Letter to prisoner of war John Valentine from his wife Ursula

Letter to prisoner of war John Valentine from his wife Ursula

Writes of plans to move in to new house even if purchase is not completed. Glad she has his confidence over house and that it will suit his future plans. Concludes with plans for new garden.

1943-11-14

Two sided handwritten letter card

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EValentineUMValentineJRM431114

Start of transcription
[inserted] A 16/1. 11/1 [/inserted]
DATE November 14th 1943.
Darling Johnnie,
This is not a full length letter for I hope to write again quite soon from our own house. I am going up to town tomorrow, Monday, hope to get the indoor distempering & floor staining done on Tuesday & Wednesday & the furniture is due to arrive on Thursday. That’s what I [underlined] hope [/underlined] – but there’s a slight hitch because I haven’t yet heard from my solicitor whether or not the Vendor has agreed to let me move in before the actual completion of the purchase. I hope to goodness he doesn’t turn nasty [censored words] besides its getting cold & we’ve got no winter clothing. Also my people want a bit of a rest from Frances, much as they love her, before the Christmas festivities. I’ve had your letters of 25th July & 20th August this week – you can’t imagine what a lot it means to me to know that you have full confidence in me over this house business. I have felt so wretched & uncertain sometimes not knowing what you would think about things. But now that you say you definitely want just a house in the country from which you can carry on at Touche’s, I feel that our new home at Chalfont just fits the bill, & I’m ever so keen to get moved into it. I have ordered some fruit trees & bushes for the garden
[page break]
at present there’s one apple, raspberries & rhubarb, but I want lots of fruit. So I’m giving you a Cox’s Orange Pippin & a Blenheim Orange for Christmas & you’re giving me 4 gooseberries & 4 currant bushes. My people are giving me a pear and a greengage. One piece of good news, - I have got a pot of real heather honey in store till you come home – so hurry up! All my love
Ursula.
[inserted] C10 [/inserted]
[stamp GEPRUFT 25]
[postmark]
[postage stamp]
RANK & NAME: Sergeant John R. M. VALENTINE
PRISONER OF WAR No.: 450
[stamp PASSED P.W. 2618]
CAMP NAME & No.: STALAG LUFT III
COUNTRY: GERMANY
FROM
Mrs JRM Valentine
Little Close,
Devon Road,
Salcombe, Devon.