No. 7925934. Sgt. Greenwood.
C Sqdn, 9th Battn R.T.R.
B.A.O.R.
12.11.45
Monday
My Darling: I have more progress to report today: I have had my medical examination this afternoon – and – am reported fit enough for civvy street! My eyesight is OK plus… I have no varicose veins, no flat feet, my reflexes are reflexive, no skin diseases, no pulmonary wheezes… nothing, in fact, that I shouldn’t have. So it would appear that I will leave the army as fit as I joined it… apart from being five years older… and minus a spot of finger. I think I am remarkably lucky… don’t you?
And here is another little piece of news. Those of us in 22 group are scheduled to leave the unit on the morning of Nov. 30th. But this date cannot be regarded as positive owing to the possibility of cancellations of sailings. Nevertheless, I think it can be regarded as nearly certain. Therefore, today can be regarded as “D” minus 18… so far as my life with the 9th Battn. is concerned.
And now… when will I be home? This is impossible to forecast because of the varying times taken for the journey. Some fellows, for instance, have become civilians in four days after leaving the unit: others have taken about ten days, but the average appears to be six or seven days. Lets say seven days… which lands me at home on Dec 6th. What a day it will be for us, darling. I don’t like thinking about it too much: it is one of those things which are almost too good to be true.
For the purpose of your letters, I think we had better regard my departure date as Nov 30th positively: which means that my last postal delivery will be the evening of the 29th. And to be on the safe side, we had better assume a period of seven days for transit: this is longer than the average, but I prefer to be on the safe side… to avoid the possibility of losing one of your precious letters. Therefore, dear Jess… your last letter to your soldier-husband should be posted by the morning of the 22nd Nov. I suggest you indicate somehow that it is your last letter… then I won’t expect any to follow… assuming it comes through in less than the seven days. I cannot give you much information about the journey home – but here are a few details.
We (i.e. the twelve of us from C squadron) leave Ringelheim at 9.0am on the 30th – and travel by road to Battn. H.Q. at Mehle, a 35 mile journey. At Mehle we join up with the other 22 group parties from the other squadrons, and then go by road to a transit camp at Hanover, where we spend the night. Next day, Dec 1st, we go by rail to Tournai in Belgium – and spend the night there. Next day, Dec 2nd, another rail journey to Ostend, again staying overnight. Next day, Dec 3rd… by boat to England… And then I don’t know what happens – but will let you know if I learn any more details.
The foregoing itinerary must not be regarded as official: it appears to be the route taken by many of our earlier groups… but we may go another way – Cuxhaven-Hull, for instance. I will let you have every scrap of information as I receive it. And that, my love, seems to be all I have to say upon the topic at present – but it is by no means the last word.
I received a letter from Dorothy this evening – quite a long letter: I will send it to you when I have replied. Most of it is devoted to Kath and David. (…)
Am going to bed now… a little earlier than usual: feel very sleepy.
Goodnight, my love –
Always and forever
Your Trevy