Tag Archives: New Caledonia

November 9, 1942 (Roscoe)

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: November 9, 1942 Envelope

: November 9, 1942, p. 1

: November 9, 1942, p. 2

: November 9, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 9, 1942

Dear Mother,

This is the hottest November I’ve ever seen. This morning I believe a thermometer in the direct rays of the sun would have bursted – but this P.M. there is a breeze and that helps considerable. If it weren’t for that we sure would suffer, but the nights are still cool and that helps lots.

So for today no mail but there is a rumor that some came in and it’s still early (2:30) so maybe we still have hopes. The biggest gap is still from Sept. 19 to 26. Then there are a few missing all along the line. The commission hasn’t arrived yet and neither have any of the packages, but it isn’t hardly time for those yet.

Did you ever hear of the sweet young things who sat in the pool of Nova Cain and then became one of the Dead End Kids? Lots of stories float around some new and some old, and after a time the old as well as the new are repeated. Most of the stories have to do with mental intercourse as you might imagine among a group of men who are stranded in strange country with only the past to think about, but

[page 2] on the whole we get along very well with ourselves.

I’m getting about ready to take a shower. It seems about the most fun one can have in a days time is taking a shower and a B.M. Some fun! The water in the shower is pretty warm almost like as if it were heated. The pipes run very near the ground and the heat of the sun warms considerable.

All the above is done plus a little cat nap thrown in. Will have to start work before long and that may last a few hours. So far no mail.

Did my laundry just before noon today and took it down a few minutes ago. Underware, socks and one pair of pants and one shirt. I’ve found that after a few days a shirt looks about as good even if it wasn’t ironed but it does look a little seedy at first.

Right now again it is very warm and not much breeze so that makes it more warm and almost hot. I can see why the people here have their sleepy hours in the middle of the day, but we haven’t

[page 3] suffered too much yet.

Just been up and got a case of beer it seems that does as much good for thirst as anything. The water as I stated is warm and our ice isn’t too plentiful. We don’t consume so much but enough to keep thirst to a minimum and not too much so that I get a beer belly.

I’ll again stop – Now that rounds are over I’ll see what can be done – Got 7 letters one from Mom and the other 6 from you and the boys. I’ll not answer the boys tonight – Must write Wayne. Got the pictures of course those of David are a little questionable but those of the boys and you I didn’t think were good at all. You couldn’t have changed that much since I’ve been gone.

Well, thanks for the pictures and all the information. You told me about the policy coming and that you were receiving your checks and that the mail is coming thru. So all those things help,

So Solong

Love Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/07/november-9-1942-roscoe/

November 8, 1942 (Roscoe)

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: November 8, 1942 Envelope

: November 8, 1942, p. 1

: November 8, 1942, p. 2

: November 8, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Oct Nov. 8, 1942

Dear Mother,

Sun P.M. and things are as well as could be expected. Got your Oct. 17 letter today and another V-mail letter Oct 14 from Ed. Johnson. He told me of the anticipated increase in their family. You said something about Lucille but you didn’t say which one. It was a little surprising to me. Ed said I was a good one to run out on them when they really needed me, but I believe it looks to me as if they waited until I got out before starting things – Guess it wasn’t that way but I’m to write him that anyway.

We had chicken again for dinner – real honest to goodness chicken – one half chick per person. Seconds if we wanted them. I could have taken seconds but didn’t, because one was enough and maybe that would cut things short for some enlisted man. So why make a pig of myself. Of course, we have no rationing on anything – but fresh fruits and vegetables are never seen, only once in a while we have a raw apple to chew on.

This being Sun. we’ll have church tonite at 7:00 P.M. The Chaplin still has to be at another place or two earlier in the day.

[page 2] we generally have a pretty big crowd and things go along in good style. This is also the day for me to write the folks. I got a letter or two from them this week so it makes writing a little different.

