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
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
Informs him of the parcels she is sending him. Acknowledges his recent letter. Tells him about the horde of jam they have stored. Describes the items they all bought in London and the bedtime routine with the children. Expresses her opinion about the point of marriage. Tells him about a neighbour receiving the news that her son is missing in France. Discusses the terms of peace.
Describes her activities of the previous day. Informs him that Marjorie Waterhouse, Doris, and Olive Smedley are staying for the weekend. Tells him about Hugh Wilson’s brother being wounded. Describes visiting Priors Field with Doris and Helen. Updates him on Clare’s progress. Describes Marjorie Waterhouse’s work at the hospital. Expresses her love for him.
Discusses how she fills her days and nights. Intends to send him a cake. Tells him about his mother’s idea about an armoured waistcoat. Describes her itinerary for the day. Tells him about men with weak hearts being called up for service. Describes her outing to the depot with the William’s girls and Constance. Expresses her love for him.
Thanks him for his letter and expresses her happiness to hear his thoughts on Clare’s religious education. Discusses her thoughts on religion in relation to the war and how to raise Clare. Expresses her thoughts on life after death and hopes they can discuss these matters together. Discusses the progress of the war. Describes her conversation with Aunt Agnes and Uncle Peter at Roke and discusses their relationship. Hopes that they can make their life perfect. Intends to take tea with Marjorie and Clare at Mrs Brock’s house.
Hopes he had a nice Christmas and tells him what she received from Marjorie, Mildred, Bob [Major Robert Morgan, husband of Ruth sister Mildred], and her father. She has not gone to church due to feeling unwell. Discusses her book The Meaning of Good. Explains that the house is busy so she will seek quiet in the nursery with the baby. Asks for the Pen y Pass address.
My Dear George I am writing this first thing on Tuesday morning & I am going up the village to try & get it off by the first post. Marjorie has written asking us to alter our day of returning if possible because of Father's fishing, so if Aunt Rosamond can have us on Wednesday we shall come home then. I don't think either of us will mind one day less. The weather looks a bit better today I think we shall have sun on & off. Yesterday we left the BBs about six & reversed the walk we did on Saturday evening with them. It was misty & quite grey & very very beautiful walking along the wide wet sands with nothing but sand & sky to look at. One felt so far away from every thing and so much just a little bit of it all. I do like to feel like that. There's the sea the trees the flowers the birds & to feel just one of them instead of a person apart as one does in houses that is good. I can feel more part of the spring and of it all than I have ever felt before because I'm doing what its all doing & making more. I must go on with this letter any longer or Im[sic] afraid shall miss the post. I hope I haven't.
Complains that the coal has not been delivered. Informs him that Mildred and Marjorie are back from London with an engagement ring. Describes the new design on her plate. Discusses her book Old Wives Tales. She hopes to hear from him soon and tells him she misses him.
She is glad his boots are a success and that he is having a good time. Offers to send him socks originally knitted for soldiers. Tells him of the weather and their activities that day. Informs him of Marjorie's arrival and how well she is looking. Tells him that Captain Morgan was successful in obtaining leave and she expects him to arrive that Thursday. Requests to have the essays of Jane Harrison.
She hopes he has had a good time in Wales. Is sorry to hear of Mr Pye's recent appendix operation. Tells him of the work she has been doing making up patterns. Major Morgan is expected and is being met by Marjorie and Mildred at the station. Asks him if they could ask David Pye to visit. Hopes that he will have a good time in Yorkshire with his father and Trafford and tells him not to feel blue when at Birkenhead.
Discusses the progress of peace negotiations and their life at the Holt after the war. Expresses her opinions about War and Peace. Tells him she is reading the second book by Madame Montessori about education for children aged 7 - 10 years old, and that she has not got round to reading Mr Clutton-Brocks book. Informs him that Violet may leave them to go back to her parents after the war. Expresses her opinion about finding servants after the war. Discusses a conversation she had with Mr Raxworthy about the German Navy.
Discusses the contents of his last letter and asks him questions about his dug out. Describes the flowers in her bedroom and the coming of spring. Updates him on her and her father's health. Describes a conversation her father had with Mr Williams. Discusses the progress of the war. Tells him she is reading Quentin Durward.
Describes her morning on the boat with Major Morgan and Mildred. Tells him of going to the Holt and organising her parcels for her confinement. She hopes to hear from him soon. Tells him of Major Morgan and Mildred's plans to stay in France after the war. Tells him of her guests Alison, Marby [Marjorie] and Helen.
