12th March 1961
Darling,
Have just finished yet another game of whist and I’m happy to say fortune has swollen by yet another shilling. With all this cash I’m raking in I will be able to buy myself a Comet so I can pop over to Dagenham every weekend. It was amusing tonight because the two guys we were playing with began to lose their tempers over each other’s play. Each blaming the other for the way the cards were going. We, meaning Paddy and myself are back as a team in this partner whist game and really going strong.
9th March 1961
Darling Alan,
I’ve got exactly twelve pages left in the pad, well, eleven now, minus of course two lines. So I can’t get carried away and write a book like the last one. I’ve got a list of things here to tell you about but I’ve got a funny (peculiar, not ha ha,) feeling that I’ve mentioned some of them before, so you have been warned.
Alan
9th March 1961
Darling,
Maureen you are an angel and I love you and those book-type letters of yours. Just you wait and be-jeebers I’ll be writing over 20 pages with a bit of luck.
Saw the Messing Officer this today. He called me over and explained his future servery plans in detail. After listening to what he had to say I congratulated him on his fine work these past few weeks. He went all shy like a small boy, saying it was good to receive praise at last.
7th March 1961
Darling,
Has been rather a hectic day today so was more than pleased to receive your (my) letter which always chases away the blues. Have been working fairly hard this past few weeks. The new Adjutant has been passing quite a lot of his work onto me. He is pretty hopeless at his job so he just passes the buck all the time. We are the only qualified persons for the job on the Squadron.
Maureen & Dad
The Righteous Brothers – Unchained Melody
5th March 1961
Hello dear!
I felt a bit hungry at 10.30 tonight and decided to make two of my special dishes, a steamed egg and cheese with tinned spaghetti on a toasted cheese sandwich. It was alright while I was making it. But by the time I had finished I didn’t feel so hungry somehow. Nevertheless, I ate it. After all the insulting noises that this lot were making I had to.
Dad and I had another session of gin rummy last night. He beat me as usual but I am improving. I had him worried once or twice.
3rd-4th March 1961
Darling Alan,
I got in from dancing an hour ago and my feet are killing me still. I’ll just have to buy another pair of shoes. I’ve decided It’s impossible to get size 9 feet into size 5 shoes. (That is a joke.)
Troopship Devonshire
4th March 1961
My dearest Maureen,
Life has been very interesting this past week in one way and another and it has really flown by. I attended an Entertainments Committee meeting down at the Squadron and everything went off pretty smoothly from my point of view because I was in one of my talkative moods and once I start there is no holding me (like most things.) It was a fair ole meeting and many suggestions were put forward (but I didn’t take the hint and leave) before we finalised a fancy-dress dance at Easter.
Alan
28th February 1961
Darling,
I’ve had a screaming row with my mother and I’m still raging so beware I may let of steam with you. It’s just because I told her we are having 12 people round Saturday evening. And that is not as unreasonable as it sounds because I have worked it all out and it won’t disturb her at all.
Oliver! The Musical – Food Glorious Food
26th February 1961
Maureen darling,
How about popping over next weekend for a few days? It will only cost you a hundred pounds return and I’m sure your dad can afford it. Well, perhaps not. It was just an expensive thought by a half-baked idiot but what a marvellous thought. Do you realise Mrs Blake that in 6 month’s time you will be in my arms again.
26th February 1961
Darling Alan,
I’ve got loads to write about, so it’s a good job I’ve haven’t got to get up for work in the morning. Do you realise it is exactly 6 months until you get your demob. it’s coming closer and closer.
Maureen
25th February 1961
Dear Diary,
Marjorie Thomas nee Clarke got married. Jean and I had a fabulous time at the evening party with:- Stan, Martin, Rod and Graham. Bill’s guests from the Tottenham area. Jean and Stan took to one another straight away.
24th February 1961
Dear Lena,
Thank you very much for your letter. The 4th August is perfect for us. Actually, when we discussed which day you should come my parents and I had to choose between that weekend or the following weekend. We decided than that you may not like being here for a week if I am at work. But my father will be on holiday and I expect they will go to the coast during one or two days and of course, you will go with them if you wish. That weekend will be August Bank Holiday weekend, so I will not have to work on Monday 7th anyway. I will only be working for 4 days during your stay. You will be here about three weeks then, is that alright with you?
This week’s letters
22nd February 1961
My Dearest Maureen,
Went to Messing meeting this morning and had an interesting time. It seems hard to believe but I spoke for nearly an hour bringing up various points ranging from the introduction of fresh fruit and fresh bottled milk to the daily menu, to the dirty state of the whole place. I carried on about the dirty plates, tables, floor etc and also requested that an old cutlery rinse be attended to as it stunk something ‘orrid.
I did also say how much the meals have improved since the new Catering Officer had been with us. He took the bait just fine and after that he agreed with everything I said. It’s good talking to the senior ranks on an equal footing.
22nd February 1961
Darling Alan,
I have got 15 minutes at the most to write in. I got an awful telling off last night because I was sitting here writing until 12.45. it was just my bad luck that they woke up. In case you’re wondering what happened to last night’s letter, I scrapped it. It was a lovely saga of my problem but as you are too far away to do anything about it I decided I couldn’t send it. After getting you all nice and mystified, I’ll finish.
Elvis Presley – Are You Lonesome Tonight
20th February 1961
My Dearest Maureen,
Am feeling a lot better today after a fabulous weekend. Late last night I tried to write you a letter but gave up after 4 pages because it didn’t make much sense once I had read it over. Not only that, the lads in our room have developed a good sense of comradeship this past month and last night they had their hands on some booze which was left over from the party Saturday.
19th February 1961
Darling Alan,
I wish I hadn’t stood that round on Friday night. I realise now that I couldn’t afford it, subject-material-wise. I want to write something tonight so you get your usual letter on Wednesday, cos I know how disappointed I get if a letter of yours doesn’t come by the expected post. It fact, if it doesn’t come my family just daren’t speak to me, they keep well out of my way.
Terry
17th February 1961
Darling Alan,
Thanks for the ‘one on the house’. Now it’s my turn to stand a round (not ‘stand around’ – but stand, a round – get me?)
I like getting letters when I don’t expect them. The spare one came by midday post today and I only got your last one yesterday. Dad said, ‘what’s the matter, is he confined to barracks, or something?’
Alan
17th February 1961
My Dearest Maureen,
Hello darling! Have just returned from the pictures after seeing ‘Saturday Night and Sunday Morning.’ It was a terrific film in my opinion. It’s the sort of film I would see again. The star, Albert Finney reminds me of Lawrence Harvey whom I regard as at the top. Did you see him in Room at the Top a couple of years back? That film was an education to me. Perhaps you can vouch for that if you’ve seen it – the film.
ALAMORE 