Bad News on the Commission.

Bad news on the result of the commission interview mentioned in the last letter.

26/2/40

881937 L/Bdr.Faulkner
157th HAA Regt. RA
53rd HAA Battery RA
B.E.F.


Dear Dad,

Am writing this while in the guard-room. No, I haven't done anything wrong - just N.C.O. in charge of the guard. I have to change the sentries over at certain times and am generally responsible for the safety of "government property" etc.

So I find that there is quite a lot of time for writing though am afraid I feel too tired tonight to knock off many of my outstanding letters.

I'm sure that you will be sorry to know that I was unsuccessful at my last "commission" interview. It was considered, I believe, that I had insufficient qualifications. I think that I may be put up again but that rests with the Battery Commander, in the first place. Three other chaps had a fourth interview today with a Captain in the R.A.S.C. and apparently had no difficulty answering questions put to them.

I'm considering writing to Mr. Heather to see if he can assist me through the War Office. Or perhaps Mr. Gamage can. The fact is that it is difficult to convey at these interviews how useful my training in the G.E.C. organisation with its huge Government contracts could be in certain Units of the Army. Mr. Heather knows, though, and would, I feel sure, do the necessary.

I meant to have told you before that a fellow named Willshire in my old section mentioned to me that he knew Beckley. I think B is his bro.-in-law.

I had a "friendly" letter from Louise one day last week to which I have replied enclosing Anne's letter to me. Did you see it? It was quite good but very funny. I'm glad she likes school and has a nice teacher.

I took a poor view of the Cabinet Minister's quotation you mentioned in your letter. Those old sayings are all contradicted by another one. The first two that come to my mind in this particular case are "If at first you don't succeed...." and "Faint heart never prospered". Oh, there are thousands of them - "Never say die", "There is no such word as 'can't'". I'm rather surprised that you, who were so hopeful at one time, should listen to tripey old saws (the word is SAWS - not SOWS!).

I've had a parcel today from Mrs. Clift and a letter from her yesterday. I must try and write to her soon and to Auntie Hilda who wrote me one of her long letters. Am sorry to hear the latter is still having trouble.

Yes, am still o.k. for money and saving some, too.

Sorry I haven't better news for you in this letter but you can't be more sorry than I am.

That's all for now so I will close with fond love to you, Edie, Ernie and Anne (xxxxxxx).

All the best,

Frank

p.s. Trust your head is healing up well after the operation and your health o.k. I have not tried Edie's seed cake yet but am sure it will go down as well as her others. It's in a tin keeping fresh.

The snow has all gone now.....

After a bit of a pause from writing here is a letter from Frank concerning his attempt to get a commission.

22/2/40

881937 L/Bdr. Faulkner
157th HAA Regt. RA
53rd HAA Battery RA
B.E.F.

Dear Dad,

Just a brief line to tell you about today’s interview.

I saw the Brigadier, an officer of the R.E.s and another high official (whose full title I don't know). I found that I had been recommended for the R.A.S.C. and R.E.s and was asked which branch of either Unit I was interested in and why, and several unexpected questions. Finally I came out of the interview feeling very depressed, but I was not alone in that respect. Nearly everyone felt the same.

However, the applicants for R.A.S.C., if successful, (presumably) will have yet another interview with an officer of the R.A.S.C. at a later date. So, I'm still hoping.

When asked which Unit I preferred I said R.E.s. Wouldn't it be strange if I should be successful in getting a Commission in your old Unit? Will let you know of further developments but, personally, am feeling rather pessimistic at the moment.

Received Edie's parcel quite safely yesterday but have not tried the cake yet. I must thank Ernie for the pen and pencil which I missed very much. Am using the pen now.

Mrs. Gamage, wife of the Secretary of the G.E.C. has sent a large number of woollen comforts for the men in 157 Battery and wrote to tell me so. I notice the Battery Commander has acknowledged receipt of them today and so I must drop a line soon.

The snow has all gone now. It disappeared rapidly and the last two days have been spring-like.

Must close now with fond love to all and xxxxxxx for Anne.

Frank

p.s. Did my first guard for a long time last night. Shall get more of them now, as I expected. But am still at B.H.Q. F

Opening lines of the letter.

