Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula

Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula

Number 29. Reports arrival of clothing parcel and how useful contents are. Lists a few outstanding requirements. Mentions health [some lines blacked out], weather and tribulations with violin but he will persist, Is feeling sorry for himself.

1943-04-28

Two page handwritten letter

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EValentineJRMValentineUM430428

My Dearest Ursula: To [Today] [ink blot] big event was the arrival of your 3rd clothing parcels & a particularly welcome one too. The shorts & two sets of footwear are things I was badly needing – it gets very [ink blot over one/two words] during the summer & the heavy army boots are very tiring. The pipe too was something I wanted particularly – in fact the whole parcel was extremely well chosen & meets a lot of my needs. Please accept my warmest thanks for your careful forethought, my darling, everything you do for me is always well done. I have few outstanding wants now – skates, football books & (particularly) another woolen[sic] blanket like that of Ba’s and a kit bag are the only large items while the smaller things are as usual e.g. tooth stuff, boot polish, shaving soap, pair socks. In my 1st parcel you sent some strong black thread which was most useful & I’d like some more if possible. I honestly can’t think of anything else I require. Mail is a dead loss these days – its nearly a month now since I heard from you but it was grand even to see your precious handwriting on the label in the parcel today. I’m once again absolutely tasteless & have a wretched cold. We have had some very warm weather followed by a cool spell which has caused a lot of cold here. Mine never seem to disappear like those of other fellows & this cursed tastelessness lasts for weeks. The annoying think is that I now have plenty of tobacco to smoke & enjoy if only I were capable [censored three or four lines] I had another fiddle lesson from Harry Friend[?] today – he is very encouraging & doesn’t seem to think I’m wasting his time. My moods re fiddle prospect fluctuate daily sometimes I’m hopeful others terribly depressed but I plug away regardless of my state of mind. Let me tell you this dear – every single minute I put into it is for you. To be able to play with you is my only reason for perservering [sic] & I tell myself that whenever I have moments of doubt as to the sense of my carrying on. My old trouble I regret to say is worse than ever – it has, in fact, never been worse than now. I loathe myself & feel degraded & ashamed but that gets me nowhere. I hope you are well, my beloved – Always yrs[sic] John

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[reverse of letter]
GEPRUPT 32
EXAMINER 3310

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

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