Tell the boys we have coke now so they don’t need to send me any at present. It’s a little expensive though 10¢ per bottle. We can’t take the bottles back – I mean back to the States – so that makes the extra cost. It isn’t so good either when it’s tropically warmed with no ice around – Maybe the boys could send a chunk of ice. You probably have that around pretty handy or will have when the old cold north winds start blowing.

Wayne W. gave me a pretty good bird’s eye view of conditions in general back home. Our news around here and abroad seems pretty good, but our tent-mate that had the radio has gone so that cuts out the biggest part of the evening’s entertainment. We are seeing quite a bit of coming and going in the past few days and expect to see more as time goes along. Of our group that originally came fourteen have changed locations. So you see (we/they) do some moving around as was the

[page 3] custom at Norfolk.

So far I haven’t received any pictures that you keeping saying you took – And Lentz keeps asking me if you have sent his. He said he had one of a boat sinking with several at different intervals. I told him you wouldn’t send them until you go the $1.35 but I guess that need not hold you back. Hold on to your money and maybe I can send you enough for the coat. Probably right now coats would be high and quality poor or no? Anyway it’s yours so do as you wish. I don’t care what you buy as long as you use good judgment and don’t open too large a charge account.

I’ll finish later. Wrote a letter to the Folks and one to Ed. Johnson. I still have several letters to answer but couldn’t get to them yesterday had too much to do otherwise. I’m finishing this on Mon. A.M. Everything up and kicking, was a fine night to sleep – will write tonight.

Lots of Love
Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/14/november-8-1942-roscoe/

Voices from the Past (Roscoe)

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I want to jump ahead to the future for a little bit. In 1967, Roscoe retired from his medical practice in Kentland. He and Gladys moved to West Lafayette where he continued to practice his trade and teach new doctors. When they left Kentland, Roscoe was given a going away party at George Ade Memorial Hospital. Among my collection of family papers, I have a script of the evening’s events. The festivities were conducted in the style of “This Is Your Life.” Many old friends entertained my grandparents with stories of their life in Kentland. At that point, Roscoe and Gladys had been part of the community for almost 30 years (1939-1967).
Recently my father unearthed an old audio reel which had been buried away in a drawer. It was labeled “Farewell Party, March 12, 1967.” He was able to send the tape to a professional company that specializes in transferring old mediums to digital formats. Today, he received the CDs in the mail. I have been told that the sound quality is wonderful. The only disappointing detail is that my grandparents are not heard on the recording, only their friends telling their stories. I had hoped to hear their voices again. And now I just have to patiently wait for my copy to arrive in the mail.

: November 7, 1942 Envelope

: November 7, 1942, p. 1

: November 7, 1942, p. 2

: November 7, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 7, 1942

Dear Mother,

Received 4 letters today – 3 from you and one from Wayne W. It took Wayne’s letter 13 days to get there and it took eleven days for an answer to come back so all in all that is pretty good time. Our mail is sure coming thru in much better time now but I didn’t get the commission yet. You stated you had sent it but as yet it hasn’t arrived. So far there is no packages but I’ll expect them from now on until Christmas. And you also stated what the bank account amounted too so that was a help. After next pay day I’ll send some more. I’m going to send each of the boys – all three some Christmas money and you also. I’m telling you now so you can expect. It will be the 15^th before pay day so don’t expect for some time yet.

Wayne told me it had been 19° above zero. That sure sounds cold

[page 2] in our tropical weather.

In your letter today you said the boys had received their V-mail letters. I don’t remember when I wrote those but they were a long time getting there. Your letter this time took only 11 days, both were postmarked Oct. 27. That really is going some. That means only 10 days for one is lost coming over the date line. Your letters are coming now just fine and I think all the questions I’ve been harping on and ranting about are gradually being answered.

I should have told you not to send me any clothes or food for Christmas because food will probably spoil and clothes are just an excess. Most of the boys are sending things home – In the clothes line. I believe I have only the bare necessities so will hang on to them for some time yet.