Close up of the date

9 February 1940 - Return from leave & an Andy Hardy film

This letter contains interesting detail about catching the train in London when returning from leave. Frank also mentions seeing an "Andy Hardy" film; Andy Hardy was a character played by Mickey Rooney in an MGM film series from 1937 to 1958. Sadly Frank can't recall the title of the film, however 3 films in the series were released in 1939 and 1 in 1940.

9/2/40

881937
L/Bdr.Faulkner
157th HAA Regt. RA
53rd HAA Battery RA
B.E.F.


Dear Dad,

Many thanks for your letter post-marked the 4th which I received yesterday. I must also thank Edie for the letter she wrote me the day I left home.

It seems ages since I had my leave and have settled down to the same routine. I'm also doing Rogers pay job which I like, though, of course, it makes extra work. It is for this reason that nearly a week has gone by since I wrote last.

This letter should not take so long to reach you because we were advised yesterday that from Feb. 8th letters would be accelerated in the post to the extent of 2 days, to England.

You both mention about my not returning to see you after dumping my equipment. Well, it was not because I had a comfortable seat but I really thought it was not allowed, especially with so many M.P.s about on the platform. Furthermore, I was a good way along the train and I didn't want to miss it should it start suddenly. I did wonder alot about coming back to the barrier but thought I'd better not.

Sorry you lost your gloves; they were nice ones, too.

I've had a little of the whiskey, chiefly to get rid of a chill I had about me. Am much better now, in fact - practically normal.

No. I am still on the same job and so far have not had any guards or Orderly Sergeants jobs to do. That will come in time, I'm sure.

Nobody knows whether your books arrived. Perhaps the Major can tell me when he returns from leave next week. Surely they must be here somewhere.

Nothing further has developed re. Commissions. I've mentioned to the Sgt.Major that my ideas favour R.A.O.C., R.E.s etc. and it has been noted. It's all a question of time. The fellows home on a course now waited a long time. Nil desperandum. R.A. is taboo at the moment.

Edie has kindly offered to knit thick socks for me but am still wearing boots - not Wellingtons. Thanks all the same.

The roads around here show the effects of the thaw but they are better than when I first got back. They can't make roads like the English!

I have not had a chance to write to Louise yet so was glad to hear that you had heard from her. What's happening?!! You don't say much.

Have had a busy day today, pay day (I now get 200 frcs) and worked late yesterday. So with all the points raised in your letter answered and little else in the way of news I will wind up.

Oh, I went to the pictures on Sunday. There was a very good uncensored news-film and followed by an "Andy Hardy" film, the exact title of which I forget. But it was good.

I have not forgotten Anne's comic paper but I never think of it at the right moment. Hope she is o.k. now and the rest of you too.

Fond love to all, and kind regards to Mrs. Foskett.

Frank

p.s. Could do with some more "Zubes" when you send the next parcel, please. No hurry. F.

Back in Vezernay

Another very brief note from Frank confirming his safe return to Verzenay. He mentions the Filed Post Card he sent the day before. The dashes indicate words that have been obscured by the censor.

Saturday 3/2/40

L/Bdr Faulkner F.A.
------ ------ -----
------ ------ -----
B.E.F.

Dear Dad,

Arrived safely at destination yesterday afternoon. You will have probably have got the Field Service Card I posted to you on our arrival at the port this side. Grand crossing.

The weather here is quite Spring-like today. Will be sending short letter at first opportunity.

Love to all.

Frank

(censor Gibson - censor stamp number 655)

Frank's post card home of 3 February 1940 with Censors pen on the address.

Army Service Postcard - 2 February 1940

This is a brief note on a brown Army Service Postcard confirming that Frank had retuned safely to France after his period of home leave. The postcard allowed the sender to select the message by deleting pre-printed lines, hence the terse nature of the message.

FRONT OF THE CARD
FIELD SERVICE POST CARD

(Post marked - BASE ARMY POST OFFICE - 2/2/40)

Addressed to W. F. Faulkner, 106 Wilifield Way, Golders Green, London NW11


BACK OF THE CARD
I am quite well.

Letter follows at first opportunity.

Signature only F. Faulkner