Letter 39 same address

Undated

Dear Mother and Dad,

Arrived back safely about 7pm on Friday night. I hope you are both well. I spent a very enjoyable day at the Sports on Saturday, there was a big crowd and some fine athletes. Our Company drew with the Transport Depot stationed in the other Mill here.

I was talking to a lad from Stirling Castle who used to work at Shipley post Office. We have a lot of drill competitions coming off this week and have been busy Sunday and today, putting them through their final practises. We also have a forced march this week the lads have to do 8 miles in two hours. I don’t know how some of them will go on with it because it takes me all my time to do it without feeling very tired after it.

The Air Force seem to have been busy again this weekend, if the figures given on the wireless are correct. You ought to have seen it raining here on Saturday, just like flood, but Sunday and today have been very good.

Well there isn’t much I can write about with only being back a couple of days, so I will close and write again shortly. Has Donald been home this weekend? Just tell him that one of the lads here slept out one night and got fourteen days confined to barracks.

Please remember me to everybody and things must be getting a bit more serious with regards to an invasion because we have been taking extra precautionary measures, in being ready to move anywhere at a moment’s notice.

So Cheerio

Your loving son

Edgar

XXXXX

Letter 39A same address

Dated 14.11.1940

Dear Mother and Dad

Everything all right and I just arrived back from Edinburgh. I hope you're both all right, and everything going as well as can be expected. We set off on Monday morning to Selkirk and arrived at about one o'clock in the afternoon. The place where the troops are billeted is the Duke of Buccleugh’s country residence and what a marvellous place .

Anyhow we set off back and arrived in Edinburgh at teatime stayed in the YMCA and spent the night there. Went to see Deanna Durban in ”It’s a Date” at the Palace Cinema and set off back to Tillicoultry next morning.

I am now orderly Sgt for eight days and we have just got a draft from Stirling Castle and talk about being busy. We had a stand to last night for an air raid warning but nothing happened. I've just been told I'm going on another course to Edinburgh and waiting for final word from Stirling but I do not know how long for. So we'll let you know as soon as possible.

I was pleased to hear you are having nice weather at present, it makes things a bit more cheerful if you can get out for a spell during the day. I received a parcel from the Baildon Comforts Fund on Tuesday: a pullover, scarf and socks. Have not had time to acknowledge it yet. Well by the look of this scribble on paper you must realise how busy I am so will close now, look after yourselves and remember me to Donald and everybody in Baildon

your loving son

Edgar XXXXXX

SPECIALI have just received word that I go on the Course next Monday morning. So weil write later from there been picked from the whole of the NCOs of the ITC love Edgar

Cpl E.Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mills

Tillicoultry

Letter 39

Dear Mother and Dad,

Arrived back safely about seven o'clock on Friday night. I hope you are both well. I spent a very enjoyable day at the Sports on Saturday, there was a big crowd and some fine athletes, our company drew with the Transport depot stationed in the other mill here.

I was talking to a lad from Stirling Castle who used to work at Shipley Post Office. We have a lot of drill competitions coming off this week and have been busy Sunday and today putting them through their final practices.

We also have a Forced March this week. The lads have to do 8 miles in two hours, I don't know how some of them will go on with it because it takes me all my time to do it without feeling very tired after it.

The Air Force seem to have been busy again this weekend if the figures given on the wireless are correct. You ought to have seen it raining here on Saturday, just like flood but Sunday and today have been very good. Well there isn't much I can write about with only being back a couple of days, so I will close and write you again shortly.

Has Donald been home this weekend, just tell him that one of the lads here slept out one night and got 14 days confined to barracks.

Please remember me to everybody and things must be getting a bit more serious with regard to an invasion because we have been taking extra precautionary measures in being ready to move anywhere at a moment's notice

so cheerio.

Your loving son

Edgar XXXXX

Cpl E.Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mills

Tillicoultry

Letter 40

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything still all right and I hope you're both very well. Everything is very quiet here , we had a very busy week on this course. The air raids seem to have quietened down a bit all over and I expect everybody would be excited when they dropped a bomb on Otley Chevin. It's about time they found something for George Drake to do.

I received a parcel from the Comforts Fund on Wednesday, soap ,boot polish, socks, shaving soap, notepad, razorblades ,handkerchief, tinned fruit and 50 cigarettes. I sent a short letter thanking them for it.

You look well buying carpets and having rooms decorated and the war costing all this money I see that Donald continues to make his hurried visits and you say he's thinking he's going to get moved again, I wish they would send him up here.

Wwe have had some real meals this week, yesterday for dinner and we had meat, potatoes, lettuce and tomatoes and finished off with apples.

There is a lad from Stirling Castle on this course and he lives in that house opposite Shipley Post Office, where Hart has his Dentist place but I don't know what they call him. I’ve seen him in Shipley many a time before the war.

Well how long do you think this lot is going to last, I think something big is going to happen before long, but I hope we are not surprised. I see they’ve been bombing London this week.

Anyway I must close now so remember me to everybody and all number 21

Your loving son

Edgar XXXXX

Cpl E.Wildman

No 6 Cadre Squad,

Depot Coy.

Middleton Mills

Tillicoultry

Letter 41

Dear Mother and Dad,

I hope you're both very well and everything is all right in Baildon, You will notice the new address, I moved here on Sunday afternoon to take a Course on how to instruct recruits in small arms training and field craft.

There are about 18 Lance corporals, only myself as full Cpl and six Sergeants. The Sgt M ajor told me before I left the other mill that I had been recommended for a third stripe and I shall be a full Sergeant when I go back from the course, which will last for about a month.

We have to start right back at the beginning again and go through everything again in fine detail. Has Donald been home again lately and what you think about last week's and the beginning of this week's air bag, the Brylcreem boys don't seem to be doing so bad.

You remember me telling you last time about the Squad Competitions that were coming off, well on Wednesday morning our squad that is the one that I was along with Sgt Stewart with, won the Drill Competition and in the afternoon we won the Physical Training and then we were the smartest squad on the Route March on Thursday morning. The weather has been lovely here since last Saturday, and today the shepherds have been counting all the sheep. I don't think I've ever seen as many sheep at the one time, just like at big white blanket moving down the hillside.

Anyway I must close now as I have a lot of reading up to do, so remember me to everybody and I will write again shortly.

Your loving son

Edgar XXXXXX

Cpl E.Wildman

No 3 Cadre Squad,

Depot Coy.

Middleton Mills

Tillicoultry

Letter 42

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything still okay in Scotland and I hope you are both well. Ever since I have been on the Course, I have just about been dizzy, honestly it's worse than taking Matriculation but I think I shall manage to get through, we have been on map-reading this week.

Jerry seems to have been bothering your a bit lately, you will know what it feels like now to have them passing overhead, but I think you will get used to them. I shouldn't go running into Raistrick's every time you hear an aeroplane if I were you, because it's 10 to one against anything happening in Baildon.

I was sorry to hear Donald was not well and you must give him my best wishes on his birthday. (sept 1^st) You said my Dad wasn't too well ,you must look after him and I hope he gets better.

We are getting some good meals up here now but they aren't half pushing discipline to us. You are the only ones I have had time to write to yet but I will have to (words missing “write to”) our Jack the first chance I get.

Well I don't know of anything else I can write about, except would you please send me some of those photographs that we had taken, if possible and don't start worrying, try and carry on as usual.

Your loving son

Edgar XXXXX

Cpl E.Wildman

No 3 Cadre Squad,

Depot Coy.

Middleton Mills

Tillicoultry

Letter 43 Sun.Sept 8th

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything still okay and I hope you're both well. You seem to be having some exciting nights, of course you didn't expect to get away with nothing I hope.

What do you think about the raids over London, I have just been reading about it in the paper. But as long as there wasn't many hurt in Yorkshire, we can stand the damage.

All the troops, home guard and everything were called out in Scotland last night. You ought to have seen the trucks and motorcycle patrol's passing through here. All the lads have been out all night, and some of them are still out. I think they expected a land attack as well.

Well the course has been a bit more interesting this week, we have been doing a lot of field work and the weather has been lovely. Have you heard from Donald yet, is he still at Leeming Bar, or Yeadon.

There is a Sgt just started this Course last week an old reservist and he used to be Royal Postman at Balmoral, and has been in personal contact with the King and Queen for the last five years, every time they come up to Scotland. And you talk about a character, he says the Queen Mary is the finest woman he has ever spoken to.

Weather isn't anything else I can tell you about, so you will just have to carry on and hope for the best, so please remember me to all number 21 and keep smiling.

Your loving son

Edgar XXXXXX

Cpl E.Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mills

Tillicoultry

Letter 44

Dear Mother and Dad,

You will notice I am back at the old address again, we finished the Cardre Course last Saturday, I have got back with my old Sergeant so everything is all right again. I hope you are both well they don't seem to be bothering us so much now with their air raids, but the weather hasn't been too good lately.

I suppose you will have read about the air raids on South West Scotland this morning, and you will have seen where they bombed Central and Station in Glasgow, a lot of mail has been lost, so you will probably be one letter short from me.

The nights are getting darker now and today it is just about cold enough for snow. I suppose you won't be able to tell me where Donald has gone to but if you can, well please try and let me have his address.

You know the balaclava helmet the Queenie knit for me, well he's I lost it on night manoeuvres and I wish you would try and knit me another one, if it won't take you too long. We had Bayonet Fitting Competition since I was on the course and my old Sergeant won it.

Well there isn't anything else I can tell you about except I was Guard Commander last Saturday night but that won't interest you so much, so please remember me to everybody at number 21 and look after yourselves.

Your loving son

Edgar

XXXXXX

Cpl E.Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mills

Tillicoultry

Letter 44A

Dear Mother and Dad,

Am very sorry for not writing as regularly as I used to do, but I hope you are both well.

I have been away to Stirling for 9 days on a Tactical Manoeuvre Course and what a pantomime, there was 30 of us on the Course and every day was spent out in the country on some form of tactics and we had all our meals out in the field.

At night we had to stay in and read up all that we were going to do next day. No consideration was taken about the weather and we set off at nine in the morning in a truck and dumped us up in the hills, and then we started our lesson for the day, but it was very interesting and now that we have got back to Tilly we have to demonstrate for the next month everything that we learnt.

Here is just a rough idea of what we did, firstly Reconnaissance Patrols by day and night, Fighting patrols, Platoons in active and defence, building “Kapok” bridges across the Forth,using rubber recce boats and assault boats, digging tank traps, village and street-fighting and map-reading.

So from this you can realise that with the weather and being fully equipped all the time we had quite a strenuous nine days. Last Friday bombs were dropped on a golf course about 2 miles from here but I never heard them. For the past three nights we have had quite good views of air raids in Edinburgh and Forth Bridge direction.

Well I hope everything is all right in Baildon, I think there will be some more sparks flying now that Greece has started but I think that the “Empress of Britain” was a funny business. (a liner blown up off the South of Ireland on Tuesday Oct. 29 1940)

Anyhow I hope Donald gets through his course all right and I will now get ready for night operations, we are going to a place called sure Parkhouse and old ruined mansion to do a scheme. Platoon in attack by night. So I will leave you and look after yourselves and remember me to everybody

your loving son

Edgar XXXXXXXXXX

Cpl E.Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mills

Tillicoultry

Letter 45 Thursday 14/11/40

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and just arrived back from Edinburgh. I hope you're both all right and everything going as well as can be expected.

We set off on Monday morning to Selkirk and arrived at about one o'clock in the afternoon, the place where the troops are billeted is the Duke of Buccleugh’s country residence and what a marvellous place. Anyhow we set off back and arrived in Edinburgh at teatime stayed in the Y.M.C.A. and spent the night there. Went to see Deanna Durban in “It's a Date” at the Palace Cinema and set off back to Tillicoultry next morning.

I am now orderly Sgt for eight days and we have just got a draft from Stirling Castle and talk about being busy. We had a stand to last night for an air raid warning, but nothing happened.

I have just been told I'm going on another Course to Edinburgh and waiting for final word from Stirling, but I do not know how long for. So we'll let you know as soon as possible. I was pleased to hear you are having nice weather at present it makes things a lot more cheerful if you can get out for a spell during the day.

I received a parcel from the Baildon Comforts on Tuesday: a pullover, scarf and socks but I haven't had time to acknowledge it yet. Well by the look of this scribble on paper you must realise how busy I am, so I will close now, look after yourselves and remember me to Donald and everybody in Baildon

your loving son

Edgar XXXXXX

SPECIAL

I have just received word that I go on the Course next Monday morning so will write later from there. Been picked from the whole of the NCOs of the I.T.C.

love Edgar

Cpl E.Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mills

Tillicoultry

Letter 46

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything is still alright in Scotland and I hope you are both very well. I'm doing Platoon Sergeant at present as Sgt Stewart the man I'm with, is Orderly Sgt this week. He's getting promoted before long to Company Sgt Major and he has recommended me to take over his platoon, so I may get another stripe before very long.

Everything is very quiet up here with regard to air raids and that, but we are very busy on night manoeuvres. Although would have evacuees just arrived this week from London and they are working Jaeger's who have a big firm here, you know the wool people.