I think the babies schedule is about what it should be so keep it going. In

[page 3] fact I’ve forgotten all about baby feeding. One forgets very fast I’ve found even to names of people at home. So don’t use initials as I might not know who you are writing about. It’s not so bad but one sure does forget those names rapidly.

There is no boxing show tonite so will have to put on our own. In other words it will be – The news – a few beers and then to be [bed] – quite an enjoyable evening don’t you think.

Well, I’ll try to do better tomorrow. I’ll have to put forth more effort on the next

So Solong

Love

Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/12/november-7-1942-roscoe/‎

Marines Face New Thrusts By Japanese (Roscoe)

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Click to enlarge

Since Roscoe was not allowed to say what was going on around him, Gladys was most likely following the war over the radio waves and by reading the local papers. The above article was published in The Vidette-Messsenger (Valparaiso, Indiana) on November 4, 1942. Written by a UP reporter, the article was picked up by papers around the country, perhaps even the Newton County Enterprise, one of the papers that Gladys read regularly.

: November 5, 1942 Envelope

: November 5, 1942, p. 1

: November 5, 1942, p. 2

: November 5, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 5, 1942

Dear Mother,

What with eleven letters yesterday and 10 today I’m getting pretty well caught up. Those yesterday were all from you but today’s letters were varied. One from Mom, one from Walkup’s and one from Allgoods, but all those letters you told me about that were sent to me when David came have not arrived. So Mark calls the baby Davie – seems as if I’ve referred to him as the same, hope I haven’t put too much in Mark’s mind.

I sent you the radiogram I received the other day. Thought you might want to put it in David’s scrap book. I had to cut out one word so that it would pass the censor. You should have received something on that end because the thing needed a reply, but I turned it over to the Chaplin. So I’m not sure what he may have said. Sometimes I don’t trust them too far. I told him to say the word received OK. So anything else will be extra.

[page 2] You will note I haven’t bawled you out for what you haven’t written. I’m not going to. So far I haven’t received letters on Sept. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 18 and from 19 to 26. See from 19 to 26 I missed all the excitement then I haven’t received any from Oct 14 to Oct 23 but did get the Oct. 24 letter. So that brings me up to date pretty well. Some of those days are were probably Sun. and since you don’t write on Sun. there are bound to be a few days missing. I write every day Sun included. I can’t tell which is Sunday after it is past because of lack of calendar as I have told you – You don’t know how much they are missed until there isn’t one around.

I should have told you about wrapping packages. They should be wrapped extra good, because I’ve seen some come in that are in very poor condition. In fact just holding together and that is all. I’ve sent you two packages and you

[page 3] haven’t mentioned them. So I wonder if they arrived. It will take those much longer than air mail letters however.

We may have a change of address in a few days so if you don’t hear for several days you will know. There is nothing to worry about but just keep it in mind. Of course, we don’t know for sure but as I’ve said before even at Norfolk one didn’t know when his address might be changed.

Many of the fellows have Christmas packages already. Seems early but they really got here in time. It’s really very uncertain how and when to mail anything to have it arrive when it’s supposed to.

One of our boys was given the distinguished flying cross in a little affair we had here today. It was a swell thing for the kid and of course the first that I had ever seen. May we have more like him. I could say more but I can’t. Now what kind of talk is that.

I’ll save the rest of the space, got 2 V-mail letters dated Sept. 14 & Sept. 12. They aren’t good – but you might keep writing one or two per mo-

Love Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/08/marines-face-n…thrusts-roscoe/ ‎

Red Cross Radiogram (Roscoe)

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Red Cross radiogram, dated November 2, 1942

On October 29^th, Gladys wrote that Bob Hufty had decided to take the matter in hand to get Roscoe the news of David’s birth. Bob contacted the Red Cross to expedite the message’s delivery to New Caledonia. It worked, and pretty fast too! Included in the envelope with Roscoe’s November 4^th letter was the Red Cross radiogram. The message took only 3 days to reach Roscoe. In his next letter, Roscoe explained why he sent the radiogram home with the November 5^th letter, so stay tuned.

