Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife

Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife

He writes that he is missing her and is looking forward to seeing her. He writes about a Lancaster flying low over RAF Cark and of farmers’ difficulties because of the weather.

1943-08-19

Five handwritten sheets

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EGortonHGortonLCM430819

OFFICERS’ MESS,
ROYAL AIR FORCE,
CARK,
NORTH LANCASHIRE.
TELEPHONE GRANGE 390.
19/8/43
Dearest,
I’ve realised that if I write tonight you’ll get a letter on Saturday morning, so I thought I’d try and give you a pleasant surprise. Incidentally, the reason why you don’t usually get one then is because I usually write at weekend so that you get one [deleted] Sat [/deleted] Monday, & then every other day after that.
I’ve just been realising how browned off I am because it’s a long time since I’ve seen you. I expect you’re feeling the same, but I don’t seem to have any energy or interest for anything – either work or recreation. Most of the time
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when I’m conscious, I seem to be working out how long it will be before I see you again.
Of course it would be better if I’d plenty to do, but, for the past fortnight or more, we seem to have had one long succession of clamps, when there’s been nothing to do except sit in the flight office. What it’s going to be like in the winter I tremble to think.
The farmers here are having a difficult job with the harvest, In the fields, near the aerodrome perhaps 1/3 to 1/2 of the corn has been cut & is in stooks, but there are days & days when it’s impossible for them to do any work at all.
We had a little light
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relief this afternoon. A chap who lives at Cartmel (DSO, DFC & bar) is a Lancaster pilot & came over to do some steep turns round his home. The C.O. went up in the Maggie to chase him, but it was the Lanc that did most of the chasing. When the C.O. landed, the Lanc did a beautiful beat-up of the aerodrome. It really was amazing to see the Lanc manoeuvring as though it were as light as a Tiger Moth. Flying Control reported him for low flying, but when the C.O. said it was a friend of his they withdrew the complaint.
I don’t think there’s
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any more news.
I seem to be doing fairly well as far as money is concerned. Practically everything I spend is on my mess bill, so that I need very little cash. I haven’t cashed a cheque this month, but I shall have nearly £10 when I go to Farnworth on Monday, so you don’t need to have much more than your fare.
I’m simply longing to see you again, darling. It makes me wonder sometimes whether it’s a good thing being married, as there’s such an ache when I’m away from you. Still, once I’d met you, there was nothing else for it,
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as I certainly shouldn’t be content to be merely engaged, or, even worse, have you as a friend. It’s simply wonderful to be married to you, darling, & I wouldn’t be un-married for anything.
All my love,
Harold
P.S. I took the V.R.s. out of my shoulder straps on my greatcoat last night. Unfortunately I unpicked your sewing on one of them, not realising I could do it without, so I’ll bring it on Monday for you to sew at your leisure.