January 1944
Letter to Adelphi Players |
Notice of play readings. Clare belongs to this group. |
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Clare to Lez |
Looking for flats in the Blackheath/Charlton area |
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Clare to Lez |
Lez has been home for the weekend. Was an air raid Sunday night, 4 raiders shot down. |
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Clare to Lez |
Very fed up: her bag fell off her arm whilst on a bus, into the gutter. She couldn’t find it. it contained specs, knitting and lettersL. She talks about the Russians now in Poland and Balkan countries near collapse. ‘Great news!!’ |
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Clare to Lez |
There is work going on to the boat. She is on firewatch and has moved rooms because when she entered her office mice flew in all directions. Describes problems in the office. Mr Farmer has confirmed C’s opinion that ‘Clip’ is too aggressive and has lost the Dept the confidence of the electricity industry. |
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Clare to Lez |
This letter is not in it’s envelope, the date is an educated guess! |
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Clare to Lez |
Lez has had 4 day’s leave. Describes listening to a very entertaining show, Bob Hope and Tommy Handley in front of a group of sailors. |
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Clare to Lez |
Has been searching the local paper for flats. Visited some: far too small. Not suitable. Has been watching Bing and Dorothy Lamour on a yacht. ‘wait till we get our yacht and are together again in peacetime…’ |
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Clare to Lez |
Lez is working hard on the boat. He will be having more seatime soon. Clare has a cold and red nose. |
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Clare to Lez |
Firewatching as usual on Weds. Had veal an ham pie, salad and potatoes and coffee in the Paviars, whilst reading PG Wodehouse. Lovely to be alone sometimes. Cold has gone. |
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Clare to Lez |
In which Clare describes how a shell fell through the front of Jim & Vera’s house, demolishing the lovely piano, whilst they three were in the back room and baby Susan in the room above, all escaped without a scratch! |
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Lez’s mother to Lez |
Full of family news, of Joyce, Doris, Blanche. They had the worst raid since the blitz on Friday. Albert said that it was a grand firework display, they dropped so many incendiaries. |
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Clare to Lez |
Sunday, and she has to go to the office for firewatch duty. Phoned Muriel to find that Edgar had been to mum’s, news that was in mum’s letter too. Clare urges him to phone his brother on Beckenham0379. The paper reported ‘AA shell fell in Glenesk Road’. Hopes the Cufleys are settling down in their new home. |
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Clare to Lez |
Assures Lez that all are fine, no injuries as a result of the shell. Clare’s lost bag has turned up abandoned in Derby! |
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receipt |
For spectacles |
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Clare to Lez |
Has learnt that Lez is ashore, is all well? He seemed down in the dumps during the phone call on Friday. Clare saw his Mum and Dad this evening and his mum hopes he’ll be ashore for a month. |
February 19434
Clare to Lez |
Lez has talked of leave. Clare is sorting out all her ‘glad rags’ in anticipation |
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Clare to Lez |
Still full of joy at the thought of some leave. |
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Clare to Lez |
Going to The Drive tonight to press all their things. She’ll ‘put a bob in the meter’ and enjoy herself with iron and damp rags. Very hectic at work, Mr Paton is back from leave. Jim swam and scored for the Rest of London this week. |
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Hux to Claire |
Has now finished training. Is 2nd Lt Huxley. Due to report to Canterbury to ‘take up unknown duties in an unknown world’. A frightening prospect. |
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Clare to Lez |
Has collected Lez’s pipe, newly mended with a new stem, from Dunhill’s. It’s beautiful. Still looking forward to a holiday together. |
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Clare to Lez |
A note to say she’s sending baccy. |
March 1944
Clare to Lez |
Written at the end of 2 weeks leave. In their own home, a room. First time living on their own. Postmark Bexleyheath |
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Lez to Clare |
Is back on board, ‘the lads saved me a bunk’. Life in their new home was perfect, ‘when that chappie wrote ”be it ever so humble” he knew what he was talking about’. A stack of his laundry has gone astray, as has his other writing pad, the baccy situation is grim and it is a race against time to find the mislaid stuff before they leave. Has just had two weeks leave Blessington Road, newly rented room. |
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Clare to Lez |
Back at the flat at Welling. Walked across Dansom Pk. There is ploughed land next to the pool. Now with huge bomb crater. Joan is in hospital with high blood pressure. Lez is not on board. Has a billet. |
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Clare to Lez |
