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
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
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 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 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 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
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
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.
Discusses the progress of peace talks. Hopes to get another letter from him. Describes a walk with Clare. Discusses economising on light and what books to read in a short space of time. Updates him on news from Alison. Expresses her father's opinions about the Austrian Emperor's proclamation. Expresses her worry that she has not had a letter from him and hopes the O'Malley's will leave the Holt soon. Asks if he can send the drawings back of the plan for the Winchester Memorial. Discusses living at the Holt by herself with Violet and one other servant.
Discusses studying a map to follow the progress of the war. Expresses her hopes for peace soon. Describes her morning activities. Reflects on a conversation with Avie about his mother and tells him about John's character. Expresses her wish for them all to live together at the Holt. Asks him where he might be sent next. Expresses her opinions about a speech given by President Wilson. Reflects on how the war has affected individual people's thinking about justice.
Describes why they were late arriving at Westbrook. Acknowledges his letter from His Majesties Service Commission. Send her apologies to his mother for not writing.
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.
Complains that his father has not provided an address. Asks him about his trip and is glad he likes Mr O'Malley. Tells him of visiting their house to collect parcels and organise items for her confinement. Informs him that Ralph [Brooke, husband of George's sister Mary] has 10 days leave and intends to go to Scotland to stay with cousins. Describes her new painting pattern and closes with a description of the weather.
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 the garden and compares her surroundings to his in France. Tells him she misses him. Expresses her worry about what life might be like after the war and talks of how things should change for the better. Tells him how Violet is ashamed of her tanned skin on return from her holiday. Describes her intended activities; painting china, going to golf with her father. Describes to him Bob’s ill feelings towards his requests for parcels and his opinion of his regiment as a tiresome and difficult one.
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.
Describes the German reaction to the armistice. Discusses how they will manage storing the O'Malley's boxes at the Holt. Expresses her hope that moving will go smoothly. Tells him that the calf has been born.
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.
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.
Expresses her sadness over the defeat of the ship The Invincible. Confirms that she has had his letters regarding him moving south. Hopes that he will stay safe and expresses her anxiety over the continuing length of the war. She is glad he has Mr Bill and Captain Lithgow with him. Describes her morning activities. Expresses her sadness over the death of George Morgan.
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.
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.
Is happy to have received his letters. Expresses her views on the meaning of love. Hopes that they will have more children and tells him of Clare’s progress.
