THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams,
The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

Sept 12 [1941?]

Dear Mrs O’Neill¹

We are the gainers – it must be terrible to uproot old associations – But for us it will be delightful to have you for a neighbour – though, alas, not so very near in these days of difficult transport.
Do let us know if you are ever in Dorking.
Please use my name as a referee.
Yrs ever

R. Vaughan Williams

1. A concert pianist and widow of Norman O’Neill, the composer (d.1934). She had studied with Clara Schumann and had joined St Paul’s Girls’ School as its first Music Mistress. She was instrumental in the appointment of Gustav Holst as singing teacher there and remained a friend all his life. VW would have met her through Holst. She had moved to Ockley, near Dorking.