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
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
Describes her thoughts on remembering his face and character. Describes her morning activities. Reminisces about exploring Heddon's Mouth with him. Discusses the progress of the war. Describes meeting Dorothea Fox and her intention to visit Prior Fields. Tells him about a garden fete for the Red Cross Hospital. Expresses her wish to have visitors when she gets home. Tells him about Mrs Philip Fletcher's new baby.
Describes in detail a conversation she had with Mrs Brock about religious and moral behaviour and interest rates. Describes the plans herself and Beagly have for the garden at the Holt. Tells him she has taken back the pots Mr Green was using. Asks him questions about Captain Bell and Captain Lithgow. Describes Clare playing with Violet and hopes that she will turn out to be clever.
Describes making a pneumonia jacket. Tells him about her morning with Mrs Brock and Constance Mussen. Describes an article from The Times read out loud by her father regarding wounded Prussian soldiers. Describes the plants she is purchasing from Miss Jekyll and Mr Clutton-Brock. Tells him she has sent his parcel and describes the contents, including pot pourri. Asks him if he wants to sell a bicycle that is in the shed. Updates him on Clare’s teeth. Expresses her wish to have him home. Discusses Mr Brock’s sermon for St Martin’s in the Field and Winchester. Discusses the price of cardboard boxes. Tells him she loves him and admires him.
Asks him how his bank holiday faired. She had finished making a dress. She can't pay the butcher's bill because they have mislaid their accounts. Is expecting Mrs Brock [wife of Arthur Clutton-Brock] to bring Alan and John to tea. Discusses her book of old wives tales and asks him if he has read Wives and Daughters. She is expecting Alison the next Monday and has not heard from Trafford or Doris.
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 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.
Sunday 9 July - Informs him that the Clutton-Brocks are expected to tea. Tells him about the gardener leaving after sixteen years of service. Describes the man applying for the gardener position as a retired soldier with ‘shell shock’. Describes her morning activities; gardening, looking after Clare and painting china. Intends to send him pictures of Clare. Expresses her feelings about the progress of the war.
Monday 10 July – She has received his letter and reassures him they are all happy with the progress of the war. Expresses her sadness to hear that Uncle Arthur’s youngest son has been killed and her sadness at all the death.
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.
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.
Describes in detail the garden at the Holt and her plans for it. Tells him about her plans to meet Mrs Heanni. Describes Clare playing with her father. Discusses an article about Ireland from the Round Table. Tells him she has received his letters. Describes Clare’s appearance. Discusses the differences in their sense of humour. Tells him she hopes he can have debated on religion with her father in the future. Describes her father’s opinion about Mr Clutton-Brock’s book The Ultimate Belief.
Updates him on all their health and recovery from influenza. Discusses her plans for the Montessori classes. Expresses her opinions on how and when to teach Clare about religion. Discusses the progress of the peace talks and tells him about her days activities.
Is glad she has heard from him. Describes the Clutton-Brocks garden. Discusses the possible repercussions of Lord Kitchener's death. Tells him Mr Brock intends to send him his book. Updates him on Clare's progress. She has heard about Mr Kendal from Mr Brocks regarding the headmastership. Intends to take a trip to London.
7 July - She intends to write to Avie and Doris Turner. Tells him Doris had only achieved a fourth at Oxford. She has received his letter and is sorry he is having a bad time. Discusses the progress of the war and wishes for peace. Tells him how Clare has caught a cold from Mary Anne. Describes her visit to the Brocks. Discusses Mr Brock’s review of his book. Tells him she has had visits from Aunt Beatrice, Uncle Bertie, Aunt Agnes and Uncle Peter.
8 July – Tells him about her morning; Marjorie let the ferrets out resulting in an accident involving Clare falling out the pram. Discusses the progress of the war and reflects on helping at the hospitals. Informs him she will send him a cake.
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.
Expresses her longing to have him home. Discusses in detail her thoughts on politics. Describes a conversation between her father and Mr Clutton-Brock. Tells him about the new coats for Clare and Berry. Describes a visit from Uncle Wilmot. Updates him on her morning activities and tells him about Mary Anne not feeling well. Expresses how free he will feel when he is home and working at the school.
Acknowledges his last letter and is sorry to hear he is feeling lonely. Tells him about Violet's father breaking his leg and the visitors she is expecting. Discusses Mary Anne and Owen's relationship and tells him about an argument they had. Describes how she intends to find a cook for the Holt and what to send in his next parcel. Tells him about completing her Montessori alphabet. Updates him on Clare's progress. Reiterates that Mr Clutton-Brock is eager to see him.
