Rover Bulletin No. 48

NUMBER FORTY EIGHT 31st August 1945

Dear Lads,

Things are happening! Only three months ago we were jumping sky high at V.E. Day and now V.J. Day and the defeat of Japan and the end of hostilities throughout the World is becoming old news. The immediate significance for us is that all our, lads who are out Last will now be spared from becoming casualties, and although the demob numbers of some are high they’ll get home with many valuable experiences.

Murray (Frier) arrived home right on V.J. day – what a day – and is he pleased – and listen – he has now become engaged to Chris Anderson of Edinburgh at present in the Fire Service. Murray looks thinner but is full of life and looking forward very much to the future. He is still an employee of Coast Lines Ltd.

Dick (Spaven) is still waiting for instructions and at home. His wife was presented with a baby daughter, but very sadly the baby died after only five days. Dick, we’re very sorry to learn this, especially when you’ve been in plenty trouble yourself. Dick’s play is a wow, lads, full of sparkle. Jim says “If he has more like it plus en opening chorus and good finale, then we could call the show “Spaven’s Victory Follies.”

Eck’s wife has been in hospital – nothing serious we under stand.

Nibby (R. Nisbet) made his annual call. He’s getting fat!

Tommy Thomson is away back for more training for what we don’t know. Send us a line Tommy.

Would you believe it! Jimmy (Johnston) after getting permission to take up his job again has been recalled and is being put through more square bashing.

What s gone wrong Jinny! The red tape appears to be completely stupid this time.

The funds for this bulletin have received a valuable donation from a grand old lady who is very enthusiastic about you all.

Tom (Bogie) is home too – Great stuff – he returns shortly to Devonport and it won’t be long till he is demobilised. His sister who married a Dutchman before the war and stayed in Amsterdam has survived with her family through it all. Her husband was taken away to Poland but is O.K.

Bill (McKelvie) was home on another 3 days short leave. His demob number is 23.

Jack (Piper) is now waiting on nows to go to South Africa to a hospital job out there. Moves at last. Demob number 46.

We hear Harry (Fyfe) was home on his first leave.

David (Gosman), still asks for news of the home folks, Mr Leask, Jack, Robbie, Sandy, Duggie. Our lack of mentioning this is because we have nothing so important to report as you lads away from home, We’re all going on just as usual. When anything worth while mentioning comes along our procedure is to let you know. Thanks for asking, David. He says “I saw a sign at the side of the road at Myithyina at the end of the worst stretch of the Burma Road. On one side it said ‘To Tokyo’ on the other simply ‘We won’ – now thanks heavens we have won. Our job here is almost certainly finished. Most probably we’ll be chasing after war criminals, Tho next few months should be very interesting” His demob number is 27.

Bruce (Baillie) has changed again. He is now 2nd (British) F.D, Coy. R.E. S.L.A,C. (14495299 Drv) and is enjoying his experiences which are very varied, He has plenty of time and asks for the Scouts who, Bruce, have just returned from a very successful camp down near George (P) at Galashiels. His letters are so full of fun and frolic we cannot ever hope to get space to reprint them,

Ian (Moffat) has been travelling about India, but now has settled down – demob no. 57.

Alasdair (MacKellar) is at present at Malta and getting accustomed to the heat. He says Johnny Thomson is in the Middle East visiting Cairo.

Chorty (Turnbull) to John Baird “Congrats on your engagement – what are we coming to? – Still I suppose it’s all in the interest of the cubs!” My address is 19/7 Hy A.A, Rajput Rogt I.A. India Command”. To Joey he says “Ap ko fish and chips chahie, Joey? Likhie Sahib (You want fish and chips, Joey? White sahib) Life continues on its merry way. Demob No – 28”

Campbell (MacKellar) writes from Agra, South of Delhi, that he has visited the Taj Mahal. “I expect to be among the last to got my ticket – Group No. 61″

Joey (Stewart) from the desert says “VJ, those two letters will go down in history and if nothing else, will serve as a reminder of the hardships and privation our yellow friends have caused us these last six years. I can assure you that I was most grateful for the news and although not back in Auld Reekie had the grand old place in mind when we toasted the folks at home. I do hope that we get some good news of Jimmy Reilly now and that he has managed to survive the terrible conditions and once more come back to join us. I don’t expect to be out of it for a bit.”

George (Simpson) says “I’ve been on the move for some time now on Arms exercises and giving demonstrations to the Emir of this and that and the Arab Legion up in Syria end Palestine. I can’t believe that it’s all over now and I feel that I have done nothing at all, up till now to bring it about. Now I’ve landed in the oldest Squadron in the R.A.F. with a terrific record behind it, and there won’t be any more ops to do now. We are about 10 miles from Nazareth”.

Jim is home again and the first reunion of the Frier family since the beginning of the war has taken place. He says “As a big number of the older members of the crew are due out of the Services in the next few months I would like to hear some of their ideas for the future. I guess there will be plenty of chances to carry out the Service not Self motto but what form it is to take is up to the majority to decide. There’s no harm in setting all the ideas from all interested in the Fighting Fourth, even ask the Mothers, wives, sweethearts, sisters etc. for their opinions. Please wear the badge to show you are part of the Movement.”

Cheerio and all the best.