Postmarked COLNE LANCS 6PM 20 MCH 1940
addressed to Lieut. R. Helme, D.W.R., Church House, Norton, Malton. Yorks
Albert House, Colne.
March 20th
My dearest Ronnie,
I have just remembered I shall not be able to write to you later in the day as I am going out to Holly’s for tea, so rather late I have decided to scrawl a note to you now.
Beloved, I am sorry I didn’t write to you yesterday. It could have been done, but alas, it just wasn’t. Anyway, as I haven’t heard from you for a couple of days, I think I can be forgiven.
I am waiting with bated breath to hear whether you are coming home or not. I suppose you’ll phone tonight when I am out which will be very distressing. Still, I may be home if you phone after ten. Anyway, who said you were going to phone!
I am writing this in the study, and have just finished the first chapter of an imaginary autobiography. Quite interesting – I hope. Anyway I am enjoying doing it. It is to be called “This Was Yesterday”, or something like that.
Blast, there goes the gong, and my hands are dirty. I’ll add a bit after dinner.
… Now my prescious, I have eaten and fed the dogs, and I am feeling like a nice little snooze but that’s out of the question.
Now let me see, what has happened since my last letter. Nothing much. I hadn’t anything done at the dentists’ yesterday but I’m to look in in another three months to let him look at two back teeth which may need filling then.
Mum organised a sing-song for the soldiers across at the church school last night, and it was a great success. She sent invitations to the various billets and gathered from the replies that about 50 would turn up – but 100 were there, and she had to ring up Kirks at the last minute and get some more food. They were given a pie and a cake each, and tea. It seems they thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and as they are to be here a while yet, it is to be repeated.
Ma is now writing you a note. Dear me, how she loves the Army!
I don’t like writing in pencil. It’s a shame I was too lazy to go up to the Club and get my pen.
I am growing a bit shakey about Hatfield’s now. It is only a week or so before I start. Still, it will be good for me to work really hard, and the fresh air and regular hours should make me a nice strong girl all ready to make a really good wife. That is how I console myself.
I’m afraid it is going to rain this afternoon, and I shall get nice and wet walking up the fields. I want Mum to come up with me so as we can exercise the dog. Otherwise he will have to do without his walk, and he is full of energy. He made a hole in my stocking this morning with putting up his silly foot. Still, he is a very lovable creature and I am very fond of him.
I don’t think I told you that when we were in Manchester on our way to the Walker and Hall’s Moué and I looked at the photos in LaFayette, and whose photograph should be there but Kathleen Haighton. She is a queer looking girl isn’t she? There was also a photo of someone who was at school with us.
Marjory had a letter from James this morning. Sort of thanking her properly for the socks. Poor lad, he doesn’t seem to have much fun where he is. They are miles from anywhere, and he has had only three nights out since he went there. Deadly. I should think he will be glad to go abroad. He was asking for you; had you gone abroad, etc. etc.
The most important thing to me at the moment is – are you coming for Easter. I do sound impatient but lambkin, I am simply longing to see you again. What will I feel like when you have to be away for months. Oh dear it will be away. But I shall have to get through somehow, and it will be all the sweeter when we do get together for good. Oh for the day.
Prescious I must away to change and wash my dirty muck.
Speaking of washing, if you do come home darling, have a bath before you come and wear your newer tunic. Not your battle dress please – even if you do look thinner in it. I like you as an officer (Snob!)
I hope you can read this. I must pip dearest.
Kisses, cuddles and caresses,
Kathleen.