Letter to prisoner of war John Valentine from his wife Ursula

Letter to prisoner of war John Valentine from his wife Ursula

Writes that she has finally moved into the new house. Mentions that previous week she was nursing her mother through that year's 48 hour flu from which daughter had also recovered. Catches up with news of family and friends and writes of her other activities. Mentions getting early Christmas present from relatives. Concludes with leaving contact telephone number in case he were arrived back unexpectedly in a hurry.

1943-11-28

Two page handwritten letter

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EValentineUMValentineJRM431128

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To Sgt. J.R.M. Valentine
British P/W No 486
Stalag Luft III
Germany
[inserted] R 1/2/44 A 13/2 [/inserted]
[stamp GEPRUFT 25]
From Mrs JRM Valentine
Felmersham,
Bottrell’s Lane,
Chalfont St Giles
Bucks.
28.11.43.
My darling Johnnie,
This is a memorable day, for today we moved into our new home. How I wish you were here this evening to sit with me beside our very own fireside, monarchs of all we survey! As it is I feel slightly doleful, yet very glad and thankful to have achieved this much ready for your homecoming. Of course the main part of the work lies ahead, everywhere I look something or other is waiting to be done, but at least we have taken possession and our belongings are around us. I’m writing this in the dining room, by the fire in the Tuplex which I fondly hope is heating my bathwater, but as I haven’t yet mastered the various knobs & handles on the thing I may well be heating up an oven fit to roast an ox instead! Anyway, our new copper kettle is singing on the hob & I propose to have a cup of tea soon.
Last week when I wrote I was in the thick of nursing Mother & Frances through flu. This year it is a 48-hour variety, very nasty while it last, but Frances was alright by Wednesday & Mother got up on Thursday, so we decided to come up on Friday. The journey wasn’t too bad, & we eventually got out to Barnet by 6.30 p.m. Ann met us at the bus, & Frances was soon fed & bathed & asleep. We had a very pleasant evening with your Mother & Ann, your father was firewatching so we missed him. Leslie seems to be flourishing & has astonished everyone by turned down a commission. Jan is expected home at the end of the year. Irene’s baby is called Gordon William Valentine Birnie, & is doing well. Irene may bring him down to Barnet since she is not able to be with Bill. I had a letter from Olga just before I left Salcombe, they seem to be sitting pretty, Jack is [censored words] just working office hours & young Robert is going to school up there. Some people have luck!
This morning we set out from Barnet in good time, but missed all our connections, tho’ Ann came with us to help us along. As a result there was no time for me to collect the rucksack which I had left in Paddington left luggage before catching our train from
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Marylebone, but Ann came to the rescue, went over to Paddington & sent the thing on by the next train to Gerrards Cross, & tomorrow I propose to go over to fetch it. Frances & I arrived out here at lunch-time, a horrid cold wet day. We stopped & had some lunch at the excellent restaurant in the village & then came up here. I got the fires lit, unpacked the black-out which I’d sewn in Salcombe on Mother’s machine & sent off in advance, & put it up (- one parcel hasn’t yet arrived so some of the windows have temporary black-outs in spite of all my staff-work!) & also put in the electric light bulbs which Peter had sent in advance for my birthday present. Then I had to go out & buy in the rations & some food while Frances stayed in the house playing blissfully with her long-lost toys – then I got some tea, & afterwards the Horswell’s, our next-door neighbours, invited us in for a little while to meet their small granddaughter aged 3, who was suddenly overcome with shyness. Now Frances is safely asleep in her own cot, & I shall have to go the same way soon. I’m looking forward to trying our new mattress & spring & new blankets too! I’ve no idea what the time is, for I haven’t been able to connect up the electric clocks yet & none of the other timepieces are going either!
Before we left Barnet Grandma presented me with an envelope containing our Christmas present somewhat in advance but intended to help with the initial purchases for the house. It turned out to be £5, so I am very pleased & shall certainly find ways to spend it on the house soon enough! I have also managed to sell our Morrison shelter, as we’re most unlikely to need it here & anyway next-door have an underground affair if need should ever arise. I asked £6.10 for it, & Batey’s collected the money for me, & deducted 12/6 for collecting our piano from Mr Herne so that I have got £5.17.6 from them as well & propose to set about getting a bed for the spare room as soon as possible, so that I can have people to stay here sometimes.
I mustn’t forget to mention that the telephone number of the Horswell’s is Chalfont St Giles 294 just in case you should arrive in a hurry & want to let me know I should expect you for tea – the Horswells would surely take the message! All my love dearest, I long for you more than ever tonight, how happy we shall be here when you come home!
Always yours Ursula.