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From: 1095460 Parker, G.H. (AC2) Tent 83, Squadron B, Wing 5, RAF Station, Hednesford.

Dear Benny, It's bloody awful. The place smells. It's lousy, and so am I. The place I'm talking about is Hednesford, Jack
It’s a hell of a hole, but the grub’s very good.
I left Bournemouth on Friday morning. We had a uke with us and we sang all the way. We arrived at Hednesford with happy hearts and merry voices. We marched 2 miles with kit bags, and boy did I sweat. We are out in the woolly wilds, miles from anywhere. Six in a tent, six sweaty bodies. Our billet is a bell tent. We stay in these for one month, then we go into the main camp and live decently in a hut and start my course. All the lads are with me. Ken is in the same tent, and John is in the tent next to me. We get up at 5 o’clock in the morning. I wouldn’t mind if the tents were on grass, they’re built on dirt. We’ve got to write our letters lying on the grass. Plenty of fatigues and guards to do. That is my description of Hednesford.
Well, Jack, I’m fit, well and dirty. How are you getting on, Pal? Have you got a woman yet? Keep an eye on Lilian for me. Now that Allan’s gone you’ll be lonesome. Never mind, we will have a happy reunion after the war. I spent a happy 5 weeks in Bournemouth and this hole is going to get some using to, if you get what I mean.
Keep an eye on our bed, Jack, and I hope you’re not away before I get my leave.
Say nothing to my mother about this, Jack. I’ve wrote home and told her it is a swell camp. I don’t want her to worry. Keep ‘mum’ about his letter, Jack. Tell nobody about the plight we’re in. Still, I can take it chum, I’m not worried. Plenty of grub,Ìýmoney, and I’m happy. The sarge is a good sort. Well, cheerio Pal. Don’t forget to write.
Always yours,
Parker (Theophilus)

To: 1095460 L.A.C. Parker, G. H.
78 Squadron, B Flight, Room 34, Block 150,
RAF Linton-on-Ouse, nr York.

From: 1098639 LAC Allan, 'A' Flight,
4 Squadron, No. 12 ITW, St Andrews, Fife.

Dear George,
I’m sorry I couldn’t get home this weekend as I’m on guard tonight. I’d have liked to have seen you and have had a bit of a chat about Ralphie with you and Benny, but it hadn’t to be. Never mind, we might have a week together sometime.
When I couldn’t get this weekend for leave, I took last weekend and had a grand time. Isn’t it super to get a couple of days at home? You appreciate home a lot more when you are away from it.
I hope you had a good time with Lilian. She’s a grand lass and you should be proud of her. I’ll bet you had a good chit chat with Benny, too. I never saw him last week. Your mother would have liked us home together.
I got in late here after my leave because the line was blocked before Edinburgh. I had to go around Carlisle to get to Edinburgh, and had to stop there at night in a Force’s doss-house. I was given 3 days' CC and had a day’s pay stopped. I had to scrub floors, etc., for 3 nights, and one time had to clean out a sump with my hands.
How is the RAFÌýsuiting you now? Are you ‘browned off’ yet? I am with waiting to be posted, and it looks as though we will be doing next to nothing for the next few weeks. This afternoon we are going to Leuchars aerodrome for a look at a plane or two, and I’m going to enjoy it.
Well I’ll close now, pal. All the best of luck to you and hope to seeÌýyou soon.
All the best,
Bob.

(Bobby Allan was shot down and killed on 19th February 1943, aged 21. His grave is in Kiel War Cemetery, near Hamburg, Germany.

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