Lez has phoned. Clare now knows where he is. She is doing a first aid course, lectures and practice for 6 wks. Has volunteered for dispatch riding. |
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Lez to Clare |
He loved every minutes of their 2weeks spent in their own home. Not much chance of a long leave in the next 3 months. Wants proof of Home Guard duties because servicemen are to have chevrons on their arms, one for each year’s service ‘in any sphere’. He warns her that she will hearing about ‘action’ again, but she is not to worry. |
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Clare to Lez |
Short note accompanying ‘this tit-bit’. |
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Mike to Lez |
Is in Kingswear, Devon. Came on the Attack. He’s writing short stories but none published yet. Advises Lez to go for a commission. |
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Lez to Clare |
tells the amusing story of the phone call to her last night. He intends to stay aboard from now on, he has much studying to do |
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Clare to Lez |
Joan is coming home from hospital and will stay at the flat. Lez phones often at the moment. Clare reminisces ‘I can remember vividly all the times we met, and how we talked and walked….all that summer before the blitz…’ First aid exam Friday! |
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Clare to Lez |
Joan out of hospital. Jim rang to ask if Clare fancied going ‘for a jig’, she couldn’t, firewatch night. Vera and Sue having a happy time ‘up north’. Lez is working very hard. Has warned her that there might be no leave for 3 months. Last night ‘jerry’ dropped many fire-bombs, so tonight they’re on the ‘qui-vive’. |
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Lez to Clare |
Discussion of furniture needs: plumps for comfort, but hankers after a wardrobe to keep things tidy. Stop worrying about news, ‘you know me sweet, Old HMS Impregnable’ |
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Clare to Lez |
Decide to buy new easy chairs, not wardrobes. Lez talked in his letter of ‘pastures new’. |
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Lez to Clare |
When making his way along the coast, describes meeting Mike! Did not say where. Tomorrow they’re off again, to ‘their journey’s end’. And is hoping for leave thereafter. |
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Clare to Lez |
Clare surprised that Lez has mentioned a change of boat. She’s been awarded her first certificate, now wants to continue and ‘try for a voucher’. |
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Lez to Clare |
The skipper is encouraging him to go for a commission. Problem: no formal qualifications. Is therefore studying hard. Not sure he wants it. |
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Lez to Clare |
Has arranged to meet Clare at C- -------. He tells her he has a booking at the Fleur de Lys. Could she please bring foolscap or quarto paper for his correspondence course test papers, and scrap paper for practice work. |
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receipt to Clare |
For utility furniture. Also letter from Joan (colleague) |
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Lez to Clare |
A note to say what a good weekend they had at Canterbury. Clare saw him off on the early morning train Monday |
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Clare to Lez |
This letter is out of its envelope and undated. It is grubby, suggesting that it spent some time in a pocket |
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Lez to Clare |
Exhausted: been playing rugby and spent 2 hrs on algebraic equations. Appt with the Engineering Commander Fri 10.15 |
April 1944
Cully (Mrs) to Clare |
Series of letters inc receipt for tickets returned |
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Lez to Clare |
He is on the same jetty he was on on her last visit. Is waiting for word about his commission. Not sure whether he wants it or not. Wrote a letter to the Editor, Daily Express to say how much the egotism of James Agate, an essayist was getting him down. |
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Clare to Lez |
Today is a ‘flag day for sailors’. Lez’s first contribution to the new home was some artwork, Clare has just hung them. |
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Lez to Clare |
He now knows that he needs more experience and an intensive course in maintenance jobs on other boats. He is to follow the engineering officer, in his spare time. He has applied for Acting Chief Petty Officer. Maybe this will involve a change of base? Is applying for ‘short leave’ this weekend. |
Lez to Clare |
Life has been ‘unusually energetic’. He’s exhausted, bleary-eyed making for his bunk. |
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Lez to Clare |
Long philosophical letter. On board noisy and chaotic. Has gone ashore this week, pub-crawling with some yanks, but remaining much more sober than them! Doubts if he will be able to get ashore to phone for a while. Thanks for the parcel of summer undies etc |
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Clare to Lez |
Lying on the grass in Dansom Pk. Describes the sunny Saturday activities. Joan is still in hospital, her kidneys are not quite right. She has had the baby, Leslie Ann. Spent the evening at Cufley towers. V’s father (Mr Green?) arrived. They have had a letter from Tom, Clare passes on his address. Hux has put his knee out playing soccer and needs an operation. Lez has described his situation as a drab, warlike spot. Clare has joined the Ministry Netball Club |
