Friday, 19 March, 1943

General Hospital Annexe                                                               No. 7
Selston
Notts

19. 3. 43      

My Own Darling,

I returned from my day-off yesterday and found a letter waiting for me from you.  You can guess how delighted I was.  It was such a long, interesting letter too.  There was also one waiting for me from your Mother and I received one from her this morning telling me that she received one from you yesterday.

It had only taken a week to come too.  The postal service is improving.

I was so thankful to hear that you have had a fairly quiet journey.  I wish that I could have been with you.

Wouldn’t it be marvellous if, some day we can make the trip together?  

By the way, it was number ‘3’ which arrived so I am looking forward to receiving “number 2” in the near future.  Yes, you really did make me jealous – telling me about all the fruit which you are able to get out there.  I don’t think I told you however about the bananas and lemon which I saw the other day.

They belonged to one of the patients.  I could hardly believe my eyes.  In fact, I would not believe that they were real until I had actually held them myself.

Of course, they had to go round the ward for everybody to see, it being such a rare sight.  They were taken into the next ward for the patients to see.

However, if we are never any worse off than being short of fruit we shall do very well.

I do feel sorry for you, Darling, having to sleep in a camp on a very cold night.  If I know anything about the Army – and you – you will all survive the ordeal.

One part of your letter really did make me feel sick.  I suppose you know which part it was too.  Yes, your story about the Frenchman and the snails.  I am glad there are some things which you cannot eat – in spite of your Army training.  Of course, I am thinking about myself and the future – can you imagine me cooking snails!!

So you even managed the pictures on board ship.  Even travelling in war time is not too bad, it seems. 

I went to the pictures yesterday and saw Noel Coward in “In Which We Serve”.  It is a film about the Navy and is certainly very good.  It brings home to one what these men in the Navy really go through.

20. 3. 43

I have re-read your letter again – it is only about the hundredth time since I received it.  I wonder if you have received any more of mine yet.  I hope so.

Your bit about the children of those parts was rather amusing.  They sound a bit like the Grimethorpe children – you know – Margate Street type.

I intend making enquiries about the air mail letter service the next time I can get into town.  (Wednesday next I hope)  I will send this one however by military mail.

It is no good enquiring about anything at this sleepy place.  They just don’t know anything.

In your Mother’s last letter to me she asked me if I could get home next Friday, March 20^th instead of Saturday.  Evidently it is the Nursing Association Dance.

Really – I should not care to go.  It would not be the same – without you there Darling.  Also I have asked for my off duty changing from Sunday and Monday to Sat and Sunday so I would rather not ask too many favours from the “Powers that be”.

Kit wants me to go to a local A.R.P. dance next Wednesday.  I have not decided yet whether to go or not.

By the way – I did not go to the City Hospital dance which I told you about in a previous letter.

Do you remember me telling you about the Scotch girl called Nan – the one I nursed in my last night duty – well, I had a day out with her last Thursday.  She is staying in Nottingham and is going home to Edinburgh in about a fortnights time.  She has begged of me to go up to Scotland for part of my holiday.

Of course, I cannot say anything definite yet as the holiday list has not been issued.

All at home wish me to give you their kind regards.  Vera says the doctor allows her up in the bedroom now for a few hours but she has not to walk about.

No more this time my Darling.  It is alright about the kisses – I quite understand – I shall have to put a few more on mine to make up for yours.

All my love, Dear, Grace xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx