This letter describes the journey made by Frank across France. Having commenced their train journey from Cherbourg on 21 October 1939, the main body of Battery personnel arrived in Epernay (in the Champagne Region of France and the area where the Advanced Air Striking Force was based) at 1730 hours on 22 October 1939. They were all taken to billets in Epernay. His letter adds great personal detail to the bare bones described in the Unit Diary.

This is the first letter where the censor has struck words out and they are shown as -----.



23/10/39

881937 Gnr. Faulkner
157/53 ANTI AIRCRAFT
Regt. R.A.
c/o Army Post Office


Dear All,

It seems such along time since I last wrote to you and as we are not permitted to say exactly where we are I think it is in Order for me to say that I am in France.

I wrote to you soon after we landed here last Monday but of course you had not received that when Dad wrote on the 18th. Since then we have made a very ---- railway journey lasting about -- hours. The train was so slow that I feel sure it could have been accomplished in about -- hours on a good train. It meant ----- ---- ---- on the train and at one or two of the stops we were given coffee or hot soup by members of the French equivalent to our Red Cross. We had seven in our 3rd class compartment - not cattle wagons - and slept on one another’s shoulders. It wasn't too bad, though, and made quite an interesting trip.

On our arrival last night we were taken to a large ------- factory to sleep. There was plenty of straw and I enjoyed the most comfortable and warm sleep I've had for a week.

Mail, which I think came on the train with us, was distributed late last night. I was very glad to get Dad's letter and thank him for writing.

This last week has been a comparatively lazy one. Washing in the duck-pond every morning was not so good but like many other things it was just another experience which we will all laugh about later on.

One cannot say how long we will be in our new billets but as we have come all this way to do a real job of work I cannot see us wasting our time in such a 'heavenly' spot as this for more than a day or two.

Am sorry to hear Edie has had such a bad cold and can only hope that by now she will have shaken it off. I'm glad to hear the rest of you are o.k., however, and pleased to say that I'm perfectly fit, too.

We might as well be in England for all the excitement there is here. They certainly do seem a bit more careful about 'blacking-out' here compared with the place we've just come from.

So far I have nothing to grumble about so there is no reason for you to worry about me. We don't hear the wireless or see any newspapers so I don’t know how this peculiar war is going on.

Thank for his offer of money or other necessities but there is nothing I want just yet. Cigarettes can be bought for about half the price of those in England so please don't trouble to send them. One of these days when we are settled down a cake would be appreciated. I'll let you know when. Do you think a cake would travel alright?

I've just bought an English-French dictionary but I think Dad has got a book giving French-English as well. Can he spare it? It would be taken good care of.

Have not heard from Kidderminster yet nor from any one else for that matter. Thank the Fisher's for there kind wishes; I'm afraid that if Mrs. Fisher wrote I would find difficulty in answering it so perhaps it would be better that she didn't.

I believe Jack Endacott's Regiment are over here somewhere. I must look out for him.

I'm still in the Battery Office. The last week, though, there has been nothing for me to do.

The weather has been grand so far but not so warm since our recent move. By the way, if Edie can knit gloves I would love a pair of brown wooly ones; I'm sure I shall need some ere long.

No more just now; only my best wishes and again to ask you not to worry.

Fond love to all with xxxxxx for Anne.

Frank

p.s. I have a ------- as a souvenir!