Letters to my father 4 of 4 - Jan 44 to May 45

By Air Mail
Date 03/05/44
To L/WTR G. PARSONS
P/MX86830
HUT 13
R. N. A.S.
Gibraltar
Sender: Pte Parsons
142 G.T.Coy
R.A.S.C.
C.M.F
Dear George
Many thanks for your letter but was surprised to learn that the air mail services has been suspended from your end as I cannot recall any suspension from here. Due to probably it is due to coming events.
Thanks for your offer of reading material, but with the papers I receive from home and about half a dozen motor manuals I find that I am never at a loss. In the latest bundle of papers I received I found a new edition called “True Love Stories”. It may have been alright at home, but out here it seems to be a little out of place. No doubt mother has had a change from Aunt Martla?
I am afraid that my musical career ended rather abruptly on my entry into the Army. The fellows seemed to know a lot of other tunes besides ‘Love is All’ so I have to console myself with the fact that it will be a well sought after number on our first Christmas home.
As I think I have previously said I get half a day a week off, and as it was to-day I went along to one of the local cinemas to see a film called “Coney Island” which was not bad, although I am not a film lover. I was more for sixpennyworth at the hippodrome. From the papers which I receive I do notice that entertainments are going as strongly as ever and a few additional places have opened.
At the present time the weather is fairly warm, but it is various. A few nights ago it actually started snowing. However I am all for the cool weather. I notice from your letter that you were indulging in a couple of pints. Is the beer plentiful?
Have just received a very nice photograph of your son and heir and I think I can safely say that he is very definitely a typical Parsons.
All the best /
Walter

Air Letter
Date 1/7/44 Passed by Censor 886
To:- L/Wtr G. H. Parsons
P/MX 86830.
Hut 13,
R.N.A.S.
Gibraltar
Senders Address T/7044847 Pte Parsons W
142, G. T Coy
R.A.S.C.
EMF
“This is to certify on my honour that the contents of this envelope refers to nothing but private and family matters” W. Parsons
Dear George,
Many thanks for your letters and glad to hear that your mail is coming through again XXXX what a long time it can take. When I arrived out here I think it was about thirteen weeks before I received my first letter from leaving home.
At the present time I am having what is known in the Army as ‘o.s’. which means bed down for the day. I have unfortunately burned my right hand on some steel that had just been welded, and although nothing serious it makes letter writing rather awkward. However a few more days should see me fit again. Lounging about does become boring.
There is very little difference in my pay, before, I was paying income tax and my rate of pay now just puts me on the other side. I am afraid that your offer ie the smalls will not be taken advantage of. Even in the desert, where the only sign of life was a camel I never did any washing I used to do it the easy way, dip them in petrol. Of course they would rot after a time but even that is better than scrubbing. I only tried it once and I found it harder than coal heaving. Maybe I was holding the brush the wrong way, but I made about half a dozen scrubs and my fingers went sort of numb so I frequently changed my position on the brush, even using both hands, but it was of no avail, so that is what put me in favour of petrol. My first and last experiences./
Trusting you are in good health, and soon on your way home/
All the best / Walter

Air Letter
Date 1/8/44 Passed by Censor 5377
To:- L/Wtr G. H. Parsons
P/MX 86830.
Hut 13,
R.N.A.S.
Gibraltar
Senders Address T/7044847 Pte Parsons W
142, G. T Coy
R.A.S.C.
EMF
“I certify on my honour that the contents of this letter refers to nothing but private and family matters” W. Parsons
Dear George,
Many thanks for your recent letters and I understand from home that the Air-mail service has recommenced, which will speed up your mail. The trouble with surface mail is that the delivery is irregular.
My hand is alright again, although it took about a month, and I quite see what you mean if it had occurred at home.
Unless it had been sizzling I would not have dared mention it. Another thing which reminded me of the pre-war days is when I have occasion to use a piece of rag, and I always have to smile to myself and wonder if it has been washed and sterilized. Judging from the quality , I am sure that if I was back in civil life, and armed with some of Buffey’s special wipes I could oust the present supplies.
When I look back and think of the things we used to do, scrap iron, metal, wipers/, firewood, haulage, coal, and a few smaller sidelines. I am amazed as to how it was all crowded in so short a time. If it had not been for the war heaven knows what I would have been today. Most probably a business advisor in a big way. Of course that is not mentioning when I was clerk, bakers roundsman and canvasser.
Talking of motor cycles, here we have mostly Matchless and Triumphs and although I am not impressed with the Triumph I am very keen on Matchless and think it is as good a bike as there is on the road. The wagons are for the most part, Dodge and Cheveolet but when working I have touched most of the various types.
At home they still seem O.K, and from recent events there seems to be a possibility of this war ending very shortly, and then all roads lead to Birmingham, although since being abroad I have seen many more places I would rather live, particularly S. Africa.
Well I will now conclude trusting you are well and soon on your way home.
All the best/
Walter