May 19434
Clare to Lez |
Had their first netball practice. She is as stiff as a board! Lez was on leave last week. She talks about the photos as being OK. Lez has underpaid tax. Clare enumerates how it has been calculated. |
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Clare to Lez |
Is at 12 Blessington Road where she is staining the floorboards. She is getting his letters regularly, but he is not getting hers, says: ‘actually I believe that mail is not going to be too regular for a few weeks’. |
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Lez’s mother to Lez |
A short note in a parcel containing a shirt. Will he be able to get home for Sunday dinner? Edgar and Harry and Nellie will be there. |
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Lez to Clare |
Written late at night in a snatched moment. Until things settle down a bit, rushed notes are the order of the day. Remembers once saying that ‘I love you’ scribbled on a bus ticket would be enough, hopes she can cope with ‘I love you’ and no trimmings. |
July 1944
Clare to Lez |
Disappointed to learn the ‘the bearded one’ could not have leave. There have been no raids for the last few nights, but are still sleeping in the shelter just incase. Blanche has written saying that they’ve had doodle bugs over Portsmouth. Charlie is fed up, still waiting in a field , ready to go over to France and ‘ have a crack at the Hun’. Joan has evacuated herself, is rather homesick, and will be glad to see Frank and the dog at the weekend. |
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Later letters tell us that all Dad’s belongings, including clothes, books and presumably letters were stolen/ lost after his boat was decommissioned during late July/ early August. This would explain this complete absence of letters.
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August 1944
Lez to Clare |
Has looked for a place for the weekend, but all lodgings are full, the London exodus has reached these parts. He cannot go far from the shipyard, so they will have to wait on providence. |
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Joan Oswald to Clare |
Is in Moniaive, near Dumfries. Very peaceful. Will hate coming back |
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Lez to Clare |
Has been fishing, a marvellous antidote to ennui, and intends to do the same over the weekend. Staying in a ‘mission’, he and John the only members of the crew, representatives of the RN |
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Lez to Clare |
Content in the waiting. ‘another fishing trip’. Describes the Scot girls, awful, and men, ditto, and pubs that Clare would not be allowed in. Also the wonderful singing of Italians in a nearby camp. |
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Lez to Clare |
Sunday, he has been to 2 services, ‘they don’t so much fear Him as feel down-right scared of Him’. Has asked the yard manager if it would be possible for them to make a yacht for him. Lez does this at any shipyard he comes to. Exhorts Clare to fill in forms for anything the government will be offering to re-house ‘young married couples’. Quotes the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam again. |
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Lez to Clare |
At Rosneath on the Clyde. Watched the new boat launched yesterday, MTB 764 |
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Lez to Clare |
A letter of thoughts about love and commitment. |
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Clare to Lez |
talks of the progress through France; the landings at Bordeaux; Paris liberated by the Free French; and “ the American wedge across the Seine is heading for the fly-bomb depots. Looking forward to descriptions of the launching of the 764. Has sent 10/- to Philip for his birthday, they were going to have an iced cake with two candles at the party. |
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Muriel to Lez and Clare |
thank you for “his nibs” present. Kind to remember. Blew out the candles many times then took the aeroplane decoration and played/destroyed it. Says she has to scrawl ”between the buzz bombs coming!!” Edgar due home in 3 weeks . |
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Lez to Clare |
First officer arrived today, the hour of labour is at hand. It has been very expensive ‘standing by’ the boat. ‘As I said to Monty on D-Day just before we left, you haven’t got a thing to worry about’ because the Navy’s here! A propos the war nearly being over. |
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Lez to Clare |
Thanks for the suit, packed perfectly! Very tired. !st Lt has arrived. New billets tomorrow, in a navy camp. Hopes to be home for Joyce’s wedding. Clare has written saying that Lez’s mother should get away, but won’t go. Lez says he’s given up trying to get Mother to go away, ‘when she says no, she means it’. |
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Lez to Clare |
New billet is an American Navy camp: good food and beautiful people. Is he in a film set? The crew has arrived. The skipper has told him that commissions come with an obligation to 5 years after the end of hostilities, so that’s a no then. |
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Lez to Clare |
They are commissioning the boat next Tuesday. Lez will be No1 engineer having full responsibility for the machinery etc aboard. ‘quite a load on one’s back’.
