Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula

Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula

Number 3. He mentions the letters and parcels he has received from different people and also comments on his health. He wishes he could be home for his daughter’s second birthday. Says he enjoyed recent show and that he discovered an officer in camp who was on his course who was a friend of his pilot. Writes of lack of progress with Dutch and music theory.

1943-03-05

Two page handwritten letter

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EValentineJRMValentineUM430305-02

NUMBER 3.
5/3/43

Darling Ursula: I know that the last letter wouldn’t suffice I love hearing of Frances’ progress. Everyone writes so well of her. Wish I could send her some eggs – but I haven’t even smelt one since I left Britain. Re the Whelstone[?] people’s kind offer – you were quite right. I don’t require books but cigs will always keep if I get too many for immediate use. Sorry you aren’t getting more letters from me, I thought I had arranged things better & hope that they all get through. Am glad to hear of your contact with Mr Hearne & hope that you manage to get him to fulfil his agreement. Another letter dated 26th Dec from Hanna[?] Seaton. I’ve had 4 from her to date & am grateful for them. A 3rd parcel from your Mother came today & also a letter saying she had sent a 4th. I really don’t need all she sends although I’m most grateful for her thought for me. I’m well kitted up now & will let you know of everything I want. It’s a pity that the senders name does not accompany books & cigarettes always but I’ll let you know of all I get & perhaps you will do the [one indecipherable word]. I’m afraid that I must impose a lot of extra writing on you, but I really can’t spare any more letters for outsiders than I do – after all you are the only person to whom I wish to write – just for the pleasure of writing & without ulterior motive such as thanks. Of my own troubles, my septic foot seems to make no progress & my tastelessness persists. The insects & spots seem to have gone. I’m still very depressed over the fiddle & sadly need an instructor. Frances’ 2nd birthday will soon be here – how I wish I could be with you to celebrate it – I don’t even expect to be home by her 3rd. Please give her my warmest love & a special kiss. I think I have delivered myself of everything that was on my mind. The play “For the Love of Mike” was excellent – easily the best produced by the Sergeants. I discovered that there is an officer here who was on my course at Heyford P/O Stower – shot down in Nov, was a friend of Floyd. By the way do you know if Floyd senior got my card. Am doing a little agriculture nowadays, but very little – I don’t seem to have a spare minute to do the things I want to do. Dutch is at a standstill, & musical theory very slowly moving. Do you realize that in Feb & March 1940, ’41 & ’42 we were living together. I often think of those times & long for their resumption. By the way 1 set more fiddle strings will be ample, one of the Dutchmen got me a set from home. Keep well, darling, lots of love, John.

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[reverse of letter]
GEPRUFT 64

MRS U. M. VALENTINE
LIDO
TENTERDEN GROVE
HENDON
LONDON NW4
ENGLAND

[/reverse of letter]

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