THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

January 30 [1930]

Dear Mr Van Dieren
Of course I will willingly do all I can and I enclose a letter to the Prime Minister’s secretary which you can use or not as you like. But I want to make two suggestions –
(1) Before proceeding further would it not be better to find out whether it would be possible for Delius to receive an O.M.¹ when there is already one musician (Elgar) who is a member of the Order – If only one musical O.M. is allowed at a time would it not be better to try for some other distinction?
(2) I presume you are asking several musicians besides myself to write – This I certainly think would be a good plan – it is the cumulative effect that is important in these to know the name of the Prime Minister’s Secretary – so perhaps if you decide to make use of my letter you would kindly address & forward it for me.
Yours sincerely
R Vaughan Williams

1. Order of Merit. In the event VW was awarded the honour after Elgar’s death.