Letter to prisoner of war John Valentine from his wife Ursula

Letter to prisoner of war John Valentine from his wife Ursula

Explains why her letters have been irregular since arriving in Devon. Mentions that life their is pleasant and provides long explanation of why her lodger had left. Writes that daughter fell off a chair giving herself a black eye and writes of her activities and mail she has received from him. Concludes with mention of shopping visit to Plymouth and going of for the day on picnic.

1944-07-31

Two page handwritten letter

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EValentineUMValentineJRM440731

Start of transcription
[inserted] 21/11 [/inserted]
at Little Close
Devon Road,
Salcombe,
Devon.
July 31st 1944
My own darling Johnnie,
I’m afraid my letters to you have been a bit irregular since I’ve been down here, not because I think of you less, but partly because the rhythmic regularity of life at home is disturbed by frequent visits to the beach & evenings given over to bridge & mah-jong & even last week, a dance; and partly because, with the war situation changing so fast & so [deleted] regularly [/deleted] favourably I don’t really think you are ever likely to receive these letters – at least, I hope not!
Life down here is very pleasant, the weather is good, & we spend all afternoon on the sands. Frances simply loves the sea, & will soon learn to float if she goes on at her present rate.
Pat & her baby have now left us. She didn’t get on well with my people, was very tactless & inconsiderate, & anyway she wanted to find somewhere where her husband could go if he got leave. Also with the prospect of the war ending soon, she couldn’t have come back to Felmersham, so she scouted round & has been very lucky to get rooms on a farm about 10 miles from here. I’m really not sorry she’s gone, we lived right on top of each other for five months & that’s really enough. My people & some New Zealand friends of theirs here are [deleted] concerned [/deleted] convinced she’s a Maori & at [missing word] half-caste – I don’t know & don’t really
[page break]
[missing word] that it makes much difference anyway.
Frances fell off a chair on to the tiles in the kitchen smack on to her face, & has given herself an awful black eye which has temporarily quite spoiled her beauty. [stamp GEPRUFT 131] I am very busy on dull days making her winter outfit, coat leggings & bonnet in blue woollen trimmed with darker blue velvet. I think its going to look alright. I have made her a blue winter dress with smocking round the waist, & there’s still lots to be done. I’m making the most of Mother’s machine.
I have had two letters from you at last, a p.c. of 4th May & letter of 14th. So glad you’d had some mail at last. There are going to be an awful lot of letters wandering round Europe when the war’s over & the boys come home! Thank you so much for your cheerful letter, you are a real darling.
Mother & I went in to Plymouth for the day the other day, to do some shopping & look round. I bought a macintosh with sou’wester in soft green for Frances, she looks very nice in it. I got some stockings too, but there’s not much to be had.
We are off for an all day picnic today as the weather is so glorious. Frances has got a small boat & is very keen to sail it in the sea.
All my love to you dearest, come home soon!
Yours always Ursula
[circled X] kiss from Frances