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
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
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
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
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
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 the progress of peace talks. Describes having Mr Pilsbury and a young boy round for tea and how they played with Clare. Expresses her opinions of the benefits of Clare playing with older children. Tells him she has got influenza and is in bed reading War and Peace.
Informs him she is staying at the Holt but will return to Westbrook with Mildred and Bob [Major Robert Morgan, Mildred's husband]. Describes her evening playing billiards. Tells him that Doris and Marjorie Waterhouse [old school friend, they attended Prior's Field School] have visited. Hopes he is having a good time and asks him to give her thanks to Mr Reade.
Is glad he received her letter. Describes her morning with Clare. Is glad he is coming home and asks what train he is to arrive on. Informs him that Bob [Major Robert Morgan, husband of Ruth sister Mildred] is due to arrive in London. Expresses her wish to live closer to Weymouth while he is there.
Describes her morning with Aunt Maude, Aunt Constance and Mildred. Thanks him for the present. Hopes he will have a good time climbing. Tells him of her struggles concentrating on her book. Updates him on Clare’s progress. Informs him that she will be staying at the Holt with Alison and Marjorie Waterhouse [old school friend, they attended Prior's Field School]. Tells him of her intention to offer help to Aunt Patty.
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.
Informs him she is going to London with Bice and Mildred. Updates him on Clare's progress and the meeting with the doctor. Tells him about a letter she received from his mother and discusses him arriving on leave at Birkenhead. Describes a design she helped her father with. Tells him she will search at the Holt for Roderick Hudson by Henry James. Informs him that Trafford has been home on leave.
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.
Praises the quick postal service and hopes he is having a nice time with his father, despite the bad weather. Expresses her wish to be there. Encourages him to stay longer and look for a present for Marjorie’s birthday. Tells him of her morning activities; having her hair washed and china painting. Asks about the date for Trafford’s wedding. Discusses how they intend to educate their children. Tells him her father, Mildred and Major Morgan have gone fishing at Eut
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 reports from Belgium and the progress of the war. Describes the view from her bedroom and the weather. Informs him she intends to write to Mary Anne and Mildred. Discusses the contents of his previous letter dated Nov 2. Describes her work at the depot.
Is writing to him from the train to London. Tells him Marjorie took Clare to the hospital to show her off. Discusses the book she is reading on psychology. Asks him to date his letters. Wonders if he has received her letters yet through the Poste Restante Honfleur. Hopes that he will get the guns he likes. Informs him that Ursula Nettleship is expected to visit. Tells him how Mildred was robbed in London. Describes fabric she intends to use to make two dresses. Informs him she intends to stay at Birkenhead for a fortnight. Tells him of the china and earthenware she bought from Wedgewood wholesale. Hopes he is getting on well and that she has sent his pillowcases.
Discusses his previous letters to her and her thoughts on his location and duties. Asks him about the guns he is working with and if he will be moving locations soon. Describes a visit to the Brocks' and updates him on Clare's progress. Tells him she has spoken to a chemist about the Liverpool rat virus which will be sent on to him. Informs him of a letter from Mrs Saunders concerning the death of Mrs Pennyfather.
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.
Saturday 9 Dec. evening - Expresses her fear over the war and hopes that it will end soon. Discusses Clare's progress. Tells him she loves and misses him.
Sunday 10 Dec. morning - Updates him on news from Charterhouse concerning Mr Fletcher the Headmaster. Tells him about the various illnesses going around. Describes a a boy in the naval service receiving a distinguished service cross and asks if he knows him. Tells him they have decided to put on a play at Christmas, The Land of the Heart's Desire by Yeats. She is going to supper with Mrs Brock and expresses her opinions about Duncan Grant.
Discusses when he might come home on leave. Tells him Trafford has been made a Captain and Robert Graves’ apparent dislike of Trafford. Describes the educated women’s meeting and updates him on the health and business of everyone there. Tells him she will send him some song books and looks forward to his next letter. Informs him she is going to tea with Aunt Theodora.
Describes her morning working at the hospital with Mildred. Discusses the new dress patterns she received for her birthday. Hopes he is safe and well and informs him of a letter he received from Mr Thompson. Discusses what she has read in Vanity Fair. She has heard from Mary about the location of the armies. She hopes he is not near Ypres.
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.
Informs him of Mildred's engagement to Major Morgan and hopes that the right decision has been made. Discusses the future between Major Morgan and her father. Hopes that Major Morgan will be kept safe in the war. Tells him of her sleepless nights and hopes he will return soon.
Friday 8 Dec. evening - Describes in detail the meeting with Mrs Brock. Discusses her opinions on the love of God in their lives. Expresses her thoughts on wanting to be a nicer person and being easier to live with. Discusses the friendship dynamics in the women's group. Expresses her feelings about being depressed and trying to appear cheerful.
Saturday 9 Dec. morning - Tells him about going to the Holt to find the books he wanted and the items she is sending him. Informs him that Olive Smedley and Rachel Dixon are coming to stay. Tells him about Mildred's toes and that the Greens are going home for Christmas.
Discusses the postal service. Describes the weather. Informs him Mildred’s girl, Sylvia Turner, is staying and discusses her opinions of her character. Describes the painting for her bowl. Tells him about her dream. Expresses her feelings about having no visitors. Discusses a conversation she had with her father and Mr Williams about the government keeping information hidden about the war. Describes what she has read in the paper regarding the victory at the Suez Canal. Discusses the progress of the war. Expresses her opinions about Sylvia Turner’s lack of interest in the war. Tells him she is sending him a parcel containing soup tablets and lavender.
Updates him on her condition with influenza and tells him Clare might have the beginnings of it too. Relays news about Robert and Nancy Graves. Expresses her opinions about War and Peace and on the character of the German people. Asks him if he has received Mr Clutton-Brock's book. Discusses the progress of the peace talks. Describes the plans she has for the garden at the Holt. Discusses what items from his mess to use at home after the war.
Morning - Tells him about the photographs she has received and that she will send him some prints. Informs him that six copies of his pamphlet have been sent to the Brocks via Mr Bradby at Rugby and eighteen more have been ordered. Describes her morning activities. Tells him that Bob [Major Robert Morgan, Mildred's husband] is leaving for London but Mildred will stay. Asks him to let her know which of her letters he receives, so she doesn't repeat herself.
Afternoon - Describes her afternoon plans by herself. Hopes he is happy and well. Expresses her love for him.
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.
