Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine

Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine

Writes saying she has had two letters and she feels guilty that he sounds miserable. Was interested in hearing of his first efforts at bomb aiming and other news. Catches up with news, gossip and her activities.

1941-08-16

Four page handwritten letter

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EValentineUMValentineJRM410816-01

Lido
Saturday Aug 16th
My darling Johnnie,
I had two letters from you this morning, of 6th & 7th inst. In one you sounded very miserable, and I feel awfully guilty and responsible. However I’ve learned my lesson now, and it certainly won’t happen again. I love you far too much to risk doing anything that upsets or hurts you. I do so hope you will feel better soon, if you had some decent weather it would help but of course if you are constantly getting wet and chilly the outlook is poor. What a pity the medical service is so rotten there.
I was awfully interested to hear in your second letter of your first efforts at bomb-aiming. It must be pretty difficult
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but I’m sure you’ll soon be good at it. Congratulations on swallowing the contents of your stomach 4 times! It’s a feat I have never achieved [deleted] yourse [/deleted] myself, & have no ambition to!
I have just seen Mrs & Betty Wilford. They’re home here for a week. Betty is doing nursing in N. Wales. They duly admired Frances who grinned broadly at them. I had just brought her down from her bath. Yesterday we dangled the string of teething beads over her again, & this time she took them with a great effort & conveyed them to her mouth tho’ it was too much effort to chew them for long.
I have been indulging in great luxury these last two days – having my breakfast in bed!! Barbara
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3.
is on morning duty, so we set our alarm for 6 am & while I feed Frances she heats the coffee & porridge & we have breakfast up in my room. Yesterday I just turned over & went to sleep when she’d gone & didn’t get up till after 8. However Mrs Davidson was coming so it didn’t matter. I’m still very pleased with her, & she seems quite happy here. She’s left shoes & an apron for working in, so it looks as tho’ she’s settled! I haven’t heard a word from Mrs Stenzel yet, & as you suggest, I will not mention the matter to your people but leave it for you to do when she actually arrives. Barbara will be away from Monday – Sunday next week, but I’m afraid
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4.
Mrs Stenzel won’t be here in time to keep me company then.
I have collected 4 more members of my Savings Group now - & oh did I tell you that I have a badge! If I’d known about it I’d have started a Group sooner! It’s not very striking, still any badge is better than none. As a matter of fact I think I’ve mislaid it, but anyway I did wear it the first evening I went round collecting.
We have at last had an acknowledgement from Malcolm of the wedding present we gave him. He seemed pleased with it.
With all my love to your darling
Ursula
[underlined] PS [/underlined]
I’m reading “Gone with the Wind” which probably accounts for my scrappy letter to you. I can’t put it down in the evening when I start on it.