"Everything has to be extremely well "blankoed" every night and we are always polishing! Boots, also have to be shining or else it means extra duties."
I have had these letters in a collection of documents and diaries from Marine Jack Pattison who was my dad’s brother. I have had these for about 40 years.
Transcript:
[Letter]
Friday 16 June
Just a short letter to let you know I am still alive & kicking! I expect you will have been wondering why I hav'nt written before but of course I have been unable to do so. I have been bucking up my French! I am hoping it won't be long before I am coming on leave!! Expect it will be quite a while yet. Glad to hear that 'wuss' is getting on O.K. I hope it won't be bad weather for Dad's holidays but if it isn't TRIP week it shouldn't be!!
I am sorry I can't tell you much so Cheerio for now.
Your loving son
P.S. Excuse scribbling
[Typed letter]
1942
Am please to say I am now settling down to R.M. life, although life is rather rough at present! First of all I had better tell you my proper address:-
P.O./X114135 Mne. J. Pattison
We received a lot of kit today so hope to be able to send my suit back soon. Also visited doctor which I passed O.K. then Dentist! Got to have 2 stopped and 1 out! Expect to be at this camp for at least 6 weeks.
One enemy plane was brought down at Exmouth which is about 4 1/2 miles away from our camp. The camp, by the way is at the mouth of the River Exe, and from the camp we can get a lovely sea breeze! Reveille is at 6.0. a.m. now breakfast at 7.0. a.m. and we have to be on the 'square' - (!!!!) by 7.55. prompt. The training here is, indeed very stiff now and it is a fact that we are issued with more 'kit' than any other service! Everything has to be extremely well "blankoed" every night and we are always polishing! Boots, also have to be shining or else it means extra duties. Well, 'lights-out' has just sounded (10-15) so I will continue another time. When we go out it is called "going ashore", by the way. The food is fairly good - breakfast 7 a.m., dinner 1 p.m. tea 5 p.m., supper 7.30. p.m. Sundays breakfast 8.0 a.m., dinner 1 p.m. tea 4 p.m., supper 7 p.m.
9.30. p.m. Thursday
This is my second week in training and this week we are on small-arms. Am pleased to say I managed to pass the "Empire Standard Miniature Rifle Test" which requires you to get 40 or more points in 3 tests - a smaller target each time. Got 46 points! Have fired 303 ammunition this afternoon but only managed to get 3 out of the 5 on the target! This week we have all found it easier than the previous one because we have not been on the square this week but we can expect something next week because we shall have to "double round" in fighting order! We have 'gym' daily and afterwards a cold shower which is O.K. except for the fact we are not allowed time to get dryed. Also have Religious instruction twice a week and all the chaps are being asked to be confirmed but I have told the Padre that I have been confirmed and he has asked me if I can find out the date and place (church) so if you can find that card with it one could you tell me what the date was.
I can appreciate what dad told me about receiving letters now!
Contributed by:Helen Douglas
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English (UK)