Happy Christmas! Here is the Special Order of the Day issued on 25 December 1939 to the Regiment with the Christmas message from Lietenant Colonel V R Krohn MC RA, the commanding officer of the 53rd Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment. It sheds some light on to the make up of the Territorial Regiment.

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE THE DAY

XMAS DAY - 1939

CHRISTMAS 1939, will long be remembered by the members of the 53rd (City of London) Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.A. as the first they have spent Overseas on Active Service.

To many of you it is probably the first that you have ever spent away from your homes and families, and this may seem to be special hardship.

Your consolation lies in the fact that ours is one of the First Territorial Units to be sent Overseas, and in being thus selected we have been greatly honoured.

We have done, are doing, and shall continue to do our allotted task to the best of our ability. Whether it is being well done or not is for others to say.

For my part I want to take this opportunity to express to you all my very great appreciation of the whole hearted support you have always given to me.

There may be trying times ahead for all of us, but I am completely confident that we shall meet these with the same spirit which has enabled us to surmount the lesser difficulties of the past.

I cannot close this message without expressing to those of you who were Militiamen our special appreciation of the way you have absorbed the spirit of the Regiment. The first time I spoke to you I told you that you were to consider yourselves as full members of the 53rd A.A. Regiment, and not as being apart. That you have taken me at my word is gratifyingly apparent, and we older members of the Regiment are proud to have you with us.

I wish you all, Officers, Warrant Officers, N.C.O.'s and Men a HAPPY CHRISTMAS, and may we all look forward to a speedy return home.

Liet. Colonel R.A.
Commanding
53rd H.A.A. Regt. R.A.

B.E.F.
25/12/39

This is Frank's last letter of 1939. He mentions the first leave party departing that morning and this is also recorded in the Unit Diary. Frank expresses his hope of going on leave soon but although he didn't get home for Christmas he has clearly not been forgotten by family and friends judging from the number of parcels and presents he has received.

20/12/39 8.

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

Dear Dad,

Another very hurried line just before the post goes.

I've written so many letters these last few days that I don't know which of yours I've replied to or if I've forgotten to thank you for anything. I've to write a lot because I've had so much post. Quite a good deal of it was parcels.

I've had Auntie Nellie's (Finchley) balaclava hat and Auntie Nellie's (U.S.A.) parcel in which was a cake and 200 'Camels' (cigarettes). Louise sent me a Beautiful scarf (not hand knitted), Uncle Frank and Auntie Bertha sent me a very natty line in cigarette cases. Granny Saunders, Lily and Betty sent 50 cigarettes, the Mullins family 5/-, Kidderminster sent a pair of socks and Mr. Fletcher enclosed a pair with them. Did I mention Mrs. Foskett sent me biscuits?

Everybody is talking about leave now that a few men have started the ball rolling. Eight of them went off this-morning and I believe a similar number will be going each week now. The number per week may increase later. However, I have good hopes of being among the early ones. That being so will you let me know immediately what duties you are on as I shall not be able to let you know when I'm coming home until I reach England. I must wire you then. Don't build up your hopes too much just in case things come unstuck.

Must close

In haste

Love to all and xxxxxxx to Anne

Frank

I have added some Christmas related documents to my web album. If you click on the link below you will be able to view the regimental Christmas Card mentioned in Frank's letter of 10 December 1939, a card from the King and Queen and a programme from a review put on by the Battery before Christmas 1939.

A short letter this time, but it is clear that Frank is receiving plenty of letters although he appears somewhat tired of writing replies. Also good to see he has been sent plenty of food.

16/12/39

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

NOTE Quit A.A.S.F.


Dear Dad,

This is only a brief line and is intended to reassure you that I'm o.k.

Really I have not had much time for writing lately but will do so in answer to your letter of the 6th and the parcels both of which arrived absolutely intact. Thanks very much for all your trouble (and Edie’s and Ernie's).

