To dodge his usual trouble
The next in line was Hutchings – J.
Crestfallen – ill at ease
For in a fit of temper, he,
Had broken his trapeze.
What’s this – a gap – a break – I hear
No sound of plodding feet
Lay back and sleep – theres [sic] nothing but
A blank for poor old Pete.
A rolling walk – a tubby form
Mad Irishmen they say
Need lots of room – so theres [sic]a break
Moloney Dennis J.
Now “Dusty” Miller heaves in sight
His hair all quifs [sic] and curls
And eyes stuck out like door-knobs
He’s looking round for girls.
One man I missed – but now at last
I see the explanation
As Harry Rumbold – Dave and Co
Are still a corporation
[page break]
[underlined] 5 [/underlined].
Another combination
All loaded up with smiles
As Charlie and the ginger cat
Come down from off the tiles.
Then comes a splash of uniform
To see sideways is hard
Why Archie Slipper – so it is
The fearless – fit Home Guard.
And Spalding Bill – still much the same
His bag – his books – his way
Of dodging in and out the ranks
Collecting H.S.A.
Here comes the film fan – Reggie Smith
Rations – he should trouble
A bit more hair and medals
He’d be “Fatty Goerings” double.
Next Harry Straw – with covered truck
All loaded – so I’m told
With bags and bags and bags and bags
And bags and bags of gold.
Then Mr. Harry Staples
His fiddle in his hand
Was out of turn – through looking round
To try and find the band.
P.T.O.
[page break]
[underlined] 6 [/underlined]
While Cocky Warren – just behind
Still riding his old bike
Was offering to race ahead
And find it if he’d like.
They passed in ones – in two’s [sic] – in threes
Those chapel members all
And at the rear – just whipping in
As usual – Bertie Wall.
Another pair – and then the end
Bill Thornhill and George Francis
And in Bills’ [sic] hands – the night work book
Still shut – still closed – no chances.
And so the column moved away
When nearly out of sight
The Guv’nor passed by in his car
Still driving on his right
And as he passed I heard him say
“They’ve had their bit of fun –
Just stick the plates on lads – that’s all
Lets [sic] get it on the run”
And so the column drifted on
With time enough to spare
And left me thinking – have I missed
A face or figure there
[page break]
[underlined] 4 [/underlined].
And idly dreaming on these things
A voice – in broadest Scotch
Said – out you get – its [sic] duty now
Your [sic] on the midnight watch.
So if this effort doesn’t please
I’ll feel a bit rebuffed
But send you back a single phrase
Don’t like it? Well
“Get stuffed”
Give my love to everybody
Best of luck
Pete.
P.S. Thank everybody for their letters they’re going to write. Tell Moloney – Charlie can write he can just put a cross.
[underlined] P. [/underlined].
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes a humorous poem making fun of all his pre-war work mates.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-10-09
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Seven page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Text. Poetry
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW421009
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Highlands
Scotland--Inverness
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-10-09
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
arts and crafts
RAF Inverness
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6603/ELampreyPGuntonW421008-01.1.pdf
771e372ae654499ac8c24a3df4ad6574
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[inserted] [underlined] SUNDAY 2ND [/underlined] [/inserted]
1384535.
A.C.2. LAMPREY
NO. 7 WING [deleted] 5 [/deleted]
c/o 42 HAWTHORN RD.
[underlined] BLACKPOOL.N.5.
Dear Bill
Many thanks for letter. Above is no. etc [sic] but A.C.2. Lamprey to the above address will be O.K. as even if I move before I can inform you I can always call here to collect.
Well the RAF are doing [smudged] their best to alter my [/smudged] opinions on the rights of man. We have marched over every square inch of Blackpool and Stanley Park and for an encore we did a hundred mile sprint or thats[sic] how it felt. They inoculated us again on Friday and the undertaker was sitting on the step all day yesterday rubbing his hands but I am pleased to say I f___ him. I think he has gone round to a pal of mine as when I saw my pal last he only wanted a brass plate on his chest. The[sic] give us an hours P.T. every day to loosen us up but I think somethings gone wrong somewhere as about 8 o’clock at night I can hardly get my elbow on the bar. The big event
[page break]
2.
pay parade, took place on Friday, but as usual the RAF failed to come up to scratch. We all got half we expected and next pay parade is a fortnight away. The RAF might be able to scrap but thats[sic] the only way they toe the line. I think they need a few new chapel officials. We get lovely quiet nights [deleted] hear [/deleted] here at least we seldom get a warning. They are reported to have dropped a bomb five e miles away one night and it frightened a man out of his wife.
I am glad the canteen is coming along again and shall be glad to hear when “Cherry” gets back. Tell him before he gets called up to [deleted] indecipherable [/deleted] tie a seven pound weight on each foot with barbed wire and trot round the car park it will get him used to RAF boots. Then he had better stand still for about 4 hours a day in the snow and rain, that will get him used to the N.C.O. making his mind up. On second thoughts tell him to put up with it like rest of us.
You have got a fat chance here of getting leave or a pass until you are posted and as there are about 20,000 waiting for that the outlook is distinctly murky. I still cant [sic] get used to working to time Wed. And Thurs. But I realise I have plenty of time to
[page break]
3
get that way.
We started off with a ginger corporal who reminded me of someone but I think he exploded one day as he hasn’t appeared for some while. Now we have a sergeant who does everything by numbers, but he doesn’t strike many lucky ones in our squad. In fact if Fred Karno saw us some mornings he would book us ‘en bloc’. We go on rifle drill next week and if they want the war over quick they should mix the Germany army up with us and I can guarantee that 75% would be brained, if you can go by the danger of getting trampled to death during foot drill. Why in H - an airman has to know all this gets by me but it must add up somewhere and I never was good at figures.
There is plenty of life up here if you keep your eyes off the rookies (they are all half dead), they[sic] beer is good but the women are poisen[sic], there are too many Poles about. I haven’t struck the pub. You mentioned but I am working my passage night by night and should complete the round before many weeks go by and will then let you know. There are a lot of Scotch chaps here so we all buy our own and you never miss a turn that way. Tell Rusty the wife
[page break]
4
received the Waterlow’s money O.K. and if he can spare time to send me down the method of extracting [formula] as I am going to have a gamble on an observers job.
Remember me to everybody in the chapel – the guv’nor [sic] – Fred Cooper and Bert Smith and in about three weeks I should have things under control unless they inoculate me again, in which case I shall sit in the undertakers to save being shaken about. Have you heard from Herbert? There are a lot of B.B. men posted here for WOP Training and he might go in for it. Let me know if you do or if anyone else gets orders for here.
Will close now as my buttons are winking at me and the[sic] want their nightly touch. Blast ‘em
All the best
[underlined] Pete. [/underlined]
P.s. Tell Jack M. not to bother about getting his weight down they do it by numbers up here.
P.
[page break]
CALNE
WILTS.
12.30 PM
8 OCT 42
[postage stamp]
MR W. GUNTON.
MACHINE ROOM.
WATERLOW AND SONS. LTD.
TWYFORD ABBEY ROAD
PARK ROYAL. N.W.10.
LONDON.
[page break]
Reverse of envelope
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Pete writes about life during Royal Air Force basic training including marching, physical training, pay parade and the social life. He makes some comments on a training corporal and closes asking to be remembered to friends.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Four page handwritten letter with mismatched envelope
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW421008-01
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lancashire
England--Blackpool
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military living conditions
military service conditions
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6602/ELampreyPGuntonW420923.1.pdf
ce78c4bb917989f889846f37120d178d
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
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.
[page break]
[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
[page break]
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
[page break]
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
[page break]
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]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
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.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-09-23
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Mismatched envelope and four page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW420923
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Highlands
Scotland--Inverness
England--Wiltshire
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-09-23
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
military living conditions
RAF Inverness
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6601/ELampreyPGuntonW420820.2.pdf
536163c7883cc30b5485b77bc000a88a
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Envelope
Inverness
20 Aug
1942.
[postage stamp]
MR. W. GUNTON.
MACHINE ROOM.
WATERLOO AND SONS. LTD.
TWYFORD ABBEY ROAD.
PARK ROYAL.
NW10 LONDON.
[page break]
[RAF Crest]
[page break]
1384535. LAC. LAMPREY
SIGNALS SECTION.
HQ. 14 GROUP.
RAF. [underlined] INVERNESS [/underlined]
RX11DAY.
My friend etc.
I have been sold down the river on numerous occasions but – believe me, the smooth way you perishers do it has got Mr. A. Hitler looking like a bloody amatuer[sic]. When I write – I am not getting at anybody. When I don’t write – I am forgetting you. Listen. For the love of Pete – tell me what you want and then get someone else to do it. And another thing – you’ve got the belly to talk about me writing to other people. Remember you are still about ten letters behind. When you catch up you
[page break]
can start peeping but until then just take your turn in the queue.
Usually I start my letters in a spirit of duty and pleasure but I am afraid pleasure has rather come out on top and hence the temporary hold up in the mail. Since starting this epistle I have had news. I have got my posting on the last lap of my course at last. The fact has given my prospective a right hander and I dont [sic] suppose I shall be seeing you for quite a few months. This will be no hardship to me but I dont [sic] know how you people are going to stand it.
Seeing that I have quite a bit of work to get under my belt before I can leave I am parking this. You can bind as much
[page break]
you like but for all I care you can burn.
I will write as soon as I get to Y. Remember me to everyone.
Best of it.
