Marriages are Made in Bond Street

by Penrose Halson

  * 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.