Rovers’ Bulletin No. 37

NUMBER THIRTY SEVEN. 29th. September 1944

Dear Lads,

With the Summer now passed and we’re back again knee deep in leaves at the Cottage. “Any volunteers for Saturday afternoon?” remember Jim’s oft repeated remark? “Not blinking likely” say you, “We’re winning a War and if you can’t sweep up the leaves -well!”

That’s one thing the War hasn’t stopped – the leaves falling, the beautiful trouble-less leaves – and I don’t think. We bet many of you would jump to do the job for it would mean home too. Though the other leaves (the ones which let you get away home) are still few and far between.

Chorty, Ian Moffat and Ian Thomson have had some recently. Chorty was up on a flying visIt to his parents only, so was Ian Moffat, and Ian Thomson had his first 14 days ever. The Navy seems to be agreeing with him and he has recovered from his stay in hospital.

David (Gosman) from India says “It can’t be long now until the European business is over, then you can all come out here and enjoy yourselves. Karachi is a really fine city – Hal knows it very well.”

Duggie (Scott) goes down under at his mine on Monday. Recent civil defence regulations have put Jack into the melting pot for the forces – it may not come to that though.

Will (Taylor) in West Africa, enjoys his day off once a week (usually) by lying on his bed surrounded by fags, chocolate, lemonade and biscuits etc. The cinemas have quite new pictures. He says “There’s something very far wrong with a billet which has no pin-up girls. It doesn’t worry me of course. I never could get along with women. They probably thought I was a misogynist.” Haw, haw – we wonder, Will.

Jack’s on the tape (confidentially lads – a Miss Norah Flint frae Musselburgh) These quiet going firemen when they get into foreign parts – well you never know.

Bobby (Finlay) now away in Doncaster getting some more practical mining experience says “I see no likelihood of having a dull time”

George (Simpson) and Joey (Stewart) are now in writing contact. Joey is in the middle of exams just now and hopes to be flying soon. George says “The life agrees with him despite the fact that he sleeps in “Hairy blankets” and lives on ‘trek ox’. George is going on with his new course. Stan Pringle who is with Joey was telling him he’d had a letter from his Aunt, (Hal’s mother in law) and she’d had a visit from Jim, “I tell you everyone seems to be related to everyone else” (Ed. Even to the monkeys, George, and when that man Jimmy Frier goes out for his supper, well, the world knows about it.)

Bruce (Bailie), yet another to join up from the Troop finds himself in Dorset and possibly landing in the the Armoured Corps or Recce.

Dick (Spaven) says to Jim “I’m terribly sorry you missed my wedding” He’s shifted near Chorty again so that’s good.

Murray (Frier) in Egypt says, “The old Brown & White is represented all over the globe and each ambassador keeps the flag flying”. “My thoughts are centred on Billy Mac. and George Kay who are actually in the field and Hal Stewart who crosses the Atlantic so often. I’m still waiting and getting a lot of spit & polish to do. I’m told that oor Jack is perhaps on the tape” (Yes it’s true)

Jim (Suttie) expects to get home later in the year. He says,”It’ll not be long till all our prisoner pals are free. Good luck to you all”

Jim (Frier) says “As a crew we have set a few records but I think our latest within the last few months has been the whirlwind tactics of some of our members in their ‘coortin’. I thought Sandy was a slick worker but Rowan’s effort beat the band so far. It’s up to Jack to beat the record by proposing on his way to a fire or Robbie popping the question on the car to Canonmills. I hope all the dames can cook. I’m drawing up a fixture list for free suppers. No tins of salmon by request!”

“Jimmy Johnston’s spirit takes a bit of beating and I am wondering how Jerry let him off with some of his remarks” Jim’s changed his address again and has been in 7 different units in the past three years and no doubt more will follow. At last we hear that he is getting leave almost immediately. Great stuff. He adds “No doubt Davie (Gosman) will get fed up with ‘Injah’ the novelty of dining with Rajah’s will wear off. I’m sure he would rather have a piece and dripping at Ferry Road than all the banquets in creation. Regards to all the lads and and also ‘oor good freends”

Bill (McKelvie) writing possibly from a field in Holland thanks you all for your good wishes mentioning Rowan, the Braes, Muz, and Jimmy and says, “Congrats to Dick, a bit late but nevertheless sincere”. “Jim missed the wedding. Good old Jim, never lets the side down. I’ve got a nice cushy job now second in command of a company (He’s a three pipper now lads – so here’s a loud cheer – Hoy.) the easiest job I’ve had this war. I’m as fit as a flea and my arm is better than ever it was. I had a smashing time at home, marvellous hospital, beautiful nurses, in fact the night staff were so hot stuff nobody got any sleep in our ward. When I got back I had a terrific job catching up with our crowd again they were going so fast. Jerry gives up fairly easily in most places – loads of prisoners all the time, Our drivers are nearly brained with the amount of apples, pears, plums, tomatoes, grapes etc which come sailing in the windows, The civvies of course were delighted to give us their houses and own beds and are only too keen to help us. At one place they were offering coffee, beer and brandy while a h— of a battle was going on lower down the street. The Rover reunion will last a couple of months if we get yarning in turn. The main thing is that we are all fit and well at the moment and this lot will be over fairly soon now so here’s hoping the members of the 4th will come through with flying colours as we all have so far”.

A really grand dispatch, Bill and it is a great honour to receive it. The very best of luck to you, and to you all everywhere.

Gem for ocht, Cheerio.

More news next month.