Tag Archives: Agnes Molter

The Big Reveal (Roscoe)

Postcard of Noumea, New Caledonia

The big secret has been revealed. Where was Roscoe exactly? The Navy finally allowed the men in New Caledonia to give their specific addresses to loved ones at home. Since the beginning of September 1942, Roscoe was stationed at the U.S. Naval Advance Base in Nouméa, New Caledonia. For the first time, Roscoe used his specific address on the return envelope as well as including it inside the letter for all to use. I can’t imagine it was much of a security breach at this point. The Japanese surely knew there was an American base on New Caledonia. Roscoe had provided many clues for the family at home. The islanders spoke French. They had a distinctive red hair color. He included references to a certain National Geographic Magazine article about New Caledonia from July 1942. And of course, he gave his location to Gladys in code, right from the very beginning. The above postcard was mixed in with the letters. There is no writing on the back so it was most likely sent as a visual reference for Gladys and the boys, tucked into one of the letters.

In one of many internet searches of New Caledonia and the surrounding region, I came across a 1943 United States Army handbook for military troops serving in New Caledonia. I love the section in the back for speaking French and the basic phrase book. Pocket Guide to New Caledonia

Note from Roscoe with change of address

I am not exactly sure which letter the following slip of paper belonged to originally. I found it with the letter Roscoe wrote on November 19th. However, the context did not make sense. On the 19th, Roscoe was already correctly addressing his envelopes with the new address. The last letter in which Roscoe used the White Poppy format was November 16th. Based on today’s letter, it is apparent that he had already sent the new address at least once. I am therefore deducing that this paper probably belonged with a letter prior to the 17th. If Gladys received a group of letters in a bunch, it is likely that this slip may have ended up in the wrong envelope.

: November 17, 1942 Envelope

: November 17, 1942, p. 1

: November 17, 1942, p. 2

: November 17, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 17, 1942

Dear Mother,

Just a little time between chow and work. It being 5:45 P.M. and the weather cloudy. Needless to say I want you to write me when the check and money orders get there. It might have been foolish to send them when mail is heavy but maybe it won’t be so heavy they there by the time those arrive. We didn’t receive any mail again today. Seems like at first when we came – but maybe that new address will help. That is the third one now so all in all we should fare better. Just in case you didn’t get it

Receiving Station
U.S. Naval Advance Base
Noumea, New Caledonia

There is no doubt now about our location but I suppose you had a pretty definite idea where

[page 2] it was. If you see anybody who cares to write tell them of the new address and I’ll write to some of them also.

We are still pretty busy but it runs in streaks like it used to at home. Out of our original bunch there is very near half at other locations even my old friend Lentz. That makes ones address very uncertain but the mail will always be sent on, so use that new address and in case I leave it will be alright.

I haven’t seen Dr. Ash in so long, guess he is still where he was but I haven’t had time to go swimming so miss our meetings. Swimming was OK at first but anymore the new is worn off so I don’t care so much anymore and along with being busy I don’t care.

Had some sardines yesterday – some fellow go [got] some and with crackers and

[page 3] a little beer we had a fine mid afternoon snack. Of course I wasn’t very hungry when evening chow came along but the meat was corned beef and the cook didn’t use any spoon he just threw all the pepper in he had so I didn’t care for much. We had lamb again today. That seems to show up often and I don’t care so much for it but it’s better than canned meats.

It’s time to think before long about that state gross income tax for the whole year and if there is any questions see Lamb or Agnes Molter and also about the federal. Guess you have done that or will before long. David should come in for his share of tax reduction.

Well, I’ll have to confess there isn’t much in this but there just isn’t much to write.

So Solong
Love Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/07/05/the-big-reveal-roscoe/

Military Monday – October 29, 1942 (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Happy Memorial Day to all our veterans, past and present!

: October 29, 1942 Envelope

: October 29, 1942, p. 1

: October 29, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Oct. 29, 1942

Dear Mother,

Just finished chow and will try to get this written before it is necessary to draw out the candle. Imagine our surprise to wake up this morning and find the sun shining very bright and it sure was welcome after 4-5 days of almost continuous rain. Immediately after breakfast everyone who didn’t have work to do set out to do his laundry, and in a few hours clothes were flying on lines all over the place. About 10:30 it began to look like rain but it cleared up and hasn’t has remained clear all day.

During the damp weather the laundry in town wouldn’t take any clothes so that made an accumulation, so I just washed my shirts, pants & everything. I took the shirts and pants when they were slightly damp and tried to cold iron them with my hand and believe it or not they don’t look too bad. Lots of the fellows wash their own so not too many look spick & span. Many of the laundries don’t use any starch so those clothes that come from there don’t look too good. Anyway they don’t smell when we get thru with them. I had a shirt and a pair of pants come back from the laundry and the I don’t believe they ever saw any rinse water, so you can imagine the smell.

I think I told you last night you didn’t need to send those clothes. You might send the underware, the knit ones pants and shirts. Keep the others until I write for them.

It is now 5:30 P.M. and the sun is well up in the sky. There, at this time of year if I remember it is getting pretty well toward dark. However, it is cool

[page 2] here tonight almost need a sweater or windbreaker. I guess I told you I bought a windbreaker before leaving Calif.

We are just now waiting for the 6 P.M. news from San Francisco. It comes in pretty good. Dr. Beard from Indianapolis just stopped in. He was going for a walk said he hadn’t gotten any exercise during the rainy days. It was a little to cold to go swimming today. That is it was for me – Lentz and some of the boys went.

No mail so far today. We again have wild rumors of some but long ago we learn that the rumors are often untrue. So we just wait. I believe the 15^th of Oct. is the latest. That was yesterday. Mine yesterday was the 12^th. While a few days before that I got the 14^th so you see what the mail situation is. The V-mail is much behind the ordinary regular air mail now.

I’ll finish later – stopped to listen to the radio and then went to play bridge – got beat tonite. While we listened to the news I just looked around. There was a fellow from Mich, one from Ky, one from Maryland and one other fellow from Ind. What a bunch way out here in kingdom come.

We went to bed last night about 8:00 PM and I got tired before morning so I’m staying up until about 10:00 tonight. No use getting bed sores. This mattress is powerful thin and there are no springs. Just 2 in. of mattress or canvass.

Well, no mail in camp today. Just happened to think – Have Agnes Molter get the income tax fixed up but that doesn’t come until Mar. and one the state tax ~~get Davie~~ don’t count travel money and don’t forget David’s deduction on the federal. I suppose you have thought of all that-

Lots of Love
Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/05/27/military-monda…29-1942-roscoe/