1/12/39 3.

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

Dear Dad,

I have letters from you and Edie but I think it is your turn. Thanks to both of you anyway. I have written a short letter to Anne in answer to 'her' postcard. I must get her a French comic paper one of these days - she might be interested in the pictures.

So you had quite a good time with Miss Cutmore and her sister. You don't want too many visits like that, though, do you? Give the former my love when you write next.

You touched for a packet of trouble alright in the S.O. (Sorting Office) but by now I expect it is finished with so far as you are concerned.

I have heard from Louise again. This time she sent me 50 cigs and this writing pad and some envelopes. She tells me Nigel is engaged to a girl in his department of the I.C.I. in Scotland. He's not getting married yet as he has got to save up. What a surprise, though!

I was suspected of having sent P.C'S to the B.Q.M.S. and B.S.M. but I explained matters satisfactorily. They both asked me to thank you.

I have heard from Jack Endacott, one day after I wrote to him, so our letters crossed in the post. He claims they arrived in France 5 days before us. He sleeps in a cellar on a "Li-lo" so he's not so lucky as I am, and he also has to his share of 'guards' and fatigues.

Don't rush yourself to send the "Penguin" books. We now have a few here but there has been no rush on them yet. No doubt they will be used when the fellows get more time for reading. Any time will do. Thanks for your efforts.

A party of about 20 of us were taken by lorry last evening to see a show organised by Sir Seymour Hicks. The artistes were nearly all celebrities and gave a jolly good show. Such names as, Dorothy Ward, Clare Luce, Bertha Wilmot and Tom Webster were on the stage. The place - a cinema - was packed with R.A.F. and Army men, some of whom had traveled a long way to see the show. Josephine Baker was on at a place near here during the week but none of us saw her. Franklin*, a fellow named Wilmot* (curious!) and another chap were with me and we had seats about 6 rows from the stage. Uncle Frank's "Manikins" went down well!

Thanks for your Postal Order which I am changing to-day at the A.P.O. They change them at the rate of Frs.177/75=£1. I shall be able to buy a bottle of Champagne with the money.

The 3000 cigarettes arrived the day before yesterday and I immediately wrote to Percy to let him know and to thank him. B.S.M. Venison is distributing them to B.H.Q. staff for me at the rate of 40 per man. They are in packets of 20's and any over - and there should be some - I'll share with special friends.

I'm not particularly pally with anybody here, at least, not to the same extent as I am with Jack E. Franklin is a good sort but as my time off does not always coincide with his I don't see so much of him as I would.

Incidentally, Major Chivers, Capt. Offord and 2/Lt. Alliston - the three officers at B.H.Q. - kindly accepted their "ration" of Percy's gift.

Dealing with the question in Edie's letter, bless her, I have already made suggestions re. parcels (like my cheek!) in letter No.2 - which I did not number. The 'Zubes' came in very useful when I had a nasty cold last week. They may have been responsible for preventing a cough which usually follows in my case. I'm o.k. now and the only worry I had with it was having to wash out handkerchiefs instead of waiting for the laundry to do 'em. Yes, arrangements have been made with a local laundress to wash pants, shirts, vests, towels, hanks, socks free of charge to us. Pansy life, isn't it?

I shall look forward to the Xmas pudding from Olive's mother. It was jolly nice of her to think of me.

I received Mrs. Clift's cake a few days ago and was in such a hurry to write and thank her that I omitted to thank her for the mittens. They fit me a treat. Will you or Edie please thank her for me and apologise for my omission. I've not cut the cake yet as Auntie Bertha's is not finished yet but it looks nice.

No, Ernie I have not been issued with 'Battle Dress' yet. Some of the fellows have it and I think it looks smart but unless ones uniform is worn out one can't get it at present. It saves a lot of button cleaning!

That's all for now. Fond love, as ever, to you all and xxxxxxx for Anne (you must tell me how she liked her special letter).

Frank