Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine

Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine

Writes encouraging him to continue to pursue a commission. It would mean a lot to them both, particularly financially. Suggests he should get an interview with squadron commander and tell him how well he had done and that he is under treatment by medics. Suggests as an officer he will have more choice of aircraft and a better life altogether.

1941-08-31

Four page handwritten letter

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EValentineUMValentineJRM410831-01

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[underlined] No 16 [/underlined]
Lido
Sunday Aug 31st
Darling Johnny,
After a restless & feverish night (more or less) I woke up this morning still writhing and have got up a whole hour earlier than I need have done to write to you.
Please, Johnny, please try and do something about this commission. I’m afraid that when you leave Jurby [deleted] it [/deleted] the opportunity may not arise again because there simply may not be any commission to give at other stations, so its now or never. It means a lot to you, it means a lot to us, and it may easily mean a great deal to us financially & otherwise after the war. So please, please make every effort, & then some, [deleted] if [/deleted] for my sake if for no other reason.
Of course you know
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best what can & can’t be done, but I do beseech you not just to sit down under it. Your famous “timidity” simply [underlined] mustn’t [/underlined] get in the way now. I suggest you apply for an interview with the Squadron Commander or whoever distributes the largesse, and simply tell him you’re terribly keen to get on, & show him your record up to date, & explain that you misunderstood one whole question – you must have done well on the rest of the paper to get such a high average for the rest. Tell him you’re under treatment from the M.O., if necessary. Surely its no crime to be keen on your job? You’ll probably be aghast at the suggestion of such boldness, but believe me if the Squadron Commander is anything at all of a judge of men he’ll know you
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did it in the right spirit. Please Johnny do try. It can’t do you any harm, and anyway its worth risking a rebuff if necessary, because I feel convinced that a commission is the first essential rung on the ladder to almost everything. Do try, won’t you dear? And try soon, time’s getting short, and I’m terribly keen about it, even though you may think it silly of me. Believe me, it isn’t only a question of a new uniform. I’m sure you’ll have far more choice as to type of aircraft, and a far better life altogether, as well as the possibility of further promotion as a reward for the hard work you’re sure to put in, if you’ve got a commission So for my sake please make
[page break]
an effort. Maybe you should tackle a Flight Sergeant or someone first, but I should think its better to go straight to the man who decides these questions. If he can’t give any more commissions perhaps he could do something for you in the way of recommendation. I shall be bitterly disappointed if you don’t do anything about it at all. I looks towards yei!
With all my love to you in any case, and such a fury of concentrated good wishes as ought to move any Squadron Commander
Yours always
Ursula