Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula

Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula

Number 70-127. Thanks her for letter and annoyed that his letters are not reaching her. Mentions financial issues list requirements to be sent, Mentions weather and state of camp. Wishes her merry Christmas.

1943-10-05

Tow page handwritten letter

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EValentineJRMValentineUM431005-01

Start of transcription
5th October 1943.
Darling Ursula: Yours 21st Sept here. Was amused by your delightful justification for sending your Mothers ‘phone number. It was obliterated by the censor so I’m no wiser but I was tickled at the thought of arriving home soon. It hadn’t occurred to me before. I’m very annoyed that my letters aren’t reaching you. At beginning Aug I authorised the RAF to pay you everything possible & last month I sent a Power of Attorney which will enable you to realise everything of value that I possess. Sorry you have been embarrassed for cash. I could have arranged things otherwise if I’d thought of imprisonment. I often contemplated death but strangely enough never capture. I’ll know better next time! I wonder if you are settled now & have enough funds – I doubt the latter. Really delighted to hear of you enjoying some leisure at last. You certainly deserved it. You know I don’t want you to spend an unnecessary cent on me so at the risk of offending you by their repetition I’m going to set out all my outstanding wants. [circled 1] Clothing- Shoes (urgently) also hankies(I had a lot once but gifts to needy noses & losses have sadly reduced my stock as I found when I had that cold). Summer underclothing for next year – [circled 2] Tobacco – I have ample but would like occasional lots of C.G.B. for a change [circled 3] Music. Books II & III of old [indecipherable word] for Young Players” [inserted] also “A” strings for fiddle. [/inserted] That represents positively everything I require for the duration – Gospel truth. Winter certainly starts early here – we’ve had severe frosts but are now getting a coal issue & are warm enough indoors. The camp slowly takes form. Educational facilities are better than before but thats [sic] all. Very little space for sport, almost none for entertainment. Sanitary arrangements beggar description. Wish you could see the places in which I play the fiddle. I progress slowly yet am still dead keen. The [censored words] now that we spend such long hours with artificial light. I can forsee [sic] a lot of eye trouble. It is so [censored words] our coin [censored words] I hope I’m not to [sic] late to wish you all a merry Christmas particularly you & Frances. I hope you’ll have as good a time as possible – perhaps 1944 will give us Christmas together. I’m always thinking of you & deplore being able to send nothing but my very best wishes for the festive season. [deleted] they [/deleted] There’s a fellow here, (Gremson), from Salcombe – he knows your peoples house, [censored words] Fondest love for ever
John.
[page break]
127 – 70
[underlined] Kriegsgefangenenpost [/underlined]
[stamp]
An MRS U.M. VALENTINE
[deleted] c/o LITTLE CLOSE [/deleted]
[inserted] FELMERSHAM [/inserted]
Empfangsort: [deleted] DEVON ROAD [/deleted]
[inserted] BOTTRELLS LANE [/inserted]
Strasse: [deleted] SALCOMBE [/deleted]
[inserted] CHALFONT ST GILES [/inserted]
Kreis: [deleted] DEVON [/deleted]
Land: [deleted] ENGLAND [/deleted]