3 September 1939 - Britain declares war on Germany

On the day that Britain declared war on Germany, 3 September 1939, Frank's letter is taken up with fairly mundane domestic issues and details of travel to Bramley in Hampshire.  It does feel incredible to be able hold and read a letter written on such an auspicious day.

Gnr. Faulkner F.A.

157th Battery R.A. (T)

War Dept. Building No.28

White City Road

W12

3/9/39

Dear Dad,

Have been trying to find an opportunity to write you since I arrived here but have not had a chance.  Even now time is limited so if I finish abruptly you'll know I have been called away on some job.

I received your card this afternoon.  It was brought down by some of the A.T.S. girls who I believe are just reporting for duty.

We left G. Park yesterday morning (Saturday) about 11.30am.  The others left earlier but I was one of the last to leave so it seems you just missed me.  What a shame after you had gone to the trouble and inconvenience of travelling to Gunnersbury.

Well, I am now near Bramley, a few miles from Basingstoke.  Actually the nearest village is a place called Sherfield but at present you must address correspondence though the White City.  Apparently this is Crown Land and is normally guarded by regulars who, I understand have been moved to Aldershot.  It is difficult to say how long we shall be here but the general feeling is that our next move, when it comes, will be abroad.

I hope you got my telephone message which I gave to Mrs Martin on the way down here.  I traveled on a civilian lorry with office equipment and following another one similarly loaded.  We stopped at a pub about 1 o'clock for cheese and beer and it was from there that I rang you.  I don't know the name of the place but it was about 10 miles from Hook.

Edie must feel fed up being away from home.  I hope she will stick it out though because it is safer for her.  It seems ages since I saw her and Anne.  Now that I'm so far away I suppose there will not be much chance.

I'm sorry you are getting so much hard work with B. Scty and Lodge work.  I can only thank you for doing the former and would ask you to expalin my absence from the latter.  I really have not the time to write a separate letter on that subject.

Apart from a violent storm last night the weather has been grand and we are not at all badly siuated here in a field under canvas.  It meant a lot of work yesterday, though, putting up the tents for H.Q. staff.

Must finish.  Pass my news on to Edie and Ernie.  Fond love to all.

Frank

"So the balloon has gone up at last"

Frank wrote this letter on the day that Germany invaded Poland and triggered the start of the Second World War.  His hope that war could be avoided must have been based on his experience the previous summer (1938) when he was called up during the Czech Crisis and then stood down when a peace agreement was reached.  His matter of fact comment "so that's that" probably reflects his generation's feeling of the inevitability of war following the 1914-18 conflict and the rise of fascism in Europe during the 1930s.

Frank wrote to Edie (Edith, his sister, my Grandma) who had left London as war became imminent and was in Kidderminister with Anne (her daughter, my mother).

Gunr. Faulkner F. A.

157th A.A Battery R.A. (T)

War Dept. Building No. 28

White City Road

W12

1/9/39

Dear Dad,

Thought I would drop you a short note in case we are moved from here before you arrive this-evening.

So the balloon has gone up at last.  I felt all along that war would be avoided but it has happened so that's that.  We have started packing some of our equipment in readiness for another move.  The Sergeant Major told me confidentially that it may be to a place near Guildford but I have also heard from another source that the 281st A.A. Batty. are moving there tonight so it seems there may be some confusion.  The 281st are a new Battery formed from the overflow of recruits from 157th Battery and have their H.Q. in the same school as us.

It's most probable I shall see you this-evening but thought a note from me would reassure you in case not.

Wrote a long letter to Edie last night - 6 pages.

How did you get on with your "Signals" job?

Trust you and Ernie are well.

Love,

Frank