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Lez to Clare |
Been working hard aboard. Describes lovely setting ‘in secluded loch’. Dinghy pottering around the ship, sail flapping. Peaceful. |
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Lez to Clare |
Ship sailing deep into the wilds. Getting lots of practice sailing, the dinghy is their only way of contacting the shore. Describes his skipper as being ‘very pukka’, ex-RN destroyer. |
September 1944
Lez to Clare |
Says how brave Londoners are living with FBs (flying bombs). Plays at local WVS canteen, ‘Whispering’ and ‘Lady Be Good’. Is getting concerned about his throat, cannot speak loudly or shout. No pain or soreness. |
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Lez to Clare |
Trying to get Clare up for the w/end. Anxiously waiting for Mr Bevin’s announcement re demobbing. Talks about what life could be like after the war. Could Clare look into the possibility of another flat? |
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Lez to Clare |
Has searched high and low for accommodation. No luck. If he can get leave he will come down to town. |
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Joan Oswald to Clare |
Blah blah text needed. |
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Lez to Clare |
Written after weekend leave in London. Dreadful journey back, but worth it. Lovely soul-satisfying wkend. |
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Lez to Clare |
Leave again next w/end. Is still sucking iodised tablets, he’ll be ‘hoarse de combat’ for some time. |
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Ken and Terry to Rose (Clare) |
written by a young boy, Ken, from Morcambe. Perhaps a cousin, saying how much he and Terry are enjoying life by the sea. Talks about his mum and Ken, also asks after Rose’s mum, Joan and Laddie (the dog). He must be close family who knows Rose/Clare well. |
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Lez to Clare |
Written after w/end in London. Has left his fountain pen at 88a, could Clare please send it on. Hates writing in pencil. Foul journey, but misery is on the surface, not in the heart, would walk all the way to London if he had to! |
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Lez to Clare |
Has been reading about demobbing. No idea if he will be released at the end of the European War. Has Clare heard about the bomb damage claim? Has been to the ‘quack’. He has laryngitis, possibly chronic and must not smoke. |
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Lez to Clare |
No mail, no pipe. ‘this larynx’ is no better, he croaks and wheezes and can only whisper. He describes his surroundings as barbaric, weather atrocious, his life as ‘this exiled existence’. Hux is to marry Pat on 21st Oct. |
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Lez to Clare |
Mail, including pen very gratefully received. Has started smoking again, laryngitis still there, slightly improved, but he needs some enjoyment. As senior engineer he will argue with anyone. Describes ‘the gold braid or pin stripes’ as winning thro sheer pomposity. Has the skipper on his side. |
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Lez to Clare |
Has received 2 letters and a packet of magazines today, thanks. SEPs very welcome in the mess. No time for much writing, has clerical work to do, being ‘the most important man aboard’. |
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Joanne Oswald to Rose (Clare) |
Chatty card describing leave with Johnny, presumably her husband, after his hospital stay. |
October 1944
Lez to Clare |
He is playing up the chances of an early demob. There’s no need of our type of warring in the far east. Has started a new treatment for the laryngitis: Fry’s Balsam. If it doesn’t get better soon he’ll have to go into the sickbay. He doesn’t want to leave the boat, but doesn’t want this throat for ever. |
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Lez to Clare |
Charming philosophy. Checking on savings. Has Clare made any progress with new flat? No rush, get the best bargain you can. |
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Lez to Clare |
Astonishing mock-history book treatise on the Lords of the Admiralty releasing their ‘slaves’. |
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Form of proxy vote |
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Lez to Clare |
Hints that he is nearer. Will be having OD (?) training for some weeks, so will be able to phone. Now has opportunity for intensive treatment for laryngitis. If no improvement this week he will go to hospital ‘so that they can slit my throat and see what makes it tick’. He has heard of Len, ‘bet he had a time’. |
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Lez to Clare |
Has received a parcel of ales and peppermints which the PO has not been able to render inedible! All the inhalations and gargles have not shifted the problem. He will leave the ship if needs be. He’s still in Presbyterian Scotland. |
