Postmarked YORK 15 NOV 39
addressed to Lieut. R. Helme., A Coy. 1/6th D.W.R. Church House, Norton, Malton, Yorks
The Yorkshire Institute of Agriculture, Askham Bryan, Nr. York
Tuesday
My dearest Ronald,
Here I am in my small, narrow bed with a vile light – and a wild wind whistling outside the narrow casement! I have just filed my nails, and take all’t mook out, and I feel all nice and clean – with cream on my face and my curlers in.
Gee, what a wind. I hope you are not out in it. It might blow even you away!
Well my dear large love, I am hoping for a letter from you tomorrow – but I have me doubts. I expect you were shooting all day. What a shame you can’t come and shoot at Askham Bryan!
We are to be allowed to go to a concert in Askham on Friday evening, and I’ve a feeling it will be rather an amusing affair. Probably all the local yokels displaying their talents. For all I know though, there may be some famous singer coming.
The supper tonight nearly caused a riot. It was good, but there was hardly any of it. It was scrambled egg, and each table had a plateful that one person could have eaten comfortably – without exaggeration. The cook was out an’ it was the stupid matron’s effort. You should have seen the staffs’ faces. Great big open airy men with nothing but a wee dot of scrambled egg! We have started having small bottle of milk each for supper – so that filled us up a bit.
I have developed a terrific appetite since I came here, but there never seems to be enough food.
All that about food.
A lot of people have decided to stay on another month’ but not so me. I have plenty of reason for not doing. The most important, I wouldn’t miss your week’s leave for anything in the world. Also, I am not very partial towards this type of life. The work’s o.k. but I do not like women en masse. They are so stupid and nattery. Everyone gets in everyone elses way, and no one gets anywhere. I prefer to be an individual.
I feel to have learnt a lot since I came here, so surely by the 25th I shall feel quite efficient.
All day long I am thinking about you, and last thing at night. In fact, it takes a great deal of will power to keep me from talking about you all the time. Such is love dear boy. I do want to see you. I am going to see you this Sunday.
Today I have been sweeping the cow house, bedding and feeding bullacks, and messing about with poultry in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Mary came in to talk to me last night, so I didn’t get any more writing down. I have just come in from the cowshed, and am waiting for breakfast now. When we went out at seven the stars were still shining, and it was beautiful but icey cold. I don’t mind getting up at that time, but I wouldn’t like to be up any earlier.
I have lost the mac I was provided with, and if I can’t find it today I shall be frozen with this terrible wind. Poor fools staying on next month. I can just see them working in the wind and rain, and maybe snow! Goy! December and January are the worst months to train in the whole year I should say.
Well beloved, I think I’ll dust my room, so that if I get a letter from you after breakfast I shall be able to read it in peace. I’m afraid this is even scrappier than usual.
… Thanks for your letter. I’m very sorry I won’t be able to come and see you on Sunday. I am not peeved at all, because there is nothing in your letter to peeve me, you brown eyed b-b-beauty. It’s the last weekend, so it doesn’t matter at all really, and as you say, I can go to the Minster; though it would have to be the afternoon service and I believe it’s not as nice. Still, it’s bound to be better than the service at Askham Bryan!
I am glad Donald is going home this weekend and that you are now on a six hour do. It looks as if your getting off is now quite probable. Am I looking forward to it? It is nothing short of wonderful.
I shall now go and clean out the cowshed with gusto. The dung will be as Coty to my nose!
I got my Readers Digest this morning. Also a notice about a Sanction Show at Skipton. I would like to have taken Prince, as he needs experience, but the bally thing is on the twenty fifth. I missed the last one in August. Tom Moorley is judging – so I’d have hopped up the prizes.
I wish you’d lose your way and come on this road today. And yet I don’t because it would only be a fleeting glimpse; and its nearly the twenty fifth. This week is flying, and the next will too.
Angel boy, I shall have to go and put on my over alls.
Give my love to Ronald, my fond love to Ronnie, and my very very best love to yourself, Kathleen.