Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula

Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula

Number 73-130. Writes that he has given her power of attorney and post office withdrawal form sent via Red Cross. Discusses financial issues. Mention that he received music and reports issues with his violin.

1943-10-15

Two page handwritten letter

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EValentineJRMValentineUM431015

Start of transcription
STALAG LUFT III
LAGER “A”
15th October 1943
Dearest Ursula: Your [censored word] has arrived – [censored word] is the only missing one, to date. Am very distressed to hear of my Fathers attitude towards your borrowing. However I’ve executed a Power of Attorney which gives you absolute authority to do as you please with everything of mine. It has been sent to you via the Red X together with the PO. withdrawal form you sent. Please cash [inserted] at will [/inserted] all my few savings certs, withdraw all my P.O Savings & our joint one & sell my trifling investments if you need the cash. Many weeks ago I ordered my RAF allowance to you to be increased to the maximum & all back credits to be paid to you. Should that order have gone astray, the Power of Attorney will enable you to extract every available cent from RAF As to my investments, one is worthless (Phillips) but the other should fetch a few pounds – I should ask Freeman if he thinks they are worth keeping or selling – but I’m not proud of them so don’t ask anyone else & ask Freeman to keep quiet. If you wish to use the Power of Attorney, it has to be stamped I beleive [sic] & I suggest you get our solicitor to do the necessary. You will then be in absolute command of the MR & MRS J R M V fund resources & your disposal thereof has my blessing in advance. I’d like to point out, though, that you are better off financially in our present circumstances than we will be when I return. When I become a civilian again I’ll have to eat, dress, travel smoke etc out of the income which at present I burden only to the extent of the cost of the things you send me. This is important, dearest. If poss. I’d like you to get out of debt to AST. & to as many others as you can. I await eagerly, details of your home creation efforts. Bless you for doing so much. Had a pleasant surprise today [censored words] Had a delightful gift from Miss Hoare (unfortunate name) old Christine Knowles – 10 pieces of fiddle music. Please thank her sincerely (they were sent of [sic] beginning Feb. She is very kind & this is a well chosen gift. Still having trouble with my fiddling. My instrument came to pieces two days ago & a brand new one which I was lent lasted 24 hours. They are of such poor construction that they split at all joints when strung up. I’ve got another old one now which if not of good tune is at least sound. Had Leslie’s letter – only 7 weeks in transit. Holding, as you will do, my Power of Attorney, you’ll have to fill in my Income Tax dope yourself – so there. I love you as always, kiss Frances.
John.
[page break]
73 – 130
[postmark]
[underlined] Kriegsgefangenenpost [/underlined]
[stamp]
An MRS U. M. VALENTINE
[deleted] c/o LITTLE CLOSE [/deleted]
[inserted] “Felmersham”
Bottrells Lane Chalfont St Giles [/inserted]
Empfangsort: [deleted] DEVON ROAD [/deleted]
Strasse: [deleted] SALCOMBE [/deleted] [inserted] BUCKS. [/inserted]
Kreis: [deleted] DEVON [/deleted]
Land: ENGLAND
[stamp]
[postmark]
Absender:
Vor- und Zuname: Sgt. J.R.M. VALENTINE
Gefangenennummer: 450
Lager-Bezeichnung: [deleted] Kriegsgefangenenlager Nr. 6 der Luftwaffe [/deleted]
[inserted] STALAG LUFT III LAGER A [/inserted]
Deutschland (Allemagne)