Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula

Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula

Number 42. Complains of lack of mail. Life uneventful apart from cold weather. Writes about practising violin in latrine. Hoping for photographs of daughter Frances. Notes some prisoners have had optimistic letters. Mentions ice rinks but lack of skates.

1943-01-12

Two page handwritten letter

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EValentineJRMValentineUM430112

NUMBER 42
12-1-43.

My own darling Ursula: The wretched mail annoys me more than somewhat. You’ve no idea how positively & intensely I love hearing from you but I have had that pleasure only twice in the past 6 weeks. Many of the other fellows are in the same boat but I’m sure none misses letters from home as I do yours. I don’t care two hoots if no one else writes so long as you do. Life here is as uneventful as ever, the exceedingly low temperature being the only new feature. Thank heaven for my flying boots nowdays[sic]. Violin practice in the outhouse adjoining the latrine is impossible now but I still put in 2 hours daily in the latrine belonging to our block. It is as cold as charity[?] there but not so intensely frigid as the other spot. If only I could send you a photo of my practice room, you’d howl with delight. My music stand is fixed to the wall while the trough which conveys the urine to the drain lies[?] between me & the music, & at the same time I have a portable closet at either side of me. I won’t describe the atmosphere. However I’m thankful to have a place to practise & only wish I could produce results commensurate with the time devoted. Tuition is still lacking & that is a great drawback. Pending the arrival of the tutor[?] you sent I am using a German one which I have managed to acquire. On several occasions I have spent some very happy minutes looking through all the photos of Barbara’s. How I long for you – especially when I see your photos Francis[?] too she must have changed a lot since I saw her last. Some of the [inserted] lucky [/inserted] fellows have had very optimistic letters from home recently. I wonder if the sentiment is justified – especially the hint that this is our last year here. I cannot see it myself though. We have made one or two ice rinks here but there are very few skates on the camp & I don’t know what are my chances of getting a little exercise that way. Do you remember skating when we were engaged - & also during our honeymoon? It was cold enough then but Its[sic] a lot colder now. Are your parents coming home in the Spring? If so what are [inserted] you [/inserted] intending to do about a domicile? I’m going to sit two L.S.M. exams here Grammar of Music & Elementary Harmony. Please give Ba my regards – to you, my darling, I send my warmest love. Yrs[sic] always, John

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[Reverse of letter]
GEPRUFT
21

MRS J.R.M. VALENTINE
LIDO
TENTERDEN GROVE
HENDON, LONDON NW4
ENGLAND

Sgt JRM VALENTINE
450

[/Reverse of letter]

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