* Interested in travel and post-war reconstruction.
* Don’t mind where I settle, preferably British Empire. I don’t want a ‘good time’ but I do want a really nice home and to be able to give any children I might have every possible chance in life.
* Wanting a companionable wife rather than a super-domesticated one. Able to appreciate the artistic temperament and an original turn of mind.
* Not a Communist or Socialist.
* Someone who has known loneliness.
* In the Army or RAF from overseas. I would be content with usual allowance during war.
* Above all, a man who will talk to me.
* He must have enough income to make a settlement of about £400, and be able to keep me in comfort and perhaps travel after the war.
* I am secretary to a Duke. Any man must be of my own standing.
* Someone with a title who has travelled and likes sport.
* No racial hatred.
* One who has or would adopt a child. I will inherit £400–£600 per annum in a few years.
* Refinement essential. My late husband was secretary (F.I.S.A.) of a public company.
* Would like to meet just an ordinary man.
* A Roman Catholic or willing to become Roman Catholic.
* No-one with false teeth.
* If a civil servant, must not have an official mind. Minimum wage £6 per week.
* No dropped ‘H’s, please.
* If possible I would like a man in a reserved trade. If not, I do not mind a sailor or a Canadian soldier.
* Who looks on marriage as a serious partnership.
* Brainy. Nice teeth. Interested in housely hobbies more than dances etc. Civilian preferred.
* Someone who wants looking after, either in England or abroad.
* Man of character. I do not mind if he is a war wreck.
* Not the rough common type.
* I have an open mind. Would like to meet different types of professional men: artisans, missionaries, tea planters, businessmen etc.
* If in Forces, not Bomber Command.
* Ambitious man (medical or missionary).
* Not amorous.
* Preferably heavy, 15 stone or over. (She only 5 feet 5 inches.)
* Not the boisterous type.
* One who believes marriage is not all give.
* A divorced man if it was not his fault.
* A nice type of person, a Freemason or golf enthusiast.
* If Englishman must not be prejudiced against Irish.
* Not bald. Must have savoir faire, not mind girl who smokes, likes a drink and wants a motorcycle.
* I am an ex-WAAF. If possible, a man interested in cars and car mechanism.
* Who speaks the King’s English.
* Someone born in February or May.
* A man whose early life was not too easy, but who has overcome such difficulties. Not a mother’s boy or anyone with artistic temperament.
* Someone who is wounded and alone would do, or someone over 60. (She is 48.)
* With knowledge of building repair, fruit growing and poultry.
* Someone willing to marry an unmarried mother.
* If a widower, definitely no children though I do not dislike children.
* I do not like anyone called Longstaff.
* No trace of neurotic trouble.
* Not an ardent member of any political party.
* Prefer with a Welsh background, lawyer or in a clerical position providing he has a sound religious basis, with knowledge of Welsh life and a country house.
* Not too corpulent. Well mannered, not conceited. Bonhomie essential.
* Someone who will be a pal in every sense of the word.
* I would not object to a disabled man.
* Dominant but not dominating.
* Must have sense of humour but I hate ‘life and soul of the party’ types. Must have good skin. No R.C. or Jew and he must not marry just to get a housekeeper.
* Man who will cherish a large woman.
* A publican in a small business or a working man who would be interested in the business of a publican.
* Just a friendly sort of person.
* Not a gambler (to a great degree).
* Not a Red or Labour. Believe in God and go to church sometimes.
* Any professional and well-educated man whose interests are connected with the Colonies – Africa, the East, West Indies, not Australia.
* Personal cleanliness important.
* No encumbrances, fine character, no doctors.
* Not too sophisticated but not too dumb. Fond of country but also fond of comfort.
* Good prospects after the war.
* Someone in Sussex who is not too keen on dancing as I am not very keen.
* Man in a safe position – schoolmaster, bank clerk, police officer, accountant or medical profession. Not Jewish.
* Gent or behaving like one.
* Alone in the world or with not many relations.
* Someone in the Services, say Navy, without home or roots, who will be retiring in a few years and appreciative of a comfortable home and easy to live with partner. (She is 44.)
* My husband was killed serving as captain in the Royal Artillery in North Africa. Would like another.
* Not hearty, perhaps absent-minded, fond of fishing or quiet pastimes.
* Patient, not more selfish than most men.
* I am rather shy so not anyone too gay or too energetic. Preferably good looks, golden hair and blue eyes. If not available, any decent type will do.
* One who would appreciate a nice comfortable home, which I possess, and have refinement.
* Progressive, socialistic in outlook.
* A Naval Officer, Clergyman (C. of E.), Doctor, Barrister or a (Westminster) Bank man or Schoolmaster who is fond of the sea.
* Not above 65. (She is 24.)
* Must be a Socialist and supporter of present Labour government.
* Man who was disabled through war injuries and needs some care and help.
* I divorced my husband who was a teacher. Not another teacher.
* Who will have an established position in peacetime.
