Letters to my father 3 of 4 - Sep 43 to Jan 44

By Air Mail
Date 24/9/43
To L/WRITER G. PARSONS
P/MX86830 Mess 24/35
Table 3
R. N. BARRACKS
Gibraltar
Sender: T/7044947 L/Sgt Parsons
c/o B.F.C. Unit 32.
M.E.F.
Dear George

A few lines in answer to your letter which I received a few days ago. I and sorry I have not wrote many letters recently but I have been on the move so much that it has not always been possible to get letters posted.
As you have no doubt guessed I am now in Italy and still pushing on towards home, which does not seem very far distant. By the time I get home I will have seen most of the world.
The south of Italy which is where I am of course is fairly rugged and hilly, the same as it is in Sicily and it is fairly well populated. Nearly all these countries however are the same having a main road running around the coast, with all the principal towns as ports. The centre they do not seem to worry about as long as they have got a few cart tracks.
The north seems to be where the bright lights are and I hope we manage to pass through Naples & Rome etc. although I suppose that almost every place has been ravaged by the war. I am hoping to buy some articles at the first decent place I arrive at for sending home especially cosmetics.
The Italians seem friendly enough, although I am sure that half of them do not know whether they are on their heads or their heels. Although I suppose that they will soon get organised again.
I received a letter from home recently and they seem to be going along alright including a few days holiday.
Will now conclude, trusting everything is going alright with you/
All the best
Walter

By Air Mail
Date 14/10/43
To L/WRITER G. PARSONS
P/MX86830 Mess 24/35
Table 13
R. N. BARRACKS
Gibraltar
Sender: T/7044947 L/Sgt Parsons
‘A’ Platoon,
142 G.T.Coy
R.A.S.C.
Dear George
I very much regret the delay since my last letter but it has not been possible to write many letters lately.
At the moment I am near a fairly large town, which is very pleasant, there being ice-cream in galore, so you maybe sure that I am well too the fore. There is also quite a good selection of wines. Unfortunately it is not possible to give you much detail of the place.
The weather is, thank heavens, now cool and is very nearly like home. No doubt as we go further North it will get really cold. However the quicker we get nearer home the better I will like it.
I have had many letters from home recently including a parcel and some snapshots, one of which showed you with the family and ‘Lord Nuffield’. From these letters they seem to be managing fairly well.
I often wonder how much this war will have changed us by the time we arrive home, as the years seem to be slipping by much to fast for my liking.
In one of the letters from home they mentioned about you sending some bananas home. I am sending them some stockings. I hope they reach there.
I do not envy you being in one place all the time as I find there is nothing more irksome than being static for any length of time. One thing I can say is that I have seen my share of travelling. A change is I suppose as good as a rest. It certainly broadens the mind.
I will now conclude hoping that everything is going well with you and you are in the best of health.
Walter

By Air Mail
Date 28/10/43
To L/WRITER G. PARSONS
P/MX86830 Mess 24/35
Table 3
R. N. BARRACKS
Gibraltar
Sender: L/Sgt Parsons
142 G.T.Coy
R.A.S.C.
C.M.F
Dear George
A few lines to let you know that I am fit and well and still on the move. As we are going further North it has become much more pleasant, Good roads to travel on and plenty of town life which makes things much more interesting. Although I would rather be at home than out here I must say that it has been quire an education to see how other people live and their standards. It is amazing the number of miles I have travelled and the places I have seen with the last twelve months. There has however been a big change in the weather these last few days and I am expecting to see a lot of rain which will be something unusual.
Hoping that you are in the best of health.
Cheerio Walter

Cable and Wireless Limited Telegram
Date 9 Nov 43
FIAF177 BIRMINGHAM 4NOV FIL = EFM PARSONS L/WTS P/MX86830 RNAS GIG =
SON BORN AM WELL AND FIT GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFE
MAY PARSONS X

Military Airgraph Service authorised by Egyptian postal Administration
Date 11/11/43 Passed by Censor Lewis 4158
Stamped — NO AIRGRAPH SERVICE TO DESTINATIONFORWARDED BY SURFACE ROUTE
To:- L/WRITER G. PARSONS.
P/MX86830
MESS 24 TABLE 13
R. N. BARRACKS
GIBRALTAR
Senders Address T/7044847 L/Sgt Parsons W
142, G. T. Coy
RASC MEF
Christmas Greetings from The Eighth Army
All the best
Walter

By Air Mail
Date 15/11/43
To L/WRITER G. PARSONS
P/MX86830 Mess 24/35
Table 13
R. N. BARRACKS
Gibraltar
Sender: T/7044947 L/Sgt Parsons
142 G.T.Coy
R.A.S.C.
C.M.F.
Dear George
Congratulations on your happy event. I was delighted to hear the news and it came as a great surprise. Good old Georgie boy. Another one to be added to the famous and renowned name “PARSONS”. If ever you become a worried or harassed father let me know. I shall be only to glad to give you the full benefit if my wide experience.
You did no doubt volunteer to go abroad so that all those sleepless nights would be over by the time you get home.
Seriously though I sincerely hope that it will not be long before you can get back home to see your son and heir,
A letter from home informed me that you had changed your quarters, but did not give me your new address, so I am still having to address these to the old one. I trust that you are fairly comfortable.
Judging from the recent letters from home the family seems to be doing fairly well and holding their own. No doubt they will be making a few preparations for Christmas, although I suppose that everything will carry on as usual. I must admit that the time seems to be passing so quickly that it is shaking me.
Wishing you all the best
Walter

