{"id":7902,"date":"2025-08-09T09:13:17","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T08:13:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/olddays.co.uk\/?page_id=7902"},"modified":"2025-08-09T10:29:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T09:29:26","slug":"buckner-letters-geoffrey-and-patrick-23-may-1972","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/buckner-letters-geoffrey-and-patrick-23-may-1972\/","title":{"rendered":"Buckner Letters – Geoffrey and Patrick 23 May 1972"},"content":{"rendered":"

Date:<\/strong> 23 May 1972
\nFrom:<\/strong> Geoffrey
\nLocation:<\/strong> 9 Cromwell Road, Whitstable, Kent
\nTo:<\/strong> \u201cDearest Friends\u201d \u2013 Edwin and Melvin (Ed & Mel), in Washington DC<\/p>\n

This letter reveals several key emotional and logistical threads between the men:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Warm Gratitude and Shared Affection:<\/strong>
    \nGeoffrey thanks Ed and Mel for their \u201clovely letter\u201d and \u201cgenerous enclosure,\u201d implying a gift or financial assistance. There is sincere affection, as seen in phrases like \u201cI have no doubt it will soon be time for me to be among my(our) many dear friends in Washington.\u201d<\/li>\n
  2. Light Humour and Warm Teasing:<\/strong>
    \nHe jokes about writing during school hours, referencing his own cheekiness with a tone that invites warmth, familiarity, and intimacy (\u201cthis is not blackmail but a case of you scratch my back I\u2019ll scratch yours\u201d).<\/li>\n
  3. Travel Planning \u2013 A Reunion:<\/strong>
    \nGeoffrey discusses a round trip airline ticket and some fiddling with flight arrangements, mentioning his expected arrival in New York on June 16<\/strong>, possibly to be reunited with Ed, Mel, and Ted (another friend referenced in past correspondence).<\/li>\n
  4. Patrick\u2019s Ongoing Appeal:<\/strong>
    \nGeoffrey references a letter from Patrick that morning, noting the appeal outcome is still pending, but Patrick is \u201cthrilled to bits\u201d over Geoffrey\u2019s trip. Patrick misses the group and feels comforted by Ed and Mel\u2019s earlier letter.<\/li>\n
  5. Deep Emotional Bonds:<\/strong>
    \nGeoffrey admits he\u2019ll feel more at peace after this visit, and speaks warmly about the reciprocity of their love and concern: \u201cthis needless to say works both ways.\u201d<\/li>\n
  6. Flight Issues:<\/strong>
    \nThere are issues with how the ticket is categorized and routing, possibly due to cost or limitations on free travel \u2013 revealing financial limitations or bureaucratic hurdles, common in long-distance relationships and friendships across countries.<\/li>\n
  7. Closing with Devotion:<\/strong>
    \nGeoffrey signs off affectionately, clearly exhausted (\u201cEXCUSE ERRORS VERY TIRED\u201d), but faithful and humorous, with an enduring phrase: \u201cin your Debt.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n