Sergeants' Mess
R.A.F. Station
Withy Bush
Haverfordwest
S. Wales
8th May 1945
VE-Day
My dearest dear Mary Pleasant,
At last! How I wish it meant that it was now just a matter of waiting for my demobilisation to get back to you and the children. Perhaps the Japs will throw in the towel now. They can't win, and at least they'd save their cities by surrendering now. I would if I were they!
Thank you very much for the £5, which arrived on Saturday but which I couldn't get till yesterday as I was on duty on Saturday and the P.O. is closed on Sunday. I was down to 7d., as one of the AFC's, not the one you know, was posted to Dallachy on Friday and we gave him a farewell do.
I don't know your telephone number. You said you thought it was something, but as you weren't sure I didn't pay much attention. I'll ask the Enquiries.
Yesterday I went all along the side of Bridge St. opposite Woolworths to look for your zip-fastening powder compact. Two shops sold powder compacts, but they neither had nor had had any with zip fasteners. Are you sure it was in that street?
Mummy told me to buy something before I went and she would pay for it, so I have bought two pairs of socks. Talking of socks, did you send off my clean laundry before you left home?
I am dying to hear from you about whether you like the Squdron Leader; what his name is; how he heard of the house; and how your move went off. Don't forget to let the agents know it is let.
We have been granted an extra 48-hours to add to our leave, so, if I do get away on the evening of the 14th I'll have eleven days with you. Can you cope with me in the lodge for so long?
Yesterday I got a long letter from Paul, who, I believe, rang you up. I must write and tell him everything that has happened to us since I last saw him.
I have also had a letter from Aunt Katharine, who says, a propos of selling Hamels: "I wish I could send back the 4 family portraits to your father. They are left to you - or is there room at Rest Harrow? At present I suppose no one can pack them. The more you have in my lifetime the better to save duty".
I have written and said that both my father and I would be glad to have them (fairness to the old boy made me put it like that, against my will). I said we were going to have our sitting-room extended into the next room to make a big room where the pictures would look very nice. Also that i could save her packing them by fetching them on my leave! I do want them so badly. Even before we extend the room we could make them look all right by spreading them out. Two in the sitting-room and two in the dining-room. If Daddy had them I shouldn't have the heart to claim them when they became mine.
This evening I am going to the Country Cinema to see a news film of Belsen and Buchenwald. Yesterday when the news was already certain, three of us, George, Tubby and I, went in to celebrate. We are expecting trouble in Haverfordwest tonight from American sailors, because one was found in the High Street yesterday unconscious with the back of his head badly bashed. After coming back, I left the others and went to see the end of a rehearsal of "Alibi". While I was there the C.O.'s announcement came over the loud-speaker system that today would be treated as VE Day all day. We adjourned to an egg-and-chips supper in the airmen's mess and sang and larked about till midnight when I was the only one who stayed to listen to the news. It ended with "God Save the King" which I listened to all through, because it was played exultantly, just as I felt. It must be a very sad time for people like Evelyn and Mr Lingwood, who have no one coming back, to whom it only means loss. I keep thinking about it. I do hope Eileen is safe. How lucky I am! How lucky you are that this is not Renny writing to Evenlyn!
I do hope the money you sent me didn't run you short. If I can't get a nice compact here, we'll go to town together on my leave, and choose a nice one together. I am so glad all the jobs about the house were done in time.
I have written to Jack Dearlove, sent him the photographs and a glowing description of Hamels. They want £17,000. I thought Uncle Bill had paid £18,000. I must be wrong. Geoffrey Whitworth is after it! And Aunt Katharine may take his bungalow. Also a mysterious Countess d'Arcy with nine children.
How much, if anything, did you get for the other clothes of Uncle Bill? I believe you did tell me when you were here. Did you get the trunk collected? I ought to have done something about that before I left. Aunt K. said it hadn't come & I forgot in my reply to say anything about it. Please let me know what has been done, so that I can tell her when she writes again, as she will - about the pictures.
We ave got two full days' holiday on the camp, but I believe that we AFCs will have to be in the caravan as usual, in case anything drops in. I look forward to today week and seeing you again.
All my love, my love
Terrick.