The weather has been very cold lately and raining and they have just started the mill boiler off today so it may be a bit warmer at night.

Last Friday morning we had a big Drill Parade with the Pipe Bands and the Military Band. Three of the Corporals and myself had to march in front . You ought to have seen us with our canes.. Talk about swagger! I expect always lads that we have now will be getting moved before long and then we shall be getting another intake from civvy Street and starting all over again. We just get one lot nicely trained and get to know them when they get drafted away.

Anyhow I am glad you send Donald's address I will write to him as soon as I get chance. So you will just have to carry on, and hope for the best and please remember me to everybody.

Your loving son

Edgar

XXXXXX

Cpl E.Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mills

Tillicoultry

Letter 47

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything still all right and I hope you are both well. We are very busy at present as we have a lot of men going away on drafts. I am going to Selkirk tomorrow for three days on Conducting Duty, that is the same as what I was before when I went to Rugeley, taking a draft and then coming back.

We had a big Regimental Dance last Friday and I was an official clearing the floor and preparing novelty dances, talk about class. I wish you could have seen some of the Officers in their blue patrols and Glengarry's. We had an air raid warning last week but there were no bombs dropped.

I think I shall be moving from here before long as a new rule has come out now stating that an NCO will only stay in the I TC for a period of six months. Well I have been here above that time now, so I think it will be my turn to move next, to some Battalion I expect.

The weather has been quite good lately but the blackout is terrible, you seem to have had it easy lately no air raids or anything. Donald seems to be going on all right, I hope he finishes his course all right

I expect it will be very quiet in Baildon now, but it will be all over sometime and then we can get back to normal again.

I went to see a demonstration of dive bombing last Sunday, talk about speed, aeroplane diving from all angles, the only snag was we had to walk 9 miles to see it.

Well I do not think there is anything else I can tell you about so please remember me to everybody and keep smiling and look after yourselves,

I will write again shortly

your loving son

Edgar XXXXXX

Cpl E.Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mills

Tillicoultry

Letter 48

Dear Mother and Dad,

Hope you're both well and thank you for the parcel, the helmet is lovely. Things are very quiet now and the weather has definitely changed, talk about the blackout with it being it in the country, it is terrible.

We went in buses last Wednesday to a place just outside St Andrews, about 2 miles from Gleneagles called Glendevon, talk about lovely country ,all the trees have started changing colour. We were there the whole day and the dinner was cooked in the field with a field kitchen. We did an Attack and Defence scheme and with using blank cartridges became quite realistic. The main feature of the day was having to wade across the River Devon without taking our boots off, it was about a foot deep in the shallowest part, but nobody seem to bother about it.

I'm glad Donald has got seven days and I hope he went to Bradford with you, I have just received a letter from our Jack he seems very busy with his first aid or whatever he is in.

Last Sunday afternoon we had what they call a Dog and Stick match. The Platoon Sergeants all set off and climbed up to the top of Ben Cleuch and the men had to follow up and find them. Absolute torture, but taking it all round we have some happy hours.

Well I must close now so please thank Mrs Raistrick for me and remember me to everybody

your loving son

Edgar

XXXXXX

Cpl E.Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mills

Tillicoultry

Letter 49

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything still all right and I hope you are both well. Although the dark weather has really set in, the weather is really beautiful and the moonlit nights are really wonderful.

I still have the platoon on my own and talk about making them jump to it. A lot of the NCOs have been moved from here but they never seem to think of moving me off Course and I am quite satisfied. I am glad that Donald enjoyed his leave but you do not seem to think I did. You seem to be having an easy time with regard to air raids at present, but I think we have the war well underway at present.

The company commander keeps asking me if we are getting bombed in Yorkshire, and seems to be quite concerned about my welfare. We are having some marvellous dances and concerts now, which helped to brighten up the daily routine.

You say Donald and Mary went to see Jim Woodhead, I think it's about time they got him into the army still living with his wife's mother, I'm not surprised that it being and miserable do. Anyhow look after our Rack and don't let him fret, will you.

I had another chance to go to Africa last Saturday but I knew (you) wouldn't approve of it, but one of my pals up here has volunteered.

I thought you would wonder about the Glasgow postmark, but one of the lads was going through and I thought it would reach you earlier. Anyhow I will close now so cheerio

your loving son

Edgar XXXXX

Letter 50 Cpl E. Wildman,

Junior Leaders Wing,

Command Central School,

52 Dick Place

Edinburgh, 9

Dear Mother and Dad

Everything still all right and I was pleased to hear you were okay. I thought I had told you about the course but if I didn't. We are on a Tactics, Mapmaking, and Field Craft Course and don't we know it.

Everybody is browned off and I expect we shall all be failures. Today has just about killed everybody's interest, We set off this morning and went by bus to a place called Castle -Law then they dumped us. We have been out all day in pouring rain doing patrols map-reading feeling very cold and generally wet through. We landed back for tea at 4.30 paraded again at five o'clock and had a lecture on the German army while six o'clock and then they expect you to read your pamphlets at night with regard to the lessons for tomorrow.

I just had a letter from the Cpl I told you about who came down to York, he says just the same thing. Anyhow we shall get through somehow I spent all Saturday afternoon with a Canadian in the church canteen. I was stood on Princes Street with a new Glengarry on that I had bought and this chap came up to me and asked me what A& SH stood for. When I told him, he said that he had been in the territorials of the Argylls in Montréal for 10 years. But he says he doesn't like England, there isn't enough room to breathe. So he had come to Edinburgh for 10 days leave. H talked about British people going to Canada the first thing they want to see are the Red Indians and cattle ranches. He also showed me photographs of his wife and children and two cottages that he had, one in the city and one on the beach. He got two pounds a week while he was soldiering and his wife got £14 a month. She was also still running a 14 hp car but he didn't seem to bother about being 4000 miles away from home so should we grumble.

I haven't had a reply from Donald yet but I'm expecting one any day, I expect Mr Dracup will be worried about Frankie going East but that's where we shall all end up I thinkAnyhow I will close now, so keep smiling. We aren’t doing so bad after all.

Your loving son

Edgar

Letter 51 Lance Sergeant E. Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mills

Tillicoultry

Dec 8^th 1940

Dear Mother and Dad

You will see by the address that I have arrived back in Tilly also that I had been promoted to Lance Sgt. I have just paid out 11 shillings for stripes and it is about broke my heart.

I arrived back yesterday and found a lot of changes have taken place, a new Company Sergeant Major and quite a number of new NCOs in the company. I have just returned from my first Sunday dinner in the Sergeants Mess, not too bad. The main troubles are that they pile responsibilities on to you straight away.

All the hills around here are now covered in snow, but the weather today is fine and dry. Today is my day off but I aren't going anywhere because I haven't got any money as a drew a months play when I went on the Course and I don't draw any more until next Friday. I haven't heard the results of the Course yet, but I don't think I did so bad, as I got top marks for drawing a Panorama Sketch of a piece of country we did a scheme on. Of course this sketching business w

as just up my street. I haven't heard from Donald ye, I hope he's okay and with regard to Christmas leave, it looks rather shady.

I left Edinburgh yesterday dinnertime and one of the lads told me this morning that there was a real carry on with guns and searchlights but apart from this, things seem to be very quiet in Scotland. I heard our new Sergeant Major spinning a real yarn to one of the Corporals this morning. He was drilling a squad on the square and they were marching away from him towards the gate. He got rather mixed up and didn't know what command to give. The squad was still marching and getting very near the gate so the Sergeant Major said to him “ Will you say something if it's only ‘Good Bye’”, but of course not in those words.

I hope you're both well and looking forward to the exit of Musso because it won't be long now. I'm just going to write to our Jack and apologise for not writing I don't know what he will think about me. He'll be wearing khaki before long. Anyhow I will close now so please remember me to everybody or number 21 and Mary, and don't worry we are winning now

Your Loving Son

Edgar XXXXXXX

You wouldn’t think that I’d been in the army for 10 months, how time flies

Letter 52 Lance Sergeant E.Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mill

Tillicoultry

Thursday December 19^th

Dear Mother and Dad,

Thank you very much for the parcel and the money and I hope you are both well. I think it will be a very strange Christmas this year, as they think more of the New Year up here, but we are doing parades as usual on Christmas Day. There is no leave to be granted at all just yet as they say Hitler can make an invasion on Christmas Day as well as any other day so we shall just have to make the best of it.

Yesterday we did a 22 mile Route March but it is a mere trifle now and never felt any effects. I receive the parcels all right from Grandad and Uncle Hubert and have thanked them for same. I have just received a gift from the Club which was very thoughtful of them and I'm going to be quite busy answering all these letters.

The weather has been lovely lately but the snag is we take over duties this week I shall be doing guard and Pickets during Christmas and New Year. Tomorrow I'm going to look round Patons weaving department as it's my day off so it will remind me of Masons anyway.

The result came through for my course in Edinburgh last Monday and I got 85% in the final examination. I had an interview with the Commanding Officer and he said I had done very well and it wouldn't be long before I was promoted to full Sgt.

I hope Donald gets home, it will make it a lot happier for you but do not worry, we can always miss a Christmas if we are winning the war, which we definitely are now.

So I will close now and please wish everybody a Merry Christmas for me and to you a Very Merry Christmas and happy New Year. Everybody is admiring the lovely Christmas cake which I have shared out in the bunk.

So until the next time

your loving son

Edgar XXXXX

Letter 55A 2987111 Sergeant E Wildman,

Infantry NCOs course

Lowell Moor mill

Clitheroe

Lancs

Dear Mother and Dad

I hope you are very well and all is okay in Baildon. I caught the train last Saturday and arrived in Skipton at about 9:40 AM got off the train but was advised to get in again and get off at Hell field field to catch a connection for Clitheroe by the guard.

On arrival at Hellifield field I found no train was due until 2 PM so one of the porters sent me to a garage where I got a lift to Gisburn and stood in the main street for about an hour and then got a lift on a milk lorry to Clitheroe arriving at about one o’clock

These billets are absolutely hopeless for food and bad sleeping quarters.

Today has been freezing and we’d been out all day putting up barbed wire entanglements I shall not be able to get home this weekend as we are working on Saturday afternoon but definitely the weekend after.

The course has been very interesting so far but it is very poorly organised and this wastes a terrible lot of time. we’ve had all our dinners out in the field so far and what a carry on cold and filthy.

There is no snow here and we got rid of all of yours, yet tomorrow night we are on night wiring with full equipment so we look like being busy they certainly keep the lads busy here digging trenches and building small bridges anyway I will close now and right again shortly

Your loving son

Edgar

XXXXX

Letter 53 298 7111 Sergeant E Wildman

Number one Infantry Coy.

Oak bank Mill

Tillicoultry

Dear Mother and Dad

Everything all right up here and I hope you are both well.

Since I have arrived back appear things have certainly been happening. All the NCO’s for posting and drafting have been transferred to this mill and I’m being chased about all day long.

You will notice that I’m now in number one instead of number two infantry company this is the permanent staff company and we have all been picked out by merit.

Tomorrow I’m taking my platoon to Stirling to take part in the War Weapons Week so today I am very busy cleaning and polishing my equipment.

Have you heard from or seen Donald yet I was wondering how things were going on? The weather hasn’t been too good this week with rain and wind I tried to get some kilt pins in Stirling but was unlucky but one of the Sergeants says he will try and get me some from Glasgow when he’s home next so please tell Mrs Raistrick as regards the fish, I’m still waiting of them being caught. I think they must know you want some.

Russia didn’t seem to be doing anything but resisting on all fronts at least that’s all we hear on the wireless but we must be doing some damage in Germany with all these air raids but I think we are winning in the Far East anyhow I haven’t anything else to tell you so I will close now

So cheerio

Your loving son

Edgar XXXXX

Letter 54 298 7111 Sgt E. Wildman

Number two I TC

Oakbank mill

Tillicoultry

Dear Mother and Dad

Everything okay and I hope you are both well. Well Christmas is over and everything passed very quiet.

I took over Orderly Sergeant on Christmas Eve and handover to some other poor mug on Old Years Night, We had a very nice Christmas Dinner, about the only thing that let us know Christmas was really here.

I was also on guard last Friday and I think I shall have to do another, but it can‘t be helped we all have to do our turn.

I was pleased to hear you had a nice Christmas and Donald was home even if he did spend a lot of time in bed.

I think it‘s about time our Jack got wise to himself and got married or something instead of being mug number 1.I’ve written a week before Christmas but never received any reply I don’t know what I have done wrong.

Have you seen Uncle Hubert lately I hope is all right also my Grandad. Well the weather has space has not been too good lately very dark and miserable but we haven’t had any air raids they don’t seem to bother Scotland at all much now.

We are having a New Year Dinner and we have to serve it out to all the privates so we look like having to stand some backchat without doing anything about it. I have to play football for the Company on Thursday and box sometime next month.

We have a terrible lot of absentees at present owing to getting near Hogmanay as they call it but I do not know what they will do with them all when they come back.

Anyhow I don’t think I have anything else of interest to tell you so remember me to all number 21 and everybody else in Baildon and hope you have a happy and prosperous New Year.

