September 2, 1941
Just received your letters today, Audrey’s, Mother’s, and Dad’s. Dad mentioned his sore arm in a casual way and of course made light of it, but from what you said, I can well imagine it must have been a very nasty arm. I’m glad to hear that it’s better and hope it wasn’t too painful.
I got a smile out of Audrey’s letter, particularly when she told me of her misfortune of failing her history exam, because she said “Well, I won’t bother you with my trivial troubles, as I know you’re in constant danger over there in England.” Actually, her history exam was much more important to her than anything that’s happened to me since Xmas.
As far as danger is concerned, my chief danger is of sleeping in some morning and being late for parade, or being picked up by the M.P.’s in London for not having a pass when I go up on Sundays, as I often do. I was very sorry to hear that Audrey had failed her history, but still, l think she did extremely well and feel sure she will be able to pass easily when she writes again this fall.
As I mentioned in a previous letter, I am in a school of my own and finding it quite difficult. I seem to have a terrible memory these days and really have to concentrate. This is particularly annoying, as my memory at school was my chief asset. I first noticed this trouble after my crash last year, but the doctor told me it was quite natural and would improve with time.
Things are much the same as usual here and I haven’t heard an air-raid siren for over a month and we are situated only thirty-five minutes run on a good train from the heart of London.
Poor old London has really taken a terrible beating and I expect more will follow, just as soon as winter slows Hitler down in Russia. It really is a most unusual sight to come through the “tubes” early in the morning and see the people still sleeping in the bunks provided by the authorities. It can’t be very healthy, as the air is foul and a heavy draft proceeds every train that comes in. The people themselves seem to take it as a matter of course and are quite cheerful about the whole thing. I often stay in London overnight and come back early in the morning (only on weekends). This means getting up early but is better than having to dash back early in the evenings. I will have of course to stop the practice as soon as the air raids start again, as London will probably be put out of bounds for the troops, as it is in other bad raids.
This country is fast becoming a little dictatorship of its own. I mean by this that everything and everybody is controlled, body and soul by the government. Even the women are conscripted for war work, whether they like it or not. Of course, it is necessary, but it makes you wonder how it will work out after the War.
Well, I suppose Alan has pretty well finished cutting the crop already. These poor farmers have had terrible harvest weather this year, with rain storms every other day. To add to this, there is a shortage of farm labour so they called on the army to help.
Quite a number of our boys go out every day now to help and have quite a time, I’m told. Well, it’s after eleven and as I must be up early, will close now, but will write again soon.
P.S. Had my photo taken on Saturday and will send result if good.
P.P.S. A special announcement on radio tonight told housewives that they would soon be able to procure three eggs a month per person. Pretty wonderful don’t you think, when you think of all the eggs we used to waste on targets.
