Postmarked COLNE LANCS 8PM 1 APR 1940
addressed Lieut. R. Helme, D.W.R., Church House, Norton, Malton. Yorks
Albert House, Colne.
1st April.
My dearest Ronnie,
The 1st of April – a funny day to start work, but probably rather aproriate! Well I have got through some how and I suppose I shall get through the next six months or so some way or other. No, my treasure, I am afraid it wont be sixty pounds, but only thirty, for I feel sure I couldn’t stick it a year, and six months will be quite enough. That will mean I see him through the Summer. Anyway, the war’s going to be over in September!
The two boys are easy to work with, one being unusually intelligent, and the other being the other way poor chap. He is very small and underfed looking, and the work the poor kid has to do. I sure do have to work, honey. Today I have been let off lightly although I feel darned tired. Mr Hatfield let me off at 5.30, and the poor lads had to stay for the evening milking and thought it would be about 7.30 before they finished. What a life. No one should have to work as hard as that. It isn’t natural.
Beloved I may just make it with the very very greatest of will power – not to mention body power.
Your letter came before I went out this morning but I hadn’t time to read it until I came home for lunch. A very sweet letter my darling, and I don’t know why in all the earth we should have to be separated. It just isn’t right. You are all I asked for; but it seems that all the best things have to be waited for. The bad things just come pouring in! When I am married to you I shall be so happy I wont know what to do with myself. Or perhaps I will. Yes, definitely.
Oh dear, dear Ronnie, I do want you. I am nearly crying at the thought of the long time I have to wait. I have never been called upon to be as brave as this before. I suppose it will do me good. I am really a terrible baby, and being without you is like being without the sunshine. This war must end soon, or I shall go off with a pop.
I am feeling very tired and miserable, and would be a great deal the better off always on your shoulder, but as this is quite out of the question, please write me a long loving and comforting letter. Well, no it needn’t be long because you haven’t much time, but make it comforting and full of love.
So it is fairly certain you are moving south soon. That will definitely mean you are going abroad soon I suppose. But the Autumn will bring you back to me, and I am going to force the Autumn to come soon.
Darling, I shall try to write everyday, but if I find it is too late at night, I shall write during lunch time when I shall have ample time. I have from eleven to half past one. Well I had today. It’s the afternoon that’s hard because it’s so long, and there is a great deal to do. I love you with all my heart my dearest dearest boy, Kathleen.