Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula

Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula

Number 15. Writes that her letters 1-9 have arrived. Lists in order of importance item he would like her to send. Thanks for and sends well wishes. Do not send books, time fully occupied. Started violin lessons and lists stationary he would like sent. Loved photographs she sent. Continues with message to father and advice to avoid censor. Catches up with family friends chat.

1942-08-23

Two page handwritten letter

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EValentineJRMValentineUM420823

NUMBER 15
[underlined] 23-8-42 [/underlined]
Darling Ursula: Your letters 1-9 received & two most welcome photos. Thanks for note of contents of parcel. In the next, please send as many of the following as possible. They are set out in order of importance, & if any have to be omitted, they should be the last named. [underlined] DONT [sic] [/underlined] send [underlined] anything else [/underlined] except light weight luxuries which occur to your loving mind. If I acquire anything on the list I will let you know & it can be omitted too:- Quilt sleeping bag: Another toothbrush & paste: Scissors: Blacking & Brushes: Nail Brush: Face Flannel or Sponge Silk lined long underwear (1 set which I left at Lido [inserted] but no subsitute [sic] [/inserted]): 2 Pairs Stockings (not socks) Sand Shoes: Walking Shoes: Shorts. [underlined] Everything [/underlined] else that I need, I have. Who are my well wishers. Johnson & Hulbert? Give Leslie my good wishes for his safety. Mail ration 2 letters 4 cards per month. I try to send 1 card to Barnet & the rest to you & will stick to that nearly always. This month, have written to Floyd Senior & Zwanenberg’s, Holland but they are exceptions. Don’t bother sending much in the way of books etc. for I don’t lack these. My time is very fully occupied all day & every day. Started violin lessons 10 days ago & would like the following, urgently:- Tutor: Books of Elementary Exercises & Pieces: Rudiments of Music (Cheap but excellent) 2 Manuscript note books: Elementary Solos & anything else you think of. In my next letter I’ll tell you how I pass the time. I love the photos & look forward eagerly to all others. Your mail arrives in batches & is my most treasured possession. 3 notes from Father 23 & 25th June & 24th July. If Frank is prisoner, he won’t come here yet but to another camp. If you add anything to my letters in your own writing, please write clearly, otherwise censor gets busy. Am very fit now, busy & cheerful. Like you I bitterly regret that my favourite pillow couldn’t be sent by Red Cross. Its substitute like the mattress is a jute bag filled with wood shavings. Congratulations & sincere good wishes to Vera – poor girl. Aren’t we just too incredibly lucky? We always have been since we found one another. Long may it continue!! My special trouble hasn’t bothered me since I left Britain. Food parcels can be sent from India – could your people oblige – please?
Many, many thanks for your letters – always longing for you
John.
[page break]
15
[underlined] Kriegsgegangenenpost [/underlined]
[sticker] P.C. 90 OPENED BY EXAMINER 6026 [/sticker]
An MRS U.M. VALENTINE
“LIDO”
[stamp] GEPR Ü FT 32 [/stamp]
Empfangsort: TENTERDEN GROVE
Straße: HENDON
Kreis: LONDON NW4
Land: ENGLAND
Landesteil (Provinz usw)
Absender:
Vor- und Zuname: Sgt J.R M VALENTINE