Gubby Under Pressure

The letters 71 I hated leaving you and Mum much more this time as I hate this idea of the family splitting up. Unhappy we may all have been at times but loneliness in later years would be a great deal worse of that I am certain beyond any argument. My best love to you both Obbie P.S. Will you please try and trace the addresses of the enclosed letters and post cards. Eddie Dawson and Gerald Crutchley you will find easily in the telephone book, also Denis Russell. He lives in Sloane or Draycott Square but I don’t know the number. I think you will also find George Mooney’s in the telephone book. He is the one who married Joyce Smith or failing anything else you could look him up in the Army List. Desmond Roberts will not be so easy. He is the left-handed batsman, an actor, and plays a good deal for MCC, who could probably help you. Letter Two S.S.Orion Sept 22 1936 Darling Dad, I am afraid this will not be a very long letter as there isn’t much time before dinner and there is very little news. Dick, Pauline and a girl called Joan Ranking and I motored over to Sorrento from Naples and had lunch at the Victoria Hotel overlooking the bay. It was a lovely drive and we had an excellent lunch on the balcony, in the fact the day was a success. The Captain took the ship right up close to the Isle of Capri so that we could have a look at it and I must say it was well worth seeing. He is nice old boy but very stern. I have just played 2 sets of tennis with him and 2 more with Wallie Hammond both in a sweater and I am now trying to cool off in my cabin covered in towels. I have only just begun to take any active part in the life on the ship and am feeling very well. Have had one injection so far and have another when we leave Port Said tomorrow. Bill Walleson (Lord) and his new wife got on at Toulon and I see a great deal of them at cocktail time and poker dice. He was at Eton just after me and I have always known him fairly well. I also see a lot of the Hartingtons, but they don’t take much part in anything. Everything is going all right and I like all the team enormously. Don’t see much of Bob as he is always with 2 schoolgirls, one of whom is sweet but the other annoys me. I called her the school prefect and she is still smarting under it. Robbie is in great form and spends his time pulling people’s legs and talking to dull old ladies as a joke. I don’t know what sort of a story the press have made out of Maurice Leyland’s illness. I tried to make it sound only fairly bad but I am afraid between you and me and the door post he will not be fit to play for about four or five weeks. In other words we have had a reverse and it would happen to one of the left-handers after I had turned down a third. Can’t think over anything more to tell you. Sorry this is such a dull letter. Love to Mum. Best love Obbie P.S. Will you please ring up the Kell family and inquire who was so kind as to send me a cable and thank him or her. It will save me a lot of trouble and I really don’t know to whom to write. Letter Three S.S.Orion September 26 1936 Darling Mumsie, I have never in all my life been so hot as I have been during the last 2 days and nights. It is not actually the temperature which has been high but the humidity has been fantastic and I have never seen so many shiny noses or sweaty people. I had to move out on to the deck last night and thus got about 4 hours sleep that way but as soon as I went back to my bed again it was hopeless and am consequently up writing to you at 7.45. I believe the worst will be over by tonight or anyhow as soon as we sail from Aden about lunchtime tomorrow and I will be eternally thankful.