From all those years ago, with my mother gone nearly ten years now, it’s warming to read that Albert was so pleased about his little sister’s cycling success. Here is Jean, my mother, with my great aunt Norah. Jean is perched precariously on an adult-sized bicycle, but no doubt she had grown in confidence by the time she had passed her test.
I don’t know exactly what test she took – most likely a regional precursor of the RoSPA Cycling Proficiency Test that was a well known feature of primary school education when I was a child. In any case, Albert is delighted. Ever the thoughtful older brother, he writes his congratulations to her, and has some advice for his parents about the brakes.
Wednesday June 17 1942
Please note Victoria Parade, Victoria Parade, Victoria Parade
Dear All,
I was very pleased to receive your letter telling of Jean’s cycling accomplishment. I was so pleased in fact that I at once wrote a note to her congratulating her on her feat. When I was home, I remember that she had some difficulty in putting on the brakes very well. I believe that some of the difficulty was due to the curved shape of the brake levers, which made it rather a width for her to grasp. If she still has some difficulty in applying the brakes, perhaps the brake levers on the bike should be swopped for those on Mummy’s, which are more nearly straight and would not make such a width.
I have noted the letter from Shell-Mex, and will reply to it in a day or two, but I think it would be better for me to have the excess knocked off one month’s allowance, as at the end of the course – eight weeks from commencement – my pay is again raised, from which time I should have little or nothing from Shell-Mex, so I don’t want to have to start paying them money! I will also see about making an allotment, as my pay now is certainly quite enough for my needs. When I do, you can go on buying Saving Certificates with that money.
Earlier in the week, it must have been Monday, I received the letter which you posted but did not address. Apparently, the RAF postal Dept had been busy, and from my rank and number had discovered my whereabouts and sent it on. You will see that they sent it to ARC Abbey Lodge (should have been ACRC) and Abbey Lodge sent it to Torquay, by some transport of their own presumably, as there is no postmark – yes, I see there is – on the back. I enclose the envelope for your inspection.
I think our weather has been rather better than yours, though Monday was cold, & it rained in the afternoon. We were on organised games in the afternoon but due to the weather our swimming was done in the baths, instead of the sea. It would have been better if we had had our games yesterday, as it was much warmer, though there was a thunder-shower in the morning. Today has been quite fine, though not sunny all the time.
On Monday I went to the Pavilion to see the Anglo-Polish Ballet, of which I enclose the programme. You may remember that I saw the same company at Oxford and some of the items (those with *) were the same. I enjoyed it very much, especially as I got an excellent seat for only 1/6. The stage is a very good modern one, and as the place is not large, one is assured of being able to see well.
It is now Wednesday evening and I have missed the post (6.15). I must finish off tonight or I will not catch the morning one, which goes at the unmentionable hour of 6.0 am! The posts are promptly collected too. We get two deliveries daily, at dinner time and tea time, and they are efficiently managed. I managed to write to Shell-Mex in the maths class today, and yesterday and Monday I was writing to Phil. I posted that this morning, and before I run out of airmail paper, I should like to write to Raymond so would you send along his letter with your next one.
Mentioning that reminds me that next week we go on to navigation instead of maths and that won’t give me much time in which to write letters. I must also make some proper notes of that, and I think that one of my old school files should prove very useful for that.
I wonder if you could find an empty file in reasonable condition. If it is something like French, English, Physics, Maths (but not Chemistry) you can dump the contents for salvage. As to paper, I believe there is a nearly new Taunton’s block in the homework cupboard. If there is not one there, there should be a new one in my photography cupboard on the very ground floor at the back; underneath some boxes and papers and things. That will make quite a lot to send off, if you have not sent the original order off already. Another thing I should like if you come across it is a ‘Penguin’ book of aircraft recognition.
I am afraid this letter seems to contain little of real interest, I hope I shall be able to write something more interesting on Sunday, love to all, from Albert.
P.S. This place seems to be infested with moths. I am killing them all day and this very moment am about to get up in pursuit of one.
Last P.S. I have some envelopes like this (the long ones I usually send my letters in) at home in my ‘homework’ cupboard or front room drawer – would you send them with the next lot of stuff?
And so Albert exits, in pursuit of a moth. He appears settled in Torquay, which suits him better than his previous winter in Blackpool. I’m happy for him. In spite of war and its curtailment of freedoms, Albert was happy. And finally, here is Albert on his bicycle at Bullar Road, Southampton. He was 15 when this was taken, I hope you will forgive the anachronism. I found this photo in the album beside the one of my mother, so I thought they should be together.
The Letters 