Description
Object description
Three 'Voices from the Forces' postal records from British officer with Royal Artillery in Calcutta, India to fiancée Myrtle Bromley Martin in GB, 28/6/1946
Content description
REEL 1 Message 1: Largely inaudible.
REEL 2 Message 2: 'Hello to you. This is the second recording I've made. Sounds quite professional, doesn't it? I'm in Calcutta on my way to Singapore and staying just a couple of doors up the street at the officers' tavern. We left Chittagong on Monday night. It is now Thursday and Calcutta is very hot indeed. I shall never forget this journey which was a nightmare. Anyway I've written to you all about it. I'm in many ways sorry to leave Chittagong. I've made many good friends and had some good times. However I'm glad to leave if only to get away from the Bengal climate. I never seem to get away from Chittagong types however, and keep bumping into them all the way along Chowringhee in Calcutta. I catch my boat at 2 o'clock this afternoon in brackets 28th of June and the journey takes 14 days so I'm told. I had a medical examination this morning, cholera jabs and all that. Everything [ ]. Officers have to carry their own kit into the cabins. They just send up a little prayer for a [ ] at 2 o'clock today. Well I think's that's about the end of this record so get ready for the other side [ ] Myrtle, on the 7th. May God bless you always. Now I'll introduce Sgt Durand and Sgt Slater who are here with me. 'Sgt Durand speaking from the Phoenix. There's one good thing I always remembers. Now listen folks. This is the officers' club. That's all. Ee by gum being Rochdale. And I am going to say one thing. I'm sorry to lose this good old friend of ours, our OC, Captain Skelton, who has been a gentleman to us all and good luck to him everywhere'.
REEL 3 Message 3: 'for a pair of [ ] that's right and suits fastidious tastes. Before I forget dear a happy birthday to you on the 7th and may God bless you always. My love to all and for a while goodbye. 'Sgt Durand speaking from the Phoenix. Before I say goodbye to Captain Skelton, my OC, I'd like to leave one thing in his mind. It's been our password for quite a long while. Now listen folks. Here it is. This is the officers' club'. 'Sgt Slater speaking. Ee by gum, Rochdale. While I'm sorry to leave this good old friend of ours, OC Captain Skelton, he has been a gentleman to us all and we are very sorry to lose him. Good luck to him everywhere'. Thanks boys, and the same for you. You've been a grand crowd and I thank you all. Cheerio for now'.