Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine

Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine

Sending photographs of herself and daughter. Reports arrival of Mrs Stenzel. Writs of missing figs and his health problems with taste. Sending socks and cigarettes and other items to follow. Hopes gunnery course is not as unpleasant as he fears and weather remains fine as they are in tents.

1941-08-23

Four page handwritten letter

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EValentineUMValentineJRM410823

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[underlined] No 9 [/underlined]
Lido.
Saturday
Aug. 23rd
My darling Johnny,
Herewith an enlargement of the photo, also one bigger still of Frances. As you see on the former, my attempts at spotting were not very expert, however I think it’s better than having those light splodges right by you & Frances’ face. Please return either if you don’t want them.
Mrs Stenzel arrived safely last night, earlier than I expected, & seems to appreciate her freedom. I think she probably will stay here, though she apparently has various
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other jobs offered. However she needs a rest first, so will be here for a bit anyway. By the way, she says it is quicker, when coming from Fleetwood, to change at Crewe rather than Preston, so you might bear that in mind if & when you get leave (may it be soon.)
I’m ever so sorry about the figs being missing. I have got another 1/2 lb which I was keeping till you come & I wondered whether I’d send those instead; but on second thoughts I think I will keep them till you come, specially if you are going under canvas you won’t be
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able to cook them, & then you don’t seem able to taste anyway so they’d be wasted. I’m sorry that disability persists, but I really don’t think its quite fair of you to blame it on me now, a whole month after your leave. If your nervous system hasn’t recovered yet there’s something wrong with it, but personally I don’t believe its that, but a local & all-pervading infection of nose & throat. How are your eyes now, by the way? The M.O. does not seem particularly interested in your case.
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I’m sending off a parcel of socks and cigarettes today, which I hope will arrive intact. The pyjamas & pants will follow when I’ve had time to iron & patch them.
I’ve sent a copy of this photo to Mrs Howie & will send one to your mother today or tomorrow as well. I’m not going to mention or apologise for Mrs Stenzel, its purely my affair.
I hope the gunnery course is not as unpleasant as you fear, & that if you are in tents at least the weather will be fine.
All my love to you darling, work hard!
Yours always
Ursula