Date: 23 May 1972
From: Geoffrey
Location: 9 Cromwell Road, Whitstable, Kent
To: “Dearest Friends” – Edwin and Melvin (Ed & Mel), in Washington DC
This letter reveals several key emotional and logistical threads between the men:
- Warm Gratitude and Shared Affection:
Geoffrey thanks Ed and Mel for their “lovely letter” and “generous enclosure,” implying a gift or financial assistance. There is sincere affection, as seen in phrases like “I have no doubt it will soon be time for me to be among my(our) many dear friends in Washington.” - Light Humour and Warm Teasing:
He jokes about writing during school hours, referencing his own cheekiness with a tone that invites warmth, familiarity, and intimacy (“this is not blackmail but a case of you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours”). - Travel Planning – A Reunion:
Geoffrey discusses a round trip airline ticket and some fiddling with flight arrangements, mentioning his expected arrival in New York on June 16, possibly to be reunited with Ed, Mel, and Ted (another friend referenced in past correspondence). - Patrick’s Ongoing Appeal:
Geoffrey references a letter from Patrick that morning, noting the appeal outcome is still pending, but Patrick is “thrilled to bits” over Geoffrey’s trip. Patrick misses the group and feels comforted by Ed and Mel’s earlier letter. - Deep Emotional Bonds:
Geoffrey admits he’ll feel more at peace after this visit, and speaks warmly about the reciprocity of their love and concern: “this needless to say works both ways.” - Flight Issues:
There are issues with how the ticket is categorized and routing, possibly due to cost or limitations on free travel – revealing financial limitations or bureaucratic hurdles, common in long-distance relationships and friendships across countries. - Closing with Devotion:
Geoffrey signs off affectionately, clearly exhausted (“EXCUSE ERRORS VERY TIRED”), but faithful and humorous, with an enduring phrase: “in your Debt.”
Full Transcription
9 Cromwell Road,
Whitstable, Kent.
5/23/72
Dearest Friends,
A million thanks for your lovely letter and your more than generous enclosure which I acknowledge herewith as received.
You cannot know how time is dragging on over here—it seems to have stood still—but I have no doubt it will soon be time for me to be among my (our) many dear friends in Washington. Who’s a naughty boy writing during school hours? I promise I will say nothing about it if you will say nothing about my phone calls to you. This is not blackmail but a case of you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours. As regards my ticket it is classed as a round trip ticket and one of you Airlines has to claim from B.O.A.C. when I make the flight but I can fiddle just as well as Nero.
Had a letter from Patrick this morning. There is still no news re his appeal but if anything does crop up I will let you know right away. He is thrilled to bits re my trip over to see you all and says I deserve it after all the worry he has caused me, he also says he envies me the trip and will be thinking all the time about me. This needless to say works both ways. He asks me to thank you all for his letter which I sent on to him as soon as it arrived, he has read and reread that letter so many times, I’m sure that it gives him a great deal of comfort. Many many thanks.
I have already written to Ted re my trip as I have had to alter my plans re the flight over. I shall be arriving a lot earlier than I stated in my last letter to Ted. Instead of arriving in the morning I shall be in New York about 1:35 in the afternoon of the 16th of June. I will ask Ted if I can give you a ring when I get there to let you know that trouble has arrived (i.e. me)!
I have just found out that I will have to fly down from N.Y. to D.C. otherwise I can only get a single to N.Y. and a single back from D.C. but this can be fiddled as I’ve already said so Mums the word.
Will close for now, good night and God bless you all,
As always, in your Debt,
L.W.
Geoffrey
(handwritten at the bottom):
EXCUSE ERRORS VERY TIRED