Letter to prisoner of war John Valentine from his wife Ursula

Letter to prisoner of war John Valentine from his wife Ursula

She writes about the piano tuner turning up at the same time as the window cleaner. There have been 6 houses burgled recently in the area and she has recently seen Gone with the Wind, which she hopes they can see upon his return.

1942-09-13

Two sided handwritten letter card

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EValentineUMValentineJRM420913

WRITE [underlined] VERY CLEARLY [/underlined] ON THE LINES TO AVOID DELAY IN CENSORSHIP
DATE Sept. 13th 1942
23
Johnnie my dearest,
Since my letter on Thursday 10th enclosing photo of Frances, I have led a fairly sober life. On Friday The piano tuner, a blind man led by an engaging collie came to tune The Breadwood, (which reminds me I must write to Del chap about our piano, his contract is up this winter, The arrangement was only for 2 years. I think he may as well keep it but he really must fulfil his side of the contract & have the necessary repairs done.) The window – cleaner came at the same time, so I retired to the garden & tried my hands at pruning the rambler roses over The arch at The end of the garden. I certainly have knocked their ears back – I only hope they flower next year! The gardener & Telkeuups [sic] said I should cut out all the old wood, like casp [sic] barrier, so I did just that. My arms are considerably scratched as a result.
Last night when I went round my Savings Group I heard That six houses in The road were burgled The night before, including Keyelles [sic] & fauseus. [sic] I don’t know if very much was taken, but isn’t it horrid? I’m alone tonight so I shall turn in early & hide my head under The covers! Peter has gone back to Rugby after doing a lot
CONTINUE IN BOTTOM PANEL OVERLEAF
[page break]
[underlined] IMPORTANT: [/underlined] FOR A PRISONER IN GERMAN HAND THE PRISONER OF WAR No. MUST BE CLEARLY SHOWN. IT MUST NOT BE CONFUSED WITH HIS BRITISH SERVICE No.
[underlined] PRISONER OF WAR POST [/underlined]
KRIEGSGEFANGENENPOST
SERVICE DES PRISONNIERS DE GUERRE
[postmark] AIR MAIL PAR AVION [/postmark]
[postmark] Hendon 1 – PM 14 SEP 1942 N.W.4 [/postmark]
[postmark] GEPRUFT 32 [/postmark]
[postage stamp]
RANK & NAME: Sergeant J.R.M. VALENTINE
(SURNAME IN BLOCK LETTERS) British Prisoner of War
[stamp mark] PASSED P.W.2126 [/stamp mark]
PRISONER OF WAR NO.: 450
(SEE NOTE ON FLAP)
CAMP NAME & NO.: STALAG LUFT III
(INCLUDING SUBSIDIARY NUMBERING OR LETTERING IF ANY – E.G. WORKING CAMP)
COUNTRY: GERMANY
FROM (SENDER’S FULL NAME & ADDRESS)
Mrs J.R.M. Valentine
Lido, Tenterden Grove
Hendon.
London N.W.4.
[underlined] BOTTOM PANEL [underlined] The scouts at Whetstone intend to send you a parcel.
of old jobs about the house. Frances has now learnt how to come downstairs, she has invented a sideways technique, she kneels facing the wall & come down quite fast & comparatively safely on one knee & one foot. I went to see “Gone with the Wind” [inserted] at the Lido [/inserted] on Thursday& thoroughly enjoyed it will probably still be running up in town when you get back, we must go together then, it would [missing text]
[page break]