: November 4, 1942 Envelope

: November 4, 1942, p. 1

: November 4, 1942, p. 2

: November 4, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 4, 1942

Dear Mother,

Things looked up today – got eleven letters from you, but none from anyone else. Most of them in the early part of Sept, but the two latest were Oct. 24 & 25 so that makes them only about 10 days old. As far [as] I know you are not receiving any letters from me because we you never mention the fact. Only once have you said one word about my letters coming to you. Aren’t you getting any or are you just forgetting to mention them? You told me you received the money orders and one time you said you had received 14 letters up to Oct 1, but since then you haven’t said one word. How about it? I shouldn’t be that way because you probably have said in the missing letters but it is a little vexing.

I didn’t know anything about Mark and his horn business you said something but I thought he was trying on the old horn. I would much prefer that he have a horn to a Uyke. In fact if you haven’t bought one by now – I wouldn’t anyway until spring

[page 2] because he couldn’t use it this winter and we can see more how things are by spring. Tell him I suggested he wait until spring. I’m in favor of the horn, however, we spend money on John but none on Mark. If he has a horn that can be blown give him lessons that is if the money supply seems to hold out. A few private lessons might help. At least a trial wouldn’t be out of order and a little money expended on him is in order.

I don’t mean to be bossy in what I’ve said of mail etc but I’m trying to do the best I can from here. I still love you as much as ever and am as much concerned as ever of yours and the boys welfare I should say even more so concerned.

Your letters today told of the Christmas package, the clothes of Norfolk, and the pictures of Lentz. I wish you hadn’t sent the clothes but I guess you have and I’m afraid a Christmas package will be in bad shape but that[s] OK. Send the pictures of Lentz’s and I’ll try to get part of the $1.35. Did you ever get the film I had taken here?

Even with the letter today I still have a space of from Sept 11 to about Oct 6 but the Oct 24 & 25 letters sure help.

[page 3]I’ll be expecting news of letters and of the finances. I’m very glad to hear of the family and pleased that you are able to be up and around and sorta boss the situation. I can’t tell you to hire too much done because I don’t know if you have any money or not. Yo I don’t even know if you got an allotment check for you never have said so. I’ve harped on this in so many letters you’ll think I’ve gone dippy, but I haven’t.

I told you of the uniform money. It may come to you direct and may be in 2 checks which is OK. I told this the other day but just in case-

Well, I save a little space for late developments – Just got another letter don’t sell the microscope. It isn’t worth much but I can have it gone over and put into good condition. They wouldn’t give anything what it is worth to me.

Hope I haven’t been too critical and forgive me-

Love
Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/06/red-cross-radiogram-roscoe/

November 2, 1942 (Roscoe)

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Roscoe’s regular routine was to write his letter and then leave a little space at the bottom. Since he normally wrote in the evenings, the letter would be brought to the censors the following morning. If there was any additional news to include in the letter, he would do so before dropping the letter off. In a previous letter, he apologized (in advance) if he had ever forgotten to sign a letter. Up to that point, he had not. This appears to be the first letter in which he did not sign it and add a closing. For some reason or another, he got distracted and dropped the letter off with the censors before finishing it.

: November 2, 1942 Envelope

: November 2, 1942, p. 1

: November 2, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Nov. 2, 1942

Dear Mother,

Things looked up again today – got 2 letters from you and one from Ruth M. They were all dated around the First of Oct. – 6^th – 8^th Gradually the things I ask about are coming in. You told me you understood what I asked you to do about the lawn so that is something. I suppose from the way yours and Ruth letters sound there have been a few frosty nights there. Ruth said they had a pretty good snow storm. I guess it was a lack of mail that made me more or less down in the dumps yesterday for I feel better today. Then too we had something else to do. We again did some changing on our tent. In fact we got a new one our old one was rather rotten and after continuous rain it would seep thru in some spots.

