p.

Churchill wanted him to come - but he would not come
without his wife, & they just [would underlined] not give her priority
for a seat in a plane. So that really made me
feel that further effort at the moment is useless,
which you & I had pretty well felt already, I'm
afraid. She agreed that the sea trip is out of the
question just now & much too dangerous. Oh dear!
We then went into the concert, which began at 8-0;
it was not particularly good, but everybody seemed to
enjoy it, & there is nothing to tell you about it.
Except that at half time I made a speech -
welcoming the guests & congratulating the Corp. I
told the guests that I was afraid that they must
think of me as that bad man who stopped
the menfolk from coming on leave - which
raised a good laugh. I then told the Corp a few
things - & finally told them that I felt very proud
of them & of my command. They gave me a tremendous
cheer & clap, which was very good of them. And then they
gave me three cheers - which gave me quite a lump
in my throat.
It was really an excellent day - & the men enjoyed it to
the utmost - which was the most important thing.
I'm sending on this photo of me & Peter - the other bigger
ones I sent by sea mail, & I just got hold of the one
the other day, & so thought it might arrive first by
air mail. Some photographs were taken last Friday,
& so that should be some more to send to you
my darling. I wish I could send myself.
Another thing about money - I am conducting a
case on my own behalf for a change, to get my