Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine

Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine

Writes of receiving letters and parcels. Discusses her going down to 'the farm' to be near him and possible transport and pram arrangements. Worries whether accommodation is suitable for baby and how much time she would have with him. Apologises for lack of letters and mentions baby's progress.

1941-11-29

Four page handwritten letter

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EValentineUMValentineJRM411129

Thanks for the sweeties.
Lido
Saturday 29.11.41
Darling Johnnie,
Yesterday after I had posted my letter to you I received your parcel of collars, socks, Christmas cards etc. I have sown the stiffeners into the new collars but have little hope of being able to shrink them. How on earth did you manage to get hold of them? It will be nice to have some spares. Today I had your letter of 28th
I have just been talking to Barbara about the prospects of my going down to the farm, and she asks me to tell you that if it can all be arranged, you can borrow her autobike for the period. She would probably go to live with the Henrys in Maida Vale again, in
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which case she wouldn’t need it to go to the station as it is only walking distance. It would probably have to be insured for you, & she points out that the petrol allowance (2 galls a month) probably wouldn’t be enough, but perhaps you could supplement that at the aerodrome. It’s a very decent offer on her part anyway & she says is to be taken as definitely firm. There still remain problems as to prams – could Bunty let me have her old one permanently while I’m down there – and cots, tho’ I could probably manage with the Karrikot if Frances doesn’t grow too much in the meantime. And then there’s the question of whether the accomodation
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3.
is available and suitable for Frances, ie as to sanitation, baths etc. It would seem to be the best thing for you to go over & see it sometime if you could, and speak to Mrs Mackean about it. I don’t see how I can manage it before New Year, but even then we’d have 2 months together. Of course if they are going to operate on you they would do it just about then and that would probably dish everything; still we can’t do anything about that in advance.
I’m sorry you’ve received so few letters from me this week. Your jaunt to Halton
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rather put me off my stroke.
I’m going to be on my own this evening, Ba is going away to stay with Mrs Bancroft till Thursday, Peter is going to the Hillmans, & the WAAF has got a late pass. However, I’m going to try to get some gardening done. How I long to see you again! If only you could come home this evening, my darling! I do miss you so terribly.
Frances has rolled over twice by herself (when I wasn’t there and [underlined] almost [/underlined] cut her top tooth
With all my love for always
Ursula.