ENSA Concert with Comedian Fred Yule

In the penultimate paragraph of this letter Frank refers to the "Three Pigeons Pub" when his Dad came to visit him before they departed for France in 1939. This visit is mentioned in the letter dated 21 September 1939 and the pub was on Bramley Green near the Army camp. The Three Pigeons closed in 1957, but the building is still there.
Frank went to a concert where the compere and comedian was Fred Yule. Fred Yule joined the cast of I.T.M.A (Its That Man Again) from the third series in July 1941. He died in December 1982.

5/4/40

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

Dear Dad,

Many thanks for your long and interesting letter from Brighton. I was glad to know more about the Selwyn Club and to learn how they got my name. Bill Bowthorpe I know well; I see him every Saturday morning at the Travellers meeting. I have now had 2 120's of Players cigarettes from the Selwyn Club and two pairs of socks which you forwarded for them.

Apparently you had a fine time trying to find a hotel for your Easter holiday. I hope you didn't have too much to drink at the Portland Hotel. You say the manager of the Crysello took you to the hotel in his car as you were "rushed for time". I will accept that statement!

So you haven't forgotten my birthday. Now, what would be a really useful present for you to send me? All I can think of is one of those zip-fastner cases with washing and shaving gear complete, similar to the one I bought you. That would be very useful.

Thanks very much for the 10/-. I'm waiting for the opportunity to have a good "blow out" with it. Am very pleased to hear from Edie that you gave her the same. Are you any more friendly with her?

I wrote to Auntie Bertha when I was on guard the other night to thank her for a large cake and various other things. There was no letter in the parcel to say how Frankie was going on.

I heard from Mr. Heather a few days ago to say that neither he nor anyone else at the G.E.C. could help me in the matter I wrote to him about. He would be pleased to furnish a recommendation, though, should it be wanted at any time.

In a letter I had from him some weeks ago Mr. Heather asked for my views on how the B.B.C. Programme for the Forces was received. So when I wrote recently I devoted about 2 pages to the subject and he tells me these will be forwarded to the B.B.C. eventually as they want "intelligent" comment from the B.E.F. I'll send you his letter one of these times.

There appears to be a "hold-up" on the question of Commissions and I don't expect to hear anything for some time yet.

Went to another concert during this week. It was quite good and the Comedian and the Compère was Fred Yule. You know him, I think. I fell for the girl who played the accordian - she was smashing!

Weather has been lousy the last 2 or 3 days. Plenty of rain and grey, depressing clouds. Still, I'm indoors most of the time so it doesn't matter much to me.

Do you remember Bulmer; the chap who was always singing "South of the Border" and had wavy hair. You met him, I know, at the "Three Pigeons" when you came to see me before we came over here. Well, he has left us for the time being - maybe permanently. He's having a months training with the R.A.O.C. (Royal Army Ordnance Corps) over here and if he is satisfactory will be taken on by them. Quite a number of skilled men in civilian life are leaving us that way.

That's all the news just now, Pop, so will close with my best wishes and love to all at home.
Thanks for thinking of the birthday present but if my suggestion is too expensive or unobtainable don't let it worry you. It will be a queer sort of birthday celebration over here anyway.

All the best,

Frank