We are winning the war now and may all be back home before the end of 1941

So cheerio for now

Your loving son

Edgar XXXXXX

Letter 55 same address

9.01.41

Dear Mother and Dad

Everything still all right but very cold… the weather is lovely and sunny but the bitterest frost I have ever seen. All the pipes are frozen and the sanitation men are very busy.

I hope you are both well and still living at number 19 we spent a very happy new years day serving the troops with their dinner and beer and a concert afterwards. Last Saturday we had a daylight air raid warning but never saw any planes.

I hope you heard from Donald and he’s all right they must have had a terrible time in London lately this place is full of Jews and Cockneys of course they are all working Jaeger’s factory which is here.

What do you think about Bardia (Libya) do you think we shall capture it or not and what are we going to do with all the prisoners. The war seems to be going in our favour at present but we still have to meet Adolf. I have not heard from our Jack yet since I wrote does he still live in Baildon.

I was sorry to hear about Eldon Feather and it came as a big surprise to hear of his death.

I may be home at the end back end of the month as I am due leave if I do not get moved before that. So we shall have to hope for the best. At present we have much to do as we are waiting for the new call up I shall look well if I get John Booth up here as a rookie or somebody from Windhill or Baildon.

Well there isn’t anything else to say at present so please remember me to everybody and I will write again shortly

your loving son

Edgar

XXXX

Letter 55A 2987111 Sergeant E Wildman,

Infantry NCOs course

Lowell Moor mill

Clitheroe

Lancs

Dear Mother and Dad

I hope you are very well and all is okay in Baildon. I caught the train last Saturday and arrived in Skipton at about 9:40 AM got off the train but was advised to get in again and get off at Hell field field to catch a connection for Clitheroe by the guard.

On arrival at Hellifield field I found no train was due until 2 PM so one of the porters sent me to a garage where I got a lift to Gisburn and stood in the main street for about an hour and then got a lift on a milk lorry to Clitheroe arriving at about one o’clock

These billets are absolutely hopeless for food and bad sleeping quarters.

Today has been freezing and we’d been out all day putting up barbed wire entanglements I shall not be able to get home this weekend as we are working on Saturday afternoon but definitely the weekend after.

The course has been very interesting so far but it is very poorly organised and this wastes a terrible lot of time. we’ve had all our dinners out in the field so far and what a carry on cold and filthy.

There is no snow here and we got rid of all of yours, yet tomorrow night we are on night wiring with full equipment so we look like being busy they certainly keep the lads busy here digging trenches and building small bridges anyway I will close now and right again shortly

Your loving son

Edgar

XXXXX

Letter 56 298 7111 Sgt Wildman

Number two I TC

Oakbank mill

Tillicoultry

Dear Mother and Dad,

I am very sorry not to have written before that I have been holding back for information. I hope you are both well and everything is all right.

I am writing this sat up in bed and leading a gentleman’s life there is no doubt it’s a great Army if Hitler could walk into this bunk and see us all he would start his invasion tomorrow.

Well here is the information at the beginning of the week I was told that I had been selected to attend a course at Clitheroe in Lancashire on the field engineering from 3 February to the 22^nd. But I have been waiting to see if it appears in the Battalion Orders then I should be certain if it comes off and I should be able to get home 2 or 3 weekends.

Information number 2 my seven days leave happens to be due on the same date as the course starts and if my name appears in Orders during the next two or three days then I shall ask if I can have my leave the week before the Course starts and report to Clitheroe on the day the course opens. For the duration of the course I shall be attached to the Royal Engineers but do not start building castles till I actually arrive home, because they change their mind so often up here to have any hopes.

Have you heard from Donald lately I hope it is all right we haven’t seen any planes’ for quite a while now or even had any air raid warnings they seem to be concentrating on England.

The ground is covered in snow this morning and with the sun shining on Wallace Monument we have a marvellous view of the Western Highlands with Ben Lomond standing out among the rest. Any how I will close now so please give my kindest regards to everybody and I hope to see you shortly

Your loving son

Edgar

XXXX

Letter 57 Sgt E Wildman

Number two I TC

Oakbank mill

Tillicoultry

Monday 24^th of February 1941

Dear Mother and Father,

Thank you very much for the money you sent me and I hope you are both well. I couldn’t phone on Friday night as we were doing night wiring and this is the first chance I have had of being able to write.

I left Clitheroe at 1215 to catch a train for Edinburgh at 355 Preston but the train arrived at five o’clock and I landed in Edinburgh at 11:45 PM so I had to sleep in the station for the night and I caught a bus to Tilly at 930.

Arriving at dinnertime. I was met with the order to prepare to go on guard and today. I have taken over as Orderly Sergeantt so I look like being busy all week. Wwe had our examination on Friday afternoon in Clitheroe and I got 53/60 so I shall just have to wait and see what qualification they give me for it.

The Company Commander told me today that he had to run a course on Field Engineering and that I had to be in it as an Instructor so I don’t think I shall be leaving Tilly for a while yet.

As I told you when I was home a lot of people have been moved and my turn has been missed, so my luck still holds good. T

The weather is lovely here at present and there isn’t much snow but it is very cold. Have you heard from Donald yet, I hope he’s all right let me know his address if he has been moved as I want to tell him about the carry on Clitheroe.

Anyhow there isn’t anything doing at present so I’ll write again shortly

Your loving son

Edgar

XXXX

Letter 58 Oakbank Mill

Tillicoultry

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and I hope you are both well. I was sorry to hear about Dad not being too well he must look after himself and never mind Bingley. At the present moment I have very busy and a very important man.

I have been collecting stores for this course since I came back from Clitheroe and done a lot of travelling around looking for an RE depot but I think they’re about complete now I’m ready to kick off on Monday morning.

I am the Chief Instructor and we have about 20 NCOs and a dozen officers attending. I have already been congratulated on my notes and sketches that I did at Clitheroe and we are going to show them on a screen with an epidiascope. It is my day off today the first since I came back and I am just going to start punching up Monday’s lectures so there will not be any slip-ups.

We have just got a new RSM and he’s certainly got great ideas on discipline there is private soldiering running about dizzy they don’t know whether they are doing right or wrong. The weather isn’t too good at present very windy and cold but I think we are all hard to it now I’m sorry I didn’t write before but I been very busy and I won’t let it happen again if I can help it.

I hope Donald is all right and Mary I received my pay all right when I got back and I put in for some travelling expenses which I found I was entitled to with being on the road for about 12 hours from Clitheroe to Tilly. It has gone away to Glasgow to the pay office so I shall have to wait and see what they say about it there of course it was the usual army patter you know sign your name about half a dozen times and fill in this form and that form and produce rail and bus tickets.

Anyway I will write again shortly and let you know how the course and your little sonny boy is progressing if this is a success than I think we shall continue them and that means I shall stay here for quite a spell so I think that will be good news for you. Anyway remember me to everybody and all number 21. I hope Mr Raistrick has been promoted by now he should have one tape at least.

So cheerio

Edgar XXXX

Letter 59 address torn off

No date

Dear Mother and Dad

Sorry I didn’t write before now but I am just recovering from re-inoculation after spending a couple of days in bed with two very stiff arms but am now quite fit again. I hope you are both very well and everything is all right in Baildon the country up here is lovely at present and the weather fine but inclined to be cold.

I have just received my results from the Royal Engineers at Clitheroe and have been classified a attaining 85% out of a possible 100% and am being interviewed by the commanding officer on Friday morning at present I am a very busy man on Friday I am going to Grangemouth aerodrome to receive instruction on identification of aircraft and possibly a trip in a Spitfire. Next Monday I become attached (section missing).

I was acting company sergeant major for four days while our CSM had four days leave. I am glad that Donald likes where he is at present I expect he’ll be coming home on leave again before long .That’s all what is wrong with the Scottish regiments they don’t give you leave until you are absolutely due it. Anyhow everything is all right up here in Tillycoultry and I cannot grumble at anything.

What about the Amazon stuff in the garden till you can’t move? Is it absolutely necessary I don’t think so. Surely you can find somebody to put an hour in. I haven’t got Uncle Hubert’s address yet I would like to drop him a line sometime

Anyway I will leave now so please remember me to everybody at number 21 and look after yourselves

Your loving son

Edgar

XXXXX

letter 60

Sgt E Wildmon number two I TC Oakbank mill Tillicoultry Scotland

(Glasgow docks bombed on the night of March 13-14, 1941)

Dear Mother and Dad

Everything is still okay and I hope you are both well. The course is progressing marvellous at present and everybody seems to be learning and enjoying it. We have had marvellous weather up here for the last week that it has just broken today and turned very cold. We have a marvellous set of exhibition trenches up here now and we are receiving praise from every quarter.

You said you had read about raids in Scotland, if you could only see Glasgow. I haven't been myself but all the lads here have and it must have been some Blitz. The whole of Clydeside level with the ground but John Brooks yard untouched.

There are quite a number of soldiers homeless and lost their families but they have great spirits and carry on. It definitely is a good job they do not print everything in the papers about these Blitz or I don't know what would happen. During the Glasgow raids we also had a nine hours alert from nine o'clock at night till six o'clock next morning.

Last Saturday afternoon we had an air raid warning and watched our own planes attacking a German bomber. From reports from people coming in from Glasgow the London Blitz hasn't a chance on the Glasgow one. Anyhow I hope everything is all right with you and everybody is okay. I hope Donald gets back into Yorkshire and can get home I think I shall do this Summer up here unless something big happens.

I'm just going to start marking the notebooks of people on this course tonight so I will close now and will write again shortly

your loving son

Edgar

XXXXX

Letter 64A Sgt E Wildmon

number two ITC

Oakbank mill

Tillicoultry

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything okay and I hope you're both well. I suppose you will have read about the air raids we have had recently in Scotland, we started last Saturday and for three nights from around 12 o'clock to about three in the morning we had alerts. Talk about excitement, they were passing over Tilly in waves.

A lot of the lads here have lost their families and homes and evacuees from Clydebank have started to arrive. We started our empty courses morning and today I have been driving a 30 hundredweight Austin and coming on quite well. Also iI have lectures on the theory of a motor engine which was very interesting. The weather has been lovely here this week I'm quite tanned with the sun. I don't know what the weather is like a home but with the new hours and a good day it is light here well after 11 at night.

I hope Donald is alright ..has he being made Sergeant yet? if not he wants to get a move on. Have you seen or heard from our Jack I keep expecting to hear from him getting married or volunteering for the forces. The War seems to be going our way now… what do you think about all the bombers they brought down lately? looks like being a black month for the Luftwaffe. We only want America convoying and then it will probably shorten the war a little.

This place is becoming more like peacetime army every week - talk about spit and polish, I think they are fast what to do with us to keep us occupied both day and night.

Anyhow I hope it is fine tomorrow as it's my day off so shall probably stay in bed whilel dinnertime and have a walk in the afternoon.

So I will close now and please remember me to everybody at number 21 and I will write again shortly

your loving son

Edgar XXXXX

Letter 67 Sgt E Wildman

Date and address missing

Dear Mother and Dad

Thank you for the lovely cake which lasted about an hour while we got cracking with a knife. Sorry I haven't written before this but expect you read about the big call-up because we got our share of them and now I have 28 stalwarts, average age 21 to start training tomorrow so for the next 12 weeks I shall be busy.

I had a good weekend in Glasgow was introduced to quite

(five lines missing from letter )

the weather has been terrible this last week wet and cold so I have done quite a bit of picture going …even went to see Deanna in “Nice Girl” again. Do go and see it if you get chance. Went to the dentist yesterday and had three teeth filled and one pulled without any bother.

Donald seems to be having a lot of ailments lately… is it being a married man? that's the cause of it. I forgot to tell you remember Else the greengrocer up Wood End, I met their lad in Tillicoultry when we were coming back from Glasgow. He nearly dropped when he saw me with three stripes.

Anyhow everything is all right in Scotland at present. The shops in Perth have prepared a little bit for Christmas but not much. As regards the war, I expect you’ve been listening to every news this week, what with America declaring war and two warships going down. But I think we're on the road to victory now so will close now and hope to see you about the third week in January if all goes well.

your loving son

Edgar

XXXXXX

Letter 68 Sgt E Wildman

Middleton Mill

Tillicoultry

Scotland

Dear Mother and Dad

Everything all right and I'm pleased to hear you are both well. You will notice I am now at a different mill but this is only until we move next Thursday morning to Perth, so please try and replied before then or I shall not be here.

The castle that we are taking over was a Co-operative Holiday Camp so it should be quite comfortable. I was glad Donald came to see you when he was home last but it will get a good telling off when I see you next.

There is one good thing about this move to Perth I am still under the same Company Sergeant Major and shall most likely be there all winter, it will feel funny to be only 2 miles from Perth which is about as big as Bradford. The people in Tillicoultry seem to be very downhearted because we are leaving. I expect it is because we are their County Regiment.

The weather has been quite good at this last week and we have been walking about like gentlemen having no troops in the barracks. Well I expect by the time you receive this uncle Jack will be a married man so please wish him all the best from me.

