20/11/39 1.

881937 Gnr. Faulkner
157 HAA Battery RA
53rd HAA Regt. R.A.
A.A.S.F.
British Expeditionary Force

Dear Dad,

Many thanks for your parcel which arrived safely and at the same time as one from Auntie Bertha. Though it was rather smaller it was none the less appreciated and I now have quite a considerable stock in my 'larder'.

I have written to Uncle Frank and Auntie Bertha to thank them and answer some of the questions in Uncle Frank’s letter. By the way, I forgot to mention in my letter to them that I did not find a line in their parcel - I hope that was alright.

I have just finished Edie's cake which was jolly good. Although I don't eat much cake at home it is handy to have one nowadays for middle morning or some other time to cut into.

The fruit salad was a good thought and will be treated as a luxury just when I feel like something different, though the food here is still good.

Edie will like to know that the Marmite is going slowly and will not be offended, I know, if I suggest that she does not send anymore just yet. It goes a long way and I will ask her when I want some more. Her apples are very nice but if her stock is getting low I don't want to rob her (or Ernie).

It is possible to buy fruit in a nearby town though not as cheaply as in England. I bought three pears and some mandarins the other day. The mandarins I enjoyed especially.

I understand that we are moving our billets to a village a few miles from here, not far though. If we find a place as comfortable as this we shall be very lucky. The only inconvenience I notice here is the washing facilities (not laundry). I've no doubt that had we been stopping this would have been improved but with arrangements being made for concerts from local 'talent' and for other recreation we shall not be badly off as far as I can see.

I forgot to mention before that I had been to the pictures a fortnight ago. Parties are taken to a cinema on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings where there are performances of English films free of charge to the Air Force and Army. English films are shown on other days of the week, also, if we like to pay to go in the cinema and have the time as well. An English newsreel is also shown.

With all these good things you will be wanting to come out and join us!

May I trouble you to make enquiries as to how and when the 3000 cigarettes were dispatched. These have not yet arrived and only yesterday I asked the A.P.O. about them. They said they could not help me and recommended that I had enquiries made by the sender. I have already mentioned the matter to Percy Bedford and I believe in an earlier letter to you.

You've certainly had a busy time lately with all your dinners. John Rich and I drank your health and that of W. Bro. Sulston as I said we would. I now have your note enclosing Menu Card (received yesterday) complete with umpteen autographs. It goes to show that those absent in the flesh are remembered and among the others in spirit.

While I remember it please ask Edie to thank Mrs. Draper for the chocolate. I think I forgot to do so before.

This is being written with your "nice plain writing pencil". Is it better?

Am wearing the newly arrived pants now. After wearing the other long ones I didn't like changing back to short pants.

I'm going to number my letters so that you will easily know if any are not received. This one is 1. I have a feeling that the one in which I mentioned the non-receipt of all those cigs may have got lost as you have not mentioned the matter in your letters.

x x x x x x x

I have just received Dads' letter of the 17th - good going!

You say that you have seen Percy Bedford, by which I guess you mentioned the cigarettes.

As regards money, I am managing alright, but, once having broken into my £1 reserve fund it is difficult to make it up again. With a little care I could live on my army money so you'd better not encourage me to spend more by sending any. The remains of my reserve may last 2 or 3 weeks or I may blue it on a weak moment. Nowadays I believe in living for the day to a certain extent.

'Green' envelopes are just being issued so I shall probably enclose this with one or two others. As you know you may put up to 3 letters in the one envelope without them being censored by our officers. But, they are liable to be censored at the base.

I have had a letter from Mr. Heather (G.E.C. Sales Manager) who wishes to keep in touch with Sales chaps at home and overseas. It was posted 11th November and had been to two other Regiments in error before reaching me. One of them was Jack Endacott's crowd, funny isn't it.

I also had a letter from Margery Ricards (née Hardy) who was married 10th October and is living in Streatham. It was something to read and, I suppose, a kind thought but it means more writing for me. Yes, it’s worth it just to have a letter! Not that I don't get plenty from home because I do. I enjoy all your letters and they are always cheery and cheering.

I am on my eighth page and still have not dealt with Edie's letter of the 12th (posted 13th). It's a nice long one so I'm sure some answers will be wanted.

It's funny how Ernie has a hand in most things. I see he's on rugs now!

She mentions biscuits in Dad's parcel. I suppose they were the cheese biscuits which soon got polished off. There was a packet in his last parcel, too, so with 2 packets in Auntie Bertha's parcel I now have enough to start a shop.

We have had no air-raid warnings yet, although we read of planes coming over France from Germany. Am afraid I've had little time to read Dad's papers or Edie's journals yet but we get the Continental Daily Mail and other papers so with the wireless news as well we keep fairly well informed about the war etc.

No, we were not present at the all-star concert but some of the chaps heard Gracie Fields on the radio. Was that the same concert?

I owe Jack Endacott a letter so must write soon as it will look bad if I get his second letter before doing so.

As a matter of fact I spend quite a lot of time writing so don't expect one like this every time, please.

Oh, I had a letter from Auntie Hilda, or rather, two. Both in the same envelope but written on different week-ends. While wondering how to address the first one she heard from Edie giving my address so wrote a few more lines to tell me so together with a bit more news.

That’s all for now. I'm feeling very fit and making the best of things and I do hope you all are, too.

I must mention that I went to Communion on Sunday morning 7.30am and there was also a short service and address on Saturday evening which most of us went to.
Thank all the people who have sent kind wishes which I reciprocate. And tell Anne I think her 'writing' is improving.

Fond love to all

Frank

phew!!

p.s. am enclosing this in Green envelope to save time.