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Lez to Clare |
Lez has heard from Doris that his mother is very ill. Would Clare please find out the position and try to get mother into a nursing home. |
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Lez to Clare |
Much philosophy on bad times. Rails against the war, how it has caused mother’s breakdown and robbed her of a peaceful old age |
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Lez to Clare |
Has just received her letter and is feeling very romantic. The radio they argued for is now in situ, and is never off! No quiet time. |
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Lez to Clare |
Pleased that mother has gone into hospital, no more chores. Asks Clare to lavish all your able to on her. Lez has been to hospital. Has a clean bill of health. Is being sent to another consultant, these people have no idea what’s wrong. |
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Lez to Clare |
Lez’s mother died, her funeral was this week, Lez is just back from a week’s compassionate leave. “Mother’s passing marks the end of an era that was an inspiration to me and to all that knew her- I have profited, and shall in future profit by it- now that she is gone it is useless to mourn because she still lives in us and she is just as much an influence as ever she was” |
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Lez to Clare |
He is playing rugger next week, feels fit, can speak in more than a croak, can smoke an occasional pipe. Is hoping for leave soon and want to go away for a quiet holiday. |
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Clare to Lez |
Letter of 27th so beautiful, said just what she was thinking. ‘her memory will inspire us all to keep faith and live honourably’ |
November 19434
Clare to Lez |
So you’re playing rugby. Put that 16stone to good account in the scrum. Millie came over yesterday evening, so she’s writing in the train |
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Clare to Lez |
Lez tells her that he has a damaged vocal chord. Clare wonders what the remedy is. Did not go to see Doris, Albert and pop this w/end, thought they need time on their own. Is having a suit and cape made, ready for the next leave. |
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Lez to Clare |
Is pleased to have received some letters. Saw a specialist in L-------l (Liverpool). Draws a diagram of the vocal chords showing one working, the other not. |
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Clare to Lez |
Wonders what Lez is doing: has he played rugger? Hope he hasn’t put out his knee ‘a la rest of your gang.’ Jim is probably in Bournemouth, will hear news of V next week. Clare’s knitting blue bootees for Leslie Ann, who is very lovable. |
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Lez to Clare |
Doctors can’t make up their minds about smoking, and he’s sure he just needs home rest. Talks of the coming elections and C as his proxy must go to the meetings and report back. He is very impressed by the Social Security Plan |
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Lez to Clare |
Written on Monday. He is now in hospital. It’s an outrage. They can’t do this to me! Hates hospitals. The doctors are going to test him to see what could be wrong. It’s very quiet. |
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Clare to Lez |
Written on Tues. before news of hospital arrives. Perhaps he’ll get a shore job if the throat remains bad. Is sucking one of the butterscotches Lez brought with him. |
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Lez to Clare |
Very funny report of his time in hospital. His boat is in Holyhead too. |
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Lez to Clare(2) |
Still no mail from C. Specialist says he has a damaged left vocal chord. |
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Doris to Lez |
Blanche and ‘Dad’ have quarrelled over B taking the things she bought ‘Mum’. Doris is pleased B helped herself, she, Doris has only been given one bracelet. Dad is afraid she is robbing him. D now intends to do what Edgar does: side with B to B and with Dad when speaking to him. |
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Clare to Lez |
Has just received Monday’s letter, ‘my first impulse was to laugh’, but is not happy that he is in hospital. Could she ‘fly’ up there? But then he may not be in hpl that long and there’s no accommodation there. She has bought magazines and short story books for him. She loves the photos he’s sent. Mentions that Edgar broke his leg recently. |
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Lez to Clare |
Bored with his situation. Stands everyday on the balcony watching the ships come and go. Has seen the chest man. No idea how long he’ll be in. |
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Lez to Clare |