I will try and get in a telegram off if I can anyhow I don't think I have any more news at present to remember me to everybody and I will write again shortly

your loving son

Edgar

XXXXXX

letter 66

Sgt E Wildman

number one infantry company

Oakbank Mill

Tillicoultry

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and I hope you're both well. You will just about have got over the wedding by this time I expect. I sent a telegram last Saturday morning to our own address and then received your letter at dinner time giving me Mary's address but you will be able to tell him when you see him I expect.

.It will about 11 o'clock when you received it…could not get away any sooner than nine owing to the first parade being at eight. I should imagine the wedding was a quiet affair or were there plenty of spectators you must let me know all the details.

The weather up here is terrible at present, wind and rain, but we are too busy to bother about it.

We have a big draught moving this weekend and I may have to go along and conduct them to their destination but I do not know where yet of course, we shall just be away for the weekend.

We are now rationed with cigarettes to 30 per week and everybody running around looking for the non-smokers to draw their rations. Everybody training for the forthcoming Highland Games which takes place on the 26^th but you must listen to the wireless even this week or next and hear our Regimental Sgt Major giving the history of the Regiment you will hear it in the program “Drum and Pipe Bands.” All we hear all day long are bagpipes and drums. Anyhow I will close now so look after yourselves and give Donald and Mary my kindest regards and remember me to all at number 21

your loving son

Edgar

XXXXX

Letter 65 (letter refers to a “wedding being a nice quiet affair” this would be Donald and Mary who were married on July 12, 1941 in Baildon. After the ceremony and lunch, the bride and groom set off to Morecambe by train, Donald’s Mother and Step-Father drove there and arrived in time to ‘doctor’ the bed!)

Sergeant E Wildman

Number One Infantry Company

Oakbank mill

Tillicoultry

Dear Mother and Dad

Everything all right and I hope you're both well. Sorry I didn't write before but I been waiting to see how I stood in the changeover of the ITC. You may be surprised to hear that we are being moved to Perth. With the lack of new recruits we are being combined with the Black Watch and forming a main ITC at Perth. There are three companies of Argylls being formed One, Two and Three Recruit Companies. One and Two will be stationed at the Black Watch Centre in Queens barracks, but I'm going with number Three and will be stationed at the Castle about 2 miles just outside Perth all this takes place on 14 August and we shall all be on the permanent staff for the duration, so they tell us.

The sports took place last Saturday and it was an ideal day.. all the old soldiers said that it was even better than what they had in Peacetime and talk about crowds of course it was definitely ‘Highland’ with Piping Competitions Eight-some Reels and Sword Dancing. I was in the Company tug-of-war team but we got knocked out in the finish.

According to your last letter the wedding seems to have been just a nice quiet affair and I would like to have seen Donald's face when you met them at Morecambe. They seem to have done quite well from neighbours and friends but I still think they should have waited till all this lot was over.

I expect I shall be hearing all about our Jack's wedding next. That wasn't the programme I meant that you listen to. I meant the one on Stirling Castle all about the Argyll's but I've heard the same one as you and I thought it very good .This is about all for now so please remember me to everybody and I will write again shortly

your loving son

Edgar XXXX

Letter63 Sgt E Wildman number two I TC Oakbank Mill Tillicoultry

(content indicates he has been in the army for 1 year…so date is probably late February/early March 1941)

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything still all right and I hope you are both well. The weather has been lovely this last week but we had a downfall of snow yesterday but it is thawing fast so it won’t be here for long. The course turned out a great success and I have been recommended by the commanding officer to be Instructor on any future courses of this nature and I have just learnt this morning that another one is to be run in about six weeks time so that means another three months in Tilley for a certainty, although our own Company Commander told me that unless anything really serious in the war situation happens I should be here permanently.

We have just got a new batch of men from Stirling Castle and we take them through the firing course tomorrow and Wednesday on the open range and are we hoping for dry weather as it is a terrible job if otherwise. I have just been reading about our naval contacts with the Italians. I think he's is just about finished now and what with the Slavs I think Hitler has a real problem to solve. Have you heard from Donald lately and is he still in Yorkshire? I hope Dad wasn't caught in another raid last week while he was away. We haven't had one for a week now, of course the nights have been very dark lately. We have a Regimental Dance on Wednesday and a big concert opening next Friday the offices of the ITC have invited Evelyn Laye, Jack Buchanan and some people from a show that is running in Glasgow, so the village may become lively on Friday.

I have just finished building and maintenance for the transport lines this morning and now I have to build a ramp for the greasing of cars and lorries. I think I shall start building contracting when this war is over as I'm becoming a past master at laying bricks in the correct English bond. Anyhow I hope everyone is okay in Baildon and please remember me to all at number 21. You say I have given one year to the Army if you saw me walking about this place you would think that I have lived here for 10 years. The people know me that well that I'm expecting to be presented with the Tillicoultry long service medal any day. There are three Sergeants including myself who have been here practically a year now and all the rest of the NCOs say if they call you Turnbull ,Oliver or Wildman you will get to stay in Tilley while the war is over, so let's hope they are correct. Of course I think I must have been born under a lucky star because everything I do or say seems to turn out right. So cheerio and I will write again shortly

your loving son Edgar XXXXX

Letter 61 Sgt E. Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mill,

Tillicoultry,

Scotland

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything okay and I hope you are both well. I think I can safely say that I shall retain my stripes now because a lot of the NCOs are moving this week and I am not one of them.

I have just passed out in driving today after another lovely run around Ben Cleuch. I can imagine what the wedding was like with Jack Bairstow I expect all the village will be out .I hope you hear from Donald before long and he’s still in Yorkshire I never realised it was Whitsun-tide until last Sunday, when one of the lads said the Mills were closed on Monday.

What you think about Jesse Wright?. I was absolutely shocked he must have died suddenly. I received word from our Jack, he died with a duodenal ulcer which burst before they could operate. I know that he will be missed at Henry Masons, it must be a in unlucky place for Shed Managers. If you see our Jack in the near future before I get chance to write, please tell him that I can't get leave when I want unless it is compassionate and of course you cannot say a wedding is a compassionate grounds . I am due leave before August and will have to take it when granted so I don't know what he will do, but if it had been somewhere about the first week in July, I could have borrowed kilt and everything and managed it.

The weather has been glorious for the last week up here and you wouldn't think there was the war on it is just like peacetime army. We now have Pipe Band at Guard Mounting and Military Band for Adjutant’s Parade. You remember the boy I nearly brought home that time, the one that was in the boy service well he has been promoted to Drum Major and talk about style with the long Mace. Anyhow I can't say any more so please remember me to everybody and will write again shortly

your loving son

Edgar XXXXX

Sgt E. Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mill,

Tillicoultry,

Scotland

Letter 62

Dear Mother and Dad

Everything is all right in Scotland and I hope you are both well. The weather has been terrible lately for the last five days we had nothing but rain and very cold. I have been driving quite a lot lately and had a lovely run last Saturday morning over the Ochil Hills to Blackford and round passed the Gleneagles Hotel to Dunblane and back to Tilly. We were away for about four hours.

At the present moment everybody up here with stripes on their arms is in a big sweat, including myself. The whole thing is that they are bringing the whole of Tillicoultry establishment here back to peacetime strength as there are not as many civilians being called up for the infantry regiments, so they do not require as many NCOs. The way that they are going to work it is that all NCOs who are not war established, have to be reduced to their war established rank which means that if they if this takes place, then I shall have to go back to the rank of Corporal unless they hold it back until after June 20 when I shall become war established rank of sergeant. You see I was promoted to Sergeant on December 21 and you have to hold your rank for six months and my date is up on June 21 so you can see so you can guess the sweat. But according to our company commander, the NCOs who are going to be kept here are going to be chosen by merit so if this is so then it is most likely that I shall be kept here with having done so well at Clitheroe and Edinburgh. Anyhow we shall have to see but do not let this worry you because if you if I have to move from here it will be to the home guard for training purposes as an instructor or some home defence Battalion.

What do you think about HMS Hood and the paratroops, the war is certainly away from home but I think America will do something about the Atlantic. I hope Donald is likes his new billets he's lucky to be still in Yorkshire. This Scottish regiments are alright but they never send him any battalions down to England. I might have a chance of getting nearer home we have a regimental dance on Friday we should be quite good that is if we can get time off from spit and polish we are walking about here like tin soldiers. So uncle Jack's going to get married a eh? I wish I knew what was going to happen before 9 August then I might be able to be his best man but I shall be home before then so I shall be able to see him. Anyhow I will close now so remember me to everyone and keep smiling

your loving son Edgar XXXXX

Sgt E. Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mill,

Tillicoultry,

Letter 64 Scotland

Dear Mother and Dad,

Thanks for the lovely cake and biscuits which we all enjoyed very much, everybody in the bunk cracked on it. I hope you had a quiet week and you are both well.

We had an alert on Monday night, whilst I was in charge of the picket and we had to stand to from 10 o'clock at night till 5.20 next morning until the all clear sounded. Glasgow and Edinburgh caught it again and one or two other places in Scotland. We had two bombs dropped on the hills just behind here and talk about a bang! The hills are covered in snow but they certainly removed it. We've had some lovely clear nights but only one alert but it was quite sufficient.

The situation seems to becoming grave again with Hitler sweeping through Greece and Albania, but I think we shall stop him before long. The Concert I told you about that we were expecting turned out to be a flop because all the stars never turned up and we got a lousy concert party instead.

We are getting a lot more troops through here at the end of the month because the whole Stirling Castle and the Raploch Camp are being transferred and these two places are going to be taken over for training the ATS girls.

I see Donald is still in Yorkshire and still grumbling about wanting to be moved he wants to stick with it and remain where he is or he might get moved somewhere he will not like. I was sorry about uncle Hubert not looking so well do you think you could send me his address so I could drop him a line, Ask my Dad what sort of cigarettes he wants and I will try and get hold of some for him as our NAAFI is stacked out with them and I think the manager will let me have some. I can get Senior Service as not many of the troops smoke them and he has hundreds, but not Players.

Anyhow I will close now so remember me to everybody and keep smiling,

your loving son

Edgar XXXX

Sgt E. Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mill,

Tillicoultry,

Letter 64A Scotland

Dear Mother and Dad

Everything okay and I hope you are both well. I suppose you will have read about the air raids we have had recently in Scotland, we started last Saturday and for three nights from around 12 o'clock to about three in the morning we had alerts.

Talk about excitement, there were passing over Tilly in waves. A lot of the lads here have lost their families and homes and evacuees from Clydebank have started to arrive. We started our M.T. Courses this morning and today I have been driving a 30 hundredweight Austin and coming on quite well. Also we have had lectures on the Theory of a Motor Engine, which was very interesting.

The weather here has been lovely this week and I am quite tanned with the Sun. I don't know what the weather is like a home but with the new hours and a good day it is light here until well after 11 at night. I hope Donald is all right, has he being made Sgt yet, if not, he wants to get a move on. Have you seen or heard from our Jack yet. I keep expecting to hear of him getting married or volunteering for the forces. It looks like being a black month for the Luftwaffe we only want America, convoying and then it will probably shorten the war a little.

This place is becoming more like peacetime army every week, talk about “Spit and Polish”, I think they are fast what to do with us to keep us occupied both day and night. Anyhow I hope it is fine tomorrow as it is my day off, so shall probably stay in bed while dinnertime and have a walk in the afternoon So I will close now and please remember me to everybody at number 21 and I will write again shortly.

Your loving son

Edgar XXXXX

Sgt E. Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mill,

Tillicoultry,

Letter 66 Scotland

Dear Mother and Dad

Everything all right and I hope you are both well. Sorry I didn't write before but I have been waiting to see how I stood in the changeover of the I.T.C. You may be surprised to hear that we are being moved to Perth with the lack of new recruits we are being combined with the Black Watch and forming a main ITC at Perth. There are three companies of Argyle's being formed One, Two, Three Recruit Companies, and One and Two will be stationed at the Black Watch Centre in Queens Barracks, but I am going with number Three and will be stationed at Kinfauns Castle about 2 miles just outside Perth, all this takes place on 14 August and we shall all be on the permanent staff for the duration so they tell us.

The Sports took place last Saturday and it was an ideal day all the old soldiers said that it was better than what they had in peacetime and talk about crowds! Of course it was definitely Highlands with Piping Competitions, Eightsome Reels and Sword Dancing. I was in the Company tug-of-war team, but we got knocked out in the finish.

According to your last letter, the wedding seem to have been just a nice quiet affair and I would like to have seen Donald's face when you met them at Morecambe. They seem to have done quite well from neighbours and friends but I still think they should have waited till all this lot was over. I expect I shall be hearing all about our Jack's wedding next.

That wasn't the programme I meant that you listen to, I meant the one from Stirling Castle all about the Argyll's but I heard the same one as you and thought it was very good. Well this is about all for now so please remember me to everybody and I will write again shortly

your loving son

Edgar XXXX

Sgt E. Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mill,

Tillicoultry,

Letter 67 Scotland

Dear Mother and Dad

Thank you for the lovely cake which lasted about an hour when we got cracking with a knife. Sorry I haven't written before this but I expect you read about the big call-up because we got our share of them and now I have 28 stalwarts average age 21 to start training tomorrow, so for the next 12 weeks I shall be busy.

