I was featured this week on Geneabloggers’ recurring post titled “May I Introduce To You…” So if you want to take a break from World War II, you can learn a little more about me by following the link:
http://geneabloggers.com/introduce-deborah-sweeney/
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- October 28, 1942 Envelope
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- October 27, 1942, p. 1
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- October 28, 1942, p. 2
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- October 28, 1942, p. 3 (written on the back side of p. 2)
Letter transcription:
Oct. 27, 1942
Dear Mother,
This being Tue it rained all day and it being a raining day omits Tue – Don’t pay attention to that I just tried to tell you in a complicated way that it rained all day today up to now and it is now about 1615 and no sign of letting up. About the middle of the afternoon I was very ambitious went to the shower thru the rain Took a complete bath and came back thru the rain. I didn’t know whether to wear a rain coat or to take my clothes off and wrap a towel around me. I chose the latter so was ready for soap when I got there. The shower needless to say was cold but very invigorating. It was the first time I’d changed for some time and I think it helped to raise my moral by getting out clean clothes etc. It has been out of the question to have laundry done because it has been raining almost continuously since Fri night and in that time we haven’t seen the sun not even a peep.
I wrote both the boys this A.M. and put their letters in separate envelopes so if they don’t get there at the same time you will have to explain. Possibly I should have sent them in one so they would either have or had not together. It was a little hard to write to them because news are so scarce and I try to write all I can to you but I managed to fill a couple pages each.
I haven’t said anything to you about the fellow here who graduated from Indiana whose folks lived at Morrow [?]. He is still with us and
[page 2] in that way.
The Sykes seemed OK. They had just bought the first load of coal they ever had to buy and it cost 15°°. They thought that was pretty high – guess they had always been furnished their coal before. Your mail between Aug 29 and Oct. 14 is still on the way. It doesn’t bother so bad now since we get a few letters now and then. So far I don’t believe I’ve missed on any mail delivery yet. Some of the boys are envious, of course I didn’t get one from you yesterday but did get the other two.
The reason we got such a big bridge score last night wasn’t our good playing so much as it was our opponents’ poor bidding. They were both better than we but we doubled them four times and one time they went down four doubled and they were vulnerable so you see that counts up. Then twice the doubled us on bids of 3 diamonds and clubs and we made both bids so that doubled us into game. I know that sounds funny for me to be talking about bridge but it’s either that or go to bed at dark and it’s all in fun. Some of these men are good. I’ve seen bids of little slam and even grand slam made. Me I’ve never been able to do that yet. Last night was the first time my partner has been able to hold any cards. We don’t have the same partner. Just four fellows get together and draw to see who plays who etc. It’s raining pretty hard. I’ll leave the space for further developments. Later, Just received your letter air mail of Oct 12. It was older than the letter by 2 days than the one Sun. This one did answer a few questions and it had David’s picture. If you haven’t sent the laundry just keep it until I write for it.
David – 2 weeks (October 6, 1942)
Our new tent mate has a radio and we got California
[page 3] at 1:00 AM. Sounded pretty good. I think that is the first real radio reception since leaving home. Red Skelton was on but we couldn’t get him.
We had half roast chicken for supper and let me tell you those bones were picked clean. It was also our regular time to get cigarettes. We get two cartons per month on our usual ration pay and that about does one for cigarettes.
You still haven’t said how often my letters are coming but I suppose you have already done so. Well it’s about time for bed. So solong
Love
Daddy
© 2013, copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
This post was originally posted at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/05/21/rain-rain-go-away-roscoe/
Genealogy Lady 
“…whose folks lived at Morrow [?]. He is still with us and in that way.” This is a puzzle.
While I was growing up, through my teen years, my folks played bridge. I think their ‘bridge club’ was started following their 25th anniversary party. They met every month, each month meeting at a different home. They tried to teach me bridge, but it didn’t take. I’m not a ‘cards’ person.
I remember Red Skelton…from TV more than radio 🙂
Yes, indeed, it was a great profile of you. 🙂
One interesting passage in this last letter was about the blessed rain… and with rain came mud. It was the scorn of the SW Pacific as you know. Boots and socks would never dry out and your boots would sink up past the top of the boot per Old Man Jack. And did your “Daddy” ever talk about the leeches? Old Man Jack used to say every day, he’d have to take off his soggy boot and socks to slice off baby leeches between his toes.
My grandfather never really talked about any of his war experiences so reading the letters is really the first time I have heard about any of his adventures, big or small.
I enjoyed reading about you at Geneablogger! Very nice article. Your grandfather talks about bridge. My mom was a big bridge player but I never learned the first thing about the game.
Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed the article. I never learned to play bridge either. When I spent my summers at camp, we spent most evenings playing Hearts instead of bridge.
Deborah – Quite an interesting “introduction”. I didn’t realize that our stories were as similar as they are. I believe my father came into possession of all the letters, photos and memorabilia when Grandpa died in 1964 and moved to CA with them, where they sat in two large boxes in his office closet until after he had died. I went to CA to care for my Mom and she showed them to me. That was about 10 years ago. I didn’t start my daily blog until Sept. 15, 2012, so we’ve been doing it about the same length of time also. I grew up and now live in CT, not very far from Worcester, MA.
I also feel the bonds with people all around the world because of the letters and stories on my blog. People are interested in the history but the emotions and feelings expressed in our letters are universal and that’s why they respond to them.
Thank you! It is nice to know that I am not alone (in many ways). The project is a huge undertaking and some days I just don’t want to do it. However, I am always glad when I am done for the day. 🙂
I so much enjoyed reading the Geneabloggers post featuring you Deborah and loved seeing your photo. Methinks you have “the look” of your paternal grandfather… 😉
Laughed about Daddy choosing to walk through the rain to the shower with just a towel wrapped around him and all ready to soap himself up… sensible chappie, I reckon.
Thank you Catherine! I pretty much wrote everything for the interview. I definitely have the look of the Yegerlehner side of the family (although if you start looking at my maternal sides pictures you would see the resemblance as well). My father looks a lot like Great Uncle Jim at times, and I know I look like my dad. Many people have told me I look a lot like Gladys, too.
What a lovely article about you!
Thank you! It took most of an afternoon for me to write it. 🙂
A great example of not wasting food, rationing and being thankful for what you have.