This brief letter is written on a plain post-card which was post marked in Hammersmith at 5.15pm on 29/9/39.

29/9/39
9.30am

Gnr. Faulkner F.A.
157th A. A. Battery R.A.
Central Ordnance Depot
Bramley. Basingstoke
Hants.

Dear Edie,

I've been such a long time thanking you and Ernie for sending the parcel of apples which I and the others have appreciated very much. Well packed, too, but paper still in reserve!

Had hoped to write you a letter but must try later on. We are still here have heard no later news since Dad was here. It was very nice to see him but far too short. I think he enjoyed himself as well and it made a pleasant change for him.

Received Dads parcel of clothes safely. Please thank him. Am wondering now if I should have asked for warm pyjamas, vest and pants now it's getting colder. It can be left for a day or two, anyhow.

Trust you are all well, as I am. But regards to all including Dad and xxxxxx for Anne.

love

Frank

This is the second half of the letter of 19 September 1939 (see below) to Frank from his friend Jack Endacott.

Monday Sept. 25th

I've made repeated efforts to finish this off but things have been happening! First of all I had another 23 hrs. leave on Tuesday evening which was very enjoyable apart from a lousy cough which kept me, sorry us, up all night. I called in at the office and saw Ashman but M.R.N. was at lunch and I couldn't afford valuable time waiting his return. Well, I duly reported back to Dartford where we proceeded to make the place shipshape. It was a filthy place and I was not sorry when at 6.30am on Saturday we were told that we were to be all packed up and out by 8.30am! We moved over to Hilly Fields, Brackley where there are now no guns as the workmen are making a static site of it. That fact alone made us think but when we heard that the complete Regiment was going to assemble our worst fears were realized. Well we were duly vaccinated on Sat. and inoculated on Sunday so our passages appear to have been booked! I have 48 hrs. leave on Tuesday, but although the whole place is full of rumours we still don't know where we are off to.

I will try and drop you a line again when I know something definite. One thing about this place it is a rest cure from filling sandbags etc. They just don't quite know what to do with us. The inoculation business made some of the lads feel pretty rough and the rest of us are still trying to 'swing it'. We've got release from parade and a route march this morning so our efforts appear to have been for nothing.

Please give my regards to any of the lads you have with you or may run into.

I'm sorry that paper is so dirty etc. but I always carry a small supply around in my pocket just in case! Also the scrawl which I hope you will be able to decipher.

All the best pal and may we soon meet again.

Yours etc.

Jack

Incase you want to know the contractors are Burgess of Southall! Elec just not specified!
JE

Postcard stamped 21 September 1939.

21/9/39

Gnr. Faulkner F.A.
157th A.A. Battery R.A.
Central Ordnance Depot
Bramley. Basingstoke
Hants.


Dear Dad,

This is to let you know that you can be put up at the farm for the period you mentioned.

Let me know what time train arrives at Bramley and I will almost certainly be able to meet you. The owner of the farm is a Mr. Jacobs.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Regards to all,

In haste,

Frank

P.S. Parcel of apples from E. arrived safely, thanks.

This letter is from Jack Endacott, best friend of Frank and new husband of Olive who wrote the letter posted below on 15 September. Frank and Jack were colleagues at the GEC offices in Kingsway, London. This letter was not completed on 19 September 1939 and the other half will be posted separately 70 years on from the date it was eventually finished.

19/9/39
Tuesday

60th City of London
R.A. A.A. T.A.
No.2 Section
169 Battery
Artillery House
Bromley Road S.E.6

My dear Frank,

Well firstly I must thank you very much for your good wishes etc. expressed in your letter to Olive. It was nice of you to write such a lengthy letter when I know, from first hand experience now, you are so busy. I was very sorry to hear your news about Louise, especially just now when things are so difficult. Never mind old son, don't take it to heart too much for I feel that there is plenty of time and opportunity available yet. Still, I do know how you must feel and believe me I do feel sorry.

They say "join the Army and see the world" and believe me we are seeing it. Firstly we went to our S.P. at Foots Gray and having dug ourselves well in made the site something like, we were moved last Tuesday to Eltham. The whole Battery are here but we are off again tomorrow to Dartford Heath! Still, as long as it is not France I shall be thankful! Olive has been coming down on Saturdays and Sundays and I am now about due another 24 hrs. leave.

I'm very sorry that we couldn't get you to do your stuff on Sept. 9th especially after promising you the job, but Olive's elder brother carried it through very well. I understand that Olive has written you 12 pages, so I expect you have heard all about it. It was tough having 6 hrs. leave on my wedding day but was lucky getting the 24 hrs. so soon after. We both thought of getting married immediately war was declared, but it was not until the following Thursday that I got the o.k. for leave. Frank, it doesn't seem possible what has happened all under a month does it - I never really thought that we should go to war. Messrs Mercer, Stubbs, Pearce, Mills and Calyer (A.S.B.) are here and we keep more or less, as far as possible, together. We tried a little advertising ('O for an Osram') on our tin hats but this did not meet with approval! The Osram lads have had a nice letter from F.Y.J. together with 100 cigarettes, but so far I've not heard a word from T.W.H. I've managed to sort out a nice little job for myself as telephonist on the Command Post. Actually it saves me a considerable amount of sandbag filling!

