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.
1997-37-7-5-43
Mrs. V.E. Oldfield,
Sandsend, Capt. JB. Oldfield
Near Whitby, “C” Company.
Yorks. 5th Bn. The Green Howards.
ENGLAND M.E.F.
No. 48 March: 7: 42
My dear Mum and Daddy,
I have just written you an airgraph, which will probably reach you long before this, to thank you for your airgraph and your news of the family.
I was most interested in the news of C.J. St. I . Radcliffe’s Christening and would have liked very much to be there. The “Charles” is a new addition which I like very much – it seems such a big name for such a little chap ! also interested to hear of Derry’s leave and wonder where he is
[page 2] Bound for and whether I shall see him. Chris Browning’s younger brother wrote asking for the low – down on Cape Town so imagine from that it’s in this direction. Jumbo won’t want to lose him much but I’m glad the Bun arrived before he had to leave. If he takes as long to embark as we did there may be time for another one!
And Mary going off to America, that is big news, I’m sure she’ll find it most interesting and she must have done amazingly well at Chatham to get such an opportunity. I keep wondering what news there is of Richard, since Batavia, they’re both rather efficient sailors, must be.
You would have a great time altogether and I hope you didn’t miss too much of the leave through yr. warship week, wh. I hope was as big a success as yr. war weapons.
I am still very fit and well but am kept very busy. We have a great deal of patrolling to do and our bits of excitement. We want for very little and on the whole are fairly well off. At the moment I am busy with running a specialised course – Noel Blunt and Peter Lindred are my students ! and we don’t get very much sleep. The weather is getting a bit warmer, but we have had a day or two of really heavy rain, wh. if nothing else made us cleaner. Don’t worry about me – I’ve never felt better, and will write again v. soon, until then,
My love to you,
Johnnie
J.B.Oldfield