Rover Bulletin No. 25

NUMBER TWENTY-FIVE. 24th September, 1943.

Dear Lads,

Our last issue seems to have been received well and so that is very gratifying. Some colossal events have taken place since then and so the wind’s in full blast. Several answers of very great interest on whether we’ll ever reach number 36 are stated further on.

We had a couple of visits from Surgeon Lt. Piper looking fighting fit and in his sea-dog boots and all. Jackie is still helping very much to turn out first class marines.

Jack has been away on another Advanced Leading Fireman’s course. Firemen Millar & Gamley have been made Leading Firemen. If the Cottage ever goes on fire six present and past Leading Firemen will take red faces.

We learn that a Rover crew (R.A.F.) is already in being in Sicily. What think you of that? Pretty good!

Duggie attended the christening of Ina (Braes) daughter Jean at Aberdour.

There’s no more news of Tommy T. yet. Gilbert is home here tonight and Jim is arriving tomorrow, so their stories will follow.

Bulletins are still taking & long time to reach Murray. He says that he is living a quiet a life and dooking in the sea every day. It’s a bit all right anyway. Hopes that the wee painter will be settled next. Tripoli crew now 40 strong.

David (Gosman) thinks the Pentland Firth will certainly swirl him back safely. Nae doubt it will. David was very fascinated when watching two officers –Tommy and Chorty– do the lawn when he was home – in their Sunday suits too. Very good. David quotes Eric Linklater’s reply to a query about animosity between Scots and English he replied that being an Orcadian he was not greatly interested in what happened in the ‘other island’. An Orcadian therefore neither Scots nor English. (Mr Leask, David C., & Jack P. please note), Canoeing, swimming and fishing are now past and he is settling down to hibernate till the Spring. News of Tommy T’s Continental journeys have given him quite a different view of the Brylcream boys.

George Kay has at long last sent us an Airgraph and says “This comes to you from Sicily. We have had our fair share of fun and games out here” He met Eck’s brother Phil who was chief officer on board the ship he sailed on and had some grand chats and received some preferential treatment. Good luck George and thanks. Try another one sometime.

Chortie now settled for a month without being disturbed and remarks on the lack of activity. “Methinks it is time I wrote to the Local Rag and suggested that lonely soldier with time off desires to meet girl with same with view to lovely friendship” Our comic still works hard collecting gags on notebooks for shows. His collection will be valuable. He wonders why after a year he’s not had a trip overseas. Yes, we’ll keep our fingers crossed. His P.S. is “It is now Lt. to you now” Congratulations from us all. As a result of his intrigues and profiteering he enclosed a 10/- note for our funds. Very many thanks indeed.

Jim is now going his dinger with the harvest and the Air Force is a side- line. The ship on our last Bulletin reminded him of Capt. Band’s ‘Good Ship Fribo’ and he says Murray will have memories of good times spent on the Holy Loch. He notes Tommy T. is going great guns. Tell him to hurry and get the war over and let’s get on with the Victory Show. ‘Come awa tae bonny Aberdour’,

John (Baird) seems to be doing so well with leave I can see him sign on for another 12 years in the army when the war’s over.

Jimmy is certainly doing his stuff with the Rovers and we’re looking for great things from him when this is all over. There’s no need to tell Jimmock “A Scout smiles and whistles —_” I bet he has taught his German guards a thing or two. What price him turning the gestapo into the Rover movement.

Johnnie Thomson will be right in the thick of things and I bet if he were allowed to speak he could tell you a few hair-raising tales. When the Bhoys come home I see we are going to have quite a few all-night sessions.

George Simpson after considerable specialised training is now peeling spuds etc. -at the moment but he has got his flying kit and has been allotted an instructor and by now he will have had a few trips upstairs. No bull now. Plenty time and plenty good stuff to eat so (what say Jim?) If and when he gets his wings Sergeant pay goes with them but no stripes until he is posted to an operational squadron. We hope your leave will come soon George for by then you will have done a good lot of flying. He says the European war may be almost finished in a year but things will be happening in the East long enough for him to be there. What does Old Moore say on the subject? Still I do hope, and I bet everyone of us does, that we shall never reach the date when number 36 goes to press. Thank you for a grand letter and best of luck.

David C agrees with Jim, another year may see it through but -?-. He’s harder at work than ever before. He says “Like Dick I’ve had a few experiences in Piccadilly too, but also like him I got away unsullied. We go exploring round Soho and Limehouse every Friday, so if you hear of a body being dragged out of the Thames don’t be surprised”. Cigarette lighters and wireless sets are some of his hobbies and now a company of G.T.C. (don’t got me wrong lads) has roped him in with another as stage manager cum scene shifter cum electrician. Do your stuff David you know all about it. What nice girl is in the show anyway?

Another first letter has arrived this month, from Rowan Finlay giving a very interesting account of his sojourn in the Sudan starting in his civvy job then a transfer to the army to construct roads for tho Abyssinian campaign (using women road-builders) and in the end back to his civvy job much to his own disappointment.

Midnight has gone so we’ll hie oursels to press. G’night all.