I got a letter from the Bureau of Something today asking for some other data before I could get the uniform money. So I sent that in and asked if they would send the check to you. So you can look for it but I still don’t believe they will send it to you. There may be two checks of 100 & 150 so it’s OK if it comes that way. Or if just one comes – wait on the next. They are sometimes sent out like that.

All the folk that wrote to me told me of Henry S. [Steiner] so he must be in pretty bad condition. Some one of them wrote that he was in the hospital at Terre Haute.

Just this minute got a box of candy from Boonie. That is the funny thing mail might come any time of day or night. Last night it was about 9:30 when those four letters came and the others came this morning and then the box of candy came about 5:00 PM. I’ll have to write to Boonie now also. I’m really going to get behind if I’m not careful, because now I’ll have to write Clarence. Mom sent me

[page 2] seven air mail stamps, Clarence 4 and Ruth 4. And I have about 35 on hand, but they won’t spoil unless it gets to hot and moist. I’m still waiting on the stationary as you will note from the kind I’m now using.

If I were home I’d write Mead Johnson and have them supply David with his food but I hardly think it would be the thing for me to write them from here. You should have no trouble with the food since John used that kind also. I’d be a little careful about keeping the milk upstairs too long it might get too warm unless you can put it between the window & storm window. You might be a little sensitive to liver shots since it has been so long since you took one so if you haven’t taken one yet I’d be a little careful. You might be like Irene S. [Staton] when I gave her the Vit B., but if you have taken one and it didn’t bother you should be OK on the next.

The Clay City Paper just came and I had to stop and read it a bit. Mom said she was having it sent. It didn’t have much in it but it made pretty good reading. It was the Oct 2^nd issue.

Boonie had a guess on the outside of his box of candy as to where I was and the guess was right – Maybe you have been talking to him. I wouldn’t tell too many people about that but if they guess right it isn’t your fault. There is still some mail coming in so maybe I’ll have more to report a little later.

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/04/november-2-1942-roscoe/

Protected: Halloween in the South Pacific (Roscoe)

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October 30, 1942 (Roscoe)

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I think this letter is about as sentimental as my grandfather would get. He actually mentioned the “L” word.

: October 30, 1942 Envelope

: October 30, 1942, p. 1

: October 30, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Oct. 30, 1942

Dear Mother,

Just wrote a letter to the Sykeses and I find that I’m practically out of paper. I’m going to write on both sides of this and hope none is cut out. In fact the censors are Drs. and don’t read each other’s mail only ask if there is anything that shouldn’t pass, and we are supposed to be smart enough not to put anything of a military nature in a letter.

We just bought a case of beer and are drinking it tropically warmed because the ice boxes are full of more essential things and it isn’t so bad. There is some coke around here but so far I haven’t seen any of it. I believe beer warm is better than Coke that hasn’t been cooled.

I just happened to think – you said Lucille was losing her girlish figure. Which Lucille – I must have missed part of your letters. With all those pregnant women I should be there but I’m not so there. That isn’t the reason I’d like to be there. My tent mate asked me the other day while I was writing a letter if I told you I loved you and I said “no” she knows that and really it isn’t necessary because you are well aware of that fact and know that it will always be that way. It’s not the beer that is affecting me because I’ve only had two bottles, and that won’t affect me that way. You know how much you are missed and I know that the same is true in this direction and that makes things easier, but when one goes to bed at night and thinks it really makes one yearn for home. And sooner or later will be there. So much for that.

No mail today so far – There are still wild rumors, but those can be false just like others we have had.

We got our news cast again last night as I told you and in about ½ hour it will be time again. I’m on duty and won’t be in my usual bunk tonite and am debating whether or not to take my mosquito netting along. Maybe I can cover up with the sheet. I hat those durn little dickens as you already know. My bed will be on springs tonight and that should be a treat at least something different – probably won’t be able to sleep at all.

Some of the boys from California claim that this weather here reminds them very much of theirs at home. Hot sun in the day time and cool at nights. There has only been one night to hot to sleep without a blanket, but this should compare to the last of May weather in the north.

