Letter : Sweet Scent of Army Socks

Introduction

My uncle, Allan Stoddart died in 2004 leaving a widow, Jean with many happy memories and a collection of war time letters he had written, some photographs, diaries and memorabilia. Allan had wanted to tell his story and maybe he did tell some of it but it was never recorded. Jean has given me his letters and so far I have transcribed those written to my parents, Florence and Bill and a few to Allan’s mother. Using extracts from some of the letters, photographs and memorabilia and information from diaries, a small glimpse of his story is now told. Jean and I understand the site’s terms and conditions.

Allan enlisted in Dundee in January 1940 and was UK based until he sailed on the troop ship, S.S. Almanzora with the 5th Division Signals to India in March 1942. Over the next 3 years, the war took him from India to Iraq, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Sicily (landings), Italy (including Anzio), Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Palestine, Italy, Palestine, Italy, (home leave), Belgium, Germany. The 5th Division moved about so much they were nicknamed the “Cooks Tour Mob”.

This Letter

In this letter to my parents, Allan is in Syria, based at a French Military Barracks on the outskirts of Damascus. The division were to remain in Syria until the 18 May 1943, then it was a journey to Port Tewfik in Egypt where they boarded the troop ship Duchess of Bedford, which appears to have been their base until the landings on Sicily on the 10 July 1943.

Letter

2332853
Sigmn Stoddart A
“A” Section,
No.1 Company,
5th British Div. Signals,
M.E.F.

5 May 1943

Dear Florence and Bill,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
However, at the moment let me advance another fortnight to the present moment when I sit upon a bed in the guard-room and realise that the last fortnight has produced a temperature a few degrees higher than is compatible with comfort. Mounting guard in a hot sun is no picnic. It is something I find pleasure in looking back upon. However, the heat is nothing to what some spots have produced. We wear K.D. (summer clothing or Khaki Drill). I change my vests and socks several times a week and have cold shower whenever possible every evening. Talking of socks. A chap came into a truck where I was working today, groaned heavily over the state of his feet, then started to do something about it, i.e. he took off his boots and socks. Just a small truck too. The socks commandeered all the available air and I felt a strong urge to go for a walk somewhere. Such are socks these days.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Love
Allan

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