Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife

Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife

Harold writes about life on base at RAF Cark and his social life. He includes details of his some of his colleagues.

1943-07-09

Five handwritten pages

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F/O H. Gorton OFFICERS’ MESS,
ROYAL AIR FORCE,
CARK,
NORTH LANCASHIRE
TELEPHONE GRANGE 390
9/7/43
Dearest,
Your letter was very welcome indeed, this morning. It seems ages since I left you in Manchester.
I’m glad you got back safely, but very sorry to hear about the car. Grace had a narrow escape – I always say nowadays, that I feel safer in a plane than in a car - & she’s lucky to have got off so lightly.
I’m sending you this month’s statement from the bank, together with my income tax assessment. It all seems a lot of rot to me, - the assessment, I mean, - but the results seem
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so favourable that I’m inclined to let it go. Let me know what you think about it.
I haven’t been able to go into Grange about your watch yet, as I’ve been flying until 5.0 or later, & haven’t been able to get in in time.
I’ll write to Mother tomorrow & explain about the bike & send her 10/- for the electricity.
Moodie told me how sorry his wife was that you weren’t coming back, & Bod said the same. I met Mrs. Boddy tonight at the flicks in Grange & she asked how you were going on & what you were doing. She was a bit
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OFFICERS’ MESS,
ROYAL AIR FORCE,
CARK,
NORTH LANCASHIRE
TELEPHONE GRANGE 390.
envious of the good weather we had, because she’s had friends here this week, & the weather hasn’t been fit for going down to the beach.
[underlined] Saturday 2pm [/underlined] After the flicks we missed the bus & walked to the station. As soon as we reached the ornamental gardens the train steamed in, and we ran like mad, just managing to catch it. I nearly collapsed when I got in the train!
The weather is bad today – I went to Blackpool this morning, to pick up Percy, who’d been on a course, and just managed to get back before it clamped properly. If there is no improvement, I’ll catch the 3.57 in to Grange and see about your watch. I’ll leave this open until I’ve been.
I don’t know if it’s worth your while to send that book on. I’d
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like to read it, but I’d sooner you had a book always handy, so it will be quite all right if you change it as soon as you’ve read it.
By the way, that gen I gave you about the C.O. was duff – it was merely a rumour.
I’m writing this in the flight, so you’ll have to excuse the last part.
All my love, darling,
Harold.
[underlined] Grange 4.50 p.m. [/underlined]
The watch will cost 18/6 & will take 8 – 10 weeks. I’ve brought it away with me & I’ll see if I can get it done on the aerodrome. If not, I’ll take it back.
Saw Jacob last night, walking home with his wife! He’s living out now. Jolly good thing, isn’t it, when you consider that they were separated two years ago.
N.B. ‘Ware the Italian prisoners! You have a faithful husband up here, you know – but perhaps they
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OFFICERS’ MESS,
ROYAL AIR FORCE,
CARK,
NORTH LANCASHIRE
TELEPHONE GRANGE 390
won't be very nice; I want to keep first place in your affections.
I’ve sent Mother 10/-
Harold.