I had a good weekend in Glasgow was introduced

SECTION OF LETTER TORN OFF AND MISSING

The weather has been terrible this last week wet and cold so I have done quite a lot of picture going, even went to see Deanna in “Nice Girl” again do go and see it if you get chance. Went to the Dentist yesterday and had three teeth filled and one pulled without any bother.

Donald seems to be having a lot of ailments lately… is it being a married man that's the cause of it?

I forgot to tell you remember Else the greengrocer up Wood End? I met their lad in Tillicoultry when we were coming back from Glasgow. He nearly dropped when he saw me with three stripes.

Anyhow everything is all right in Scotland at present. The shops in Perth have prepared a little bit for Christmas but not much as regards the war. I expect you've been listening to every news this week what with America declaring war and two warships going down but I think we're on the road to victory now. So will close now and hope to see you about the third week in January if all goes well.

Your loving son

Edgar XXXXXX

Sgt E. Wildman

No 2 ITC

Oakbank Mill,

Tillicoultry,

Letter 65 Scotland

Dear Mother and Dad

Everything all right and I hope you are both well. You will just about have got over the wedding by this time I expect. I sent a telegram last Saturday morning to our own address and then received your letter at dinner time giving me Mary's address, but you will be able to tell them when you see them. I expect it would be about 11 o'clock when you received it but I couldn't get away any sooner than nine, owing to the first parade being at eight.

I should imagine the wedding was a quiet affair or were there plenty of spectators you must let me know all the details.

The weather up here is terrible at present windy and rainy but we are too busy to bother about it. We have a big draft moving this weekend and I may have to go along and conduct them to their destination, but I do not know where it is yet, of course we shall just be going away for the weekend.

We are now rationed with cigarettes to 30 per week and everybody running around looking for the non-smokers to draw their rations.

Everybody training for the forthcoming Highland Games which take place on the 26th. But you must listen to the wireless either this week or next and hear our Regimental Sgt Major giving the history of the Regiment you will hear it in the program “Drum and Pipe Bands”. All we hear all day long are bagpipes and drums.

Anyhow I will close now, so look after yourselves and give Donald and Mary my kindest regards and remember to all of at number 21.

your loving son

Edgar XXXX

Sgt E. Wildman

Middleton Mill,

Tillicoultry,

Letter 68 Scotland

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and I'm pleased to hear you are both well. You will notice I am now at a different mill but this is only until we move next Thursday morning to Perth, so please try and reply before then or I shall not be here.

The Castle that we are taking over was a Co-operative Holiday Camp so it should be quite comfortable. I was glad Donald came to see you when he was home last, but he will get a good telling off when I see him next.

There is one good thing about the move to Perth I am still under the same see C.S.M and shall most likely be there all Winter. It will feel funny to be only 2 miles from Perth ,which is about as big as Bradford.

The people in Tillicoultry seem to be very downhearted because we are leaving. I expect is because we are their County Regiment. The weather has been quite good this last week and we have been walking about like gentlemen, having no troops in the barracks. Well I expect by the time you receive this letter Uncle Jack will be a married man so please wish him all the best from me I will try and get him a telegram off if I can. Anyhow I don't think I have any more news at present so remember me to everybody and I will write shortly

Your loving son

Edgar XXXXXXX

Letter 69

(Sepia postcard of Kinfauns Castle)

Dear Mother & Dad,

This is our new abode. Will write later

Edgar

XXX

Sgt E. Wildman,

No 4 Recruit Company,

8^th I.T.C

Kinfauns Castle,

Letter 70 Perth

Dear Mother and Dad,

Hope you received my postcard and are both well. Arrived here on Thursday afternoon and have been busy ever since, but what a marvellous place. We are not allowed to drive nails in, go in the gardens, go on the lawns and we are only using half the place as the rest is being restored for peacetime.

All the woodwork on doors, panelling and staircases are boarded up with three-ply so that it will not be damaged. I do not think I've ever seen as many push bells ,electric light switches and telephones in my life before, but what marvellous country and what a nice view from this place.

The weather has been lovely up to press and we haven't any recruits coming in till September, but the only fault is that we are 3 miles from Perth and the buses are not too good. But as regards comfort, I do not think it can be better. We have our own mess and any visitors are like one happy family.

Enclosed you will find a kilt claw I only got hold of it last week but it is definitely a good one and cost me five shillings and 11 pence. You can please yourself whether you tell Mrs Raistrick or not. So will close now and write again shortly. Remember me to everybody and cheerio

your loving son

Edgar XXXX

Sgt E. Wildman,

No 4 Recruit Company,

8^th I.T.C

Kinfauns Castle,

Letter 71 Perth

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and I hope you're both well.

Arrived back safely and I'm now carrying on the good work. The weather has been very good lately but very cold in the mornings as we are now getting Frost.

I expect Donald will be nearly due his leave now if it were to be in a fortnight's time when I left. I arrived in Glasgow at 4:30 PM last Friday and left St Enoch's to go to Buchanan Station for a train, and I met one of our Sergeants just coming home for a weekend, so I went to their house for the night and set off for Perth on Saturday morning.

Then I went to Dundee with the Sgt Major for the day. On Sunday it poured down all day so I got up about dinnertime and then played dominoes for the rest of the day.

I have not been out this week yet as my squad were behind hand in their training so just had to work overtime to catch up. Anyhow I will close now.

So look after yourselves and will write again shortly.

Your loving son

Edgar XXXXX

Sgt E. Wildman,

No 4 Recruit Company,

8^th I.T.C

Kinfauns Castle,

Letter 72 Perth

Dear Mother and Dad,

Thank you for the parcel which everybody enjoyed and I hope you're both well.

The weather has been lovely up here for the past week, that we have now got plenty of work to do.

On Thursday I got a new squad straight from the street and start on the training tomorrow morning. They don't look too bad but I have a dozen over 35 years of age so you can imagine what a time I'm going to have, getting these people to lift their knees up, There are about six of the same build as Dad and four with “Charlie ” on their backs.

I'm expecting leave before long but I expect I shall have to wait my turn with the others We get travelling time up here for being so far away, and so this might make it into a nine or 10 days leave. I hope Donald is okay and liking his new billets, I will write as soon as I get chance.

Anyhow I will close now so remember me to everybody

your loving son

Edgar XXXXXX

Sgt E. Wildman,

No 4 Recruit Company,

8^th I.T.C

Kinfauns Castle,

Letter 73 Perth

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and I hope you are both well. I'm glad you like the Kilt Claw and I will try and get some pins the next I am the next time I'm in Perth.

The weather has not been too good this last week but we had a fine weekend. I went to Kinross on Saturday which is about 11 miles away to see one of our Sergeants who is Instructor to the Home Guard.

I thought you had deserted me when I didn't receive a letter for nearly a week, but of course I never thought about you being at Birmingham. I thought there would have been a lot more about our Jack's wedding than what you sent me and I'm glad he's quite comfortable.

According to what you say it looks as if Donald is going to spend all his leaves in “digs” but of course if they think it is all right, let them carry on, but I certainly wouldn't mention it to either him or Mary about him not coming to see you. Because believe me this Winter he will regret all what he said and done, this last few months, and come crawling back to the fold, probably have some dirty washing with him as well. Anyhow he can do what he likes for what I care although I do not bear him any is the ill feeling.

Well we haven't any troops in here yet and we are living like gentlemen so look after yourselves and remember me to everybody, will write again shortly

your loving son

Edgar XXXX

Sgt E. Wildman,

No 4 Recruit Company,

8^th I.T.C

Kinfauns Castle,

Letter 74 Perth

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and I hope you are both well. The weather is not too good at present, plenty of rain, and not and very warm.

We are all very busy trying to make old men into soldiers, but it takes plenty of patience and coaxing. There are some good shows here on Sunday nights last week I went to see Harry Lauder but I wasn’t struck with him.

The nights are getting longer now, and I don't know what we shall do when the bad weather really starts. I expect when it snows we shall be hibernated up here but we are very comfortable, and have a good wireless to listen to.

I haven't heard from Donald since I wrote I hope he is okay also our Jack. The Russians seem to be making a stand at present and I don't think all the troubles in German occupied country will be helping Hitler any. Anyhow it looks as if we shall have to face another Winter and see what next spring brings

Do you think you could send me a pot of jam by some means as there is a great shortage up here and I still do not like plum.

So will close now and hope you are making the best of everything

your loving son

Edgar XXXX

PS I have just put in my application for leave so maybe seeing you before long.

Sgt. E. Wildman,

No 4 Coy.

No. 8 I.T.C

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 75

Dear Mother and Father,

Everything alright in Scotland and I hope you are both well. Thank you for the lovely cake, it arrived just at the right time, that was teatime last Saturday. So of course we just placed in the centre of the table and got cracking . Everybody was giving you high praise and the theme song was “Why don't we get this more often?”.

The weather has been rather cold this last week but has been dry and that's the main thing. I had a long talk with the Company Commander on Monday and I find that he is a neighbour of ours. He asked me if I knew where Rawdon was and if I knew the Emmet Arms. As soon as he mentioned this I knew what he was going to say next, that he owned the place because they call him Green-Emmet. He said that he owned quite a lot of property round about Rawdon and spent a lot of time at the Crescent at Ilkley when he got chance to get down to Yorkshire.

I don't like this idea of waiting for the boy coming home before the gardening gets underway. There is a new order just come out allowing us to wear civilian shoes, so will you please send my shoes to repair and don't forget to send the right ones, you know the ones with badly worn heels. I can get some cheap towels if you need them so few so write back and let me know and I will bring you a couple of pairs home with me on leave. I can't say exactly now when I shall be home because I have to wait well my new squad arrives on the 16th and then I shall be home either the 21st of the 28th of this month.

Anyhow I shall have to close now so hope to see you before long and will write again soon

Your loving son

Edgar XXXXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

No 4 Coy.

No. 8 I.T.C

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 76

Dear Mother and Father,

Everything all right and I hope you are both well. The weather has been very cold and wet for the past three days. I hope you enjoyed your trip to Birmingham it will be quite a change from being within the four walls.

I am taking a draft to Fort George next weekend but I don't think you will have heard of the place, it's quite near to Inverness and by what they tell me definitely a “man's country”, rough country and right on the seafront, the waves lash over the walls of the Fort when it's rough.

I been trying to manage leave at Christmas but cannot manage it owing to people being due leave before me. I'm not actually due my leave until the second week in January, so this means another Christmas in Scotland, which isn't too good but am still in the British Isles.

You also may have noticed that all leave for the forces is cancelled between the 24th and 28th of December. Anyhow we shall just have to make the best of it.

Have you heard from Donald lately? Do you think he will manage home for Christmas….he may be able to sneak away.

The situation looks much brighter now that we have made a move in the East, but I shouldn't build too many hopes on it.

So will close now, hoping everything is okay and will write again shortly

your loving son

Edgar XXXXXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

No 4 Coy.

No. 8 I.T.C

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 77

Dear Mother and Father,

Everything all right and I hope you are both well. Sorry I didn't write before but we've been very busy this last week and I was on duty on Christmas Eve, things were very quiet as we still have the festive season to come on yet.

I was invited out to dinner on Christmas Day by the Company Sgt Major and it definitely reminded me of home. Apart from the usual spread in the mess and a smoker afterwards I don't think anything else will crop up.

I can't accept the invitation I got to go to Glasgow on Old Years Night as only a certain percentage are allowed away and NCOs are not supposed to want to go away as we have to serve the Privates at their dinner.

Have you heard from Donald since Christmas I suppose he will be thinking about Mary and miserable.

The weather which has been lovely for the last week and more like Spring than Winter, took a turn yesterday and one of the keenest Frost I have ever seen has set in and I think we shall have snow before long. I got a letter from Jack on Friday, I think is hit with the same stick as your two sisters, as he sent me a photograph of the wedding group instead of a Christmas card.

Anyhow I hope to see you before long and I shall write again shortly.

So I wish you both a very happy New Year, and remain

your loving son

Edgar XXXXXXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

No 4 Coy.

No. 8 I.T.C

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 78

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and I hope you are both well. The weather is much the same as yours wet cold and miserable. You asked about my boxing affairs, I didn't tell you last time I wrote because I wanted to see how we went in the finals.

Last night was the big night we were boxing against the Black Watch, the referee was Black Watch, judges, timekeepers and even they are R.S.M who acted as MC was Black Watch, but this didn't make any difference.

The military band played from 7 PM to 8 PM ,then the battle started. I was doing second for the Argyll's and was now quite busy using the magic sponge and coaching.

We lost the first three bouts and then the spite and malice started. The Black Watch thought they had it in the bag, started booing and the RSM was all smiles. I think they must have thought I was downhearted and disgusted with my own team, but this is where I fooled them.

The next five fights we won all on knockouts another one on points and then we won the last one with another knockout. The Argyll's went nearly mad and all the Black Watch officials sat with faces as long as fiddles, talk about Madison Square Gardens! I! The Company Commander congratulated me on my training and coaching and gave all the men 48 hours leave.

