Postmarked YORK 5.15pm 1 Nov 1939
addressed to Lieut R. Helme, 1/6th Bn, The D.W.R., The Officers Mess, Jaffa Lines, Catterick Camp. Yorks
The Yorkshire Institute of Agriculture, Askham Bryan, Nr York.
31st October.
My dearest,
Here I am in my wee bed feeling very much in love with you, and longing to see you, and to kiss your dear mouth. May it be soon, for life without you means nothing at all.
I am settling down a little here, and suppose I will feel better in a day or two. The time will surely fly, for it always does when there’s work to be done. And I am willing it away with all my power. I’m hoping we’ll be going home on the 29th. I shall certainly try to be away then anyway. Could you possibly get leave then? – or is it terribly selfish of me. I would so much love to have that to look forward to.
This is going to be the best time to write to you between about nine and ten. We have our lights out at 10.15, but I must say I feel ready for it.
We haven’t done much today except get our outfits, and go round the farm with a Mr Robertson who is the superintendant of it – nearly all the instructors here seem to be Scottish: the tractor instructor, the Proffessor, and another fellow who teaches husbandry and looks just like George Formby. He, I think teaches milking.
I’ve to be up and at the dairy for seven o’clock tomorrow for first lesson in the job. For this week and next our group is to be up at that time. Then the third week for eight, and the forth and last week not until breakfast at half past eight. So it get’s better as time goes and may time go on, with speed.
The girls here are very mixed, and some of them very queer. We have an ex panto dancer – a brainless but pretty creature – a couple of girls from a gown shop, a waitress, and laundress, and a number of ladies of leisure (me included). Really some of the girls are terrible creatures – as common as stick. Most of them, laundresses and ladies alike, smoke like chimneys.
There is one very nice girl with whom I have become friendly – although she is twenty six. Her boyfriend is a Captain in the York Hussars. She is very decent, and like me, doesn’t like leaving home a bit. She lives in Malton.
I have your photo beside me on the bed, and although it is a poor one really, it’s you, and I long to squeeze your dear fat self. What is love that it makes me so ravenous for you? I’ve had no appetite since I came here, and yet I’m so hungry for you.
Darling, stop this war. I shall cry tonight as I did last night, because I am so lonely. These other people seem to find it so easy to settle down, but I can’t.
Please tell me you can come at the end of the month to take me home. It will give me something lovely to look forward to.
I was disappointed not to hear from you today but I suppose you are very busy, and as long as you are loving me – that’s all that really matters. Perhaps I’ll hear from you tomorrow. If ever any woman loved a man, I love you, Ronald Helme.
Couldn’t you blackmail me, dear? But there will never be any need to, ‘cause I am yours for keeps.
We’re going to get engaged soon aren’t we? Even if its only a Woolworths ring.
Oh dear, I can think of nothing but you, and it will be so long to wait. But I will wait, and I will keep my chin up. Comment: “Your Chin’s Always Up!”
Goodnight sweetheart. I hope I’ll have time to add more tomorrow. Now I am going to pray for you.
Wednesday
My darling Ronnie,
I received your letter from home today, and it has worried more than I can say. Oh dear, how I wish I could be with you now. Do you really think they will land troops in Britain. It is so grim. Surely it can’t happen. I’m so worried I can’t think of anything else. Please try and keep in touch with me although you are busy.
I wish I had never come here, but I’ve just got to stick a month of it now. I’ve never felt so terrible. You mean more than all the world to me, and nothing must happen to you.
Oh precious, why had this got to be. I want your arms more than anything else on earth.
God keep you.
All my love, Kathleen.