Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula

Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula

Thanks her for letter. Disappointed that he not win in draw for leave pass. Mentions her visiting new place and planning for upcoming birth. Debating applying for compassionate leave but doesn't hold out hope. Hopes that Peter was not affected by the bombing of Coventry.

1940-11-16

Two page handwritten letter

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125404[?] AC[?] Valentine
Hut 40 Squad 25
E Flight
2 Squadron 2 Wing
R.A.F. Station
Bridgnorth

16-11-40

Dearest Ursula
If I can manage to keep a pen in my hands in this frigd[sic] hut I will try to scribble a few lines despite my vow yesterday not to write again until I had a reply from you.

However your letter arrived just now together with Mary Webb, for which ever so many thank yous. As it happens, after I had written to you last night we had a draw for the 6 passes for next week end and I was not one of the fortunate ones. Sad though it is (and I am terribly disappointed) it means that you need not alter the arrangements you made with my Father for visiting their new place next week end. I am glad of this because I so want you to see the place as soon as possible so that we can go right ahead with a few more arrangements for the birth.

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I am debating with myself the possibility of applying for leave [inserted] for next weekend [/inserted] on compassionate grounds if I can catch our beastly Sergeant in a better mood than his usual. My chances of success are slender but if it should come off I will make my way to Priors Marston myself. It isn’t such a long way from here. However don’t bank on this darling, and, in any case, I shan’t be able to let you know in advance. Would you let me know the full address of my parents [sic] house just in case the miracle works.

I am just off to Bridgnorth to collect some washing etc & as soon as I get back I am going straight to bed. Tomorrow too. I intend spending all my free time in bed to try to shake off this lousy cold & cough.

I hope that Peter wasn’t affected by the awful raid on Coventry. We saw quite a lot of fireworks that night but none on us.

Keep well dearest – how I long to see you
With all my love for ever
Affectionately yours
John.