Today I am Battalion Orderly Sgt and I have just finished spit and polishing ready for mounting the quarter guard. But apart from this place being very regimental, we are all quite happy. There are rumours circulating again that we are going back to Stirling but we don't know how far to take this yet. I hope you heard from Donald and he's okay. Anyhow I will close now and right again shortly

your loving son

Edgar XXXXXX you

Sgt. E. Wildman,

No 4 Coy.

No. 8 I.T.C

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 79

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and I hope you are both well, the weather has been terrible up here for the last week.

Yesterday we were up in the Pentlands just north of Edinburgh, on the open range firing rifles at 300 yards ,talk about being cold we put about 90 men through their rifle practices having our dinner and tea out there.

I was very pleased to hear about Donald writing a letter which didn't contain a moan, I expect it will be quite a pleasure to read it. Last Sunday night I went to see the Glasgow police concert party and what a show, I think it's about the best variety show I've ever seen, of course it was quite a posh affair.

Tomorrow we are having a rehearsal for next Sunday's church parade when our RSM gets presented with his MBE. Did you hear the BBC praising the Argyll's up in the news yesterday. At the present moment we are supposed to be the only regiment who has taken part in every campaign in this war and to have done the most fighting. But the list of casualties are very great, I see quite a number of lads killed who were called up at the same time as me and one who was in the same squad at the Raploch. Do I think I am lucky? The situation in Singapore doesn't look too good for us at present, but I think the same applies to the Germans in Russia.

Anyhow I will close now so remember me to everybody

your loving son

Edgar XXXX

PS I look like going to a class wedding before long as my pal up here is the one whose father is the works manager at Queens Street Glasgow is thinking of getting married in March

Sgt. E. Wildman,

No 4 Coy.

No. 8 I.T.C

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 80.

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and I hope you are both well.

Well all the festivities are over, and we are now back to normal again. I have applied for my leave and hope to get it on 13 January so I hope this will fit in with your Birmingham arrangements.

Have you heard from Donald lately, I was sorry to hear about his accident. He always seems to be in trouble. If you have time just have a look at this year's military honours list you will see Regimental Sgt Maj Drummond of the Black Watch has been awarded the MBE This is the man we meet in the square every day and knows everybody by name.

We have had one or two incidents with the Poles this last week resulting in the Poles beng barred from dance halls and confined to their billets for three months.

On New Year's Day we had a football match between Officers and Sergeants any dress. Talk about a scream. The commanding officer who is about 60 years of age played goals and it developed into a rugby match before we finished.

Anyhow I think this year might see the war over with Britain fighting to the last Russian.

So I will close now and hope to see you soon

your loving son

Edgar

XXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

No 4 Coy.

No. 8 I.T.C

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 90 4.7.1942

Dear Mother and Dad,

You will see I am still in Perth and I hope you are both well. The weather has been lovely this last week apart from a 15 mile Route March. We have had a very easy time.

I got a big surprise last Thursday when the Regimental Police came up and said there was a Coldstream Guard looking for me. The next thing was to see Stanley Wood walk in ,They have moved up from the Isle of Wight and there are stationed at Blairgowrie about 12 miles from here.

As I sit and write this I am Battalion Orderly Sgt and tomorrow I'd take over as Company Orderly Sgt for a week so I look like being a very busy man.

There are no signs of being moved yet but one of my pals has just been posted to the Orkneys as Drum major tower to 2nd Battalion so he will know where he is for a while. I think I shall get my leave in about another month if I'm still okay and if Hitler doesn't arrive here by this time.

What do you think about the desert now seeing we were meeting them on equal terms. I expect the garden will be a hive of industry these days. I shall definitely expect new potatoes and fresh green peas when I arrive home. You ought to see the grub we are getting these days, eggs and tomatoes, lettuce and bags of beans and meat and a ration of butter each meal.

There are a terrible lot of Englishmen about Perth at present and it seems quite strange to hear soldiers in the canteen speaking Lancashire and Yorkshire. I see that Donald is still at the same place. The guardroom up here is full of absentees from drafts there that set off to Libya a while but they don't half put it across them.

Anyhow I don't think there is anything else of interest to tell you about and I suppose you will still be within your walls, so cheerio

your loving son

Edgar XXXXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

Specialist Coy.

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 91

Everything all right and I hope you are both well. The weather is perfect up here at present, and I have just got about settled down in the new Company.

We have a big scheme coming off this weekend and we are supposed to be defending Errol Aerodrome near Dundee. I am doing Infantry Group Commander, so I shall be quite important. We start on Saturday at 12 o'clock dinnertime and continue until four o'clock Sunday.

I have been driving practically all this week different kinds of cars and trucks and start on the motorbike next week. I hope Donald is okay I was wondering whether he had moved yet or not. The war seems to be at a standstill at present, but we are waiting until the right time and then I think things will start moving.

It was a sad affair about the Duke of Kent, quite a number of people up here seem to think it was fifth column, but I don't think so myself.

I've just had a letter from Borell and he says he's having a great time in India, but says he just arrived there in time to take part in quelling the riots over Gandhi

The barracks are full of recruits at present and keep pouring in, so we should have an army before long.

Anyway, I will close now and let you know how the invasion of Perthshire went on later.

Your loving son,

Edgar

XXXXXX

(Duke of Kent died in plane crash 25.08.1942)

Sgt. E. Wildman,

Specialist Coy.

Letter 92 Campbells Dyeworks

Postmark 18.09.1942 Perth

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and hope you are both well. The weather is back-endish but we haven't time to worry about this. I took over Orderly Sgt last Saturday and have been run off my feet ever since, what with arranging with local farmers for agricultural workers transport and food.

The harvest is being gathered in as sharp as possible and we have 80 men on-farm work permanently. After this comes potato picking and then all the people who have any ideas on grading wool have to hand in their names this weekend, people from Lancashire and Yorkshire preferable. On Thursday the 17th we have about 700 coming in straight from Civvy Street so for the next three months there will be sparks flying. At present we are training a lot of air force NCOs on Infantry work and they take us on aircraft recognition.

Donald seems to be enjoying himself these days and was lucky to get moved in time. The Americans are supposed to be coming to Perth so whether they will agree with the Argyle's in Black Watch or not I don't know, they seem to be falling out with every British regiment they come in contact with.

Well Russia is still fighting for us, I think we are too busy arranging post-war Britain or making Red tape, (they issue yards up here every week), to attempt a second front.

Anyhow I will close now and give you more news later

your loving son

Edgar

XXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

Specialist Coy.

Campbells Dyeworks

Letter 93 Perth

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and I hope you are both well. The weather up here has been terrible the last few days and this weekend half of the men have been away harvesting as it becomes very serious up here owing to the weather. I was pleased to hear Donald had got a move he will probably be a lot happier now, some more rumours have just cropped up again today about getting moved again. According to these the NCOs who was supposed to go to Dundee including myself will be interviewed by the Commanding Officer with regard to promotions to Company Sgt Major or Company Q M S in the eighth Battalion at Dundee. But there are that many NCOs in the place at present, getting moved about, that we don't know how we stand.

Last Thursday we had a lecture along with ATS about discipline by the RSM, as people have been getting slack and half of the girls in the ATS have been absent. Apart from things like this nothing has happened at all lately.

I was out driving a Bren Carrier this morning but got soaking wet so we are lying back this afternoon. Quite a number of NCOs that is people who are graded with bad stomachs or feet are getting some good jobs. Two corporals are leaving before long to escort Prisoners of War to Canada lasting six months so this should be a good job if they get there (careless talk) and a lot of Sergeants who are getting jobs similar to this in India and training Home Guard. I haven't had much work to do in this company yet, as the new idea of training has not yet got right under way so I just wander around the transport trying my hand here and there. The war seems to be at a standstill yet, but officers up here seem to think that he has shot his bolt in Russia and that he won't take Stalingrad.

Anyhow I will close now and hope you are free from air raids. We could do with one or two up here to liven the place up a bit.

So cheerio your loving son Edgar XXXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

Specialist Coy.

Campbells Dyeworks Perth

Letter 94 Sunday

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything alright and as you can see arrived back safely.

The train was a half an hour late into Skipton and by the time I arrived at Glasgow about 10 o'clock, I had run up to Buchanan Street station to catch the 10.30 but arrived in Perth about a 12:15,

I haven't done anything since then but take over a squad tomorrow morning.

I hope you enjoyed your stay at Morecambe and had good weather. Donald's time will be getting short now, and I hope he manages to put another coat on the garage before he goes back.

Well there isn't much else I can tell you at present we are having quite good weather and half the troops are out practice potato picking at present.

Anyhow I will close now and hope to hear from you soon

all my love

Edgar

XXXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

Specialist Coy.

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 95

Saturday 14^th November 1942

Dear Mother and Father,

Arrived back safely and just about got settled down again. I hope you are both well and the weather up here is really marvellous.

I'm going to Edinburgh on Thursday night for five weeks so I will write from there the next letter and let you have the address. Things are just the same up here, but everyone seems to be working harder since the war news changed, even the are R.S.M. seems to be in a better frame of mind.

According to this morning's papers we seem to be doing even better with Hitler withdrawing troops from Tunisia.

We have a big football match on this afternoon, for the Red Cross and a big crowd is expected. Next Monday or Tuesday one of the Sergeants who has just returned from one of these courses is going to give me all the dope on it, so I shall have a better chance by being prepared.

When I got to Skipton on Thursday I met one of the S a ergeants just coming back from escort duty to Bradford, so I had a companion all the way up. We changed at Carlisle and had three hours to spare so went to the Pictures and arrived at Perth about 10 o'clock at night.

Anyhow will close now and will write as soon as I get to Edinburgh.

Your loving son

Edgar XXXXXS

Weapons Training Wing

“Esdaile”,

Letter 96 Edinburgh,

6 December 1942

Dear Mother and Dad,

I hope you are quite well as I never received any letters from you for a fortnight.

I wrote before I came here, and put on this address, but no reply has ever arrived. Well this is definitely some Course I have been out three times in the last 14 days.

We had our first examination on Saturday, and I did quite well. It has been very interesting so far. Last week we were firing captured German machine guns and all types of rifles. I got five bulls at 600 yards with the snipers rifle and 19/20 with my own.

They have some great ideas here forgetting you used to live ammunition, they fire off bombs and machine guns all around you, whilst one of you gives out orders and then they call this “Battle Inoculation”.

We have been over the assault course every morning since we arrived here and talk about survival of the fittest. You start by climbing over a 12 foot wall with bayonets fixed, jump over five hurdles about a yard yard apart, jump a water ditch, go through barbed wire entanglements ,cross the greasy pole, more ditches and hurdles and finish up by climbing over another 12 foot wall and firing five rounds of ammunition on a 30 yard range.

But apart from all this it's really interesting to see what our small arms weapons can really do when used properly. The war seems to be all hours at present, but I think there is a long way to go yet. The Russians seem to be making a mess of them and Italy seems to be on their last legs. Well I hope to hear from you soon and you can't blame me for not writing this time. I don't go back to Perth until this 21st of this month's I have another fortnight to do here

so will close now

your loving son

Edgar XXXXX

PS I hope Donald is okay and please let me know if our Jack has been called up yet

Weapons Training Wing

“Esdaile”,

Letter 97 Edinburgh,

Tuesday 8^th December 1942

Dear Mother and Dad,

Just received the sad news of Uncle Hubert's death which was telephoned through here about eight o'clock, from the telegram you sent to Perth.

I got a great shock as I only received your letter this morning letting me know of his illness. I hope you received my letter which I sent last Sunday and I still not cannot understand why I never heard from you before, as I definitely wrote the address of this place on the letter I wrote just before I left Perth.

I can well imagine what a great surprise it would be to you to hear of his illness and his condition and that he had been ill for so long.

I am well aware of the great help he was to you Donald and I and know that you will do all you can to help his wife. I hope Dad is feeling better also Grandad but please don't make yourself ill by worrying.

If there is anything I can do please let me know. Well I shall have to close or you won't get this letter and I will write again shortly.

I am doing quite well on the Course so far but won't be sorry when it's over

your ever loving son

Edgar

XXXXXX

(refers to Uncle Hubert helping the two brothers and their Mother…in 1919 their father, Arthur Wildman was taken ill one Saturday morning and by 4pm was dead, a victim of Spanish or First World War Flu. )

Esdaile House

Kilgraston Road

Letter 98 Edinburgh,

Sunday 13 December 1942

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and I hope you are both well. The weather is not too good at present but we still have to carry on.

Well we have another week to go thank goodness and then I shall be back in Perth, that is on the 22^nd. We have another examination next Monday and then we have to wait for the results coming through to our unit.

We had a very interesting week again firing different types of Grenades and firing our own rifles whilst running from the hip, where I passed three bulls.

I suppose you be feeling a little better now you have the funeral over but it makes me wonder why it should take a death to bring the family together. I can't quite realise it yet but he's dead.

Well the war looks as if it might finished before long, what with the Russians attacking and I see by this morning's paper that the eighth Army have launched another attack. I'm trying my best to get as good a result as possible here as there is a chance of being brought back to a School Instructor if you do well.

