Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife

Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife

He writes of arranging accommodation for his wife’s arrival at Spalford.

1944-06-14

Four handwritten sheets

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EGortonHGortonLCM440614

OFFICERS’ MESS
ROYAL AIR FORCE
WIGSLEY
NEWARK
NOTTS
14/6/44.
Dearest,
At last I have been successful in my search. Quite by chance I called at a big farmhouse & by dint of being very polite etc., & using the famous charm, managed to get fixed up.
Our address will be
c/o Mrs. Gibson,
Manor Farm,
Spalford,
Nr. Newark.
Tele: Spalford 235
The only snag about it from my point of view is that it’s so near the aerodrome that I may not be able to qualify for petrol, but even if I can’t manage it I don’t think I shall be short, as there are ways and
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2.
which I had better not mention in a letter.
The house has seven bedrooms, & ours is about the size of your bay-windowed sitting room. We are to have the “small” sitting room, which is about the size of your room with the phone in it.
There are two bathrooms, one up & one down, & she suggested that you might use the downstairs bathroom for washing up, so that you wouldn’t have to wait for her to leave the sink as you did at Silverstone.
You will have to cook in her kitchen I’m afraid (paraffin stove & oven), but with luck there won’t be much clash, as Mr. Gibson has his breakfast much earlier than I shall.
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3.
The real snag about the place is that she won’t be able to take us until next Friday, June 23rd, so that it means it will be so much longer before I see you.
Another snag I forgot to mention is that she is charging 2 guineas a week, but she is providing all linen (except towels), crockery & cutlery. I thought it was a bit steep, but since it will only be for a few weeks – 3 or 4, until I am posted - & since I might quite easily go for another week without finding another place, I didn’t hesitate.
I’ll therefore try & meet you at Newark some time on the 23rd – I only wish it was tomorrow!
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4.
I wanted to write about other things of general interest, but there’s such a racket in this room that I cant [sic] concentrate.
I hope my washing has arrived safely, & that you didn’t object to it too much.
All my love, darling, I’m longing to see you.
Harold.