Welcome back to part 11 of the letters, Peter was just about to move camp from Belvedere to RAF Cranborne and writes on the 28th March 1944 from his new station RAF Cranborne, still in South Rhodesia:
“I’ve been here just over a week. I had a good time at Belvedere and I don’t suppose I shall ever get another instructor like Filmer. This seems a good camp and I’m getting used to it now. Poor Bob is still at Belvedere, but will probably be here in about a months time. I share a room with a pleasant fellow called Noris Totsios – he comes from Cyprus, he left his job there and travelled to England to join the RAF, poor bloke! Our room is large and well equipped, we have a wardrobe, chest of drawers, a mirror and a wash stand! We have the use of the Sgts mess, although we don’t have the privilege of eating there for another ten weeks. The sergeants mess tennis courts too are available to us and I have purchased a second hand tennis racquet. I’ve played twice so far and there’s an amazing amount of room for improvement! The food is an improvement on previous stations. So you see we have quite a number of privileges not hitherto enjoyed.
I soloed last Friday morning in the single engine trainer we use here and it seems a good aeroplane. My hopes of training on ‘twins’ fell through. Our training will become more advanced now I expect, more interesting too.”

RAF Cranborne, South Rhodesia. Image from Wikimedia.
This next letter from Peter’s mum isn’t dated, but mentions a letter of his dated 5th March arriving, so I am guessing this one is written somewhere near the end of March:
“We were very glad to have your letter dated 5th March with all your interesting news. Expect your exams are over now for the time being. Hope you have been successful dear, you deserve to be, as I know you work hard. Shall hope soon to hear result! Have you bought a bike yet? For heavens sake don’t go exploring the jungle alone!! I expect those insects are pretty fearsome looking, hope they don’t get into your pants! Aren’t they the saw beetles?
Have you been to the pics lately? May and I saw ‘Candlelight in Algeria’ on Saturday with James Mason, a record of dangerous work in enemy held territory! Quite thrilling. Also Northwest Rangers with James Craig and Patricia Dane and Jack Holt. Have also seen a bloodthirsty one called ‘The Lodger’ starring Merle Oberon, George Sanders and Laird Gregor, a jack the ripper story!
They have started the salute the soldier parades! And on Saturday Ruislip was packed, one could hardly walk along. You will be amused to know I bought 4 baby chicks! Much to pops disgust! Frisky is very intrigued with them! They are R.I. Reds, they sleep in a box on the boiler at night! So far have not been roasted! I am looking forward to a good meal soon.”
On 3rd April 1944 Peter’s mum wrote again to Peter, she says:
“We were very glad to have your letter no.24 this a.m. and to know you have passed the exams, well done my lad! Now I suppose you are in new surroundings and will be doing the more serious part of the training. Every time the spitfires dash across here, I think of you! And I’m sure you are now in your element. Your party sounded good, also the grills you indulge in! Miss Thompsons mother said she heard a request record played for Peter Heywood!! If ever you get a chance, choose that two tone tune you used to hum in the bathroom!
Saw a huge glider being towed over here. Dad is going to Glasgow next Monday with Mr Steele. My four baby chicks are thriving and are now in a canary cage.”
On the 5th April 1944 Peter wrote a letter card to his sister Joan:
“Very many thanks for your two air letters dated 11th and 18th March, both of which I received today. I’m glad to know you are well. I’m glad your music is progressing and I can well appreciate the difficulties. However stick at it and some day you will reap the benefit of your labours!
Bob is very well and takes his exams at Belvedere next week. His girl friend Pam Barton lives in the corner house of Windmill Hill. They are not engaged as yet but it seems quite probable in the near future.
Now I must get one or two things straight about Enid and myself. I have written a letter to Enid which I hope she will not misunderstand, stating the various difficulties which confront us. I may be away from dear England for a very long time and one can never neglect the possibility that I might be unlucky and not make the return journey. Then my career, quite frankly, I can never see myself back in a bank, and whatever I do, it will be some time before I have any degree of stability. In my letter to Enid I told her that I would not be so presumptuous as to expect her to wait for me and I know you will see my point. I cannot help feeling that our correspondence has lacked inspiration. We knew each other such a short time before I left England. I was very fond of Enid, but I had little opportunity to know whether we were in love with one another.
Well sis, after that, I return to lighter topics. Today I’ve purchased my bicycle, a really ropey roadster. It’s worth £3 and cost me £9! However, it is not without attraction to me, inspite of the fact that I fell off in an ignominious heap whilst riding it back! It has a back-pedal brake and my foot slipped. I was also carrying a parcel! Result: grazed elbow and ankle!”
It was so sad to read that he felt he should call things off with Enid due to the situation. It really brings home the difficult situation they were all in, and how it was possible that not everyone would get to return home.
I have an airgraph from Bob Hedger, written to Peter’s sister Joan on the 18th April 1944, I thought I would include it because Bob is part of our story, he is a close friend of Peter and from the same home town of Ruislip, he says:
“Dear Joan,
as you have probably heard by now, Peter received your cigarettes and as he no longer smokes, he has presented them to me, so I am writing to thank you. They are wizard and it is marvellous to smoke English cigs again. I am leaving here in a few days to join Pete, but unfortunately I shall still be a course behind him. Anyway I shall be glad to get there. Peter seems to be getting on very very well, and we have been seeing each other at weekends.
Yesterday cycling back from the ‘drome I saw the first live snake I have seen in this country. It crossed the road in front of me and needless to say I kept my distance as I did not know if it were one of the variety that spits poison into ones eyes! I hope you and your parents are keeping well, Sincerely Bob.”