Pete.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes complaining that post has been held up but that he has at last received his posting to the next step in training.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-08-20
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and three page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW420820
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Highlands
Scotland--Inverness
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-08-20
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military service conditions
RAF Inverness
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6600/ELampreyPGuntonW420802.1.pdf
1c99710b9810c17e6668637a439480e7
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
INVERNESS
4 AUG
1942
[postage stamp]
MR W. GUNTON.
MACHINE ROOM,
WATERLOW AND SONS. LTD.
TWYFORD ABBEY ROAD
PARK ROYAL. N. W. 10.
LONDON.
[page break]
Reverse of envelope
[page break]
1384535. LAC. LAMPREY.
H.Q. 14 GROUP
RAD. INVERNESS
[underlined] SCOTLAND [/underlined]
[underlined] SUNDAY. 2ND. [/underlined]
Dear Uncle Bill etc.
Listen. If you have at last decided to write to me, for Pete’s sake don’t tell me how much you enjoyed your blasted unpatriotic holiday. While you were lounging around – I – was resisting the enemy and shouldering your share of the war. Not that the amount I shouldered for you made much difference.
Life – thank heaven – is still treating me like a favourite son. I am managing to get by with no trouble and not much more effort. I suppose one of this[sic] days the storm will break and I’ll and I’ll find
[page break]
[underlined] 2. [/underlined]
Myself in the brig. But it is very nice at present – thanks very much. I have managed to poke in a few crafty trips to town and during a spell of fine weather a visit to a local beauty spot. Beautiful long grass and nobody around. A very fine view from where I was.
One thing I am glad to hear is that the three stooges haven’t actually come yet. Personally I don’t think the public could stand another set-back at present so the longer the T.S. Act as a brake on R.T. Production the easier for the rest of us. You didn’t say what they were going in as but as long as they are nice and green the sergeant will be pleased to see them. My heart bleeds for them – I don’t think.
If Mr. Hunt has the idea I am going
[page break]
[underlined] 3. [/underlined]
To waste my valuable time trying to get under his thick hide it is just another of his mistakes. As for brother George if he thinks I enjoy writing about his past misdemeanours and laying them bare to the world he has a funny idea of my nature. I don’t like doing it but feel it is my duty as one who had to take up a job he only half finished.
Since starting the letter I have had a break for a spot of entertainment and am sorry to state it has had to be delayed. The whole trouble with this war is the way it interferes with my letter writing.
The is something funny about the way they have left me alone this last day or so. I don’t like it and expect any minute to find I am due to be
[page break]
[underlined] 4. [/underlined]
Wafted away into the remote blasted highlands on another perishing job. Generally the news from here is noticeable by its absence and this week is nothing out of the ordinary. I don’t want to upset anybody at P.R. as I hope to grab a spot of leave in about a months [sic] time and would hate to be stabbed in the back.
If the bloody engineers think I am going to write about or to them they can think again – if possible. Its[sic] about time Bert Smith sent my perishing photo back and found one of Audrey instead. Half my time is spent in finding women for other blokes to pinch.
I am glad to hear the old R I P has quietened down a bit and is leading a more sober
[page break]
[underlined] 5. [/underlined]
life. He must be sickening for something.
I received everything you sent and you might tell Charlie I can recommend his taste. If he ever gets up here I’ll put him on to some of the people who shared the experiment.
Keep your head down and I’ll be along one day and lift it for you remember me to all
All the best
[underlined] Pete [/underlined]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey starts with some friendly banter and mentions that he has managed some time off. He says the letter was interrupted by some unspecified duty away and concludes with catch up news.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-08-02
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and five page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW420802
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Highlands
Scotland--Inverness
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-08-02
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military service conditions
RAF Inverness
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6599/ELampreyPGuntonW420727.1.pdf
5bcd7b7905ee46f2fb76cafdd024e8dc
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[postage stamp]
Mr. W. Gunton.
Machine Room.
Waterlow and Sons. Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road.
Park Royal
London. N.W.10
[inserted]
EXAMINER 2473 51/9911. H.B.
[/inserted]
[page break]
[inserted]
OPENED BY P.C. 90
[/inserted]
[page break]
1384535. LAC. Lamprey.
Signals Section.
HQ. 14. Group. R.A.F.
Inverness
[underlined] Sunday. 26th. July. [/underlined]
Dear UNK – Others.
Very – very funny. I take it that the last missive I received from you was Maloney’s farewell letter. If some of you people are not more careful you will be getting a rush of brains to the head and Christ knows what will happen then. I might even get a bit of news – not that I want good news after your last effort. However it served its purpose and I [inserted] am [/inserted] able to see you are still alive. I almost said glad but have decided to stick to the truth.
[page break]
Life still continues to drag me feet first. If I wade through much more of this glorious Scotch scenery I shall apply for a transfer to the infantry so I can at least ride on the bleeding route marches. We have spent exactly two nights in our own beds in the last seven days and I am seriously considering taking in a lodger and making a bit on the side.
Still on the two nights mentioned we managed to get into town. I am sorry to say that I disregarded Mr. Hunts good advice and went on the beer. If we could have had a few more pints we’d have had this war over before August. I might mention that the evening lasted very well and the W.A.A.F I had, was a bit tight – at
[page break]
first. I also ran into a printer who said he knew Jack Denny but I told him not to worry about it too much, as we all had some undiscovered mistakes in our lives. We have also a new pal that has been stuffed up here. A Welshman. Dave Evans – but this one is a decent bloke so I never mentioned the old RIP. Taken by and large, we have a nice little party now. Seven strong, healthy airman willing to let anyone do our share of the war as long as the beer – and the cash – lasts out. If any of us see this year out without doing a spell inside it will be because we have collapsed under the strain of total war.
If the three dumb clucks have gone I hope they run into a sergeant we
[page break]
have just been unfortunate to lose. He will at least prove that all the battles are not won and lost on foreign fields. In fact he’ll prove that you can start a bloody fine war over nothing. I hope it keeps fine for them.
Some while ago I asked Bert Smith if he would forward a certain photo on and having thanked him for it would like to know when the hell he’s going to do it. If I get posted down south I shall be stopping off for a night and I don’t want to do any more explaining than I can help. I do so much blasted explaining at this lark that I am running out of tales and I should hate to have to fall back on the truth.
I have just been informed that I am on another job tomorrow. Lord knows
[page break]
where – I suppose they are finding the muddiest place. The sooner they find out I am only and air gunner U/T and not a bleeding camel the better I’ll like it.
Well I am packing up now and will write when I get time. Theres [sic] a date in town that must get by.
Remember me to all.
Love.
[underlined] Pete. [/underlined].
P.S Don’t forget the Royal.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes complaining about route marches and lack of sleep although he was able to get into town on nights off. He continues with comment on life and concludes with friendly banter to former workmates. Letter was stamped 'Examiner 2473 51/9911. H.B., Opened by P.C.90'.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-07-26
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and five page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW420727
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Highlands
Scotland--Inverness
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-07-26
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF Inverness
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6598/ELampreyPGuntonW420712.2.pdf
e1fc51d3a00daa3a71eafe107d2ac0c0
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Inverness
11 – AM
13 JUL
1942
[postage stamp]
Mr. W. Gunton.
Machine Room.
Waterlow and Sons. Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road.
Park Royal. N.W.10
London.
[page break]
[reverse of envelope]
[RAF Crest]
[page break]
1384535. LAC. Lamprey.
Signals Section.
HQ. 14. Group.
RAF. [underlined] Inverness [/underlined]
[underlined] Sunday. 12th. July. [/underlined]
Dear UNK. – Others.
Listen my friends. It is not often I complain. This is however is just a warning against the perfidious habit of printing lies about me in the “Royal”. If this is continued I am sorely afraid someone is going to get a nasty clump with a handy sized brick. I did not have 14 days leave. I admire the way you peri-shers [sic] try and get me extra leave but it is doing no good. Another little point. I have not left for any more training thanks very much. At the present
[page break]
[underlined] 2 [/underlined]
moment I am engaged in jollying the war along very nicely – thanks very much. Life has repented and is now engaged in treating me like the blue eyed boy. If it continues at this rate I shall need twenty-one days sick leave to recu-perate. [sic] Talk about bring on your dancing girls and let’s make a night of it. Half the bother is the nights don’t seem to stop.
I don’t seem to have a lot of spare time these days and the way your last letter read, seems like you do not realise the handicap we are fighting this war under. Remember my friend if I let anything slip the blasted army works a fast one into me and I have to find another date. In any case what the hell do you want every time I write? A set of
[page break]
[underlined] 3. [/underlined]
bloody love lyrics? Rest content with the fact that even amid the turmoil of battle, I still remember you.
I received – with a sense of shock – the news that the two love birds have joined up. From now on I am afraid Cherry will have to throw his own bricks. That is if he still has the strength after he has been taught to march and walk, and drill and what all hell knows else. The pity of it is I shan’t see them scraping the fat off Moloney with a rifle – but I shall nevertherless [sic] enjoy thinking of it. I don’t know what he is going in for but if he wants any advice on the subject I shall enjoy withholding it so he can suffer as all us real airmen have. The only advice I can give Cherry is never to stoop in
[page break]
[inserted] 4. [/inserted]
the dark as some airmen are always getting into tight places.
There does’nt [sic] seem to be much chance of me moving for a while and from tales that do get through now and again I think life here will suit my style of rugged beauty a bit better than some places. I am still bashing a key for a living and am not particular who for pleasure. There was a bit of [deleted] takk [/deleted] talk about going back to the island but I think I’ll break a leg or something if they mention it again.