I've been extremely lucky just lately as regards mail. A parcel and letter from Auntie Nellie in New York, a letter from Jack Sulston, one from Mr Neville (G.E.C.) all make my head whirl when I think of the letters I have to answer.

My larder of tinned food, cake, and biscuits is enormous and I hate to think what would happen to it all if we had to move again. However, there is no suggestion of that just yet.

Well, that's all for now but will try and write in the next 24 hours but if not don't worry.

Love to you all

Frank

Chivers Major (censor)

This letter is from Frank's friend Jack Endacott to Frank's sister Edie (my Grandmother). There is another letter from Jack Endacott published on this blog on 19 September 1939. It is interesting to have another view from a territorial soldier posted to a different area of France - their experiences appear to be very similar.

16/12/39

1438475 Gnr.Endacott
169 AA Battery RA
60th AA Regt. R.A.
British Expeditionary Force.

Dear Edie and Ernie,

Very many thanks indeed for the lovely parcel which I received today. It is so jolly decent of you and you may rest assured was very much appreciated. The cake looks so nice I do not want to cut it! Which reminds me I believe that I have omitted to thank you for the little cakes which you gave Olive to send on to me. Really you know we fellows over here don't deserve the kind attention which we are getting. Life was a change, it is no use saying otherwise, but I am now quite settled down and I expect Frank is also. I do wish I could meet him or 'phone as you suggest, but for all I know he may possibly be many miles away from here. I had a chance to attend one of those concerts last Wednesday, but mainly because I didn't fancy the long journey in the back of a lorry I gave up my ticket. I thought it just possible that Frank may have been there and I should have seen him, but learned later how hopeless it would have been!

I heard from him last month and he appeared to be quite comfortable, sleeping on a camp bed not a common li-lo like me! Surely he should have a stripe for the job he is doing or of course, maybe he doesn't want it! Has the Louise affair broken down completely? He didn't mention her when last writing and I must say I have thought a lot about it. By the way do you realise that you packed my parcel in a Siemans Lamp box ex the North Met? and to think that I am using Exram paper on the walls to keep the whitewash from coming off onto my clothes!! It seems to indicate that our travelers are not doing their stuff! Olive, I suppose, tells you all my news, and I'm afraid there is very little to add, except that we now play football every afternoon. This is not so easy as it sounds when you realise that we play upon a ploughed-up field!!

I do a 'guard' about once in six days and we have the next day off. I was on last night - was it cold and black! - so instead of going out I am spending my time 'knocking' off letters by the fireside. There are sixteen of us in the 'stable' and we have, without doubt, the warmest and most comfortable billet of the sections.

Please thank Anne for her jolly Xmas Card - I have stuck it up on the wall. I shan't know her I expect when next I see her - bless her. Well, thank you both once again and I will take this opportunity of wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year. (I have recollections of last year) How is Mr. Faulkner? Please give him my best wishes etc.

Yours very sincerely,
Jack
xxx *

p.s. I don't bother to read back my letters so please excuse errors!

* For Anne, Mrs. Brown!

On 7 December 1939 4 of the guns were in action at Juvigny when 1 Dornier 17 was engaged at approximately 20,000 feet. The Dornier was in and out of range for around 20 minutes and was eventaully engaged by fighters. In total 119 rounds were fired and 3 magnesium rounds were fired to indicate the course and position of the Dornier for the fighters. This is the first record of the Battery engaging with the enemy.
On 8 December 1939 the King inspected one of the battery gun positions. BSM Vennison and 9 other ranks were inspected by the King. Frank mentions this in hs letter.

10/12/39 5.

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 letter enclosing amusing cartoons from Daily Telegraph. There's no doubt the Nazis draw similar pictures of our statesmen and laugh at them as we do!

Have had no more "green" envelopes issued since the one I sent you. (two words crossed out) (my own censoring!)

You will be getting a Regimental Christmas Card probably by the same post and I've sent one to Edie and others. I only had twelve allotted to me. They are not at all bad, in my opinion, and the cost was negligible.