Happier today. The doc can find nothing wrong, but he will see the specialist on Sat. He has an Italian man on the ward, and Dutch, and hears Welsh, so he sometimes wonders what country he’s landed in. Has received the parcel. Hopes to be out before the boat leaves. |
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Lez to Clare |
Has received 3 letters and her photo and is on cloud 9. That family of mine! Tells Clare what’s happened so that she doesn’t put her foot in it when visiting Garibaldi St. He thinks it’s probably 50:50 and says he never opens his mouth under these circumstances. More tests today. |
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Lez to Clare |
Has seen the specialist. Nothing wrong. It might be ‘hysterical’. He must move to another hptl for treatment, maybe Chatham. He’s going to lose his ship. ‘I don’t like that.’ But is not too down. |
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Clare to Lez |
Vera is home for a few days, her mum is very ill: cancer.’ It’s a terrible disease. Someday when the scientists can spare the time from inventing rockets perhaps we shall find the cause and develop a cure’. Whilst at Jim’s Len phoned. He is to marry ‘his Welsh girl Gwen’ on Saturday. |
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Lez to Clare |
Was ashore for 3hrs today, felt like getting out of ‘clink’. ‘heavenly’. Went aboard 764, skipper wants to retain his services, but L isn’t sure it could happen, if it is decided that the conditions aboard helped to cause the problem he will not go back to an MTB. |
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Harry to Lez |
Sorry to hear L’s in hospital and so far away ‘among a strange tongue’. Talks of the quarrel between Dad and Blanche. Says ‘the old b----r is just realising how well off he was’ Visited Edgar, who goes back tomorrow. Doris and Joyce were there. |
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Ron to Lez |
Ron was Lez’s skipper (?1st LT?) on the old MTB. Lez had sent him postage to retrieve his books, papers, clothes etc from MTB710. Ron says’ when I got back to the boat she had been stripped.’ And is returning the stamps. |
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Lez to Clare |
Very cross to be staying in ‘this dump’, HMS Hornet. He’s sleeping at the Sailors Hostel rather than sleep onboard. His notes have not arrived. Good news: if they don’t come he may have weekend leave. |
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Clare to Lez |
A note, undated, enclosed in a present of hankies |
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Clare to Lez |
A lovely long leave together! |
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Clare to Lez |
Joan is making Mum a new frock for Christmas. Wonders if Lez will be around. |
December 1944
Lez to Clare |
Still no letters, therefore still on sick list and ineligible for draft. They’ve just offered him a shore draft in the West Country he’d like to take, if declared fit. His voice has returned. Thinks he must go to Blanche’s place soon. Has asked his father for the sewing machine. There is a piano in the mess. Maybe he’ll be home this w/end |
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Lez to Clare |
He is having tests again, and might be in hptl again. Not happy at the situation. |
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Clare to Lez |
Clare also was very affected by their parting this time. A portent of something sinister? Gives Lez a detailed description of a ‘Portal house’ (prefab), suggests they put their names down for one. |
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Clare to Lez |
She’s on firewatch this Saturday, so if he can get ashore, please phone after 8.15. |
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Lez to Clare |
Has sent off to Catford town clerk to apply for a prefab. Talk on the base is of foreign drafts. He is seeing the doc tomorrow for the results of the tests. |
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Clare to Lez |
Are you still at Pompey? The kitchen is full of steam, Mum’s got the puddings on! |
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Clare to Lez |
Clare now knows Lez has been drafted to foreign parts. Before that there will be 2 week’s leave! Is trying to look on the bright side. |
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John to Lez |
John, motor mechanic, is gathering all Lez’s effects from the MTB and will put it ashore for him. Wishes him well. |
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Hux to Lez |
Wishing both all the best. Pat has told him she, Lez and Clare are going out tomorrow, wishes he were there. |
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Royal Navy Christmas Greeting. |
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Clare to Lez |
Parting is torture. Hope he’s feeling better soon. Will get used to this new ‘turn of fate’ in time. |
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Lez to Clare |
Feeling very low, parting gets no easier. |