[page 2] If I can get some more paper I’m going to write Ira D. again, but it’s very hard to write when one can’t give him news and views – Right now things in this locality, judging from filtering news, don’t seem so bad but things can change very rapidly.

Are you having any Halloween parties? I suppose (know) we won’t have much here. Hope no one pushes our back house over because we only have one. We can use coconuts for pumpkin faces. They might be a little harder to carve but more of a permanent nature. I’ve never been able to pick up one of those things but I have seen plenty of them growing – from the size of a pea to the regular size. I think they are gathered and the milk and inside used while green. There are supposed to be some bananas here some place but I haven’t seen them yet.

We had sauerkraut, wieners etc for evening chow and I asked for seconds and of course got them.

I’ll finish later maybe mail will crop up. No mail – got news in pretty good. Everything peace & quiet. Didn’t play bridge – just listened to news.

Well, I’ll try to get more paper and write better next time.

Love
Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/05/29/october-30-1942-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/

Another mix-up (Roscoe)

1 Reply

I just had one of those moments when I realized that page 1 DOES NOT go with page 2. I jumped ahead to Roscoe’s letter dated October 29^th but those pages fit together just fine. I went back to his October 27^th letter and realized that the transition between the two pages was off. I am surprised no one mentioned how choppy it sounded. So let’s redo the last letter with this letter. The pages are now in the correct sequence for both letters.

: October 27, 1942 Envelope

: October 27, 1942, p. 1

: October 27, 1942, p. 2

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]came in to shoot the breeze. I mentioned him in a letter I wrote back at Moffett Field. His name is Coffel. We talked for some time about mutual friends & class mates at Indiana. U. He is now married and was practicing in La. His wife is from the South also.

One of our tent mates have moved out so we aren’t so crowded but probably someone else will move in. It really doesn’t make any difference because ¼ is all we need or use anyway and what wants more than ¼ of a 16 foot square place anyway? I really wish you could see the place. I think you would think it very lovely or something. This reminds me of someone who took a camping trip and it rained the entire week they were there. The only thing we aren’t fishing or hunting nor trying to get our own meals. Don’t even have to make our own bunks. And once in a while the boy even brings us a bucket of water, but the toilet is still just as far up the slope.

No mail yet today. That’s all I’m going to say. I had been wearing my heavy shoes around, but I got out my four buckle overshoes today just to see how they would work. They probably will slip better but maybe won’t feel so damp. When Wish we had a small oil burner to help get the damp feeling cleared away. Well, its almost chow time finish later.

Later- got 2 letters one from Ira Dixon dated Oct 12 and a V-mail letter from Sykes Oct. 4 but none from you. Played bridge my partner & I won 5140 to 1550 had a good run of cards. Played 3 rubbers

Lots of Love Daddy

: October 28, 1942 Envelope

: October 28, 1942, p. 1

: October 28, 1942, p. 2

: October 28, 1942, p. 3 (written on the back side of p. 2)

Wed Oct 28, 1942

Dear Mother,

It was cloudy all day today but not nearly so much rain – just a few sprinkles now and then. It has been dry enough so that the mud stiffened somewhat and doesn’t stick to the shoes quite so badly, but it looks like more and harder rain any minute now.

Just like all good housekeepers we decided to rearrange our furniture. My bunk formerly was East and West but now it rest North and South. I can’t explain the whole situation but it makes us have lots more room. Two of our former tent mates are gone and one new one has moved in and with only three it makes more room. The roommate I told you about the other day finally left. I think he was pretty badly frightened and all shook up but maybe he will get over that in time.

Ira said there probably would be meat rationing as well as other things in the near future back there. And the way he talked there were lots of boys leaving and business was very dull and I can’t imagine Nick’s being closed on Sunday, but if gas is rationed I suppose people don’t travel as much as before and everyone will have to stay home. We had roast lamb for dinner – Don’t know if that was a result of the meat rationing at home or not. I’ve been wondering about the locker and if you will be allowed to buy meat

[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.

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 Skeleton 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