Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    FAC159/1/70
  • Title
    Letter: from Richard Dillingham at No 21 Kite & Balloon Section RFC Camp, [France] to Christine Dillingham at Kings Road, Flitwick Friday night - writer has received letters from his wife and is glad to hear that she and the children are getting on alright; - "You don't know how I long for the time when this miserable war is over so that I can come back home to you and the children"; - wishes he was back at home to cuddle up to her in bed instead of stuck up in the mud and cold; - comments that there has been some very good news in the papers regarding the war; - asks how is she is getting on with the gardening and expects that there will be a fine show of sweet peas; - asks whether she has set any eating ones yet and how she is going on with the potatoes - runs through other gardening matters; - Notes he has had a letter and parcel from George, which contained two small tins of special sweets for colds, a tin of Bulls eye mints, a stick of liquorice and a paper; - comments that he is well off for cough stuff, "It all came from Boots and I think was rather expensive. I only wish I had it three months ago" - comments George went to work at Bulls in the High Street and when he got there Mr Chapman from the White House, Pulloxhill was working there. Mr Chapman said that the frost was making them a lot of work; - notes that Archie Ayler is disappointed over coming home; Sunday night - Is sorry not to have sent this letter but he has not had the time to finish it; Monday night - comments that he thought Sunday night he was going to have a little time to himself but was called out to put the balloon up; - runs through the details of the balloon incident; - "I felt just about fed up and wished I was back with you again"; - complains about always having to go and fetch water; - notes that there was a Church Service in the hut which was the first since Christmas; - comments they are having a very rough day with the weather and as such have not put the balloon up since breakfast; - notes he has just received a letter from his wife in which she tells him that she feels she must send parcels to him; - asks his wife not to worry about him but asks if she does send him stuff that it be "butter or plum pudding"; - "I feel better now than I've felt since I've been out here and can eat anything and sleep like a log"; - asks her to thank his mother for sending the Lung Tonic; - asks if Min is coming to stay at Easter?; - asks how she is getting on for coal, bread, meat and groceries and whether she can get as much as she wants or is there an allowance?; - notes three lines were crossed out in his last letter home; - runs through details about a man whose family came from Westoning and was a first cousin to Ethel Bonner; - comments he would love to see the children and expects to find a great difference in them, and asks do they still want to know why I don't come home?; - asks how the Major is getting on with his garden; - notes that Bapaume has been captured and that the Germans are falling back all along the front, "I expect we shall be moving again very soon"; - asks his wife not to worry if she does not get a letter for some time as when they move he will not have time to write; - "I am pleased to say I think I Have about got rid of my livestock (lice) now but it is a job if you once get them. I found eight on me the first time I found out I had got any"; - notes that he was lent a tin of pomade and that he "petroled" the seams of his clothes and hung his blankets out for several days; - comments he has slept in the same blankets ever since he has been out there; - asks how are her Mother and Father getting on?; - wishes he was at home with her and "finished for good with this business but lets hope it isn't for much longer; - "With very best love & kisses to you and the children. Take care of them for me";
  • Date free text
    March 1917
  • Production date
    From: 1917 To: 1917
  • Level of description
    item
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