Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine

Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine

Writes of current frustration and housework issues and of socks she is sending him. Mentions she heard on radio that wives of servicemen can travel cheap on railways, but he needed to get a voucher from his unit. Comments on nursing home and accommodation he has found for her. Mentions snow and that they have now thawed out. Comments on her recent night duty.

1941-01-08

Two page handwritten letter

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EValentineUMValentineJRM410108

We received a large box of chocs from Uncle Tom in South Africa, the other day, (sent from Frys here in England)' Wed. Jan 8th
Darling Johnny, I'm in a furious hurry as usual. Mrs Goodrich still hasn't turned up & I asked Mrs Mack to come this am. but she hasn't either, & as it's early closing I've had a fearful rush to get Ba fed & bathed & put to bed & the necessary housework done before the shops close.
I'm sending the new pair of Mother's socks to which I added new toes last night, by knitting by forced marches; also 4 pairs of civilian socks as stop gaps. The other two pairs you sent I will return when mended or re-toed. It was announced on radio last night that wives of men in forces can travel on railway at cheap fares, about half price I gathered. The husband has to get a voucher from his unit & wife presents it at booking office. You might enquire about this & get me one well in time for the journey to Aber. the fare will be considerable so it is worth saving. Thanks so much for your letters of 5 & 6. I'm sorry about your lapse but will let you off just this once. However I now consider myself free to have a thoroughly good cry when I want! It does sound lovely at Aber. & I am looking forward very much to going there. Do find out
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about the nursing home & hospital – the digs you mention sound ideal. Could you see if they have room for me & would take Jane? If not I would have to send her down to Glos. at once but that would be expensive. We must also enquire for boarding kennels somewhere near Aber. for the 3 weeks or so I am in cold storage. It would be cheaper & easier than having to send her from Aber. to Glos. which would be a horrid journey for her alone. But I can do that when I arrive, I know you haven't much time.
We have thawed out without any mishaps & I am now keeping kitchen fire in continuously. It is warmer now that snow has fallen & is lying. I note what you say regarding piano & will see that it gets a good home if I can get rid of it at all (which I doubt). Did my first night duty on Monday-Tuesday night (4 – 6 am.) it wasn't at all bad. There was no warning on, so I was able to finish off my green shantung smock which I am now wearing. I am on from 2 – 4 am. On Friday night & will get on with your socks then. All my love, darling, Ursula