Well 1942 is nearly overed with and in another three days I shall have been a Sergeangt two years.

Well this is about all I can tell you at present so give my regards to everybody and don't forget I think the world of you both. I am glad Donald is still quite happy and in the same place.

So cheerio for the present

your ever loving son

Edgar XXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

Specialist Coy.

No 8 I.T.C.

Letter 99 29-12-1942 Perth

Dear Mother and Dad,

I hope you are both well and that you had a pleasant Christmas. Everything was very quiet up here, but quite a lot of entertainments were arranged for the English troops.

We are having a Sergeants Dance, and all the Officers here have been invited, so it looks like being quite an affair.

We had snow today and although we hadn't a White Christmas we look like having a White New Year.

I hope Grandpa received his letter and had as good a Christmas as could be expected. Well the war seems to be still in our favour and now I am beginning to think we might be home for next Christmas.

What did you think about Darlan being bumped off?

We have just received another Casualty List and it looks as if the 51st Highland Division definitely had a shake-up. We lost quite a number of officers I got a letter from Borell yesterday who is now transport Sgt and in Karachi, India but he seems quite happy.

I haven't had any news of my Course yet but hoping it arrive soon.

Well I will close now and wish you a happy New Year

from your loving son

Edgar XXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

No 4 Coy.

No. 8 I.T.C

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 81

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything okay and I hope you are alright.

The weather is quite warm at present and much like spring. You seem to be lashing the pound notes about for treatment, but it’s definitely not wasted if you are okay and the treatment is doing some good.

We had a very nice Route March last Saturday about 20 miles in lovely weather and went through one or two small hamlets where the war has left untouched.

On Sunday the whole battalion was on Church Parade full dress, Pipe Band, ATS and Air Force Cadets. The people of Perth definitely turned out in full force to see us march past.

The fall of Singapore came as a great shock to most people and they were not impressed by the Prime Minister's speech on Monday. We seem to be full of excuses at the present moment and of course all these aircraft that we lost bombing the three German battleships that made fools out of us in the channel.

Anyhow I expect we shall muddle through in the end. I volunteered for the Air Force Regiment as Instructor but got thrown out on my neck and told I was doing alright where I was.

Of course if I had got in I should definitely have been coming home on leave as a Flight Sgt. Well I don't think I have anything else to tell you at present only I'm glad Donald is satisfied where he is and that your face is much better

so cheerio for now

your loving son

Edgar XXXXXX

Sgt E.Wildman,

No.4 Coy.

No 8 ITC.

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 81A

Dear Mother and Dad,

Arrived back safely and everything okay. I just got back in time to see the start of Perthshire War Weapons Week. The whole company was on parade, but luckily the CSM didn't expect me back until Saturday morning, so I was a spectator.

The weather has been lovely this week and I been very busy training my new squad. I've just received a letter from Borell and he is in an ITC in Wales pending a move somewhere, but he doesn't know yet.

He has asked me to go through and see his wife and parents as soon as I get chance, so I shall have to see about having a weekend in Glasgow before long.

At the present moment we are all sweating on a Promotion Conference that is taking place today, wondering whether any of our Lance Sergeants have been made up it. If so then somebody will get the push. But I don't think it'll be me as I have been receiving praise from my squad all week. Anyhow why worry, there are a lot of us who have been here too long already.

I hope you're both well and enjoying the same weather as us and the garden is being well looked after. So will close now and write again shortly

your loving son

Edgar XXXXXXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

No 4 Coy.

No. 8 I.T.C

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 82

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything alright in Scotland and I hope you're both well. The weather is very cold at present, but we have plenty of work to do and don't get much chance to feel it.

I am just preparing my kit for an all-day route Route March tomorrow with dinners in the field, so I shall have to cut my arms before I go to bed.

I went to see a good picture last night ”Citizen Kane”, definitely a good picture but don't go in halfway through or you won't get the idea of it at all. Last Friday we had the recruits out doing mess tin cooking. Talk about a laugh just like Boy Scout jamboree.

We had a couple air raids last week but nothing to worry about all everybody are preparing for an invasion, since the raid on northern France. I expect to get to be getting moved before long but don't get worried it's not overseas, we’re forming a new second Battalion since we lost the last one is Singapore, and I think I shall be one of the NCOs to make it up.

We don't know where they will start to form it up but it's rumoured Stirling Castle or somewhere in England. Of course I'm hoping it will be England. Remember the young fellow I went down to the station with when I was called up. I met him last week in the church canteen but I haven't seen him since.

You seem to be going your “dinger” at present what with going to parties,looking at costly fur coats and buying bottles of whisky. Still having your face treated ? hope it's much better. Anyhow I expect you will be out on the cabbage patch at the weekend now I shall hope to see a good show the next time I come home. GI come home. Give my regards to everybody and keep smiling

your loving son

Edgar XXXXXXX

(“dinger” was a U.S. baseball term for whacking the ball farther than anyone expected)

Sgt. E. Wildman,

No 4 Coy.

No. 8 I.T.C

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 83

Dear Mother and Dad,

I'm sorry I didn't write before this, but I had a very good excuse.

Our own company has been away from Perth for the last five days and were not allowed to write or tell anyone what we were doing. But now that we have returned I can tell you what we have been doing. Last weekend we had a very heavy fall of snow and all outdoor training was cancelled.

On Saturday we were given 24-hour rations and went about 60 miles north by train to clear the railway lines. We arrived back on Sunday dinnertime and set off again on Monday morning but this time in trucks and dressed in battle order. Nobody knew where we were going until we got to Pitlochry and then we were told that we were not allowed to write or tell anybody where we were, or what we were doing.

But talk about exciting moments we defended half the north of Scotland against mock invasions with tanks,invasion barges and Spitfires talk about a battlefront. We all arrived back tired and worn out but we both saw and learn something.

I think he will get a big surprise if he makes an invasion, that is if we don't beat him to it.

At present the weather is like spring again but plenty of snow lying about. Did I get a surprise when I opened your letter with news of Angela.I should imagine Sydney to be about off his head. Anyhow I'm just going to write a few lines to him.

I hope you are both well and have recovered from the shock. Hthe shock. Have you heard from Donald I hope he’s all right

Ayhow I must close now so keep smiling and I will write again shortly

your loving son

Edgar XXXXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

No 4 Coy.

No. 8 I.T.C

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 84 25^th March 1942

Dear Mother and Dad,

I'm sorry I haven't written before this, but I have been Company Orderly Sgt for the last nine days and have just handed over to one of the other unlucky sergeants.

Believe me it's been all bed and work this last week and quite confidentially things are definitely moving up in this country. The Poles have left this place now and we have got the Grenadier Guards with us.

I got the paper cuttings you sent and the one about the famous Argyle's in Malaya, Talk about the Scotch people being proud of them. I know quite a number of the people that were mentioned in the Singapore action. My own squad has just gone on leave tonight and I am expecting mine in about three weeks t ime, so from now until 16 April I shall have nothing to do.

On this date I get a new squad of 30 men so we shall have be busy again but the weather should be quite fine by then.

I hope you started gardening I expect to see some results when I come home.

The weather has been very cold for the last few days and at the present moment it is pouring down. Donald seems to be enjoying himself at present but I expect if it rains once he will start grumbling again. Anyhow keep smiling I think we shall definitely get somewhere this summer so I will close and write again shortly

your loving son

Edgar XXXXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

13 Sect. ‘C’Coy.

Army Gas School

Glenridding

Nr Penrith

Letter 85

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and pleased to hear you are both well. Well I am still surviving at this end and have managed to get through the first exam.

They have just about done everything to me except gas me completely we have had two good days so far, Sunday and Monday and lessons were done outdoors and if you had seen us you would have thought it was an outdoor school or something.

Today I was out on a Teach Period and the Officer asked what I did in Civvy Street and if I did a job connected with talking. When you see me again don't be surprised if I go all Canadian, as we have for Canadians in the squad and one American.

They taught me their way of playing basketball and we played a team of Canadian officers, but we got beat by one goal.

This is definitely a lovely country around here but I haven't had a chance to go far yet owing to studying. The course is all right but it's a very uninteresting subject. Of course there's always the consolation of knowing that if Adolf uses gas, I shall know what to do and not be caught on the wrong foot.

I was wondering if Donald had arrived home yet, because if he comes up I shall not be able to see him until after 5 PM at night if it's weekdays. Well I shall expect to see the garden all straight when I come home in about another month. So will close now and get down to studying.

Your loving son

Edgar XXXX

PS hope to hear from you soon

Sgt. E. Wildman,

No 4 Coy.

No. 8 I.T.C

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 86 27 May 1942

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything alright in Perth, I hope you are enjoying your holiday and are both well. The weather up here has been glorious until Monday, but since then has been very showery.

There is not much I can tell you, everything seems to be going on the same except but I have had quite a busy weekend. Friday we had a Corporals Dance with the band supplied by recruits which turned out to be a great success.

Saturday I was detailed to play host to the West Kent's football team, against our own ITC team. I had to welcome them and ensure they were made comfortable in every possible way, and take them to the officers mess for tea consisting of ham, sausage and egg, sweets and a pint of beer each.

Sunday was an open day for Kinfauns Castle, every NCO and recruit was allowed to bring either his relations or friends. The Pipe Band played in the afternoon then tea on the lawn .

At six o'clock the band played “Retreat” which is a very ceremonial affair and in the evening Highland Dancing. I was invited by the Company Sgt Major and the Officer Commanding Kinfauns. This again was a great success and quite a Highland gathering.

The war seems to be at a standstill at present except for Russia, but according to what we hear, the desert is boiling up again.

Anyhow I hope Donald is all right and I was surprised to hear about our Jack and Vera. So will close now and hope you are having good weather.

Your loving son

Edgar

XXXXXX

PS keep smiling, I am still in Perth

Sgt. E. Wildman,

No 4 Coy.

No. 8 I.T.C

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 87

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and I hope you are both well. I'm sorry that I haven't written before this, but I have been waiting for information with regard to moving. I think that before long I shall be getting posted, but I have no idea where. The ITC is being reformed and most of us who've been here the longest will be sent away. At the present we are all sweating but nobody has been told yet whether they are going or staying so don't be surprised to see a new address before long.

I volunteered for an Instructors job in Trinidad yesterday but a Black Watch Sgt beat me to it and has gone away on embarkation leave tonight and leaves for the West Indies by Clipper next week.

The weather up here has not been too good the last week, and at present is raining quite heavily. I hope that Uncle Jack is well again and Donald is okay. The war doesn't look to be drawing to a close yet but the second front might do something about it.

Anyhow I will close now and let's hope I don't get moved, but I can't grumble, after all I have had 2 1/2 years what you might call lying back.

So will write again shortly.

Your loving son

Edgar

XXXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

No 4 Coy.

No. 8 I.T.C

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 88 postmarked 26.5.1942

Dear Mother and Dad,

You will see by the address that I'm still in Perth and doing quite well. We have just been told that we are to remain here until 13 August, so that means I shall get another leave from here.

The weather has been good lately and we are having a very easy time. I hope you are both well, and still living in between those four walls. What you think about the situation now in the desert. Last weekend we were all warned to stand by for escort duty or in other words bringing back absentees.

The 51st Highland division left last week for foreign parts and half of the Black Watch and Argyll battalions were absent when it came time the sailing. The military and civil police have been picking them up all over the country and Perth being the depot a lot of the NCOs have had the job of going to different places for them. I haven't been detailed myself yet but if it's anywhere in England and its possible to get home, I'll be right up the garden path. We have been preparing for the usual Highland games the last fortnight and it looks like being a swell affair, believe me war will come to Perth sometime.

Borel is now on his way to India, and I have come to the conclusion that I would have been better off if I could have gone away with him as he says there are bags of promotions. I was sorry to hear about the sitting Henn and poultry getting worried and I have written to grandad he should have received it by now. Anyhow I shall have to close now so keep smiling, I'm still polishing boots owes and no signs of active service. So cheerio and hope to see you before long

your loving son

Edgar XXXXXX

PS please remember me to everybody.

Enclosed please find a postcard of some of the boys of the permanent Cadre of no.4 Company

Sgt. E. Wildman,

No 4 Coy.

No. 8 I.T.C

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 89 Thursday 2.7.1942

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and I hope you're both well. The weather up here is terrible at present but luckily we got back from our three-day scheme before the weather broke. We set off last Tuesday morning and travelled about hundred miles in three days doing Route Marches and schemes, arriving back Thursday teatime.

Another rumour has cropped up since I wrote you last, and this is that I go to Redford barracks Edinburgh first and there wait for posting to Dundee to the eighth Battalion.

I received your parcel all right and enjoyed your oranges and tomatoes very much

. At the present moment there are about 20 NCOs here waiting for posting, but office staff are keeping things secret, and won't give us any inclination as to when or where we are going.

According to reports practically all the fighting battalions in Scotland and one or two in England are doing big schemes at present, so let's hope it's for a second front.

The war news seem to get worse every day with regards to Russia and they seem to be playing hide and seek in Libya. Edinburgh and St Andrews had air raids on Thursday night and it seems to be the residential centres that caught it.