* Anything but Chapel or coloured.
* Since my husband’s death I have had P.G.s [Paying Guests] and would be willing to continue and glad of help on the business side.
* Similar to Church of England. If you had a Catholic Apostolic Church member we should have I think much in common. Not R.C.
* Tolerant outlook towards other people and their affairs, keen on his work, more than two weeks’ leave annually, know his way about town, in peacetime run a car.
* I like a man who is somebody, works hard and doesn’t lead a monotonous life.
* Do not mind divorced but the widowers I have met have an ideal it is difficult to come up to.
* Don’t mind anyone slightly solitary. Cannot bear ‘good mixers’.
* Interested in ballet or opera or both but not the Bloomsbury type that haunts both. Not a clergyman or Conscientious Objector.
* No man who has been in India for long.
* Able to manage income tax papers etc. but not too clever.
* A sportsman and not unfamiliar with trouble.
* Not a Welshman or anyone with a Northern Accent except Scottish.
* Not a marriage in the ordinary sense, but purely for social reasons & to ward off well-meaning match-makers.
* A gentleman by birth or has acquired these instincts.
* Character more than looks, a Sahib.
* Physical attraction in some small degree.
* Widower, a man you can lean on.
* A normal human being who believes in the Golden Rule no matter what his religion may be.
* Averse to intoxicants, moral.
* I am not a very strict Catholic but I would prefer a Catholic, otherwise I’m usually very easy to please.
* No bridge, pub crawling, golf, passion for The Club, or
Americans.
* A car if possible because I can help him pay for it. If in business it doesn’t matter.
* Preference for a member of the Metropolitan Police force, if you have one with similar ideas (interest in literature, philosophy & psychology).
* Not resident in Kensington as I know so many people there.
* I like a quiet man, especially a sailor. Providing he has enough for the necessities of life with a little over for a few luxuries I should be satisfied.
* Preferably an admirer of routine and orderliness.
* Not too gay as I am quiet.
* Man who desires children and can hope to employ domestic help.
* Religion immaterial, but a sense of honour or duty required.
* Above all clean & wholesome in appearance, fairly fastidious but not fussy.
* Someone interested in progressive farming and who would allow me to remain at business because of supporting my mother who is all I have.
* Someone untidy, careless, with sense of humour, keen on moving around.
* Up to date in all ways.
* My boy was killed during the war. If I can find through you someone like or as near as possible to what he was I should be very grateful.
* Pref. one who can darn his own socks.
* Must not expect me to sit in a pub. I drink but not like the English. (She is half French.)
* Without too great an interest in money and without a talent for accuracy. People of Irish blood are always acceptable.
* Not anyone who thinks that quiet shades of brown & grey are worn by respectable women as I love colour.
* Someone liking a ‘good time’ & the artificial things of life.
* With cheer, courage and tact.
Requirements of male clients 1939–c.1949
* Prepared to accept my sons and treat them kindly.
* Someone who could stand loneliness and be able to make her own pleasures. (Colonial servant, Nigeria.)
* Must be pretty or attractive facially and the only essential qualification: must have only one leg.
* No clinging vines.
* Looks and voice of a Shakespearean heroine.
* Not a nurse or woman doctor. Not vulgar.
* I would like to meet with a wealthy ambitious lady, who apreciates [sic] my attainments and will help me to the top. A titled lady or American. (Consulting physician, age 45.)
* Beautiful girl with a big breast and lovely legs. Not had any men friends, not been married before.
* Prefer a widow without relations.
* Some nice girl who would be willing to come over and marry me. (New Yorker, 5 feet 2 inches.)
* Would like a wife to go to Australia by liner and meet me there. (Captain, Merchant Navy.)
* Attractive and chaste.
* Tall with excellent legs & feet & attractive bust. Colouring immaterial but must be feminine & virile.
* Perhaps one like myself who has lived in digs.
* Willing if passage is paid to join me here for the purpose of matrimony, and to make S. Rhodesia her permanent home.
* Not a large nose nor flat chest or too talkative.
* Must be prepared to spend considerable time in British Colonies, probably Gambia, which is the favourite colony in Brit. West Africa.
* She must have a good income as I would wish her to be attractively dressed.
* I would consider it my duty to support the person I married but should she wish to continue earning her own living and was happy in her job I would not interfere in this or any other matter.
* Someone who has not a large number of relations.
* Not a ‘fast type’.
* Waitress, usherette, factory worker – nice looking. Someone who has helped old age pensioners or the sick.
* In these days of lack of help for domestic purposes an introduction is desired to some person who is very active both in the house and outside & fond of outdoor pursuits. I have no house and no desire to remain in Birmingham. (Solicitor, 62, wants woman, 35–40.)
* A nice stylish girl, not too brainy, with the appearance of a West End mannequin. No objection to a rich widow. Someone who likes living and is human.
* Greer Garson type as opposed to Ginger Rogers type.
* Must not chew gum.