Military Airgraph Service authorised by Egyptian postal Administration
Date 11/12/43
Day and month unclear
Photograph of Gibralter 1943 1944
To Mr Nach and Colleagues at C.B.E.S.D.
The Best for 1944
Sincere thanks for the Good Wishes and Gift
GHParsons
R.N.A.S. Gibralter

Date : An unknown date — assumed early in war.
Xmas Greetings
To:- L/WTR. G.PARSONS
P/MX86830
HUT 13
R.N.A.S.
GIBRALTAR
Senders Address T/7044847 Pte Parsons, 142, bay Army Tran. RASC cmf
Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year / Walter

By Air Mail
Date 21/12/43
To L/WRITER G. PARSONS
P/MX86830 Mess 24/35
Table 3
R. N. BARRACKS
Gibraltar
Sender: L/Sgt Parsons
142 G.T.Coy
R.A.S.C.
C.M.F
Dear George
I must apologise for not writing to you recently but i have been waiting for a letter from you to get your address, but as I have not received one I must still write to the same address. Although I am a little late here’s wishing youall the best for the New Year and hope we are altogether for the nest one. The years are going by so fast that I cannot keep up with them. I kthink I shall have to make it two armchairs.
I have received several letters from home, and pleased to note that they seem to be doing alright. No doubt they will make Christmas as enjoyable as possible. I am getting first hand news of your son, and frequently giving advice, although it does not seem to be greatly appreciated. I am thinking of writing to Aston Villa and let them have first chance.
At the moment I am very close to the sea, but the weather is a little to cold for bathing. I like an African sun and warm water before I take the plunge. The weather is just right although I find it a bit chilly on a motor bike.
As you have seen, everybody is pushing on, although the country here is in itself a natural obstacle although they surmount any obstacles, and I think a few more months may see the end of Hitler’s reign.
All the best
Walter

By Air Mail
Date 23/12/43
To L/WRITER G. PARSONS
P/MX86830 Mess 24/35
HUT 13
R. N. A.S
Gibraltar
Sender: L/Sgt Parsons
142 G.T.Coy
R.A.S.C.
C.M.F
Dear George
I have just received your letter dated 12/11/43, and was pleased to learn that you are well, as I had not received any letters from you for two and half months, and was wondering what had happened to you.
Thanks for the photograph, and I must say you look ‘just the job’. I suppose they will pass a few comments on it at home. In warm climates , dull clothing is comfortable and clean. I notice you have also been tanned by the sun, although it soon wears off in colder climate. I sent you a photograph, one I had taken in Egypt with a friend of mine. I hope you received it.
I did send them some stockings, but whether they will do remains to be seen, As it was my first time of having any dealings in them, I bought them in ignorance, not even realising that there is different sizes. If I had known I do not suppose I would have been any the wiser. However I have been to great pains to get the full dope on all sizes and grades of stockings so heaven knows what kind I will send home next time,
They were fairly cheap so I am told, costing five shillings a pair. I also sent them some almonds which io hope they receive before Christmas. I know all about the price racket. I have often noticed when first entering a place, the price on an article and a few days later it has been about three times as much. Believe me it is a racket.
What is the wine situation like in Gibralter. Here it is always possible to get the local vino, but at one particular place I was at , some time ago now, it was easy to get any amount of Marsala, Vermouth, etc. The town of course was untouched by the war.
Will now conclude, wishing you all the best/
Walter/

By Air Mail
Date 01/01/44
To L/WTR G. PARSONS
P/MX86830
HUT 13
R. N. A.S.
Gibraltar
Sender: L/Sgt Parsons
142 G.T.Coy
R.A.S.C.
C.M.F
Dear George
Many thanks for your letter dated 11/12/43, and your Christmas greetings card. I presume from your address that you are now half Navy and half Royal Air Force.
There certainly is plenty of mud here, and at time of writing it is raining hard and there is a high wind. It is advisable to have plenty of spare socks etc. I understand however that in a few more weeks the weather will change for the better.
I trust that you had a good Christmas, and I daresay it was a slack day. Unfortunately I was out all Christmas day, but the fare etc. was very good. Plenty to eat and drink. I had a bottle of whiskey, some beer and what with the local wine it was not at all bad.
The local stuff can be bought very cheaply about sixpence a gallon but the majority of it israther bitter, with a vinegar like taste so with my bad stomach I cannot put much away.
The home news is that your son is still bashing on, and May tells me that the colour of his hair is now ginger. However with my wide experience behind me I will be able to advise them accordingly. Mother tells me that they are getting plenty of food.
Min wrote and told me that “Lord Nuffield” is buying a pram, but as she did not mention his name, and only said that his grandfather is buying one I will wait until I receive the official news.
Do you have any Ensa concerts? I saw one the other day and they make a pleasant change. Reminds me of the old “Green Lane”.
Will now conclude, wishing you all the best for the New year/
Walter

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