Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine

Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine

Remarks on his recent letters that have arrived. Comments on his conversion to the Manchester and that she would have preferred four engines. Mentions his visit to MO and missing crews. Writes of parcel from India as well as tennis racquet and bike repair. Glad he is off operations for a while and concludes with domestic news and gossip.

1942-04-28

Two page handwritten letter

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EValentineUMValentineJRM420428

[underlined] No 18 [/underlined] Lido Tuesday April 28.

My darling Johnnie,
I have received two letters of yours today, written on Saturday & Monday. There seems to be no post from Lincoln on a Sunday. I’ve noticed before that you have dated a letter on a Saturday & the postmark has been Monday. However, its grand to get any number of letters from you on one day, and this evening, while turning out my cupboard & emptying old handbags I came across a letter you wrote me on 18-12-39, from Park Hotel, Preston! It seems strange to remember that we weren’t even married then. You say, rather doubtfully, in this letter that you hope we shall be happy when married & don’t see why we shouldn’t be, as we seem to have real affection for each other. That was certainly putting it mildly!
So its Manchesters! I did hope it would be a 4-engined plane, and I’m sorry you’re not keen on these. George flew them, didn’t he? and liked them!
I’m very glad indeed that you saw the M.O. and that he is going to arrange for an examination of your nose. It certainly should be attended to without more delay.

[page break]

It’s grand about P/O Marshall & his crew if they are all safely taken prisoner. I hope the rest of your friends are too – those that are missing I mean.
We had another parcel from India today including a most seductive nightdress for me, so you’d better get some leave so that I can inaugurate it.
I will see about your tennis racquet as soon as poss. I have taken my bike into Thame to see why [deleted] it is [/deleted] [inserted] the tyres are [/inserted] invariably flat every few days & have decided to buy 2 new sets of tyres while the going is good. It will cost the best part of £1 but I think it is wise. I thought I wouldn’t fit them yet but use out the old ones as long as they will last.
I can’t say I’m sorry that you are off ops for a bit. 17 bombers lost last night was a bit thick.
The bulbs I ordered arrived today & are safely planted. I do hope they take root satisfactorily.
[underlined] Wednesday [/underlined]
We’ve had a hectic day, the sweep came this morning to do the kitchen boiler, afterwards Florence
spring-cleaned the kitchen, and this afternoon Ba & J scrubbed the yard – it looks very different now!
I enclose a letter received today from Vera. We are thinking of going down to stay with her for a weekend at may 30 – when Ben has a long weekend. We shall have to take plenty of rations with us, of course. Naturally it is subject to either or both husbands getting leave – tho’ I hope to goodness I see you before then! I doubt if I could survive without!
All my love to you, my own dearest Ursula.