The next airgraph is from Peter to Joan on the 20th April 1944, he says:
“Once again I find myself having to send you an airgraph, we are only allowed one air letter a week. Thanks very much for your letter of the 2nd April. I’m glad you are ok. It is good to hear you are making headway with the music and I only hope I shall have the opportunity of hearing some results some day! You’ll be glad to know that the fags have at last arrived, in excellent condition. Unfortunately, as you know, I no longer smoke, so I have given them to Bob. He was more than glad of them and I think he’s writing to you.
Anyway, I thank you too, it was very sweet of you. A couple of months ago (nearly I think) I posted a photo of myself on horse back which may amuse you, and I hope you receive it ok. Your other question about hot baths, they are a luxury which I enjoy every day, in preference to a cold shower which is the alternative! Bob is very well and coming here tomorrow.”
On the 24th April 1944 Peter’s mum wrote a letter to Peter:
“Your letter card dated April 3rd arrived on Sat 22nd! Not too bad. Very glad to know you have at last received the snaps, do hope you get the films, but isn’t your camera at home? I believe in one of your drawers! Expect you are thrilled to have a bike again – don’t go off into the wilds alone!!!
May heard from Des about a week ago, he has been for a weekend trip to the pyramids! Stayed at the best hotel! Did the rounds on a camel! Hope he wore his gas mask! Still nothing definite about his leave, but suppose his lucky day will eventually dawn.
Our four chicks are now housed in the dog kennel! Dad has fixed a wire door, over which Frisky keeps guard! I believe they are three cocks and one hen! Anyhow, Des will be sure of a good dinner! You will be amused to know that a Robin has built a nest inside a budgie box hanging in the run of the aviary, also has laid several eggs! And to my amazement today, I found another big nest made on top of the same box since last night by a blackbird and she is sitting in it tonight! Fast worker! Wonder if they will be lucky enough to rear any!
My budgies are still playing about, but no eggs yet. One pair of canaries have three eggs!
Well dear love, I hope you are ok and no doubt enjoying life. Am glad you are living in good conditions and that Bob is near you. We often talk about you both. Life here is much the same, plenty of work, especially in the gardens, the cherry blossom trees and may trees are looking lovely. Frisky is enjoying life and still likes his stones! He is a grand companion. Dad is at a lecture in Parish Hall re. fire duties! He is very hot at it now. How thankful we shall all be when peace is restored, if such a thing is possible.”

Also on the 24th April 1944 Des wrote to his sister Joan to wish her a Happy Birthday, her Birthday was April 26th (which also happens to be my birthday). He says:
“First of all, many happy returns for your Birthday. Lets hope that next year really will bring happier days. I should really have written this note a little earlier, but really can plead that my time has not been my own during the past fortnight. More than that, I cannot say. I do hope that you have received my earlier note thanking you for the cigarettes which at long last reached me safely.
Well I am expecting to be on my way quite soon now, probably during the summer. It is hard to say just how much I long to be home again. The past two and a half years have seemed an eternity. It would be grand if Peter reached home at the same time as myself. Have not heard from him lately. Was amused to hear that mum has taken to keeping chickens again. They seem to be a constant worry to her. Am glad that you have been home for a change and know you must have enjoyed yourself.”

To be continued...
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