Letter from Harold Gorton to Grace Morgan

Letter from Harold Gorton to Grace Morgan

Leading Aircraftman Harold Gorton writes to his sister-in-law to be about arrangements for his wedding to Lilian Morgan.

1941-07-14

Four handwritten sheets

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EGortonHMorganG410714

1380354 Lac Gorton H.,
B Flight, 22 Course,
R.A.F. Cranfield,
Bletchley,
Bucks.
14/7/41
[Royal Air Force winged crest]
14/7/41
Dear Grace,
I thought I would write to you direct, instead of via Lilian, in order to save time. I’ve just had a letter from home, telling me their plans for the week-end.
My Mother, Father, & Sister are travelling on the 11.55 p.m. from Manchester next Friday, and will arrive in Abergavenny 7.53 a.m. on Saturday morning. They will return on the 1.48 p.m. on Monday afternoon, as there is no train on Sunday.
Could you book two beds for them for the Saturday and Sunday nights?
I’m not sure that my
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brother will be able to get [deleted] here [\deleted] to the wedding, so there’s no point in fixing up a bed for him. I shall arrive at Newport at 8.50 p.m. on Friday, and will try to get to Llanvetherine the same evening, so I shall want a bed on Friday night.
I was planning to go to Bath first, but I learned on Saturday that the end of course here has been postponed a week, to the 23rd. Fortunately, I am being given 3 1/2 days extra leave for the wedding, from Friday noon until Tuesday morning, but it means travelling direct to Llanvetherine, and also cuts short our honeymoon.
I had a letter from Alice,
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my sister, today. She is perturbed about the flower question. Is you Mother having a bouquet or spray or such-like? If so, Alice wants flowers for mother and herself. Would it be too much trouble to order some when you get your own? She would like pink flowers for Mother, and cream for herself, together with a buttonhole for Dad.
I’m afraid I’m putting rather a lot of work on you. The only think I dislike about this wedding is that I can’t do my own jobs myself, but have to ask other people to do them for me.
The most important thing of course is the accommodation,
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- Mother says that anywhere will do; whatever will cause you least trouble – but if you can manage the flowers as well, they will be very pleased.
I hope your Mother is keeping well, and is in good form for next Saturday’s excitement. I must confess that I am missing most of the thrill of getting my wings, because my attention is occupied with getting married.
By the way, in case I forget in the excitement of the week-end, very many thanks for the loan of the car.
Your in-law to be,
Harold.