I don’t know whether I wrote but I heard from Bill Smith and he seems to have got this war business pretty well banged – in fact if they stop it now I think he’d kick up hells delight about it.
[page break]
I haven’t heard from Wyn or Kitty yet but expect they are trying to find some bloody fine excuse for something. From what I know of the previous time they won’t be the ones who have to find them.
This is your lot and for Pete’s sake don’t start yelling. Thanks for the P.O’s – books and good wishes that were enclosed – I feel the same about you. Kiss Brother George and give him something to moan about. Remember me to one and all.
Love and kisses.
Pete. X .
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey starts with some general banter and then notes that two of his ex-work mates have enlisted. He comments that there is not much chance of him moving yet and concludes with some catching up with news.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-07-13
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW420712
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Highlands
Scotland--Inverness
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-07-13
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and five page handwritten letter
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF Inverness
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6597/ELampreyPGuntonW420523.1.pdf
adee0edb93e6ffa24304400fe6b3ec0c
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Inverness
10 – PM
25 MAY
1942
[postage stamps]
Mr. W. Gunton.
Machine Room
Waterlow and Sons. Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road
Park Royal.
London. N.W.10
[page break]
[reverse of envelope]
[RAF Crest]
[page break]
[RAF Crest]
Signals Section.
HQ. 14. Group.
[underlined] Inverness [/underlined]
[underlined] Saturday 23rd [/underlined]
Dear UNK. Others. Friends.
Life – I am sorry to say – has now assumed all the appearances of the arse-end of a 250 H.E. - very grim. I stuck a pass in for leave as soon as I got back and they proceeded to play merry hell. Then they slung it out, so I put another in. Then they told me I only get seven days. I – in polite language told them to work it and I am now waiting to see the old man and pull his ear down. I shall
[page break]
either get leave or 14 days. If I don’t get leave I shall make sure I enjoy the 14 days. This place has gone to the dogs since I’ve been away and the sooner they send for me for my gunnery the better this erk will like it.
Outside of business hours however – it is not too bad. We have re-established contact with the life of the town and are now in the position of having some real sorrows to drown. I hope the money outlasts the sorrow. The realities of war don’t look so bad through the bottom of a glass and khaki hides a multitude of pretty legs.
My mail is gradually catching up with me. I notice that you can still write. Some of your news in any case is only what I have always expected. The very thought of
[page break]
[RAF Crest]
[underlined] 3. [/underlined]
the dangers the F.O.C. faces is appalling. That Mr. Evans should run amok with a knife is nothing unexpected. I have always advocated the policy of keeping well clear of people who seem to spend their nights in riotous living and their afternoons in getting someone to give them a blow. How he spends his mornings is, as always, a mystery.
Should at any time, anyone feel like sending me a bit of sand, I should advise keeping a few handfuls back to spread on the blood I shall beat out of them at some future date. The news that Brother George is back to his old form is a bit of a blow. How his staff must suffer. But in the days of tommy-guns etc. it is
[page break]
nice to hear of the wonders worked with a stone axe and a handful of bricks.
You always mention Charlie and the ginger cat in your epistles. Evidently there is a wrong impression abroad somewhere. I asked for news of my friends. The sooner the military catch up with these babies the sooner I celebrate. That goes for “Old Ivory” to. [sic]
Since returning to this place and spending a week in it I am afraid I have not had a lot of time for letter writing. There are still a few places I haven’t visited yet and I have these omissions to repair before I can say I have really arrived. In any case I dont [sic] wan’t [sic] to tell you all the news as I hope to be seeing you – lets [sic] get this straight –
[page break]
[RAF Crest]
[underlined] 5. [/underlined]
I hope to be getting leave.
So my friend – this is again short and sweet. Get the bunting ready. Remember me to all. Thanks for the letters.
[underlined] Pete. [/underlined].
P.S. The morse at the bottom of the letter was lousy.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes that he is having trouble getting leave but that his out of work hours social life is not bad. He concludes with some banter.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-05-25
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and five page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW420523
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Highlands
Scotland--Inverness
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-05-25
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military living conditions
RAF Inverness
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6596/ELampreyPGuntonW420517.1.pdf
9dfdd534335922490f57031bd416cc54
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Inverness
11-AM
18 MAY
1942
[postage stamp]
Mr. W. Gunton.
Machine Room.
Waterlow and Sons. Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road.
Park Royal.
London. N.W.10.
[page break]
[reverse of envelope]
[RAF Crest]
[page break]
[RAF Crest]
Signals Section.
HQ. 14. Group.
[underlined] Inverness [/underlined]
[underlined] Sunday. 17th. May. [/underlined]
Dear UNK and Others.
Heaven forbid that I should ever sink so low as to neglect my friends. This letter is written in bitterness – sorrow and anguish. Where the bloody hell is a reply to some of my blasted letters?
You will notice – I hope – that I am once more back in the arms of civilisation. And oh boy – what arms. After more than a week of the usual dithering, we flew back yesterday. And what a trip. The kite did everything but lay eggs – we did that. But now we are safe
[page break]
and able to take nourishment the fun will commence – or to be truthful, has.
The parcels were safe and my usual thanks for them. Having perused “The Royal” I have come to the conclusion that my rise in rank is a greater achievement than I considered. Your help was, as usual, such that I rose despite it. You might return my contribution that I so willingly sent for Mr Hunts’ [sic] wreath. I see he is still alive – or at least moving. As undependable as ever. Lowering myself to reply to him, I thank him for his wishes and hope he breaks his as well. Where in hell he gets his ideas of a good time from is just no bodys’ [sic] business. Still, I shall have much pleasure in being as rude as possible when I visit.
The return to Inverness has brought us face to face with war at its grimmest form. Beer
[page break]
[RAF Crest]
[underlined] 3. [/underlined]
is rationed. The pubs only open five days a week and then – according to eyewitness accounts – the slaughter is terrible. For myself, I only had a few in celebration last night. I saw an old friend and although good looking she doesn’t live up to looks. A good time was had by all. The A.T.S. are wearing summer issue already.
Realising the pleasure I shall bring – I am applying for leave tomorrow. If I get it – you, as master of ceremonies, will of course be informed, and the bunting unfurled ready. I am putting in for 14 days but whether they will stand me or not I dont [sic] know yet. Still we’ll have a bash.
I don’t like to insult Brother George in this letter as he may have already written me a
[page break]
letter apologising. Seeing that the war is doing so well here and there, I take it that no other minders have joined anything but their hands. We might consider a bit of help later on but, at the present moment, you can all lie back and act as a brake – your finest position. I have left things in good hands in the island and can now look forward to a spell of working my way back into the gutter. The tale of my progress in this direction will be unfolded later, as if you think I am going to lie here writing when there are a number of things to be done and the boys are waiting – youve [sic] had it.
[underlined] Pete [/underlined] .
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes that he is back in civilisation at Inverness. But complains of wartime beer rationing. Ne states that he is applying for leave and concludes with some banter.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-05-18
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and four page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW420517
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Highlands
Scotland--Inverness
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-05-18
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF Inverness
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6595/ELampreyPGuntonW420509.2.pdf
75c59273c237f55cb89ab267d6258c7b
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
GLASGOW
1.30 PM
13 MAY
1942
[postage stamp]
Mr. W. Gunton
Machine Room.
Waterlow and Sons Ltd
Twyford Abbey Road
Park Royal
London. N.W.10.
[inserted]
EXAMINER 6440
51-9912-G.W.D.
[/inserted]
[inserted]
X
[/inserted]
[page break]
[reverse of envelope]
[RAF Crest]
[inserted]
P.C. 90
OPENED BY
[/inserted]
[page break]
[RAF Crest]
Hut. Z14.
[underlined] Tiree [/underlined]
[underlined] Saturday. 9th. May. [/underlined]
Dear Unk and others.
So - at last my efforts reap their just reward. At least I have beaten into your solid ivory skulls the fact that I can read and would like the pleasure of laughing at some of you dumb clucks working for the inland revenue. It is more than you perishers ever did while I watched you. Then you had no excuse - and needed none.
Well - my better nature rising as usual to the surface - I thank you for your effort. But I still don't remember getting the March "Royal". If you are up to some of your usual skull-
[page break]
duggery and are holding out on me, I should advise you to stop and consider the horrible risk you run. I am very glad to hear Brother George is back in the folder but - for Petes' [sic] sake don't say he is back at work. That I know is a lie. A man that lies to an airman has as much [deleted] undecipherable [/deleted] conscience as a girl that wears her suspender belt over her panties.
It is nice of you to talk about promotion my friend but - the rings I aspire to most at the present, are a nice dark set round my eyes. And as to my prop going round - I hope it goes round London with me very shortly. You still seem to get the wrong impression of this place. Where do you get the idea that the island looks any better when the sun shines. You can see more of it. I think the place was very well disguised if you liked the scenery when you
[page break]
[underlined] 3. [/underlined]
[RAF Crest]
were around this part of the world. Sand my friend looks just the same in or out of a fire bucket.
Now that Brother George is back in harness - how apt a phrase - I suppose he is now doing his usual digging for victory. Raising his usual crop of bloated wireworms and fine looking sparrows. If he could only raise raspberries like he deserves them. Rusty as usual has his ex-pected failure with his plums - an annual event. The only bloke down there that get[sic] any-thing out of allotments is Moloney. He gets his suits.
