Browse Items (1240 total)

  • Tags: military living conditions

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Pages are damaged with text missing. Writes of mail and leave. Catches up with acquaintance news. He writes that he can’t understand why people are joining up as it is a lousy life being a soldier or an airman.

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He writes about the last five years and what might have been if there was no war. Has applied for leave and mentions rumour that they will be moving to Carlisle. Catches up with family and other news.

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Writes about disappointment over leave but having good weather. Continues with discussion about furniture. Mentions increase in tobacco costs in budget and that they will have to cut down. Talks of upcoming visit to Manchester and family matters.

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He writes about their furniture at home and his life at RAF Cranwell. Has applied for leave and is waiting to hear.

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Describes life at RAF Cranwell which is not as good as RAF Kenley. Writes he is running out of tobacco and requests her help. He has applied for leave but has not had confirmation. He discusses other opportunities to meet. Talks of possible move of…

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EWynnIAWynnK420305-0001.jpg
Writes to inform he he has moved to RAF Cranwell. Describes camp and work he is expecting to do. Is applying for leave.

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Relates trip to London and describes show at the Palladium and tea at the Canadian Beaver Club. Mentions some damage to buildings in London. Writes that that he has found an old toy engine at his billet for his son David. Talks of troops scheduled…

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EWynnIAWynnK410606-0001.jpg
Writes while sunbathing on the beach. Describes life in Newquay mentioning numbers of evacuated children and some aspects of his training. Engages in banter and relates some events. Talks about their car and speculates over his future moves.…

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Fred Spencer grew up in Bradford and was fourteen when war was declared. He worked at a department store in Bradford and served in the Home Guard while awaiting his call up papers. He thought he would be going into the Army but found he’d been…

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EWynnIAWynnK410528-0001.jpg
Writes that he is on his way to Hednesford and talks about leave. He is anxious to see his sons and then goes on with discussion of financial affairs. Mentions waiting for train connections on journey and speculates on new location and course.

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Thanks her for letter and mentions a car. Writes of exams and results. Mentions rain and going to Penzance. Complains about mail and raises possibility of her visiting.

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Thanks for parcel and cake. Enquires whether possible to bring son to Newquay and discusses finances. Mentions examinations he is taking and daily routine. End of letter is missing.

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EWynnIAWynnK410329-0001.jpg
Thanks her for parcel and states he has received first pay. Asks after his son and goes on to describe training and food. Discusses financial affairs and mentions other nationalities that are training.

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George was born in Chelmsford, Essex. He then moved to Clacton-on-Sea where he went to school before going to a seminary catholic college. When war broke out, he and two other boys aged 15 or 16 ran away from college and went to Ipswich to join the…

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EWynnIAWynnK[Date]-18.jpg
Page 3 of a handwritten letter from Ian to his wife commenting on weather and where he is staying.

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Part of letter mentioning that he is not enthusiastic about a change. Writes he is browned off after returning from leave. Asks after his boys.

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He writes complaining about the war and those running it and what should happen to them. Mentions upcoming visit home. Says that he did not hear Churchill's speech as he was on guard duty but comments on it after reading it in the papers. Writes of…

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Writes of frustration over mail and catches up with family and acquaintances. Mentions mock invasion and attacks by commandos, paratroops and home guard. Talks of life in camp.

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Writes of glorious weather and catches up with family news, affairs and son's health. Mentions first exam and possibility of leave in 6 weeks time.

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Catches up with family and writes of going to pictures. Mentions weather and snow. Comments on the work he has done and talks about life on the station. Mentions importance of his work on engines. Says he is off to French class.

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Writes of his arrival and training at Babbacombe, Torquay. Writes of weather, accommodation, other nationalities and that he has been appointed orderly for his section.

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Writes of life while training at Newquay and chides wife for not writing. Catches up with family news. Complains about training and mentions leave possibilities. Pleased to hear progress with shelter.

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Writes that he has passed his exams and has been promoted to Sergeant. He is also moving to a new station in Lincolnshire.

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He writes that his leave date has been changed.

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YStavesME203137v1.pdf
Copy of a day by day diary kept by Malcolm Staves from 26th April 1943 to 6th January 1945. Covers training, lectures, gardening and cleaning tasks. Also covers his social life and home leave.

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