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.
1997-37-7-4-13 Headquarters
W.A Oldfield Esq. 5th Division
Sandsend, B.E.F
Nr Whitby,
Yorks
ENGLAND
Feb. 5th 1940.
My dear mum, Daddy and jum.
I found your parcel waiting here when we got back at lunch-time to-day and also your letters dated 28th and 30th Jan. Thank you all so much . The cake we started on at tea and was very good indeed, while the think socks and handkerchiefs have come to a very good home too, Many thanks also for the chocolate and chilblain stuff. The chilblains are actually much better now and seem to have almost gone, but no doubt they may return, so I will keep the cure handy.
It was very nice to hear of all your doings lately – it seems a long time since
2, since your last letters. You all seem to be very busy with canteens and reciting and altogether full of good works. Re. your canteen – I’ll make out a list of things that might go well – cigarettes and chocolates and that sort of thing. It sounds a very good plan and I’m sure the Signals will appreciate it no end. Anyway I will send you few suggestions if they would be any help.
You seem to have some sort of excitement each week – I see in the papers that a Heinkel Bomber was brought down between Sneaton Castle and Bannine Hall, and that Philip and Alice families took in the wounded airmen. A pity they were able to set their machine on fire before anyone got to them.
I’m sorry to hear that the hunt looks like having to close down – it
3, seems a shame after the effort that has been made to go on, but without Bill ansiles financial support I suppose it makes things very difficult. I gather that to turn it into a trencher – fed pack with a few couples of hounds has already been considered, as surely that might work and would keep the skeleton hunt going. One can’t help feeling that once a pack has to stop it’s going to be ten times a difficult a thing to get it started again.
Let me know as soon as anything is decided one way or t’other – Anyway , I’m glad Bob is not going to leave us as it would be hard to find anyone as good again. Some wise man brought back three or four couples of Beagles back with him from leave and has been hunting them from here, so we may get a
4, hunt again this season after all.
The General told me last night that he was hoping to get away for some leave on or about Feb. 20th, which is very soon now, but we haven’t heard yet. In any case one can never be sure until you arrive in England but I thought you’d like to know. Probably I shouldn’t have told you incase – as is always very possible – we can’t get away. Still there’s nothing like hoping !
I have heard from Margaret (De) to-day – she seems very down and her father seems to have been even moodier than usual. Do try and get in touch with her jum and have her to stay or something.
Well, dears, I must be running along – I will write to Esme to-morrow – Thank you again very very much for the parcel, and I hope I may see you sometime soon.
All love to you –
Yours ever
Johnnie
J.B.Oldfield