So Frank Batchelor is going to carry the war into foreign parts. I hope you wished him luck for me. I can see the other boys are playing the good old minders game of letting
[page break]
someone else do it. But I am still a minder under the blue of the service and if you want me to do your bit my friends, you've had it. At the present moment I am easing the war along very nicely thank you and am capable of taking care of any stray pints the boys leave without an owner. In fact, life is rolling along without me having to leave my seat to help shove.
I do not like your dirty cracks about my bit of pash [passion] in Blackpool. That is a bit of the reserves the air force like to fall back on now and again. In any case tell Bert Smith to send that blasted photo back pronto in case he gets called up and sent up there. I'd hate to have my character blackened by an engineer who can't keep his mind above the [deleted] undecipherable [/deleted] navel.
Once again we are in the throes of expecting.
[page break]
[underlined] 5 [/underlined].
[RAF Crest]
Not what you mean, but expecting to get back to the mainland. It might be this week at last. If it is my lucky date, I think I shall pop in for a bit of leave straight away and get me a few days of riotous living. A few days spent under a bar room table.
Altough[sic] Although I really need not ask, I suppose Mr Hunt is still prostrate at the thought of having to pay for my enjoyment out of his own pocket. Every time I smoke a fag I think of him and hope he lasts long enough to see the war out. I also hope Maloney sees it out - in Libya. That thought also goes for those two fugitives from the rooftop.
They have now got a station band here and can those boys play. They all play in the station team.
One of these days someone will show them a
[page break]
sheet of music and then there will be some excitement. Still the boys are pretty good and now the place is getting civilised the natives are coming out of the woods and mixing a bit. As soon as I learn the language I shall pick me a nice hula maid and hang around until the hot weather dries the grass up.
This, I am sorely afraid, will have to do for a while. Remember me to the OPA's- engs.[engineers] old man etc. Look after Dave and give him his bottle regular.
Best of luck.
Pete.
P.S. Have a look at that red carpet, you might need it soon.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes a light hearted letter to his friends and mentions that he hopes to get back to the mainland soon. The letter has been opened and signed by censor.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-05-13
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Argyll and Bute
Scotland--Tiree
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-05-13
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and six page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW420509
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF Tiree
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6594/ELampreyPGuntonW420423.1.pdf
d91b1f2451d696f27e312f8637ec67d5
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
SCARINISH
ISLE OF TIREE
23 AP 42
[postage stamp]
R.A.F.
CENSOR
184
[indecipherable censor signature]
Mr. W. Gunton.
Machine Room.
Waterlow and Sons. Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road.
Park Royal. N.W.10.
London
[page break]
[reverse of envelope]
[RAF Crest]
[page break]
[RAF Crest]
[underlined] Thursday. 23rd. April. [/underlined]
Mr. Ashton or any other lug that likes to climb into the ring:-
With due consideration,
And a sense of emulation.
I reply, in manner fitting, to your screed but percieve [sic] with perturbation,
Though with something like elation,
That your style has suffered terribly indeed.
Now you, with no compunction,
Hold, that in a natural function,
Like a dream, I should express myself in rhyme.
I retort with righteous unction,
That working in conjunction
[page break]
With the R.A.F., I really haven't time.
Although this situation
Will cause mighty consternation,
I regret the tears my friends are going to shed.
But reflect, in rumination,
On the joyous jubilation
You will hold, when news comes through that I am dead.
If there should be some reaction,
Like a certain satisfaction,
At no rhymes or verse, a favour I would ask.
You will name me to the faction,
For my future line of action,
Will be, to take these certain folks to task.
I can see that my promotion
Has effected a commotion
But I hope that one and all will understand
I distrust your sweet devotion
As I have sneaking notion
[page break]
[underlined] 9. [/underlined]
[RAF Crest]
That you're working hard at something underhand.
I take the greatest pleasure
In recording - in full measure
My feelings to the chapel as a whole
But the hours I spend in leisure
I will everlasting treasure
And not in writing to a bunch of bloody dimwits that I have only heard from once in the last month.
Dear Uncle Bill.
From the foregoing you will see that I have heard from Mr. Ashton. You might thank him. I wouldn't. I also heard from our old friend Fred Baulch, who has some how [sic] picked up the quite erroneous idea that I am enjoying myself. I have a rooted objection to such tales being spread. Any
[page break]
further misinterpretations of my letters will find you facing a charge - or a summons for defamation of character.
Life has for some reason taken the easy road lately. I can now sit and stare for hours at a pile of work and not even sweat. This is where the training I perceived under my old friend Harry stands me in good stead. If it goes on like this, I shall leave my. [sic] saddle and bridle off and take things as they come. That's if some of my thieving friends don't take them first.
My short stay in this holiday resort seems to have got jammed up somewhere. If I am here much longer I can see myself marrying one of the Indians and forgetting I was ever a white man. Having been
[page break]
[underlined] 5. [/underlined]
[RAF Crest]
so long out of contact with civilisation – or what goes for civilisation in your neck of the woods - I am just a bit doubtful as to whether life goes on the same in your little bear pit. From reports that drift through it seems as if life is one long round of letting someone else do it. Business as [deleted] has [/deleted] usual.
The weather having climbed up off it’s [sic] knees we can look forward to being enticed out without our coats. Then I suppose - the urea will descend upon us from a terrific altitude. Never having evinced the slightest interest in my welfare this if course will not cause the slightest heartburning.
I hope Brother George is now back in
[page break]
harness and performing his usual acts. As soon as I know for certain he is well I will dig up the rifle again. Give my love to all at home, if you still have the nerve to go home. Remember me to all. Love and kisses.
[underlined] Pete. [/underlined]
P.S. I don't quite know what to to[sic] with this last half page but your mind is dirty enough.
P.P.S. What has happened to the "Royal"? Is it in one of the parcels?
P.P.P.S. You will notice the hut No. is different again. I dare say we will be in a cave next. We've been in every hut on the island so far.
[undecipherable censor signature]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey starts with a poem and continues with some banter. He continues with some light hearted comment on life in general. The letter has been opened and signed by censor.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-04-23
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and six page handwritten document
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Text. Poetry
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW420423
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Argyll and Bute
Scotland--Tiree
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-04-23
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
arts and crafts
military living conditions
RAF Tiree
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6593/ELampreyPGuntonW420401.2.pdf
f784efdbf2eb49f84e85ee07bef93136
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[RAF Crest]
Hut. N3.
RAF. Station. Tiree.
[underlined]Argyllshire[/underlined]
April 1st. [underlined] 42. [/underlined]
Dear Uncle - others.
Why in hell I ever sit down and rack my already overloaded brain in an effort to write to such a lot of unappreciative loafers is a wonder. Since having reached this delectable spot I have received the total of one letter from you. If you really want to know the best way to use your cribbage board, I will be only too pleased to forward it by the next mail - with full instructions.
Having settled down into what, by a stretch of the imagination, can be called
[page break]
semi-comfort, I have at last found time to lash some of my esteemed friends out of their inertia.
As to news - there is none - at least from this end. The weather still stays either fine or wet, according to whether it is raining or not. The boat still leaves on its[sic] voyage of discovery in an attempt to find the mainland. But whether it has succeeded yet is as big a mystery as ever.
Eventually the skipper will find a spot where the bad weather only lasts six days a week and will be so pleased that he will never come back.
Not having heard from Park Royal for a period, I often wonder if my wildest dreams have come true and there has been a spate of funerals lately. If this is so
[page break]
[underlined] 3 [/underlined]
[RAF Crest]
let me know and I will wire congrat-ulations to those left.
As I mentioned in an earlier letter, the length of time we are supposed to spend here is ten days or so. This being another of those fairy tales they are so fond of dishing up to us, we expect to spend most of the summer moaning about being marooned. Not that any of you give a hoot in Hell if I spend the rest of my valuable life fighting your battles for you.
If I should receive a letter from you at any time expressing sorrow at the fact that I have missed my leave, I shall treat it with the contempt. [sic] that all such lying communications, deserve to be treated with.
[page break]
If you think I am disappointed in not having my leave, you don't know the half of it. This delay will however, give a few of you lugs a chance to save a few coppers in readiness for the magnificent celebration in honour of the weary warriors return.
The war, having no effect upon life in your quiet backwater of the world, is, I suppose, taking second place to usual scrounge round for something to plant in garden. With the memories of other days still fresh I can see Harry Straw bargaining for a handful of cabbage plants and Harry Beacham pinching them, as usual. Mr Hunt will, now that petrol has stopped, have to look round for other ways of augmenting his income as soon
[page break]
[underlined]5. [/underlined]
[RAF Crest]
as he withdraws the "Park Royal Passenger Service.". His chief scout and drummer Archie, will be able to work some of his superfluous fat off by walking.
I should think the inventors have invented a pretty marvellous excuse if they are still not in the services. The only reason I can think is, that no single service will take the responsibility of having its system twisted to suit their needs. As for Moloney, he would be of more use to the RAF if he joined the Luftwaffe.
I have still heard nothing from Bill Smith. If he intends writing - and I doubt if half the news I get from you can be really brand new - he had better start quick or they will have him overseas. As usual I
[page break]
have left his address on the mainland.
I could not write a letter without referring to that paragon of truth, Brother George. I should think that by now his plans for the successful winning of the war are complete and if he could only get someone to take notice of him, he would be able to put his hands back in his pockets.
Should Mr. Ashton care to send me a few more of his vile verses I shall be very pleased to burn them unread. If the muse should strike me at any time during my incarceration I shall pass the efforts along for your disapproval.
Remember me to all the others when you write. If I return to the land of hope before hearing from you I will
[page break]
[RAF Crest]
try and drop Bill a line.
Give my regards to anyone you like - I'm pretty generous these days. Remember me to the OPA's - maintenance etc. Kiss Rusty and Dave - give my love to Auntie
All the best.
Pete.
P.S. If the perishers can't read this, its [sic] not their eyes, its [sic] their bloody education.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes complaining that he has had only one letter and that there is no news from his end. He is hoping only to spend 10 days on Tiree and that he was disappointed to miss his leave. He concludes with some light hearted banter.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-04-01
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Seven page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW420401
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Argyll and Bute
Scotland--Tiree
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-04-01
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF Tiree
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6592/ELampreyPGuntonW420326.1.pdf
c593772b9663ecaf37a851ce1c0efef4
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
SCARNISH ISLE OF TIREE
28 MAR 42
[postage stamp]
Mr. W. Gunton.
Machine Room.
Waterlow and Sons. Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road.
Park Royal. N.W.10.
London
[inserted] EXAMINER 1,679 51-5628 [/Inserted]
[RAF Censor stamp with indecipherable censor signature]
[page break]
[reverse of envelope]
[RAF Crest]
[inserted] P.C.90 OPENED BY [/inserted]
[page break]
[RAF Crest]
1384535. LAC. Lamprey.
Hut L6.
RAF. Station. Tiree
[underlined] Argyllshire. [/underlined].
Thursday. [underlined] 26th [underlined]
Dear Uncle Bill – Others.
Just in case you should feel like raising three hearty cheers over the above address, I might point out that I shall be getting leave at some future date and too much hilarity is likely to have repercussions. Either the postal services have gone to pot, or, there is a dumb cluck who doesn't read my letters. I wrote and told you that for the time being my leave was off - and here is a letter to hand
[page break]
[underlined] 2. [/underlined].
asking me to make arrangements.
We are - as you can see - back in this island paradise. This time for how long - we don't know. At the present moment it is only supposed to be for a fortnight but you can never tell. So far we have been so busy that the lull in the letters is unavoidable. Even now the news is very little. I am still fit - not that you care a damn. I am brassed off - and you care a damn sight less. If by any chance Brother George should once again start his blood and sand epic of Salonika I think I can shove one up his spout that will keep him quiet for the duration.
They tore me away, for the second
[page break]
[underlined] 3. [/underlined].
[RAF Crest]
time, [corrected] from [/corrected] Inverness, just as I had a whale of a time all lined up. Bags of going to town - bags of lovely dates - bags under the eyes next morning. The rest will do me good, with a bit of luck I shall return fit enough to get thoroughly dissipated in time for my leave.
You said that Bill Smith was writing to me but so far I have heard sweet F.A. from him. He - as myself - is very likely too busy winning this war to bother about telling other people how to run the show. You never mention Herbert these days. Is he still holding down balloons in London or has he finally taken the plunge and
[page break]
remustered.
I got a smashing cake from Wyn and Kitty this week and a certain person was mentioned but I will not mention the name in case any-one in the chapel should get curious.
There is nothing much I can write about - even Mr. Hunt can rest in peace for this letter. Give my love to all and I will try and write again over the weekend.
Best of Luck
[underlined]Pete.[/underlined]
P.S.
I should write to Inverness in case I move quick.
[undecipherable] censor signature [/undecipherable]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes that he is back on Tiree and reminds friends that he told them his leave was cancelled. He states that this recent move had curtailed his plans for a great night out in Inverness. He concludes with some banter. The letter has been opened and signed by censor.</p>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-03-28
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and four page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW420326
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Argyll and Bute
Scotland--Tiree
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-03-28
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF Tiree
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6591/ELampreyPGuntonW420318.2.pdf
aa46b617eb416ed0d0823f2192911599
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
INVERNESS
9 AM
20 MAR
1942
[postage stamp]
Mr W. Gunton.
Waterlow and Sons Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road
Park Royal.
London. N.W.10.
[page break]
[RAF crest]
[page break]
[RAF crest]
Signals Section
HQ. 14 [underlined] Group [/underlined]
[underlined]Wednesday 18th March 1942[/underlined]
Dear Uncle Bill etc.
You can – I am very sorry to say – put the flags – bunting and red carpet back in the store. I shall not be coming on leave just yet. Should anybody break into hysterical cheers over this fact you might note their name for future attention.
The way of an airman is very hard my friends. After steering a clever path through all the snags – pitfalls and what have you that beset the road I tread, they decide it is time to take this long heralded trip back to the island.
[page break]
My cup of bitterness is – as you can guess – now full to overflowing. Should you hear of an air force being formed in Scotland, having no connection with the RAF, it will be me forming my own one to get a bit more leave.
If anyone should – in their misguided way – tell me, I shall soon get used to the island, I shall have much pleasure in beating, what goes for head with the them, off their blasted shoulders. I shall never get used to it – I don’t want to get used to it.
Owing to the exigences [sic] of the service I am [deleted]unu[/deleted] unable to concede to your request to mark your letters off on the cribbage board. The fire was out and there was no wood so that now – your letters go
[page break]
[RAF crest]
[underlined]3[/underlined]
unmarked. Not that I would ever consider marking off some of your latest efforts as letters. They were just lurks to try and catch up – but they don’t get by with me, my friend.
Once again I implore you. Don’t shoot that horrible line [deleted]about[/deleted] to me about Scotch scenery. I don’t like Scotch scenery – except when I am heading south. Then it is moving in the right direction. Just remember that you saw it from the ease and comfort of a ship. I have to walk all over it.
Thanks for the latest parcel – which by the way is still unopened – as it was packed in my kit ready for the big trip. Should it be one of those parcels I
[page break]
shall withdraw the thanks in my next letter – if any.
Having got us all packed and waiting on the drome they decided the weather was too bad for flying so here we sit. Just the bare necessties [sic] of life to live with. Dare not open up the kit as I’d never get all the stuff back again.
After much mature consideration I have decided not to say any more about Brother Georges efforts in the last war. If he should burst a blood vessel I’ll never get that drink he is always refusing to buy me, or he might haul off and beat my block in with his stone axe.
So far – despite all your letters – I have no inside information about things down there. Are they still the same or do you
[page break]
[underlined]5[/underlined]
[RAF crest]
have to work now? Is Dave still in charge of the books or have they found him out? Thats’ the news I want – or some good news like, Moloneys’ funeral was a big success.
The inventors I suppose still dodge around doing their good deeds. Not that I give a hoot if they are doing time – which, by rights, they should. I like to think that one day they’ll have all their work cut out inventing excuses – and that the Sergeant won’t listen. If I ever get a chance to help them out of a tight corner they can rely on me to do the right thing – I owe them one or two things.
Mr Hunt seems quiet these days. If it is because I have upset him in any way – I am
[page break]
sorry I never thought of it before.
Here unfortunately I must leave you. This being the last sheet on the pad and the rest packed. Remember me to everyone.
I will write from Tiree but at present do not know what part we are going to.
Love to all at home.
Your loving nephew
Pete.
P.S. I’ve heard all about your outing – you dirty beast. After the girl trusting you.
P.P.S. Don’t blame it on me. Mine have all got blue eyes,
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes that his leave has been cancelled and he is being sent back to Tiree. He continues that he hates Scottish scenery and that bad weather caused the cancellation of his flight. He concludes with banter and says he will write from Tiree.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and six page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW420318
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Highlands
Scotland--Inverness
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-03-20
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-03-20
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF Inverness
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6590/ELampreyPGuntonW420312.1.pdf
e5649bef25cee370ff4f3ce291a2fe7e
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
INVERNESS
10 PM
13 MAR
1942
[postage stamp]
Mr W. Gunton
Machine Room
Waterlow and Sons
Twyford Abbey Road
Park Royal.
London. N.W.10.
[inserted] X [/inserted]
[page break]
Reverse of envelope blank
[page break]
[RAF crest]
Signals Section
HQ. 14 Group
RAF. [underlined] Inverness. [/underlined]
12th March 1942
Dear Uncle Bill and others.
First – I don’t write enough – then I write instead of print – now I have to put the date on. Next you will want the bloody letters delivered by hand – but before you shove that request in – I must tell you it is a bit of a job to do it.
Thanks for the books – boards etc. I can see that, despite the pressure of work on lighters, the inventors still have time to do anything but print.
With your usual disregard for the truth or anything approaching veracity you state
[page break]
“We stand just the same”, if I remember aright. The last time I saw you it could hardly be said that you were standing – balancing, yes. Standing, never.
The fact that I happen to be kicking the gong around in Inverness seems to be a sore point with more people that Eddy Hunt. I’ll tell you soon enough when I start back for the island. And I might mention that my cactus does not need water. It will feed only on the blood of my pseudo friends.
Things, as you can guess, are much the same here. Spring having come to [deleted] indecipherable [/deleted] Scotland we expect to drag out our snow shoes and skis any moment now. The beer is still very fair and boy – the latest- is she dark. A WAAF with as
[page break]
[RAF crest]
[underlined]3[/underlined]
much principle as Moloney – who, by the way, I hope is now in a worse state of health [inserted] than [/inserted] anyone who has been dead six months.
