A note on the letters. The transcripts may include abbreviations or spelling inconsistencies and errors. We have chosen to transcribe the letters as they appear so that they are an accurate reflection of John Oldfield’s style and personality. We have also included his original page numbering. Where language is used that we would deem offensive, those words have been replaced with XXX.
1997-37-7-5-44
Mrs. V.E.Oldfield,
Sandsend, Capt JB Oldfield.
Near Whitby, “C” Company,
Yorks. 5th. Bn. The Green Howards.
ENGLAND MIDDLE EAST FORCE.
January. 12. 42.
My dear Mum and Daddy –
First of all I must tell you how very proud and delighted I am to hear of Jumbo and her Bun – it is simply grand, and a boy too, could anything be better ? I really am more pleased than I can say about it and very relieved as like a B.F. I misunderstood your cable of Dec. 8th completely and thought it meant that one of you had been in hospital. Although I was expecting to hear of Jumbo – somehow I couldn’t connect the two and never realised there was no phrase in the code telling anyone they are an uncle ! However, I got both your airgraphs dated Dec 7 and 9 which
[page 2] arrived on January 6th and that was the first I really knew. Not until then did I realise the cable meant the same thing – I had a double whisky straight away – just to celebrate it ! I am still tickled to death and very proud of my Jumbo. I hope now you will understand why I never cabled my congrats – before. Will Lacy heard the same day that he is a father, so I had him and the Colonel in to dinner just to make merry.
Just a week ago a pile of airmail P/Cs to everyone but now find they were all understamped so you will not get them for ages, and there will be a gap I’m afraid, as I imagine they will all travel by surface mail.
I am now at Brigade working with the B.M. there and trying to learn up for my course at the Senior Staff School which starts in February until April 25.
[page 3] I am looking forward to it in many ways – it will be a change and a chance to get on, but I shall be sorry to leave the Bn. And particularly my Company – who quite honestly are the best in the Bn. I think, so do some others, And I am quite proud of them – as they are all my own and have improved. However, variety is the spice of life, and after having spent a fortnight on Bde. H.Q. I feel I could do with some spice. The above address – “C” Company, 5.G.H. still holds good until I cable you another one. In any case a lot can happen in a month !
Again, let me say how pleased I am for us all and I am writing to Jumbo now. Hope you will get this soon – will write again very soon – Until then,
Godbless and my love,
Yours ever
J.B.Oldfield Johnnie xx