The following letter is from Olive Endacott the wife Jack Endacott a work colleague at GEC and old friend of Frank. As you can see from the letter Olive and Frank got married on the declaration of war, whilst Frank was less lucky. The turmoil caused by the declaration of war is captured well in this letter.

15/9/39 Friday

132, Fairview Road
South Tottenham
N15

My dear Frank,

Thank you very much for your letter - I was so pleased to hear from you - and I am sure Jack be when I give him your letter when I see him tomorrow.

We were ever so sorry that you were not with us on our day of days as also we had reckoned on you being our "best man". It has always been a great source of joy to me that Jack has such a good pal - and me too for that matter. Please forgive me for not having let you know but honestly Frank it was an awful rush at the finish. We got a license on Wednesday and Jack said that he wouldn't get leave for at least a couple of weeks. Then on Thursday he phoned me to say that they were giving him 6 hours on the Saturday, so as you can see I had to rush around to arrange things. I wrote to Edie but unfortunately she was too far away to come along. I was so sorry because I have always wanted young Anne as a bridesmaid. What different ideas we had for the Event! - but still that can't be helped and we are so happy now that those regrets soon pass away. I do hope however that you will understand and forgive us for not letting you know beforehand.

I was upset at having missed you on Monday but on Sunday night Jack arrived home for 23hrs leave. I promptly took the day off. We called in at the office so we must have missed you by minutes. We got there at 12.20 and left about 12.45pm - we would have been so pleased to have had you to lunch with us. We spent must of the time doing some shopping at Mappin & Webb's and then had lunch at Tottenham Court Road Corner House. We left Charing X about 5.10pm to get Jack back again at 7.0pm. Whilst waiting in Sidcup High Street on my way back I met Roger Sharp. He is at the Vicarage there and is well - looked after. Of course he isn’t pleased with life and Brenda is a bit fed up - but I suppose poor girl she would be - they should move into their new place on Monday.

We are very busy at the office - don't know which way to turn. My staff has increased considerably that we are having to consider taking larger premises. Sales Dept. on the other hand is very deserted. You were probably amused to see all the remaining Travellers, either behind the counters or filling sandbags! Gosh! they have had to work and probably no expenses.

Well I expect you think I have written enough for now - but anyway it will be another great moment for you when your name is called out.

Frank I was so sorry after reading your p.s. Being so happy myself it makes me sad to think of you being more unhappy just now. I am afraid there isn't much I can say to help you but anyway I will write you regularly if you would like me to do so. I suppose I've got the two of you on my hands again now!

Well old pal I suppose I must close down now. It's a lot of natter that perhaps won't interest you very much but anyway it does make something to read. I'm sorry that I couldn't make it for lunch but perhaps you will look us up when you get some more time off.

Keep cheerful and hope to be home soon. How I long for the day when we can welcome our first visitor - You - in our own home.

Well cheerio and the very best wishes from us both,

God bless you,

Olive

8/9/39

Gnr. Faulkner F.A.
157th A. A. Battery R.A.
Central Ordnance Depot
Bramley, Basingstoke
Hants.


Dear Dad,

Am trying to find a few minutes before breakfast to send you a line as I cannot be certain what time I shall have later.

The above is as far as I got before breakfast!

Thanks for your long letter which arrived with one from Louise and the St. M. Porchway circular.

In future correspondence may be addressed as above. This should save quite a considerable time in letters reaching me.

The weather is really wonderful - thank goodness, almost too hot for some of the manual jobs I've had to do since arrival here. Today is the first day I've had in the office at Bramley.

Yes I've certainly had some bad luck trying to get hold of you on the 'phone. Perhaps you would let me know whenever you write what duties you are on should I get the opportunity to 'phone.

When I rang you from Guildford I was on my way back from Hookwood Ordnance Depot near Reigate. It was a magnificent day out on the front of our lorry and being seated high up in it I had a fine view of the country through which we passed. It was a cushy job, I'm supposed to be the spare driver and as I don't drive there is nothing for me to do.

Another trip I did was to Aldershot and Farnborough yesterday which followed the route of the previous journey as far as Farnham. These rides get one away from camp atmosphere and make a nice change. It also gives one a chance to have a beer in some country pub which may take ones fancy.

Yesterday the driver and I were invited into the private parlour at a pub so that we could hear the news. Kind wasn't it?

It has been whispered to me that 24 hours leave will be granted to each individual. Leave will be granted to compassionate (?) cases first, then N.C.O.s followed by other ranks as they can be spared in order of good conduct. This is welcome news but has to be kept quiet so if you send a post-card be careful how you word it.

I'm wondering if 24 hours will be enough to see all the people I want. Will Edie be back in London soon? If not I must speak to her on the 'phone. I'll wire you as soon as I know when I get my leave.

There is such a lot of news but no time spare just now. I'll have alot to tell you when I see you.

Am feeling very fit and reasonably happy but hope this blinkin' war won't last very long.

Have not received parcel of clean laundry yet but expect it is on the way. I hear there is a lot of mail at White City and a lorry has gone up to fetch it today.

Would you do me a favour by 'phoning Edie to say I'm o.k. and give her the news. I got her letter but have not been able to reply.

Hope she and Anne are keeping well, you to and Ernie, and my love to all.

Frank