Letter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Ireland
Describes her morning watching her father fish. Tells him how happy she is to hear from him and what she has been doing with her family; Mildred has been painting and she has been rowing. Expresses her wish to have a photograph of him and asks for Avie’s address. Discusses her thoughts on Scrambles Amongst the Alps. Notes the change in weather, how she is missing him and how Uncle Hawes is enjoying fishing. Tells him how perfect life is going to be with him.
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
Letter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Ireland
17 May - there was no post that day. Explains that a drawing of a map she has sent him of Lake Garton and the mountain she wishes to climb is not to scale. Aunt Chrissy was to be let out of the asylum after her breakdown in India to spend the summer with Uncle Wilmot. She misses him and will write tomorrow.
18 May – Thanks him for his letter. Talks humorously of decorating their house. Describes fishing with her father. Tells him of walking with Mildred and Alison. Describes the dream she had. Asks about his dinner with Mrs Burton-Brown. Uncle Hawes reads aloud while she does embroidery. Tells him she misses him but is having a nice time.
[The letter includes her hand drawn map]
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
Letter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Ireland
Expresses her love for the poem he sent. Describes how overwhelmed she felt on being engaged. She is expecting Uncle Lawrence and Captain Morgan that evening for a fishing trip. Mr J. W. Marshall informs her that they can have the house at Christmas for £1600. Describes a trek in the mountains. Tells him she wishes to climb with him in the summer if she was good enough.
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
Letter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Westbrook
Full Transcript
Dear Mr Mallory
Please don’t lock the door or we may be dreadfully late, my postcard was not meant as a threat but only as an apology {1} beforehand. We should have liked to have come to dinner very much only I am afraid we cant possibly because of the numbers fitting. I do wish things did not always come on the same day.
Yours sincerely Ruth Turner
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
Letter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Westbrook
Full Transcript
Dear Mr Mallory We have altered our arrangements on receiving you [sic] first letter and are doing what you proposed i.e. coming by the first train which arrived Verona 10.0 And we shall hope to hope you will meet us at the station.
There are pencil notes on the back giving initials and amounts owed.
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
She gives her opinions about the book she is currently reading; describes the flowers out at home; hopes he’s having a lovely time among the mountains; she has been out to deal with the hens; she describes painting her china; their box had been delayed and would be coming by ordinary freight so they had bought a new dress for Mildred.
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
Letter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Ireland
Tells him about a hill she wants to climb; describes their journey and which members of the party had arrived so far; she was currently reading Scramble Amongst the Alps; she will be rowing for the afternoon and wishes he was there.
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
Letter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Ireland
Expresses how she loves his letters. Tells him that she will improve her spelling of 'glacier'. Discusses his tutoring of the boys. Reassures him about money matters. Advises him to accept an invitation without her to visit Mrs Mallory. She has not heard from Miss Davies but suggests getting married the first week in August. Approves an engagement announcement in the papers. Describes the fishing exploits of her father, Captain Morgan, and Uncle Lawrence. Relays a meeting she had with a local Irish woman. She is looking forward to seeing him in two weeks.
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
Letter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Ireland
She is sorry he is not feeling well. Expresses her feelings on the poem he sent her. Tells him of the scenery of her walks. Describes her activities with Captain Morgan, Mildred, and Uncle Hawes. She had received a letter from Harry. She hopes to read more of her Alpine book.
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
Letter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Ireland
Understands how difficult his job can be compared to Mr Pilsbury and Mr Porter. Talks of her time away so far and the activities she has been doing. She has not finished Scrambles yet. Discusses his sonnet. She intends to lunch at Garten. She hopes he will prefer to fish one day. She thanks him for the photograph.
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
Letter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Ireland
She intends to climb the mountain. She has not needed to row for her father that day. Has been discussing wedding plans with Marjorie and Mildred, making fun of his clothing choices. Expresses her concern over climbing the mountain. Tells him of writing an Italian letter to Signorina. She has not heard from Miss Davies yet.
Next morning – Intends to go for a walk with Alison and Mildred. She is looking forward to reading his next letter.
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
Letter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Ireland
24 May – Thinks he is good for many reasons and won’t give up being critical. Voices her opinions on the role of women’s independence in marriage. Is glad he likes Mr Clutton-Brocks’ book on William Morris. Expresses her concerns over voicing her feelings. She has finished the Alpine book. Describes a walk that led her to a mountain range called Dooish, their progress was slow as Mildred got tired. Explains the plan they had for reaching the top. Describes the scenery. Tells him of another mountain he might like to climb. Describes the journey home. Had a wonderful time telling fairy stories with Mildred and Alison.
25 May – Is sorry his last letter was so short. Describes her morning fishing with the party. She is glad he has written to his mother. There has been no news from Miss Davies. Expresses her opinions on a Russian story she is reading.
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
Letter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Ireland
Describes her morning's activities and plans for the day. Notifies him of her time of arrival and asks him if he will meet for lunch. She has received her first wedding present from Mr Parry. Expresses her worries over married life. Is looking forward to getting home.
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
Letter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Ireland
Tells him her hand is getting better. Discusses her book The Brother Karamazov. Is tired of writing letters. Gives her opinion on Keats and discusses William Morris’s designs. Relays a conversation with Uncle Hawes on the temper of women. Tells of her plans for the day. Expresses the kindness of Miss Wilton to offer them her house.
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
Letter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Ireland
Discusses her opinions on truth and reflects on growing up. She has changed her opinion of her book The Brothers Karamazov and has started reading William Morris by Mr Clutton-Brock. Expresses her desire to have Barnsley furniture in their house. Urges him to attend his sister’s wedding without her. Requests a photograph of Mary.
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
Letter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Ireland
Apologises for not getting his letter. Warns him that he may not receive this letter in time. Informs him of her time of arrival and hopes he will meet her. Describes her plans for the day. Reproaches him for sending her threatening letters and for keeping her waiting. Expresses how much she misses him and talks of their future home and children.
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
This collection consists of records relating to George Mallory's time whilst he was a student at Magdalene College, a few from his time at school at Winchester College, and from his career post Magdalene as a schoolmaster at Charterhouse.
The bulk of the collection is made up of letters written between him and his wife Ruth from the time of their engagement in 1914 until his death on Everest in 1924. The collection also contains the three letters found on his body in 1999.
The collection does not contain any original photographs although there are a number of copies which can be used for reference but cannot be reproduced without the prior consent of the copyright owner.
There is also a biographical file containing articles and other secondary sources about Mallory - see MCHR/1/MALLORY
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
Postcard from Ruth Turner to George Mallory at Charterhouse.
Full Transcript
We shall come on Saturday but if you exceed an hour by more than a very few minuits [sic] I am afraid we shall have to home before the end, because we have dinner party that night Ruth Turner
Mallory, George Herbert Leigh (1886-1924), mountaineer