Acknowledges his letter of the 3rd February. Discusses her father's opinions about the progress of the war. Expresses her sorrow on hearing of the death of one of his officers. Describes a conversation with Marjorie. Asks him how is feeling back at the battery. Hopes that she will soon be able to get out of bed.
Tells him she did not go to church and that her mind is occupied with finding servants. Reflects on what their life will look like at the Holt. Informs him of her intention to hear Mr Clutton-Brock speaking for Labour and her plans to stay in London for a few nights. Tells him she is feeling tired and updates him on her father's health. Describes how Clare has been pretending he is home.
Acknowledges and discusses his letters from the 1st and 3rd March. Reflects on how they may change in their marriage. Describes the weather and her surroundings. Describes saving a piglet from death. Describes her plans for the garden. Updates him on her father's health. Asks him if he would like some rhubarb.
Expresses her wish for him to be on leave. Describes her activities of the previous afternoon. Discusses the possibility of him learning book binding. Updates him on Clare’s progress. Describes the visit from the boy Johnstone [friend of Robert Graves] and the conversations they had. Asks him if he needs any more butter.
Describes the weather. Tells him she will send him photographs of Clare and that they have new born pigs. Describes a letter from Doris about her work at the War Office. Discusses Clare's future. Expresses her opinions on Marie Correlli's writing. Asks him about his location and tells him about Mr Green not paying his rent properly.
Hopes that he is well as she has not heard from him in a few days. She has been reading the Round Table. Expresses her views on how the war could come to an end through the application of an international law. Asks for his opinion about the end of the war. Describes her feelings towards Polly. Tells him about the tea service she is making. Describes her evening activities, singing and playing the piano. Expresses her wish to buy a new piano for the Holt after Polly takes the one there when she leaves. She has asked for clothes for her birthday present. Asks him if he knows Sibel Cropper, an old school friend of Marjorie’s. Recounts the story of Sibel refusing to marry Geoffrey Young and asks if he discusses Geoffrey’s love affairs with Mr Reade.
Acknowledges his letter of the 31st. Discusses the post and the items she will send him. Tells him about correspondence with a Russian prisoner. Asks him why he was moved. Expresses her wish to be able to go on walks with him. Describes taking a bath and Clare not recognising her. Tells him about Marjorie, Violet, and Rose tobogganing. Discusses the progress of the war. Reassures him she is starting to feel better.
Expresses her feelings of anxiety and depression over the war. Describes her feelings over Aldeburgh and over Doris and Marjorie leaving. Discusses the progress of the war. Describes the weather. Expresses her concern for his health and tells him how she misses him. Describes Clare's physical attributes. Hopes that his dugout is not too damp.
Tells him about Clare's reaction to getting her pet rabbits and a trip to Church with Marjorie. Discusses the progress of the war. Asks him if he would like apples sent to him. Expresses her wish for the war to end and to have him home. Voices her opinions about Natural Law in the Spiritual World.
Informs him she has written to David Pye. Updates him on Clare's progress and wonders what she will grow up like. Updates him on her health. Tells him about the various engagements she has arranged and her morning activities. Discusses teaching Clare poetry.
Notes that she has not had a letter from him. Tells him that Mildred intends to write to him. Describes her previous evening's activities. Expresses her love for him. Describes the atmosphere in Aldeburgh. Discusses the recent air raids.
Discusses the progress of the war. Describes in detail her morning activities. Updates him on her father's health and says she has sent for the doctor to look at Berry's throat. Describes photographs taken by Marjorie of her and the children. Asks him how he is getting on with the officers.
Describes in detail her shopping trip to London with Marjorie. Discusses Boswell’s book of Johnson’s Life. Tells him Olive Marsden Smedley is intending to visit. Discusses his opinions on her involvement with district visiting with the National Mission. Expresses her thoughts on being involved with the Mother’s Welcome group. Describes Clare’s temper. Discusses the progress of the war.
Updates him on the doctors advice for her to be on bed rest. Tells him she has arranged for his sausages to be sent off. Describes the weather and updates shim on her father's health.
Apologises for not sending the Alpine Journal onto him that contained his article. Tells him about Owen's worry that his chicken might have flu. Discusses the progress of peace talks. Describes a visit to the Holt to talk with Mary Anne. Expresses her feelings about Jane playing with the children at Charterhouse. Updates him on Clare's progress and tells him she is enclosing a letter from her. Tells him how busy she is and her hopes that the Montessori class will be popular.
