Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife

Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife

He writes of his colleagues promotions and includes details of his finances, his bank statement and income tax.

1943-12-12

Four handwritten sheets

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EGortonHGortonLCM431212

Cark,
Sunday.
Dearest,
I got your letter & the hairbrush today. Thank you very much. They should have arrived yesterday afternoon, but all our mail went to Arnside by mistake, so we got it today.
Thank you for the brush. I should have written to ask for it, but I thought you’d just include it with the washing when it was ready. I’m sorry you had to make up a separate parcel.
The letter was particularly welcome. You don’t say anything about your flu, so I hope it is
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better now.
I hope you’re keeping quite warm in this weather. It’s a good job your [sic] in “our” room & not the other, even if you have company. I must say I wish I was with you tonight, instead of sitting in the Flight Office at midnight.
I’ve been thinking that I’ve been expecting too many letters from you, & forgetting how inconvenient it is at Newhouse. From now on, darling, write as much as you feel like, but post your letters only when it’s convenient, perhaps once a week when you
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or Grace go to Abergavenny.
The Bank statement for Nov. 30 was £126..0.0. Reasonable, I think, considering the heavy expenses we’ve had.
You remember the fuss we had last Christmas about Income Tax – two lots, one of £15..9..0, that we paid, & the other £3..8..3 that we didn’t pay? The Air Ministry Income Tax people have just written to say I still owe the £3.8..3 – they’ve checked the matter with the Bath people, so they’re going to deduct it from my pay. I think it’s probably all right this time, so I’m not going
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to question it, especially since I’m pretty certain they’re not charging me enough tax as it is.
You remember our talking about Coleman last week? McMaster met him in Cleveleys R.A.F. hospital, where he’s been sick for months, since June, I think. Do you remember Doig, the Canadian, commissioned about 12 months ago? He’s now a Squadron Leader on Ops! And Pullen is also a S/Ldr with D.F.C. + Bar! Makes you think, doesn’t it?
All my love,
Harold.