By Air Mail
Date 01/10/44
To L/WTR G. PARSONS
P/MX86830
HUT 13
R. N. A.S.
Gibraltar
Sender: M H Parsons
64A Grange Rd
Small Heath
B’ham 10
Dear George
I told you in my letter three weeks ago that I had received your photograph when you where in the group which I thought was very nice I am having it framed, don’t you remember me asking who the little fellow was on the back row. Sandy is still all his la la la, he is the model of you when you had that photograph taken in a velvet suit.
You ought to see him walking from one place to another, to think that he is eleven months old on Tuesday.
Your mother has just run him out of the shop as he has tip the box of points all over the shop you might know what she is saying. You said in your last letter I ought to be receiving £2.15.0 but I am only receiving £2.7.6 I had £2.1.6 then when they put the extra pay on they gave me a book for 6/- shall I have to write about it I ask at the post office and she told me to write to bath about it.
Well I think that is all for now.
Lots of Love
May & Sandy
xxxxxx

Air Letter
Date 02/10/44 Passed by Censor 4258
To:- L/Wtr G. H. Parsons
P/MX 86830.
Hut 13
R.N.A.S.
Gibraltar
Senders Address T/7044847 L/Sgt Parsons
142, G. T Coy
R.A.S.C.
CMF
Dear George,
Many thanks for your letter and notice that you are hitting the entertainments in a big way. At the time of writing we are billeted in a town and what with cinemas, a club, and even dances it is a very pleasant change as from late.
The Saturday night hop is of course under Army supervision, and the local bintage turns up in force. (Bint being Egyptian for girl). As however our knowledge of Italian is limited we generally make a night of it at the bar, with old Basuta’s Gloock.? the main drink. Actually, the vino is very good, and they also make pretty good coffee, and generally as many cakes as wanted. I think I do my share in keeping the confectioners busy.
The weather has also cleared up considerably these last few days, and the sun has been quite warm and all signs of snow has disappeared, although still chilly at night. I do not think it has been any worse than one would get at home, but for some reason or other, I feel the effects of the cold more.
As yet I have steered clear of mules etc. but it has been stated that there are vacancies, providing one possess the necessary qualifications. However I am more for motors.
Pleased to hear that your son is still O.K. and i see that Minnie is chief pram pusher. I wonder how many times she has turned it over?
Cheerio and all the best
Walter

Air Letter
Date 3/3/45 Passed by Censor 5377
To:- L/Wtr G. H. Parsons
P/MX 86830.
Hut 14 (RH),
H.M.S. Cormoran.
Gibraltar
Senders Address T/7044847 L/Sgt Parsons
142, Coy Army Trans
R.A.S.C.
C.M.F.
Dear George,
Many thanks for your recent letters, and pleased to learn that there is a possibility of your returning home within the next few months. It would cheer them up considerably at home also. Two years is a nice limit, ours of course being the short space of time of four and a half years.
I suppose that by this time you will know that mother was trying to run two shops , and it seems as if she has made herself ill in doing so. Anyway as she has now sold one I trust that she will return to her normal health.
The weather here has improved quite a lot within the last few days, and it is fairly warm in the sun, which has only shown itself recently. I never realized that it could be so cold in this sunny Italy as it has been this winter. In fact it has been a typical English winter. Now I suppose it will go to the extreme.
I am sending you a couple of photographs which were taken by a photogapher who visited the company. The group one was taken during working hours and you will observe that I get as black as ever.

However in case you do not recognise me I am sending a single one yours truly in person.
Where we are at the moment there are two or three cinemas although a mobile cinema comes here every Sunday night and there is a large canteen a couple of miles away. By the way have just received another smashing parcel from home.
I notice that Sandy is as lively as ever and keeping them all well occupied. He looks like being quite a handful.
Trusting you are in good health and getting plenty of Jungle Juices
All the best
Walter

Air Letter
Date 26/5/45 Passed by Censor 5377
To:- L/Wtr G. H. Parsons
P/MX 86830.
The Lido
H.M.S. Cormorant.
Gibraltar
Senders Address T/7044847 L/Sgt Parsons
142, Coy Army Trans
R.A.S.C.
C.M.F.
Dear George,
Many thanks for your recent letters, and trust your de-mobilisation forecast is correct, although after seeing a recent paper that all groups over twenty six are eligible for the Far East I am not so sure. My group No. is 31, they have of course deducted that four months exemption which I had in 1940, or it would have been 29. Anyway I do not expect to be called on to go there.
Well by the time you receive this letter I shall probably be on leave. I am due to go on the 11th of June although for only nine days, which is not much consolation after three years abroad. However I shall be very pleased to get back and see them all at home and believe me I shall lose no time on the way. I am wondering what it will be like to eat off a white plate and sleep on a feather bed again. My table manners may leave something to be desired but I will manage.
At the present moment I am stationed in a little Belgium village named Aartryks, pronounced Artrick, which is about 15 miles from Ostend. To get here we have travelled from Marseilles, where we spent a few weeks and then through France, I visited Paris by the way, and so to this place. Our billets all over a public house, and there is a small billiard table here so it passes some of the hours away, as we have no other form of entertainment here, and I may say that this billiard table has brought me in one or two buckshee pliabis? for fuel drinks.
Will now conclude, wishing that you were going home at the same time. Needless to say they are excited at home
All the best
Walter

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