So far I have managed to be undetected and I am still as free as a bird. I can’t make my mind up what bird – a canary or a zoo parrot. But at least – up to the time of going to press – I can still get to town on occasion and waste my money and health on riotous living. Having discovered a decent dance hall I shake a wicked hoof every so often and feel like Fred Astaire – about 60.
You will no doubt be pleased to hear that I have booked my leave for the end of the month. You can therefore
[page break]
dig out your red carpet and bunting and send it to the cleaners in readiness. Only this time I think, we had better have a bit better company on the evening out. There were too many drunks around last time.
At last I have had time to study Mr. Ashtons [sic] perorations. I have examined them from every angle and fins they are best upside down. You can’t read them that way. Even so they still smell. Not that I should complain too much – I realise anything would smell after being so long near Mr Hunt.
You say that Archie might write – he might if somebody taught him how to spell first and then wrote the letter for him. As for Brother George he
[page break]
[RAF crest]
[underlined]5[/underlined]
is still too busy winding up the 1914-18 do to worry about helping this tea party along.
Having burst into a letter I now take it that Rusty is recuperating and I shall hear from him again in about six months or so. I am glad to hear that Dave has ceased to be a thorn in the flesh. I suppose he has now graduated as a knife in the back. If only half of what I hear about him is true he should be in our little mob. He could show us new ways of being a curse to all honest people.
I seem to get precious little news these days of how you poor sufferers are standing up to the rigours of
[page break]
this total war. I never seem to hear the latest news of the never ending fight of Mr Beacham to let Mr. Straw do it all, and Mr Straws [sic] gallant retreat.
So here I will leave you – short of news as usual, but if you can’t imagine what I am doing now, after all the letters I’ve written, it will be no good trying to excite your crippled brains with any further information.
Remember me to Tich Mitchell the next time you write. I should imagine that by now he knows the right end to keep clear of. If you should write Herbert tell him there is plenty of room for
[page break]
[RAF crest]
[inserted] 7. [/inserted]
good airmen up here – he can have my place.
Remember me to the Guv’nor [sic] and his two partners in crime. Give my regards to the OPA’s and the Engineers. If anybody wishes to be remembered to me, tell ‘em [sic] I’m very busy and I’ll rmemeber them when I get time.
If I have forgotten to insult anybody this time its [sic] because my stock of epithets have run low.
Look after yourself and keep calm I’ll be there soon.
Your loving nephew
Pete.
P.S. Kiss Auntie for me. The blonde one. PTO.
[page break]
P.P.S. Should Moloney be lying in bed it is nothing unusual – he lies wherever he is...
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes about life in Inverness and that he has booked leave for the end of the month. He concluded with banter and a request for news of friends.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-03-13
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and eight page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW420312
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Highlands
Scotland--Inverness
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-03-13
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military living conditions
RAF Inverness
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6589/ELampreyPGuntonW420305.1.pdf
6a5a3713fc7d41b825bb2f8c5d113121
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
INVERNESS
3.45 PM
5 MAR
1942
[postage stamp]
Mr W. Gunton
Machine Room
Waterlow and Sons
Twyford Abbey Road
Park Royal. N.W.10
London
[page break]
[RAF crest]
[page break]
[RAF crest]
Signals Section
HQ. 14 Group
[underlined] Sunday [/underlined]
Dear Uncle Bill
It seems quite a time since I have written to you. It will be a hell of a time before I write again if I do not get a more friendly style of correspondent. You have certainly got some gyver [sic]. Cracking on about my spelling – if I ever lower myself to visit that den of thieves where the machine managers hide, I shall fetch some of the brightest of the letters from my mail and shake a few of you.
[page break]
[underlined]2. [/underlined]
Things are very much the same as the last time I wrote. Not that half of you care if I am lying dead and the other half hoping it. Very shortly I hope to visit London on one of my periodical excursions. Should any of you wish to see me keep it to yourselves as the others will think you are mad. I am alredy [sic] (have a look at that for spelling) convinced of that fact.
The poetry was, I am afraid, a wasted effort on Mr Ashton’s part as I had only time to give it a quick glance and have not got down to it seriously yet. I am dodging around a bit and do not get a lot of time for the present. However I shall consider its contents before the week end and let you have a real poets [sic] opinion on it.
[page break]
[RAF crest]
[underlined]3[/underlined]
I am still waiting for a plane for a trip back to the island for a week or so, but from the look of things Ill [sic] get fallen arches hanging around.
In my, unfortunately limited, spare time I have managed to get to town a number of times, and things – I am glad to say –are very nice thank you. The beer is still fair and there is plenty around. The only drawback at present is the snow. Its [sic] very damp and you show up against it when on private affairs with one of the new recruits.
This I suppose, will cause Mr Hunt to reach for his book of tracts and get ready to post another one on to me. If, however, it should arrive while I am
[page break]
still sober I will give it the consideration it deserves.
The ideas some of you people have of Tiree evidently need a serious overhauling. From the general idea you think it is just one round of life and laughter. Listen to my friends – if I ever hear one peep of pleasure at the blood I’ve spilt on those sands I shall proceed to erect a gallows in the machine room and have a good time hanging you in bunches of five.
Despite the horrible threats against my person, Brother George seems to have retired into his cave. Again, [deleted]s[/deleted] he is, I take it, now inventing a new type of stone axe to use when his age group gets its second chance.
[page break]
[RAF crest]
[underlined] 5 [/underlined]
Since starting this epistle the parcel arrived. Many thanks for everything and if I can do anything for you don’t [sic] be afraid to ask. I shall not be afraid to refuse. I am glad to see by the Royal that there are one or two others helping me with the war. The work I have been doing lately made me wonder if I was carrying it alone or if Harry Beacham had been called up. At one time I understood the gallant Home Guard was on the verge of writing. If all he wants is encouragement I dare him.
While still on the same page I should point out that, every time I receive a parcel packed by the ginger cat it is opened outdoors and left in a bucket of water for a couple of hours. This
[page break]
being purely a precautionary measure against and because of the bloody inventors bright ideas. It might ruin the parcels but I am still alive, or as near as doesn’t matter.
How – if I am not overstepping the bounds of friendship – is our old friend Dave? Still pulling the same copy around as when I left or has he started another one? From the information I have had, he seems to be going to the dogs. Hitting the high spots at night and late every morning. A very strict watch is advisable on all chapel accounts as we know he intimidates Rusty and I take it they go over the books together.
Not having heard from Mr W. Collins since his outburst some months back,
[page break]
[RAF Crest]
I presume writers [sic] cramp has set in and he has still to undergo treatment for it. The usual method is a glass vessel filled with liquid clasped firmly in the right hand. He should know as he had something to do with this mob once.
Things are now moving towards me and it looks like a bit more work so I’ll finish up.
Remember me to everyone. With a bit of luck I’ll see you before the month is out. Keep your hands of [sic] my women or I’ll tell the chapel.
Keep your nose clean
Pete.
[page break]
P.S. Hard luck, nothing to say.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey starts with some banter and continues with some general comments on Tiree before catching up with news of friends.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-03-05
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and eight page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW420305-0003
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Highlands
Scotland--Inverness
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-03-05
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military living conditions
RAF Inverness
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6588/ELampreyPGuntonW420125.2.pdf
cd648ffbcc924d9e988ab4986e57c2cd
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
SCARINISH
Mr. W. Gunton.
Machine Room.
Waterlow and Sons. Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road.
Park Royal.
London – N.W.10.
[page break]
[RAF Crest]
Isle of Tiree.
Western [Underlined] Hebrides.[/Underlined]
Sunday. [Underlined] 25th. [/Underlined]
Dear Uncle [one word missing]
At last I have heard from the land of the living. The mail-boat has eventually made it, bringing joy to the natives – incarcerated airmen and other forms of life inhabiting the island. Unfortunately it didn’t bring fags and so with the usual style of getting things done “NAAFI” increased the weekly ration to 40 per. only there ain’t no bloody fags in “NAAFI” and won’t be until another venturesome seafarer decides to explore the islands.
Mr. Hunts’ note still proves my contention
[Page Break]
that a brain is not necessary just to write letters to me. He manages all right. This should give Moloney encouragement. However I am glad to hear even from such a low source as Hunty and with my usual good manners – albeit reluctantly – I thank him.
The way you crack on about being two letters up on me leaves me stone cold. I have enough worries on my young shoulders without the added one of supplying a load of loafers with light reading free of purchase tax. And another thing – don’t keep on about that address – you ain’t gonna get it. And another thing – if you think I can write poetry by candle-light – cold as charity and soaking wet you mistake my vocation. I’m an airman not a superman
[Page Break]
[RAF Crest]
[Underlined] 3 [/Underlined]
At least – I am the second only by comparison.
The small amount of news available is much the same. Nemesis has overtaken me and I am now paying for somebodies mistake. From the highlights and hilarity of the mainland we are still refugees – stranded in sand – s [letters missing] and sorrow. With luck however we might be away by another [inserted] week [/inserted] as we have done all we can. or want to. Mindfull [sic] of not giving away secrets there are just a few things we lack to make this a decent spot. These are water – food and light – barring not having a decent supply of these and having no fags – nowhere to go and nothing to do the place might be bearable if the bloody
[Page Break]
rain and wind let up for about an hour.
Still, we are managing to get by and if only the boat makes it soon we can get off of iron rations and have a look at some bread for a change. How in Hell “Old Railings” would get on here beats me. He’d have to starve. Not that he couldn’t do with a bit of dieting. When I get me back to Inverness I shall get as drunk as a newt even if I get 21 days for it. It will be worth it.