* Just so long as not too common I would prefer a girl in domestic service although this isn’t important.
* Income not critical providing it is not high enough to overshadow mine.
* A good churchwoman preferably with a home of her own within 100 miles of Charing Cross. (Retired clergyman.)
* A slim figure – by slim I mean not fat.
* She must be a plain working-class girl.
* Good cook and homely (I am only home on Sunday).
* Keen on golf would be a great asset. No one of higher social standing. (Clerk earning £450 p.a.)
* Prefer spinster without encumbrances. (i.e. without children, dependent parents etc.)
* A nice quiet girl who likes music and doesn’t dance a lot as I can’t dance.
* I am serving another three years, then hope to retire into business. I had in mind marrying someone who is in business or with a little capital with similar ideas. I have registered with a licensed house in the West Country. (Army officer.)
* Respectable person.
* Dancing partner only (divorce not started yet).
* One who wants to be a schoolmaster’s wife and can act the part.
* Young playmate would be pleasant.
* Necessary wife have some private income as my income from dairy farm is settled on daughter and stepson.
* No dancing or jazz or racing or cards. Not T.T. [teetotal], prefer single but consider widow or plaintiff.
* Preferably English, stage or model, and who realises I am in the Navy until 1954.
* No hysteria, no gold diggers; like mountaineering.
* Non-smoker, little make-up, tidy appearance, prefer non-driver.
* Who plays tennis as a game.
* Constance Spry touch with flowers.
* Able to play a portable instrument (string or woodwind) well. Rather a prairie than a hothouse flower.
* Reserved rather than forward disposition. Not too expensive tastes.
* Domesticated. Not Jewish. Have had bad experiences with gold diggers, am very credulous.
* Neither working class nor hard-boiled night clubber. Who would like me and marry me for myself not for my income.
* Someone not dependent on externals for happiness.
* Keen on public affairs e.g. local government, housing. Not sophisticated or ‘county’ or merely dull.
* Must be interested in sex.
* Keenly interested in land work as I am endeavouring to start a small farm.
* Not a film actress.
* My reasons for wishing a wife are to get a home of my own. I am in lodgings at the moment.
* Someone willing to have children, a theatrical girl if possible. I would not mind an unmarried mother.
* Christian real faith but not R.C. & not a giant, not a dwarf, not American.
* Must be domesticated and full of exuberance.
* Fond of home life – Army life has made me appreciate such.
* I require primarily a mother for my children & therefore a genuine fondness and sympathy with the young is essential. No one used to or wishing for the gaieties of town life.
* I don’t like them made up to hell.
* Preferably working on her own account, who would like to continue after marriage as I think this makes for better relationship than when one of the partners is confined to the home with no career.
* Bright, good sport, will take the bad with the good. Above all, faithful.
* A girl who knows her way about as after four years in the East I feel out of things.
* Not lazy or bored, near to Epsom if possible.
* Being illegitimate I would like to meet someone who is the same.
* Charm
, sound sense of the absurd. I emphatically have no money. (Economist, 28, earning £1,000 p.a. c.1943.)
* Someone of my own class, the working class, who would be content with the simple things of life and who cares for children.
* Someone who doesn’t expect too much.
* A dainty girl. I do not mind if she has earned her own living.
* Not a glamour girl, just someone to help an ex POW settle down to a quiet life. (Carpenter age 26.)
* I like Germans, Austrians and French.
* Wide interests, not bounded by local cinema and dance hall.
* I am a slight diabetic, a nurse might be suitable, a good companion who will be kind and considerate and look after me. Prefer someone in the North. (He died shortly after, aged 54.)
* Genuine, sincere type of girl, willing to wait until I return from overseas. This will not be for two years. On this account we can only become acquainted through correspondence. (Regular in RAF, 1949.)
* Not ultra-New Look type, or widow or divorcee.
* I should prefer a Jewish girl but if no-one suitable any other will do.
* Average-plumpish preferred. One who speaks the ‘Mother’ tongue.
* Cool temperament, radiant disposition.
* Pref. not in services, but if so, pref. Land Army. With science degree if possible.
* South Welsh (not North Welsh, not avowed intellectual or frequenter of art schools and communist parties).
* Not particularly prudish.
* Better to be fond of music, there will be much made here. (Music master.)
* NOT bossy, impatient or Socialist, NO bridge players. I hate ‘rows’ and sarcasm.
* Genuine lady prepared to take her place as mistress of fairly large country house.
* In a position to put me in touch with suitable employment.
* Must have sex appeal.
* Sound girl with capital and ability – I want a farm.
* Passionate and loving nature.
* No objection to blood test or medical exam – also applies to myself.
* Go to church now and again.
* No children but if really very nice, a child overlooked.
* Her income not important, the larger the better.
* Good teeth essential.
* Not masculine, dominating or slovenly.
* Knowledge of King’s English.
* Nobody who has been left on the shelf.
* Any reasonable young woman.
Marriages are Made in Bond Street Page 25
