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31st of January, 1937

To: Mrs. E.A.Bell Postal Address: 4A Rotton Park Rd., Edgbaston, B'ham .

From: E.I.J.Bell.Esq. Return Address: Royal Military College, Camberley, Surrey, England .






Royal Military College,
Camberley,
Surrey
31/1/37


My Dear Mummy,
Here I am at Sandhurst, I hope you got my wire alright, I sent it from a little post office at Sandburst Halt. My journey here was quite uneventful. I changed successfully at Reading and bought my ticket -1/6 to Sandhurst. Rather a waste because no one looked at it at all. My bicycle ticket wasn't looked at, so I needn't of had one of these and I still have my ticket from Brum to Reading. The ticket collador gave it me back when I left the T.W.R station to cross to the Southern. I met T Ramson at Sandhurst Halt and he drove me first to the post office then striaght
to the college which is really very near Blackwater station is nearer still I believe. Taxi cost 3/6 - 4/6, I gave Thomson a 6d tip. Senior fellows at the college were waiting to recieve and guide new comers. My luggage was united and carried in for me and I went striaght to my platoon commander, a very nice fellow, who asked me if I knew some fellow beginning with P:- I've forgotten his name - who was in a steel works in Birmingham. I had to give him a whole lot of details which I have given thousands of times already. Parent or guardian, school grave O.T.C etc. Then I was marked (by word and of command units a room, halted and had to give all the particulars I had previously given to
my platoon commander, to three very important looking under officers in mess dress. Then I went to the quartermaster whi gave me my keys to my room No. 65 a bag of books, maps and notebooks and whach me to sign for a lamp, choir ray etc.. I signed for the lamp and chair but have got all three at the moment. I was then taken to my room. The chap who took me nearly killed himself carrying that heavy suitcase up two flights of stairs.!!!

SEE DIAGRAM


My room is quite a nice little den, a comfortable bed in one corner a wash bowl (a fixed enamel or china thing like ours), a shelf above it with shoving mug, water bottle and glass and a wire such underneath for my sponge and flannel.
There is no running water unfortunately. You have to collect your water from the bathroom in a jury provided (also enamel or china). Waste water is collected in a slop bucket underneath, which stands on a shelf. Underneath that is a jeramiah, jenny Charlie or whatever you like to call it. Alongside that is a dressing table and mirror with four drawers and a rail on each side of it for ties and trowels respectively. The other end of the room is big wardrobe upboard thing. Wardrive on oneside with room for hats and shoes bende suits. Next to it three open shelves and give other shelves with a door to them. On one of the open shelves is a safe is fixed. There are two big upboard right above the wardrobe and shelves, I don't know what to put in there as they are so out of the way.
Now for the furniture. Between my bed and washstand is a little and chair. On that I have my photograph of you and Daddy, clock calendar, lamp, bookends and some books, not work one tho. They are on the open shelves where I can earniest get at them. All cadets put them there. I may change hem over later when I am no likely to be so rushed. My easy chair is only a basket one and not exceptionally comfortable. There is also a radiator in my room and it is nice and warm. That's about all in my room at the moment, I have got _____ of hit to come yet. At the moment I only have a pair of overalls, socks, blue and red and white, ____ shoes (1 pair) four gynastic vests, pair of ____ and leather gloves, and two has putters. Now I haev muddled you so much about my
room, I had better dress it for you. I have supppse te drawing is much better _____ all it might interest you. That night I had to change for dinner, into a dinner jacket, as I shall have to every night, oh dear! The Campany Commander spoke to us about debt and a few other things. My section commander, Capt Burness a G.I is awfully nice and has been very helpful to me. A fellow appoint to me, ddams, is also very kind and two promised to show me how to clean etc.. and told me lots of things. Everybody here is very kind and helpful. They go out of their way to show you anything. It is real help and sure makes you feel at home. Eight G.I.'s share a servant. Mine is Dercan I believe a very good one too so I am told. On Saturday we were given some but and in the afternoon I want to the
flicks. Edmund Lowe, Constance Cummings in "The Seven Sinners". I had wanted to see here since I heard here on the wireless. She is very beautiful and a great light comedy actress. She and Edmund Lowe team beautifully. The cinema was a good one, continues performances around there are some good films coming to it, including "Devit Dolly" and Sherly Temple in something or other. I went on my hype which has had a number painted on it. It poured with rain, so I had a grab drive back. I did not get wet feet tho and I gangled, I gangle as soon as I got up and went to go to bed.

Today we went to church, church parade as it is called. It is lovely place and will be dedicated after the Easter Recess.
The fellow next to me is a Scotch Boy, Dovan. He went to Glenalment, Broomsgrove and Glenahard were evets pullls at camp at Stawsall. He is a nice chap, doesn't smoke or drink hasn't a deal money, naturally! He and I got about together as much as we can. One rule which annoys me here is Chil. You have to ear a cap in the buildings tho in _____ I have been bent one by Adams, he says there is no need to buy one.

We start wash properly tomorrow, drill development of the Empire and tactics is the day course. There are tons of societies here, I am going to try to join the film societies,, the dramatic society, the cinematic. As for games I have put my name down for soccer. I hope to play tennis and have been told that one can swim this term, so perhaps you had better send
my costume, tho there is no hurry. I have also entered for a Pentathlon. You have to do five things. Riding, swimming, fencing, revolver shooting and running. My section commander thought I ought to go in for it and the chap who I gave my name to suad only a few one are selected. so I am entering mainly to get a bit of fun at fencing and revolver shooting which I want to do, also swimming and riding I can practice at. I am not hoping to get selected but it will be fun doing the things. As Hugh saud there is interminable corridors at Cranwell, there are internable corridars at Sandhurst. I have never seen as many, nor such long ones. I am just abou getting used to them. The good here is excellent, three course
breakfast, toast marmlade, coffee or tea. Two or three course lunchess, then you get cakes and tea but one usually gets it in the canteen. Mess as dinner is called is four courses and coffee, drinks and cigarettes if you want them. I am not allowed weekend leave till after I come off the square which is in 9 weeks time, I had better meet you in Reading some time I should think. I have aksed a couple of seminars about insurance and they say it is not necessary. The building won't burn as it is steal and concrete and you are not likely to get anything big pinched. You might get some cleaning ____ or cup pinched but they usually come back. So don't do anything about insurance yet. I will see my sect. commander about and maybe my platoon commander. Well I think that is all I can tell you so far. It is rather difficult to say
what you think of the place, having only been here a couple of days. But it seems great fun, everyone is decent and helpful. Of course the "putting you though it" hasn't really happened yet. I may not feel quite so good then but once you are off the square, a corpial told me it was like having a hotel except you have to do whule you are told.
I shall have a lot of cleaning to do soon. I bought some things for my ________ _______ yesterday. Well I must close now. I am going to post this, then maybe clean my bike and start cleaning my chin straps. Then perhaps some tea in the canteen. I have got to see my company commander to night after mess so I better have a shave and a bath this evening. They are very keen on shaving and hair cutting at the
R.M.C - a bit too hear. I am expected to shave every day if you please. Well dears. Now don't worry over me, I don't suppose you are, because I am fine. Good food, warm room and cute rooms, cold corridors and what looks like being a very ______ time once I am off the square.
All my love to you Mummie
Teddie




P.S. My address by the way
E.I.J.Bell.Esq.
No.3.Company
No.11.Platoon (important)
Royal Military College,
Camberley
Surrey
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