Postmarked YORK 5.15pm 31 OCT 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
My darling Ronnie,
Well I am here, but only just. The place is so new that it smells of paint and beeswax. In fact the workmen are still here.
The girls seem ok but I have not seen anything approaching beauty yet. There really are some really plain looking guys. A lot of them seem to know each other – so I am very much on my own.
We all sleep in separate little bedrooms – a window, a bed, a wardrobe, and central heating. I’m glad I’m on the side which faces the road and the fields, and not on the side which faces the other side of the building.
It is now six, and I’ve an hour to wait for supper. Mummy and James left about five. We went into York Minster for a little this afternoon, and just looked at the D.W.R. chapel but didn’t go right up to it, as there was a service in that part of the Cathedral… We had tea at Guy’s.
I have a bit of a sore throat, but I’m hoping it’s nothing but excitement or something. I wish you were here to hold my hand. Oh how I wish it. In fact I wish I wasn’t here at all, but in the Club, sitting on the twirly sofa with you. And wishing will make it so, for next month, I shall be sitting on the Club sofa with you.
Would you dream of coming to see me when you get leave. It’s forty miles from Catterick. I don’t know how I am for time off. I get off at the weekends, but I don’t know exactly what that means. Surely I’ll have to work some of Saturday, anyway.
This place is really very near York – on the home side of it. Mum says I’ve to arrange to meet Elizabeth Marshall who is in York with the W.A.T.S.
I came wearing my pearls but as we were advised here not to have anything valuable, I sent them back with Mum. I’m not taking any risks with them.
Thank you for your t’s which I have with me.
We get up at seven here, and breakfast isn’t till half past eight – so it looks as if I’m going to have to put a bit of work in before I feed! I don’t know when we stop working, but we are to have more details after supper.
The principal, a Mr – now dash, I’ve forgotten his name. Anyway, he seems very nice.
Pardon terrible scrawl. I’m writing on my knee as there is nothing else to write on. It doesn’t look as if there’s going to be either. I shall have to use the windowsill in daytime.
What wouldn’t I do to be at the Odeon or the Majestic with you. But even if I were at home you wouldn’t be, so I may as well make the best of it. I don’t think I’ll mind the work here at all, because when you working time goes quickly. But it’s the ucbeation(*) I wont like! But I have you to write to, you to think of, and you to live for; and after all, nothing else matters.
Everyone seems very gay here – whistling and singing on the corridor – so I must attempt to make myself likewise.
My case has still got the Kilconquhar label on which is too bad. There it is in front of me – taunting me. Maybe we’ll get back someday soon, and walk over the common again without quarrelling though.
When I’m away from you, I always think of all the time I’ve waisted in quarrelling.
A month! It seems an eternity – though heaven knows it’s short enough at ordinary times.
I think I’ll go to the lav. just for a change of air.
Tuesday.
I wish it was the last Tuesday here instead of the first. I am feeling very love sick and home sick, and I am calling myself all sorts of a fool for coming here. To think I did it voluntarily!
I have just finished dusting my room. This has to be done every morning. And the floor has to be swept! What a life. You will be saying “I told you so! And that’s right enough. Still, it’s only for a month, and that’s a very wee time really.
I don’t look as if I’m going to get much time off.
This is written in bits, and I’m afraid I shall have to close now, as the post goes from here at four. Oh darling, I am so lonely, and want this to be over quickly.
Please go on thinking of me and loving me. I do love you so much. Could you get your leave right at the end of Nov. and come and take me home. I need you so.
All my love, Kathleen.