The watch I brought back with me has kept perfect time this last week, and it has definitely had some sharp knocks in the last three days. Is it possible to get envelopes down there? I just sent a private to the NAAFI and couldn't get any.

Anyhow I will close now and write later, so cheerio

your loving son

Edgar

XXXXXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

No 4 Coy.

No. 8 I.T.C

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 90 4.7.1942

Dear Mother and Dad,

You will see I am still in Perth and I hope you are both well. The weather has been lovely this last week apart from a 15 mile Route March. We have had a very easy time.

I got a big surprise last Thursday when the Regimental Police came up and said there was a Coldstream Guard looking for me. The next thing was to see Stanley Wood walk in ,They have moved up from the Isle of Wight and there are stationed at Blairgowrie about 12 miles from here.

As I sit and write this I am Battalion Orderly Sgt and tomorrow I'd take over as Company Orderly Sgt for a week so I look like being a very busy man.

There are no signs of being moved yet but one of my pals has just been posted to the Orkneys as Drum major tower to 2nd Battalion so he will know where he is for a while. I think I shall get my leave in about another month if I'm still okay and if Hitler doesn't arrive here by this time.

What do you think about the desert now seeing we were meeting them on equal terms. I expect the garden will be a hive of industry these days. I shall definitely expect new potatoes and fresh green peas when I arrive home. You ought to see the grub we are getting these days, eggs and tomatoes, lettuce and bags of beans and meat and a ration of butter each meal.

There are a terrible lot of Englishmen about Perth at present and it seems quite strange to hear soldiers in the canteen speaking Lancashire and Yorkshire. I see that Donald is still at the same place. The guardroom up here is full of absentees from drafts there that set off to Libya a while but they don't half put it across them.

Anyhow I don't think there is anything else of interest to tell you about and I suppose you will still be within your walls, so cheerio

your loving son

Edgar XXXXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

Specialist Coy.

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 91

Everything all right and I hope you are both well. The weather is perfect up here at present, and I have just got about settled down in the new Company.

We have a big scheme coming off this weekend and we are supposed to be defending Errol Aerodrome near Dundee. I am doing Infantry Group Commander, so I shall be quite important. We start on Saturday at 12 o'clock dinnertime and continue until four o'clock Sunday.

I have been driving practically all this week different kinds of cars and trucks and start on the motorbike next week. I hope Donald is okay I was wondering whether he had moved yet or not. The war seems to be at a standstill at present, but we are waiting until the right time and then I think things will start moving.

It was a sad affair about the Duke of Kent, quite a number of people up here seem to think it was fifth column, but I don't think so myself.

I've just had a letter from Borell and he says he's having a great time in India, but says he just arrived there in time to take part in quelling the riots over Gandhi

The barracks are full of recruits at present and keep pouring in, so we should have an army before long.

Anyway, I will close now and let you know how the invasion of Perthshire went on later.

Your loving son,

Edgar

XXXXXX

(Duke of Kent died in plane crash 25.08.1942)

Sgt. E. Wildman,

Specialist Coy.

Letter 92 Campbells Dyeworks

Postmark 18.09.1942 Perth

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and hope you are both well. The weather is back-endish but we haven't time to worry about this. I took over Orderly Sgt last Saturday and have been run off my feet ever since, what with arranging with local farmers for agricultural workers transport and food.

The harvest is being gathered in as sharp as possible and we have 80 men on-farm work permanently. After this comes potato picking and then all the people who have any ideas on grading wool have to hand in their names this weekend, people from Lancashire and Yorkshire preferable. On Thursday the 17th we have about 700 coming in straight from Civvy Street so for the next three months there will be sparks flying. At present we are training a lot of air force NCOs on Infantry work and they take us on aircraft recognition.

Donald seems to be enjoying himself these days and was lucky to get moved in time. The Americans are supposed to be coming to Perth so whether they will agree with the Argyle's in Black Watch or not I don't know, they seem to be falling out with every British regiment they come in contact with.

Well Russia is still fighting for us, I think we are too busy arranging post-war Britain or making Red tape, (they issue yards up here every week), to attempt a second front.

Anyhow I will close now and give you more news later

your loving son

Edgar

XXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

Specialist Coy.

Campbells Dyeworks

Letter 93 Perth

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and I hope you are both well. The weather up here has been terrible the last few days and this weekend half of the men have been away harvesting as it becomes very serious up here owing to the weather. I was pleased to hear Donald had got a move he will probably be a lot happier now, some more rumours have just cropped up again today about getting moved again. According to these the NCOs who was supposed to go to Dundee including myself will be interviewed by the Commanding Officer with regard to promotions to Company Sgt Major or Company Q M S in the eighth Battalion at Dundee. But there are that many NCOs in the place at present, getting moved about, that we don't know how we stand.

Last Thursday we had a lecture along with ATS about discipline by the RSM, as people have been getting slack and half of the girls in the ATS have been absent. Apart from things like this nothing has happened at all lately.

I was out driving a Bren Carrier this morning but got soaking wet so we are lying back this afternoon. Quite a number of NCOs that is people who are graded with bad stomachs or feet are getting some good jobs. Two corporals are leaving before long to escort Prisoners of War to Canada lasting six months so this should be a good job if they get there (careless talk) and a lot of Sergeants who are getting jobs similar to this in India and training Home Guard. I haven't had much work to do in this company yet, as the new idea of training has not yet got right under way so I just wander around the transport trying my hand here and there. The war seems to be at a standstill yet, but officers up here seem to think that he has shot his bolt in Russia and that he won't take Stalingrad.

Anyhow I will close now and hope you are free from air raids. We could do with one or two up here to liven the place up a bit.

So cheerio your loving son Edgar XXXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

Specialist Coy.

Campbells Dyeworks Perth

Letter 94 Sunday

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything alright and as you can see arrived back safely.

The train was a half an hour late into Skipton and by the time I arrived at Glasgow about 10 o'clock, I had run up to Buchanan Street station to catch the 10.30 but arrived in Perth about a 12:15,

I haven't done anything since then but take over a squad tomorrow morning.

I hope you enjoyed your stay at Morecambe and had good weather. Donald's time will be getting short now, and I hope he manages to put another coat on the garage before he goes back.

Well there isn't much else I can tell you at present we are having quite good weather and half the troops are out practice potato picking at present.

Anyhow I will close now and hope to hear from you soon

all my love

Edgar

XXXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

Specialist Coy.

Campbells Dyeworks

Perth

Letter 95

Saturday 14^th November 1942

Dear Mother and Father,

Arrived back safely and just about got settled down again. I hope you are both well and the weather up here is really marvellous.

I'm going to Edinburgh on Thursday night for five weeks so I will write from there the next letter and let you have the address. Things are just the same up here, but everyone seems to be working harder since the war news changed, even the are R.S.M. seems to be in a better frame of mind.

According to this morning's papers we seem to be doing even better with Hitler withdrawing troops from Tunisia.

We have a big football match on this afternoon, for the Red Cross and a big crowd is expected. Next Monday or Tuesday one of the Sergeants who has just returned from one of these courses is going to give me all the dope on it, so I shall have a better chance by being prepared.

When I got to Skipton on Thursday I met one of the S a ergeants just coming back from escort duty to Bradford, so I had a companion all the way up. We changed at Carlisle and had three hours to spare so went to the Pictures and arrived at Perth about 10 o'clock at night.

Anyhow will close now and will write as soon as I get to Edinburgh.

Your loving son

Edgar XXXXXS

Weapons Training Wing

“Esdaile”,

Letter 96 Edinburgh,

6 December 1942

Dear Mother and Dad,

I hope you are quite well as I never received any letters from you for a fortnight.

I wrote before I came here, and put on this address, but no reply has ever arrived. Well this is definitely some Course I have been out three times in the last 14 days.

We had our first examination on Saturday, and I did quite well. It has been very interesting so far. Last week we were firing captured German machine guns and all types of rifles. I got five bulls at 600 yards with the snipers rifle and 19/20 with my own.

They have some great ideas here forgetting you used to live ammunition, they fire off bombs and machine guns all around you, whilst one of you gives out orders and then they call this “Battle Inoculation”.

We have been over the assault course every morning since we arrived here and talk about survival of the fittest. You start by climbing over a 12 foot wall with bayonets fixed, jump over five hurdles about a yard yard apart, jump a water ditch, go through barbed wire entanglements ,cross the greasy pole, more ditches and hurdles and finish up by climbing over another 12 foot wall and firing five rounds of ammunition on a 30 yard range.

But apart from all this it's really interesting to see what our small arms weapons can really do when used properly. The war seems to be all hours at present, but I think there is a long way to go yet. The Russians seem to be making a mess of them and Italy seems to be on their last legs. Well I hope to hear from you soon and you can't blame me for not writing this time. I don't go back to Perth until this 21st of this month's I have another fortnight to do here

so will close now

your loving son

Edgar XXXXX

PS I hope Donald is okay and please let me know if our Jack has been called up yet

Weapons Training Wing

“Esdaile”,

Letter 97 Edinburgh,

Tuesday 8^th December 1942

Dear Mother and Dad,

Just received the sad news of Uncle Hubert's death which was telephoned through here about eight o'clock, from the telegram you sent to Perth.

I got a great shock as I only received your letter this morning letting me know of his illness. I hope you received my letter which I sent last Sunday and I still not cannot understand why I never heard from you before, as I definitely wrote the address of this place on the letter I wrote just before I left Perth.

I can well imagine what a great surprise it would be to you to hear of his illness and his condition and that he had been ill for so long.

I am well aware of the great help he was to you Donald and I and know that you will do all you can to help his wife. I hope Dad is feeling better also Grandad but please don't make yourself ill by worrying.

If there is anything I can do please let me know. Well I shall have to close or you won't get this letter and I will write again shortly.

I am doing quite well on the Course so far but won't be sorry when it's over

your ever loving son

Edgar

XXXXXX

(refers to Uncle Hubert helping the two brothers and their Mother…in 1919 their father, Arthur Wildman was taken ill one Saturday morning and by 4pm was dead, a victim of Spanish or First World War Flu. )

Esdaile House

Kilgraston Road

Letter 98 Edinburgh,

Sunday 13 December 1942

Dear Mother and Dad,

Everything all right and I hope you are both well. The weather is not too good at present but we still have to carry on.

Well we have another week to go thank goodness and then I shall be back in Perth, that is on the 22^nd. We have another examination next Monday and then we have to wait for the results coming through to our unit.

We had a very interesting week again firing different types of Grenades and firing our own rifles whilst running from the hip, where I passed three bulls.

I suppose you be feeling a little better now you have the funeral over but it makes me wonder why it should take a death to bring the family together. I can't quite realise it yet but he's dead.

Well the war looks as if it might finished before long, what with the Russians attacking and I see by this morning's paper that the eighth Army have launched another attack. I'm trying my best to get as good a result as possible here as there is a chance of being brought back to a School Instructor if you do well.

Well 1942 is nearly overed with and in another three days I shall have been a Sergeangt two years.

Well this is about all I can tell you at present so give my regards to everybody and don't forget I think the world of you both. I am glad Donald is still quite happy and in the same place.

So cheerio for the present

your ever loving son

Edgar XXXX

Sgt. E. Wildman,

Specialist Coy.

No 8 I.T.C.

Letter 99 29-12-1942 Perth

Dear Mother and Dad,

I hope you are both well and that you had a pleasant Christmas. Everything was very quiet up here, but quite a lot of entertainments were arranged for the English troops.

We are having a Sergeants Dance, and all the Officers here have been invited, so it looks like being quite an affair.

We had snow today and although we hadn't a White Christmas we look like having a White New Year.

I hope Grandpa received his letter and had as good a Christmas as could be expected. Well the war seems to be still in our favour and now I am beginning to think we might be home for next Christmas.

What did you think about Darlan being bumped off?

We have just received another Casualty List and it looks as if the 51st Highland Division definitely had a shake-up. We lost quite a number of officers I got a letter from Borell yesterday who is now transport Sgt and in Karachi, India but he seems quite happy.

I haven't had any news of my Course yet but hoping it arrive soon.

Well I will close now and wish you a happy New Year

from your loving son

Edgar XXX

Sgt E.Wildman

Specialist Coy.

No 8 I.T.C.

Perth

Letter 100 3.1.1943

Dear Mother and Dad,

Well we have got over all the festivities and the Dance was really a posh affair.

My Course results have just arrived and I obtained a “Q1” which is just about what I expected. The weather held out quite well and we didn't have snow after all.

I don't suppose you would get any place special, but believe me they definitely make a right job of Old Year’s Night. We had a marvellous dinner New Year's Day and if you had seen it I don't think you would have believed it. Every man got beer or mineral waters, cigarettes, chocolate and mince pie on top of his dinner.

Well the Russians are definitely putting Jerry in his place, and the army in Tunisia seems to be getting ready for some big move. Enclosed you will see the Dance Programme and I hope you reckon received your New Year card. Anyhow I don't think there is anything else of interest. I can tell you. So I will close and hope to hear from you soon

your loving son

Edgar XXXXX

give my regards to Donald