Discusses in detail Oliver Lodge's book Raymond. Expresses her opinions about the changing times during the war and when the war might end. Describes her forthcoming activities. Updates him on Clare's progress and hopes she will be talking when he sees her. Expresses her wish to have a boy. Is happy that he feels heroic.
Acknowledges his letter describing his journey and discusses the delay with the post. Expresses her happiness that he is enjoying himself and asks if he has seen the King. Describes attending a bazaar at Lady Jardin's house and tells him how Mr Clutton-Brock is looking forward to his return and updates him on news from Mrs Burton-Brown. Expresses her gratitude that he made it through the war without being seriously hurt. Tells him about Mr Powis being back from Germany.
Monday 31 July - Expresses her wish to have him home and how much she misses him. Relays a conversation she had with a girl at the depot in Guildford about volunteer work. Describes the bowl she is designing. Describes the trip she had with her father and Mildred to hire a washerwoman and discusses Mildred’s reluctance to talk to poor people.
Tuesday 1 August – Tells him she came on her period and describes her morning activities. Informs him she has sent him a parcel and took tea with Mrs Trew. Discusses her ideas for the garden at the Holt. Describes her tea with Mrs Trew. Expresses her strong opinions on the conduct of Mr Allen towards his newly pregnant wife, Elenor. Discusses Shakespeare’s Hamlet and King Lear. Discusses his answer to her opinions on Mr Clutton-Brock's book. Discusses Stanley Washerman’s account of the Russian offensive.
Morning - Describes her journey to London and tells a story about a Canadian leaving his rifle behind. Describes the women at the Women’s Land offices where Marjorie applied for farm work. Informs him Marjorie has been assigned to a farm owned by Olive’s brother and will stay for 4-6 weeks.
Afternoon – Describes her conversation with Uncle Hawes and Aunt Jessie about their visit to Ogwen Lake. Describes her activities in London; shopping at Wedgwood and Oxford Circus for clothes, tea with Mrs Reade. Describes the relationship between Mr Reade and Owen and expresses her own opinions on the matter. Intends to send Mrs Reade his letters to read. She will thank Mr Clutton-Brock for the book he sent.
Expresses her anxiety over the delay in the post. Describes her father playing billiards. Update's him on Clare's character. Tells him about an article she would like to read in the New Europe about Germany. Describes the garden at the Holt and her plans for it. Reflects on the people they will have to visit and if he will have a form class again. Expresses her thoughts about not wanting to write anymore because she would rather tell him in person. Sends him her love.
Expresses her annoyance at him ordering a £50 book and discusses her thoughts on living within their means and saving money. Discusses her thoughts on his new location and the effectiveness of tanks in the war. Describes a trip to see Mrs Brock. Asks him about the possibility of getting leave in November.
Discusses the possibility of peace and the progress of the war. Tells him about her trip to the London Library. Updates him on the progress of his curtain. Describes tea with Bridget, Persis and Miranda. Tells him Jelly might have influenza.
Tells him she has received his letter and will send some more clothes. Describes in detail her trip to London to see Bridget. Describes dinner at Mrs Reade’s and the people she met there. Updates him on news about Geoffrey Young and Stuart Wilson. Asks if he would like a rubber hot water bottle.
Acknowledges his letter telling her he is being moved. Discusses her thoughts on Figaro and the process musicians take to create music for a play. Expresses her disappointment with the second Montessori book. Tells him she will send him Mr Clutton-Brock's book. Expresses her thoughts in detail on the grace of God. Tells him she is sending his flour and asks if his letters will be forwarded to Paris.
Describes in detail the speech given by Mr Clutton-Brock at the church room in Godalming about Christian character. Expresses her opinions about her judgement of others. Discusses a question posed by Mrs Fanshaw regarding a meeting of educated women. Expresses her wish for Clare to be brought up in a friendly environment. Informs him Robert Graves was intending to visit. Hopes he has received her parcel.
Describes her day's activities. Discusses in detail Sir Douglas High's Despatches. Updates him on the progress of his curtains and hopes he will receive them before the Prime Minister's visit. Tells him she is reading History of Our Own Times. Discusses the possibility of peace in the next six months. Tells him about Mary Anne's sister being missing and feared dead in Russia.