This letter will probably leave here tomorrow (11th) and I am hoping to get my presents off at the same time. Packing them is my main worry at the moment, having seen how some of the parcels arrive here.

I hope by the time you get this you will have complied with my request in my letter to Edie - re. £1. I've run myself a bit short and with the festive season coming along an empty pocket will put a brake on things! Normally I can live on my "income".

I went to the pictures again on Tuesday of last week and saw "Jamaica Inn". A good 'olde Englishe' bloodthirsty picture with ? (I've forgotten the actor's name) in the cast (Edie will know who). I also had the afternoon off, the first since I've been over here. It afforded a fine opportunity for looking round and doing some shopping. The shops were full of Army and Air Force men bent on buying presents.

About a dozen men from our Battery were inspected, along with men from other Regiments, by the King at a place a few miles from here last Friday. One or two officers also went along and had the honour of shaking hands with him.

There isn't much news and nothing arising out of the "minutes" (your letter). Perhaps you will tell Edie that I have written to Olive and sent her a Christmas card.

Tried to get Anne's comic paper yesterday but went to the wrong shop, and there was no time to go elsewhere. I have not forgotten my promise, though.

I hope you will all like your presents - Ernie caused some head-scratching - and please let me know if they arrive safely.

Another thing for Edie's information is that I have no mending to be done - except boots and I'm hoping to get a new pair soon.

At the moment nothing has been settled about leave. Some of the Air Force men I've met are lucky enough to be leaving for home in time for Christmas and others get their leave soon after. Still, they've been out here longer than us. I shall think of you all just the same.

Fond love to you all, not forgetting Anne and her xxxxxxx.

Frank

7/12/39 4.

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

Dear Edie,

Your parcel, sent on the 30th, arrived safely and undamaged yesterday together with Dad's letter of the 1st (post stamped 2nd). Thank (you) very much. The small cakes certainly made a change and a few which I gave away at teatime (just after they arrived) were certainly enjoyed. Fancy you still having apples in your store!

I also received your P.C. 3 days ago saying that you were busy with decorators in the house.

You mention leave in your letter but I am still unable to say anything definite on the subject. One thing is fairly certain and that is that married men will get preference. There seems a reasonable chance that a small percentage of the men will get Xmas leave but even if I am unlucky for that period I know I shall have quite as good a time when I do get leave. You'd better keep the paper-chains and balloons stored ready for the occasion!

To go back to cakes, perhaps a seed one would be nice. Fortunately the people of this country don't shrink from people picking their teeth! But you say that you and Anne are making me a Christmas cake so the seedy one may be expected in the New Year some time.

The weather turned warmer after the brief fall of snow but we've had a fair amount of rain and cloudy weather. Today has turned out fresh and sunny. Is Ernie keeping well in spite of the soakings he gets on his motorbike?

Sorry to hear about Anne's cold but you don't sound very worried so perhaps it wasn't too bad. I hope she is better now.

The scarf is very nice and I shall certainly keep it and look after it. I don't need slippers - thanks. I still have those I bought soon after our arrival in these parts but I don't wear them much now as it would mean changing into boots every time I go to meals (usually it's wet under-foot). The main billets are about 2/3 minutes walk from the Battery Office and we feed there.

The building we sleep in is not a factory. I don't know what it's used for normally. The building has large rooms which were completely bare when we arrived. Anyhow, we are in the dry and it's warm in the office where we have an iron stove.

I've bought some presents for you and will be posting them during the next few days. Nothing very expensive but it's something and I hope you will like them. Nevertheless, I could do with a £1 as Christmas is coming so perhaps you will ask Dad to take it out of my P.O. Book, please. Don't let him do anything rash because I'd rather it was my own money.

The ------------- are not around here but I'll keep my eyes open for John Rutherford.

I shall be writing to Dad in a day or two so anything I have forgotten will be included in that.

Thanks again for the parcel - I had the Mars while writing this.

Fond love to you all and xxxxxxx for Anne.

Frank

p.s. Am quite fit and well. F.