Letter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Westbrook
Makes arrangements for a picnic. Thanks him for the gift of a watch.
Sem títuloLetter from Ruth Turner to George Mallory written from Westbrook
Makes arrangements for a picnic. Thanks him for the gift of a watch.
Sem títuloLetter 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.
Sem títuloLetter 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.
Sem títuloLetter 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]
Sem títuloLetter 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.
Sem títuloLetter 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.
Sem títuloLetter 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.
Sem títuloLetter 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.
Sem títuloLetter 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.
Sem títuloLetter 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.
Sem títuloLetter 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.
Sem títuloLetter 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.
Sem títuloLetter 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.
Sem títuloLetter 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.
Sem títuloIncreasing numbers of George’s friends were joining up to serve in the war effort in different capacities but when he enquired about doing so himself his Headmaster refused him permission as the Government wanted to retain its school teachers. By July Ruth was pregnant and George was restless so he went on a climbing trip to Pen y Pass with Hugh Heber-Percy and toured Yorkshire with his father. On 31 July Ruth moved into Westbrook, her father's house.
On 18 September Ruth gave birth to their first child - a daughter called Frances Clare.
His brother in law, the artillery officer Ralph Brooke, offered to help George get a commission in the Royal Artillery, if he could get permission from his Headmaster to join up. This was finally agreed with Fletcher and Brooke wrote to a friend who ran an artillery training course in Weymouth to recommend Mallory. The training was due to start in January 1916 so George travelled to Birkenhead to spend Christmas with his parents, then a few days climbing at Pen y Pass with Conor O'Brien and Herbert Reade before visiting his sister Avie in Mobberley. He did not spend Christmas with Ruth and Clare.
Notifies him that she is sending him his thin socks. Hopes he is settling in well.
Describes packing for a trip to Wales. Tells him she has left his address for any forwarding letters. Describes her activities for the day, including an outing in the pony trap. She is looking forward to her trip with Ursula. Tells him she has asked the police to watch over the house while empty. Hopes he is having a nice trip.