Categories
Uncategorized

22nd Sept 1939

Postmarked COLNE LANCS 3pm 22 SEP 1939
addressed to Lieut. R. Helme, D.W.R., Royal Station Hotel, York

Albert House, Colne, Lancs.

Friday

My dearest Ronnie,

This house is like a cage of roaring lions this morning. Everyone is pouncing at everybody else – and I am just about to be sick. This joint is far to full, and the sooner some of us make an exit, the better.

Moué is supposed to be going in to Manchester to have an interview today, and John, Mum, and Daphne are going in with her. Granny seems to be peeved about it, Mum has just blown her up for being so stupid and “nobody-wants-me-ish”, and now is in a goodly temper. John has been bad tempered all morning. As for me – well, I just think there are far too many people about. And it seems that they will be about for a long time yet. Oh confound this war that takes you away from me and fills the house up with folks.

Give me peace with you and a two room cottage.

Fancy you suggesting that I stay at home and do housework. Of all the Godforsaken things. I just couldn’t abide it; and if you don’t mind dear, I have definitely desided to join the Land Army if I can get in. I simply couldn’t stand staying at home threw a war – just fiddling round the house. Besides it will do me good to get away for a bit, and to really do some work for once. But as long as you’re around, I want to be where you can get at me. So I suppose I’ll be here a bit yet. Besides, I’ve got a date with some khaki socks. I’ve got the wool, and shall start as soon as I have bound the infant’s blanket which is otherwise finished. Honey, you should be in the Air Force. The wool is so much nicer. But really I’d rather have you in the Army.

Your letters seem to be taking less time to reach me now. Yesterday, I had two. One you wrote two days before, and one you wrote the day before. Today, I received the one you wrote yesterday – so I’m hoping you’ll get this tomorrow.

Dearest – I’m very sorry you didn’t get one from me yesterday, but I was obeying instuctions. But I’m glad to hear you have more time than you anticipated. Also, I’m very very sorry about your poor hands, and hope you are keeping them clean. If I were with you, you could be sure of being fussed over.

About this guy getting married – I wouldn’t get too boozelated if I were you. Apart from anything else, it’s so undignified; and think of your poor kidneys! You didn’t say anything about getting boozelated? No, of course you didn’t.

Silk stockings are going to be hard to get as the government are taking over a lot of the factories – so don’t be surprised if some day I come out in wool!  I think I’ve got some old school stockings somewhere.

Dr and Mrs Greenwood are now residing at Mrs Broughton’s, and it looks as if they are to be there indefinitely. Personally, I consider it a complete anti-climax to a honeymoon, but I suppose that’s a matter of opinion. How would you like to come and live here after your honeymoon – or I should say our honeymoon? I guess you’d be fairly sick. Granny would have to hop it… How crude!

There goes one o’clock, and lunch will be in in a mo’ as we are having it early to let the Manchester people get away. My tummy is rumbling furiously as I had nothing to silence it at twelve. The car has just come in.

I presume you are going back to Yeadon on Sunday, but hope to hear definitely tomorrow.

Well beloved boy, I only wish you were here; or rather, I was there, because this house is too cluttered. I think I’ll start cycling to York this afternoon. I would ride it, only Sally has cast a shoe, and is in need of being shod all round.

All my love darling, and may it not be too long before I see you again.

Kisses, cuddles, caresses, Kathleen x

P.T.O.

P.S. You may be wondering about the Nursery school idea. Well, there probably won’t be one, and in any case it will be a long time before there is. In Spirit – a thousand times.