Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife

Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife

He mentions the air officer commanding’s visit the following day.

1944-01-10

Four handwritten pages

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EGortonHGortonLCM440110

Cark,
Monday,
Dearest,
Tonight I’m wondering if I’m going to catch flu, & as soon as I’ve written this letter, I’m going straight to bed, hoping I shall be O.K. in the morning. So please excuse me if this letter isn’t up to much.
As for this F/Lt business, I expect it will come off once they post Boddy, but they seem to be finding some difficulty in that.
Anyway, you’ll probably be glad that I’ve stayed here, since Affleck told me this week that all the F/Lts that we knew at Ossington are now on Ops – Botting is one, so perhaps I should have gone quicker if I’d been there.
Each Observer A.F.U. takes staff pilots from (P) A.F.U.s (like Ossington) as well as from
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us, so they have to have a Q.F.I. to convert these people to Ansons. That’s what Wyver is doing.
You’re very likely right about Dana Gillegin. The M.O. Mrs. G. saw [deleted] with [/deleted] was a visitor, who was taking the place of our own M.O. while he was on leave. Our own M.O., who seems to be a first rate doctor, thinks the gland has some connection with a tooth Dana is cutting.
Why don’t you write again to the Cardiff people saying that you wish to clarify your position? As you are quite determined not to do any more gym teaching, & are not qualified for other teaching, why can’t you have a permit to apply for jobs that are suited to your training & experience.
By the way, if I get this F/Lt, I shall have to stay here at least another 6 months.
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I don’t want to suggest your coming here when you might be able to get a decent job elsewhere in a place that suits you, but you might bear it in mind, especially now that Wyver’s digs are vacant.
Actually, I’d prefer you to do something you want to do, rather than tie yourself to me again. In peace time it will be rather difficult to avoid doing that anyway, won’t it?
One small piece of good news is that the coupons & money I paid for my battle dress were unnecessary. I can now purchase goods in stores to the value of 10 coupons – e.g., a pair of shoes, & can probably get my 25/- back.
Actually I don’t want any shoes, & was thinking of holding the coupons in reserve against the time when I buy a new battle dress.
Writing to you has done
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me good, as usual. I feel warmer & more cheerful than I’ve felt all day, & now expect to be normal again tomorrow.
A.O.C.’s visit on Wed!
Bags of spit & polish!
All my love,
Harold.