Keith tries to visit his relatives again

Keith finally visited his relatives in Gateshead in late January 1945. He kept being sent off on leave, for a week at a time, while his unit tried to find a new pilot.

And who does he run into? His unimpressive cousin, Woody. Except Woody has now become impressive because he is in the navy.

Houses in Gateshead, 1940s.

Keith to his mother, 5 February 1945.
'I went to Gateshead... I found your aunt Masie and Elsie and they are fine. I went over to see your uncle Rob and he is very poorly he has been teetotalling for twelve months. Well I was sitting talking to your Aunt Maisie when we heard a knock on the door so she went and opened it, I heared her talking to someone and then she brought this sailor in a sharp officers uniform in and says “Do you know this fellow”? and I looked at him for a while and then realized it was Woody, what do you think of that for a coincidence, he had just come for a couple of days as he was in dock … We went to the pub with Elsie and then over to Newcastle (without Elsie) we went to the pictures and then back home, we slept together you know he sure has changed he ? to have grown up  and is altogether different  from when I saw him last we got along very well and it was nice to see someone from home.'

Cinema in Newcastle, 1945.

Going to the flicks

In February 1945 Keith went to the movies and saw 'The Man in Half Moon Street'. The story is about a scientist who discovers how to prolong his life with disastrous consequences. It has been compared to Wilde's 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'

Here is how the movie ends.

Letter from Keith to his mom, 16 February 1945.
'I have seen quite a few shows (flicks) since I have been in London (The Man in half moon street, the thin man comes home). '


'The Thin Man Goes Home' looks a bit silly by comparison.