I take it everything is much the same down there. Still rubbing along nice and steady – doing sweet F.A and letting the third hand sweat his guts. I should think half of you perishers were sergeants – you’ve got all the
[Page Break]
[RAF Crest]
style.
Reading your letter through I come to the part where you say – I have no more news to tell. Wheres the news? I want to hear how Moloney fainted when his papers arrived and Charlie and the ginger cat beat it for the roof again. Give me some action stuff, I’m all for someone else having a basin while I put my feet up.
A trawler went on the rocks last week and the RAF helped the boys ashore. As a reward the skipper gave the station the cargo of fish. The boat was a total wreck and after two days on the blasted fish so were we. Breakfast – dinner and tea. Everything you could
[Page Break]
do to a bit of fish, the cooks did it. We looked like a bunch of cats in about 24 hrs. I hope the next one has something a bit more tasty on board.
I hope this is the last letter I write from here and that next week I shall be telling you of the Hell of a time I am having in Inverness. If I don’t you’ll get a letter that is one moan from beginning to end. So until then. Keep your nose clean. Remember me to Rusty and Dave. Kiss Jack Denny for me.
Lots of love Pete.
P.S. I’m too brassed off to write a postscript.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes that mail had arrived but unfortunately no cigarettes for the Nary, Army and Air Force Institute. He continues with some banter and comments about life at Tiree. He mentions that a trawler went on the rocks and Royal Air Force help resulted in a cargo of fish being donated to the station. He concludes by hoping this will be his last letter from Tiree.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-01-25
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and six page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW420125
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Argyll and Bute
Scotland--Tiree
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-01-25
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military living conditions
Navy, Army and Air Force Institute
RAF Tiree
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6587/ELampreyPGuntonW420102.1.pdf
ebac8cf135793006377e059da9fb6d51
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
INVERNESS
10 15AM
2 JAN
1942
[postage stamp]
[inserted] EXAMINER 6399 [/inserted]
Mr. W. Gunton.
Waterlow and Sons Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road.
Park Royal. N.W.10.
London.
[page break]
1384535. AC.2. Lamprey.
Signals Section.
HQ. 14 Group.
RAF. Inverness.
Scotland.
1st. [Underlined] Jan [/Underlined]
Dear Uncle (and for this letter) my friends.
Many months seem to have passed since I last saw your ugly pans but I put that down to the fact that I am feeling low. Having celebrated Hogmany [sic] in the truly Scottish style all I crave now is a quick death. This feeling I hope will pass, as I have one or two things to attend to this year.
Many thanks for the parcel which I found surrounded by a surging mob of airmen when I arrived at this hole – dump or what have you. Having rested I have now gone back to the job of winning the war, with a good heart. Things are once again under control. The RAF, once more, is at full fighting strength and now you can
[Page Break]
expect a change to come over the aspect of the war. Expect on for a while my friends, as I have my contacts to resume and cannot guarantee any real change for a while but, as I said befor [sic], things are under control.
I haven’t had time yet to study the lie of the land but I think the supply of pleasure is still good and plentiful and easy. So I must get me to town tonight and sample a bit.
There is, as you can guess, very little to write about at present but I feel the muse stirring and would never be suprised [sic] if, one of these days, I break out into a horrible attack of rhyme. The main trouble is to find out who to insult first. Collectively, I could insult you easily but I like to feel my mighty truths go home singly. I hope Mr Ashton is still in the best of health. I’m a bit of a dab for telling lies. Mr Hunt is as usual liable to every disease bar brain fever. In passing I might mention I have been thinking of signing the pledge and only drinking
[Page Break]
what he pays for, but on second thoughts I realise I should die of thirst so I’ll leave it.
I hope everyone had as good a Christmas as I did and all returned to their labours? fit and full of what it takes.
Dear Uncle – Wyn wrote to me and wanted to know why you didn’t turn up Tuesday. I bet that shakes you – you don’t even remember marrying the girl I suppose?
Thank Arthur Gilbert for his letter and I shall write to him and Fred Cooper as I let Fred down. Kiss Doug for me and will write over the weekend.
Look after yourself while nurse is away.
Best of luck.
Pete.
P.S. Compliments of the season.
PP.S. That goes for Moloney – I feel big hearted.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes that he is feeling ill after celebrating Hogmanay. He notes there is not much news and concludes with some banter.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-01-02
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and three page handwritten letter
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW420102
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Highlands
Scotland--Inverness
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-01-02
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military living conditions
RAF Inverness
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6586/ELampreyPGuntonW411211.2.pdf
542ddff365dc60f838af759d487d6b94
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
INVERNESS
10 15AM
11 DEC
1941
[postage stamp]
Mr. W. Gunton
Waterlow And Sons. Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road.
Park Royal.
London. N.W.10
[page break]
1384535 A.C.2. Lamprey.
Signals Section.
HQ. 14 Group.
RAF. Inverness.
Scotland.
Tuesday – as ever [Underlined] was. [/Underlined]
Dear Uncle Bill – My friends and all
I fear my letters sometimes fall
On ears that do not seem to heed.
The mighty truths in every screed.
You may look askance at the date
And sometimes murmer [sic] “Pete is late
His letters come in such a stream
The lad does nothing else but dream”.
Now this is quite the wrong idea.
It is’nt [sic] dreams of you I fear
But my example seems to lead
To sheets of stuff that’s [sic] hard to read
And though I welcome any note
The stuff that Mr Ashton wrote
Has made me realise the curse
That’s laid on me for writing verse.
[Page Break]
[Underlined] 2. [/Underlined]
Now my friends – just plain madam – I hope this will be the last letter I shall write from here until the New Year. So far my pass has stayed in the office and up to the time of going to press, nothing has been found wrong with it. So everything points to the fact that you are likely to have the thrilling experience of talking to an airman next – or rather listening to one. I am warning you in plenty of time so that the bunting and flags can be flown and the carpet laid. I shall endeavour to arrange this treat for Tuesday or Wednesday.
After a slight hitch in the normal run of things we have once again settled down to a steady effort at war winning. My nights – to your no doubt infinite dismay – have been dreamless and all things considered, it is as well. This breathing spare will give the Pseudo-Poet – Mr Ashton a chance to think up a few more libels. It will also enable my old friend Mr Hunt to collect the few wits he has and struggle on with his atte[inserted]m[/inserted]pts at verse.
[Page Break]
So for the present you will have to put up with prose. Should the muse heave one at me I will not fail to let you have it. Not that I have had a lot of time to listen to anything lately as I have been putting in a few well learned hours in town.
Im glad to hear Frank Batch is doing ok – if he’s doing as well as me he’s looking for his cards. I’d like to have seen him – or for that any of them. I don’t know who writes the bits for the Royal but he’d better keep it a secret until after I’ve called as there is something like a dirty crack in it, at me.
I think I’ve discovered your lovely scenery at last. It’s mainly in town. The only doubt as to whether it is the kind you mean is, I don’t know whether they had any A.T.S in the last dog-fight. I shan’t write a lot as I want to give you all the “gen” at first hand next week so just excuse the brevity.
Remember me to everyone and hope to see you next week.
Be seeing you.
Pete –
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey starts with a poem and then goes on to say this should be his last until after the New Year. He concludes with friendly banter.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1941-12-11
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and three page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Text. Poetry
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW411211
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Highlands
Scotland--Inverness
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1941-12-11
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
arts and crafts
military living conditions
RAF Inverness
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6585/ELampreyPGuntonW411121.2.pdf
579e552b0ff2a9e62d6b023bdf961e17
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
INVERNESS
10 15AM
21 NOV
1941
[postage stamp]
[inserted] EXAMINER 6340 [/inserted]
Mr. W. Gunton
Machine Room
Waterlow and Sons Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road
Park Royal.
London. N.W.10.
[page break]
[reverse of envelope]
[inserted]
P.C.90
OPENED BY
[/inserted]
[page break]
1384535 A.C.2. Lamprey.
Signals Section.
HQ. 14 Group. RAF.
Inverness.
[underlined] Scotland. [/underlined]
[Underlined] Tuesday [/Underlined]
Dear Uncle Bill – Friends – [Underlined] Etc. [/Underlined]
Once again I thank you for the letter. Once again I salute Mr Hunt for his valiant effort to emulate Byron. Once again I warn Mr Ashton that flesh and blood can stand so much and then I shall have to slaughter him piecemeal. Still – thanks. Being of an open nature – I shall open the parcel and thank you after – having been the victim of a number of parcels. The news you sent me is indeed stirring. I shall use it discreetly and no one shall know where I got the information – much.
[Page Break]
The news from the fighting line is again scarce. Very little has occurred since the last communique was issued. Gradually we settle down and now I am learning the language things are a shade better. I can now ask for a pint – and get it. Instead of being told “Its just through that door”
The number of businesses that this war has closed down is apalling [sic]. I have heard that the old firm of “trimmers – pullers and special sorters” has had a severe body blow and half the staff has left. The founder however, is – so I am told – keeping it going by doing a bit himself. This is the change the doctor has been advising him to take for years but up till now he has never risked it. The retiring partner is going in for finance I understand. He’ll find it
[Page Break]
[Underlined] 3 [/Underlined]
harder to trim the boys than trim radio.
