Rover Bulletin No. 42

NUMBER FORTY TWO. 28th February 1945

Dear Lads,

The weather has improved and we have now water again though not in the correct place but from a lovely bust somewhere deep in the heart of the wall. Jack has ideas for its non-recurrence.

At last the mystery is solved. Ian (Furnival) is home so Will was right. He’s home and looking. grand with his broad brimmed hat and all and all, real colonial our Ian. He has a collection of wonderful photographs of his West African stay, and now after a month has returned to H.Q. for further orders.

Jim (Frier) was home again for ten days. His name came out of the leave hat early. We had some yarns and arguments, Whenever that man returns the place gets down to something or other. Lump sums are paid to servicemen at the end of hostilities and their inadequacy compared to the weekly cost of the war took first place. Oh no! he’s not always the comic! His supply of subjects will be intensive when we all get together again.

Chorty (Turnbull) was back again (managed another short spell) before embarking. He’s still full of his gags, tricks etc., and a cheerie wee chappie. Leaving his job at age 18 he is one of the ones whose problem of returning to his job, to a place which he would have been in had he not been called up, is being so much talked of just now. Solution – well it’s certainly not completely known yet.

Jimmy (Johnston’s) Aunt (Miss Thomson) died last month, so that means his old home is now gone. We understand the house is sold. Poor Jimmy, we’ll need to keep in contact with him more than ever. Jimmy’s cousin, Peter Bunyan, was up at the cottage, after a spell of work away from home, He’s a mechanical engineer with Brown Bros.

Jack (Piper) also called. He’ s still at the same place and carrying on just as before. His regards to you all.

Jack (Stewart) tops the news from home this month. He is to be married on the 27th of next month at Broughton Place Church and so ‘yous guys’ that’s how to do it, and in record time too! Jack you’ve got ’em all this time!

Murray (Frier) enquires ” No more romances? A lull! What about the league of bIrths? Well it takes time for that”, We hear the stork has been around.

Bobby (Finlay) will be home very soon. He says Rowan is quite an arranger of weddings. Margaret, their sister, got out to Sudan in fairly quick time and was married before the end of January. We hear that Jack’s cousin, Catherine, is to be married very soon also.

Ian (Moffat) has arrived out in India having enjoyed the trip out and he’s findIng great interest in all the Wallahs wot sell things and the Bazaars etc. (Bombay) – Good cafes, good food – “A couple of eggs in always in my order. You hire a Tonga (a one or two horse vehicle not enclosed) back to camp. Only natives drive the cars and lorries and they never slow down, only blowing their horns every two seconds” What a din? “The camp is well equipped with libraries, information room, canteen, reading and writing rooms – and dust. George Formby & Co, came along. He got a terrific reception. Natives do our cooking for us which isn’t bad at all. We even have natives washing our dishes. They put a tin out in front on pay day for their pay. Someone on the wireless is singing ‘We’ll soon be home again’ That is not exactly what the repats going home shouted to us. The latter’s advice was Take your time you’ve three more years to do any-thing – cheerful – weren’t they?”

George (Simpson) is waiting to be posted soon and says Joey (Stewart) Is a Sgt. Navigator in the Middle East now, Congrats, Joey, you’ve done it well and quickly too. George says “I’ve just suffered a great loss. I had my bag containing all my personal kit stolen. In it was my writing case with all my letters and photos, also all my bulletins which I valued very much”

Jim (Suttie) has been recalled after only three weeks and if anyone is near Kings Cliffe he will be very pleased to look them up. He’s clerk of Works, and tells us at this American Station he drinks nothing but coffee all day. One of his foremen makes it very well, so well that the Yanks come for some of the so-called British stuff – not knowing that it is scrounged from their own messes,

Jim’s wife has been very ill. We hope by now that she has recovered.

Bruce (Bailie)’s wireless course is now nearly finished. He’s given 8 pint of blood he says “They got quite a shock with me when they struck water, There’s also a rumour going around that they got pure beer out of one fellow”. He talks at length about his wangles with cars and wireless sets. He may get leave almost immediately.

Will (Taylor) got our New Year effort in about three weeks – not bad – and says “I looked at the date to see if it wasn’t last years. He’s developed impetigo. “If around the end of August or beginning of September you see somebody with an overcoat, balaclava, scarf and gloves on, between the Scout Hut and Rover Cottage I hope its me!! “

Joey (Stewart) is now at Qastina having had a grand trip from South Africa and called at Jerusalem on the way. Food is very scanty but he augments it (though costly) from his own pocket – and their work is very hard – seven days a week. He’s crewing up again – new pals – and has landed lucky – happy lot. Stan Pringle is still with him, They’ve all colds with the sudden change in climate. Very modestly he says “I’m trying to remember if I told you that finally I had passed as a Navigator – nobody’s more surprised than I” You’re a grand wee lad Joey. Our heartiest congratulations and good luck.

Cheerio lads till the next time