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Aldershot, England, Friday Aug. 1, 1941
Dear Sweetheart,
We've finally arrived and are more or less getting settled down. This is the first letter that I've written since landing.
We had a fairly long train trip from our point of disembarkation, and the country we came through was really beautiful.
Except for a few spots in the seaport town where we landed, we didn't see any damage done by bombers and there was nothing in the countryside that would let you know a war was going on.
We are situated in a big camp and the men are allowed in town until 10 p.m. without a pass. They must carry their respirators and steel helmets at all times when out of camp. So far we have to stop and count on our fingers when we buy anything.
We are to get a five day disembarkation leave and after that a seven days leave every three months. On these leaves, we get a travel warrant for free rail way fare ... and they will arrange for billets for us wherever we go. The only thing we must take with us is our ration cards. We either carry them with us, or go hungry.
As far as sending parcels are concerned, we can use anything in the food line [such] as condensed coffee, cocoa or concentrated foods of almost any kind.
One other item that I would appreciate personally is toilet paper. This is scarce and what is issued is a fine grade of sandpaper or it feels like it anyway. So if a roll or two could be flattened out in a parcel, it wouldn't add very much weight. And how I'll appreciate it.
...You remember, of course, that I love you more than ever, and I'm just sort of "marking time" until we can be together again for good.
With all my love to you, Anne, Karen and Nanny.
I am as always
Your, David K
P.S. I love you.
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