Mr Hunt – I am sorry to note – is still alive. My faith in prayer diminishes every day. You might tell him that the people buried at Culloden are dead all over. I’m pestered by a bloke dead from the shoulders up. And as for someones [sic] daughter presenting him with a puppy – have a good look and see if it looks like Moloney – he’s the dirtiest dog round there.
I [deleted] Km [/deleted] knew Rusty would have to get into some sort of uniform even if he could only take a temporary commission in the R.S.A. He should look sweet in a waterproof and gum boots with his figure.
[Page Break]
[inserted] 4 [/inserted]
While getting stuck into this letter I received one from Fred Gunner. You might like to know he is now a corporal. I’d have forwarded his address but he is going overseas and by the time you get this he will be on his embarkation leave. He seems to be glad he’s going and sounds ok. You might pass the information on to Freddie Goodspeed.
Having retired to a dark corner and opened the parcel – I send my thanks to everyone once again. The mail has flowed so thick and fast these last two days that this letter has suffered a series of setbacks. I apologise for the delay knowing you will understand the position of us fighting men.
I should have warned you previously against spending an evening out with Mr. Evans. As soon as he approaches a bar his back feels bad and only
[Page Break]
[Underlined] 5 /[Underlined]
a drop of gin will do it good. He will now come back at me with the old crack – I can take it, my back is broad. Thats the trouble, it takes such a lot of gin for a broad back.
Excuse me one moment – the muse has taken over again.
Who is it? When a bloke comes round
To see the shop - is always found
Working hard at this and that
And always has his answer pat.
“Someone else will have to do
The dirty work, I’ve one or two
More important things on hand
I’m sure that you will understand”.
But let it be a bit of fluff
And then just watch him do his stuff
Sends her on the upper deck
And nearly breaks his blasted neck
Making sure she doesn’t fall
But keeps below and sees it all
PTO
[Page Break]
[inserted] 6. [/inserted]
is safe.
I know your dirty mind. Who is it? Two guesses – right both times – Bill Thornhill.
I won’t let on who told me about this when I got the books.
Having finished that we can get down to the rest of the news. I have booked my leave for Dec. 16th. If I, with my proverbial luck, get it, I shall be along and take my seat at the ringside for the fight that, I have been informed is in constant progress favouring no one – I hope my dear friend Mr Standivan has his ears pinned back, by the “Greenford Gorilla” Mr Barnes. This will save me a job. Having disposed of Mr. Standivan I can put him on to one or two more little jobs he could do for me.
Getting back – the trouble with your people is – you want to rush this war.
[Page Break]
[Underlined] 7 [/Underlined]
Everything is under control. At present I am a WOP. Eventually I shall be a WOP/AG. – then my friends – the tapes. If you don’t like it there are two things you can do. Inbred politeness prevents me from mentioning either.
Mr Hunt – bless him – will speak to nothing less than a sergeant. At last my dreams are coming true, if he keeps his word the war is worth it.
Mr Ashton forward – thank you.
You spell like a don
And the way you run on,
Reminds me of Tennysons’ brook
Your scansion is good,
That is quite understood,
And your subject would fill up a book.
But despite all your flair
For the verse: I despair
Of the trouble that your efforts spell
For although you can rhyme,
I maintain – all the time
Your poems continue to smell.
[Page Break]
[Underlined] 8. [/Underlined]
This – I am afraid – will be about all. If I have failed to insult – upset or antagonize anyone, my mission is a failure. Remember me to all my friends. Thank those that wrote and those that can’t.
Kiss brother George – J. Money – J. Denny and Rusty, your taste is worse than mine. Lots of love and kisses x
Pete.
P.S. I forgot to insult Moloney this time – remind me in your next letter.
P.P.S. Hear about the airman with one foot. All the WAAFs followed him for miles.
[Underlined] Be seeing you [/Underlined]
[Underlined] Pete. [/Underlined]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes thanking friends for correspondence and that he is getting used to Scotland. He mentions a letter from a colleague in the services and includes a couple of short poems. He advises that he has booked leave.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1941-11-21
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and eight page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Text. Poetry
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW411121
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Highlands
Scotland--Inverness
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1941-11-21
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
arts and crafts
military living conditions
RAF Inverness
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/372/6584/ELampreyPGuntonW411103.1.pdf
44f3958cf31a7af0e9b1ed28758032c5
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lamprey, Peter
Description
An account of the resource
122 items. The collection contains letters from Flight Sergeant Peter Lamprey (1384535 Royal Air Force) to 'Uncle Bill' W Gunton and his former colleagues at Waterlow Printers, Park Royal, London. The letters cover all his stages of training and operations at Royal Air Force Ludford Magna. A wireless operator / air gunner, he was killed, aged 36, on 14 January 1944 during an operation on Braunschweig when 101 Squadron Lancaster LM367 was attacked by a night fighter and crashed at Lautenthal. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dereck Titchen and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /> A photograph of Peter and his final resting place appears in the Arthur Standivan collection <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/show/35884">here.</a><br /><br />Additional information onPeter Lamprey is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/113449/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-02-24
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lamprey, P
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Inverness
10.15 AM
3 NOV
1941
[postage stamp]
[inserted] EXAMINER 1989 [/inserted]
Mr. W. Gunton.
Waterlow and Sons Ltd.
Twyford Abbey Road.
Park Royal.
London. N.W.10.
[page break]
[Reverse of envelope]
[inserted] P. C. 90 OPENED BY [/inserted]
[page break]
1384535 A.C.2. Lamprey.
Signals Section.
H.Q. 14 Group. RAF.
Inverness
Scotland.
Saturday [underlined] 1st. [/underlined]
Dear Uncle Bill – Friends – J. Moloney – E. Hunt.
Thanks for the shoals of correspondence I have received this week. The bardic crown was much appreciated and will do to wear when I get browned off wearing my cap - field service – airmen – for the use of. “The Royal” is a nice bit of work and I like the contributors – especi-ally the poet. On the subject of poetry – I shall attend to the pseudo-Shelly, who’s effort accompanied said .bardic crown, personally. [sic]
The news, as usual, remains meagre. I can say however, that although still attached to H.Q. I no longer work in the ease and comfort of the signals office, but out in the frozen fields in a tender. Two days out there and a brass monkey couldn’t enjoy his rights.
Feeling rather chirpy, on Thursday we decided to go into town and take it apart. Having spent a pleasant afternoon we decided to spend a better evening. The beer was good. Having tasted blood I was prepared to roar. Would
[page break]
they let me? Not on your duff. Down came the shutters at 9 oclock. [sic] Talk about Eddie Hunts paradise. No beer after 9. It’s enough to make a man turn tee-total for life. I know why Scotchmen [sic] live in England.
The weather keeps much the same as in civilised places. When it keeps fine, its [sic] dry and its [sic] usually wet when it rains. The locals keep on shaking their heads and saying “Wait till [sic] it snows” – the trouble is I’ve no option. I’ve got to. From the tales I hear I shall finish up a snow-shoe expert.
Having settled down and decided to carry on the war from this remote fastness I am now getting a bit more used to the scenery and don’t hate it for so long every day. One reason being with the shorter days you don’t see so much of it. The heather is turning brown and will soon match the airmen.
I have your letter dated 21st. As the postmark is 26th either there has been some skulduggery and it wasn’t posted or the postal service is getting slack. I pray it is the latter. In your P.S. you say “If you cant [sic] get what you want where you are, let you know and you’ll get it”. Well I’d take advantage of that but what I want you can’t get. Or at least you can’t send it on – only how it felt.
[page break]
In “The Royal” I notice my agents are looking after my interests. I hope they have clinched a hard bargain as to royalties and sold the film rights to Hollywood. Though how Moloney will get on when it comes to signing his name on a contract – I don’t know. Personally I should have liked my lifes [sic] work printed on hand-made and hide bound – but suppose what they have done is the best.
I have booked my leave – so far – for January 10th. This as you will realise don’t mean a thing but being of an optimistic nature I thought I’d just try it out. If, by some freak of fortune, I get it on that date I hope some of you will have a few bobs left to help me celebrate my return from the back of beyond.
So “Tich” Mitchell has gone and become a gunner. Well, well, the war must now be moving to a climax – just one or two more out of the boys and I think we could break this affair wide open. And Herbert thinking of remustering to a pilot, eh? It’s a long hard road and only us supermen of the RAF know how hard. Mr Hunt will most likely come back with some dirty crack about the superman but as I never read his letters I shan’t know. But if he is not a bit more genteel
[page break]
than in his last letter, I shall apply for compassionate leave and come up and see him. Although, mind you, I enjoy some of his letters. Just shows you how your taste can deterioate. [sic]
As I am going to reply to a certain person within a few hours I shall close this brief epistle with my usual [deleted] forula [/deleted] formula. Remember me to anyone who cares to remember. Kiss Doug for me – or get Dave to do it. Thank everyone for the books. Don’t work yourself to death – until you have replied. Tell Cherry and Charlie the next flowers I wear round my hat I’ll pick off their graves.
Best of luck.
Pete.
P.S. You thought that I was going to put in a dirty crack about Maloney here but you’re wrong – I can’t think of one dirty enough. P.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Description
An account of the resource
Peter Lamprey writes thanking friends for letters and a poem. He complains about early pub shutting times in Scotland and about the weather. He mentions that he has booked leave and concludes with some light hearted banter.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peter Lamprey
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1941-10-03
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and three page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text. Correspondence
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ELampreyPGuntonW411103
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Highlands
Scotland--Inverness
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1941-10-03
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
military living conditions
RAF Inverness