Lot 23 Letter 15 - 9th of May, 1937

9		May		1937

To: Mrs. E.I.J.Bell

11 Evelyn Court, Cheltenham, England.

From: E.J.Bell No.3.Company, No.11.Platoon

Royal Military College, Camberley, Surrey, England.

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Royal Military College,
Camberley,
Surrey.

9/5/37
My Dear Mummy,
Thanks so much for your letter I want to the flicks yesterday and saw the Kings visit on the Gaumont British Newton ever such a lot of it - the King inspecting the Guard of Honour, visiting the chapel, the arrival of Queen Mary and the Queen mother etc... etc... both marches post and the final cheering. It was all very good. There was no commenting attached to it when I saw it, probably because Camberley had it specially rushed through for us. No doubt there will be a commentary when it is shown at Cheltenham. The flick I saw was "6 Man's Wife" with Pat O'Brien and Margaret Lindsay. Quite good: also "The Longest Night" which I saw with you and that "Community Life" picture about ants which I

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saw with you at Reading if you remember. The pictures in the sketch were the ones I told you about, I have got one of these as well. "The Cradle of the Empire's army" rather good eh! I bought several papers with pictures of the parade in it. I am enclosing them, if you have got some of them already, send them back and I can send them somewhere else - Betty might like some. I did have some pictures out of the Daily Mirror but I appear to have lost them.

I shall have to save the programme for you as there is not room in the envelope for it. I have also bought two photograph postcards of the old buildings which I will keep for you - they will get spoilt in the post. Let me known as soon as you hear from Lil about the Tattoo, I must know definitely soon. I will go to Harcourt House tomorrow, she may have write today and find not about your room. So glad you have got the Coronation Mug. Is it standing by the other one on the bookcase?

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Camberley looks quite gay now - flags and bunting all over the place. I should have thought Evelyn Court would have been very gay with all those army people there, but I expect they are like the poor people in the papers, loyal but no money to buy flags with!

I am going to drop a card to astleys today asking them how much more they would charge for the entire day.

I got my Tactics marks on Friday 87/100 that makes my average for the half term 73% which I am fairly satisfied with.

We have one riding lesson a week at the moment and have only had one so far. When we went down to the stables they divided us up into groups I am in the group that has ridden at all, which is not the bottom group. We just trotted and cantered round the riding school for that first lesson. My riding breeches are so tight that I can hardly bend my knee but they have to be to fit properly. Our guitars will be arriving soon. ÿ

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Great news, our mess kit has at last arrived. Though I say it as shouldn't I feel quite smart in the tight fitting blue size with nice creased trousers with a red stripe running down them and a forage up jauntily perched on the head. Mine fits me quite nicely. We only want our great coats now and then we are complete. I keep on having to have new pairs of gloves. I have had three so far - just as well I don't have to pay for them. By the by I want another pair of P.T. socks, I don't want to get them on my P.M.account and I can't get them on the Contingent account without your permission so will you enclose a note when you next write me saying :-

Please allow my so G.E.Bell to buy a new pair of P.T.stockings and charge it to the Contingent account. Signed EM Bell.

or words to that effect. I am willing for my son.... You see we do three or four P.T's. a week

Did you know: The word "inst" was a very commonly used abbreviation for the Latin "instante mense" meaning this month.

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now which means I have to wear one pair all the time. The play is beginning to go along pretty nicely now. Everybody doesn't know their words but they will have to by tomorrow. Quite a dizzy blonde turned up the other night for a rehearsal. I don't know her name yet but she has already caused one heart to beat a bit more than usual - not mine by the way!

Don't trouble too much about bills Mummie, there is no hurry to pay them, they will keep on sending you them just as a gentle reminder. You certainly seem to have spent a little bit of money on the lounge. I had no idea that a new shade and blinds were necessary. I wish you would buy me those cuff links you mentioned, one of my Woolworths pair has just bust so I only have the best pair which are permently in my evening shirts. No I cannot use my flag on my bicycle. If I did every other byke in the R.M.C would ÿ

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have to have one - must be uniform you know! G.I's with us have bedecked them up of course. I have got so many letters to write I don't know when I shall get them done. I have also got to learn the play, clean a rifle, bayonet and scabbard and prepare a couple of lectures one is on "We prefer service in the Indian Army than in the British Army" I have to propose the motion - damn and blast and you know the rest!

Well we are off to London on Wednesday starting 2:30 a.m in the morning, it will hardly be worth going to bed, our position is round Parliament square. We have been rehearsing most mornings, lining the square which has been represented by flags. We stand for about six to nine hours with a break every three I believe. We are each having a packet of raisins for a stimulant. I am looking forward to it, it ought to be grand fun. Well I really must close now, I have got such a lot to do. Looking forward to your

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letter on Tuesday. I will let you know a few more details of the Carnation before Wednesday if I can. You will be able to hear it and imagine it from the wireless pretty well, get a map or diagram from one of the papers - Sunday Observer has a good one. It will almost be as good as seeing it then. Am beginning to learn a few strokes in sabre fencing now - it is good fun but oh so sweaty in hot weather with a sweater and mask on.

Please give my love to Grandma and Jean,

With much love
From Teddie

P.S. Excuse awful writing, I hope you can read it.
P.P.S D

Did you know: The word "inst" was a very commonly used abbreviation for the Latin "instante mense" meaning this month.

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