Postmarked MALTON YORKSHIRE 7.30PM 12 NOV 1939
addressed to Miss K.M. Eadie, The Yorkshire Institute of Agriculture, Askham Bryan, Near York
Church House, Norton, Malton.
Saturday
My dearest Kay,
Thank you for the telegram which took me very much by surprise. I thought you were annoyed by the tone of the latter portion of your letter but I knew you would come round.
I’ve had two pieces of good luck today. Captain Elsey gave us a horse and the three junior boys have won £3.18.0 each and John Horsfall £81.18.0 much to the midden. Unto him that hath etc. The other news is that the Brigade Commander was round this morning and gave me to understand that very shortly we would be on eight hours notice to leave instead of the two hours we are now on. That means that I almost certainly will be able to take you home but we’ll defer the decision until as long as possible.
All this good luck comes about through buying a Buddha – the thing you don’t like. We went into a pub last night and the landlord has been a Chinese Merchant and had one room full of the things. I started the ball rolling by paying 10/- for Buddha. I have always liked them and intend to take this one through the war with me. Mellin bought a fancy bowl for £1: that is Margarets Christmas and Birthday present. And I purchased another Buddha for Geoffrey and he has bought it as a present for his mother for 16/-
I’ve just had tea but shortly will have to be off for a wash as we are dashing across to Mrs Ansell’s house for a drink. She is a very nice lady. Her husband is an M.P. and a Major in the Inniskilling Dragoons at present in France. I think she has taken a fancy to me but she hasn’t seen Captain John yet. I daresay John will become engaged this weekend. Have you found a nice ring yet?
I had a look round Elseys horses this afternoon Harlem is a beauty but only small. Very friendly too. You can keep a horse there to be trained for top price £5 per week and stud now as low as £2.
When the war is over perhaps we’ll have a couple yes.
Let me see what have we in the social whirl next week. On Thursday John and I go to Mr Werthermers again. We haven’t anything else but I suppose we ought to ask Mrs Ansell back.
On Monday Tuesday and probably Wednesday I will be very near you as I’m shooting at Strensall near York but unfortunately this side. There will be no chance to slip off either.
I hope your Mother writes to me she cheers me up.
A fortnight tonight I hope to be in Colne. I wonder if your friend from Harrogate knows Sandy Wright – that’s John Horsfall’s girl. She is one of the supposed elite of Harrogate.
Now blackout time honey lamb so I’d better go and wash and here’s Newsholme and Mellin back after shopping in Malton.
All my love prescious darling,
Ronnie