No. 7925934. Sgt. Greenwood.
British Army Exhibition
British Army Staff
B.L.A. Paris
23.6.45
Saturday
My Darling: I have at least one item of news this evening… I have today received your first direct letter, the one you wrote on the 16th/17th about the prams. It was damned good to hear from you, in spite of all the screwiness of that pram deal. (…)
You have asked me ‘when to start posting letters to the old address’. I cannot answer that question just yet, dear. There hasn’t even been a hint of our return, altho’ we were only supposed to be here for a fortnight. I will do my best to give you at least a few days warning. Meanwhile, please continue writing to Paris.
I don’t mind how long we are left here. As I have to be in the army, it is better to be here, where there is some cultural life, than stuck away in Germany.
I have done about four hours duty at the exhibition today: I can’t call it work! For about half the time, I was listening to the new band… the Oxf. and Bucks. It is a fine band: much better than the A.T.S. And by this, I am not casting any aspersions upon the latter. They did splendidly, and quite deservedly made a big impression over here. But there is no doubt that certain brass instruments (trombones, for instance) require considerable physical effort to get the maximum fortissimos, and it is beyond the physical capacity of a female to do real justice to the instrument. And here lies the principle difference between the two bands. There is better expression – more light and shade – with the male band.
This evening, I have been once again to the magnificent “Palace de Chaillot” theatre – to hear Grace Moore, soprano, and Dino Martini, tenor. My evening has been a mixed pleasure – very mixed. But I will have to tell you why tomorrow. It is very late, dear and I must leave you once again.
Good night, my love
Always
Your Trevy