Tag Archives: New Caledonia

Protected: The Day After Christmas (Roscoe)

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Protected: Christmas in New Caledonia 1942 (Roscoe)

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Protected: Christmas Eve in New Caledonia (Roscoe)

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Only one more shopping day (Roscoe)

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: December 23, 1942 Envelope

: December 23, 1942, p. 1

: December 23, 1942, p. 2

: December 23, 1942, p. 3

: December 23, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Dec. 23, 1942

Dear Mother,

Writing this time in the P.M. Seems as if there is a lull. Maybe I’ll save a little space to finish after the show tonight.

Our mail this A.M. was nil – I got the Navy med. bulletin – Dr. Porterfield got the W Virginia Med. Journal and Fred didn’t score. Might say none of us did. We really are after family news. It will soon be one month since I’ve heard from you. I’ve gotten mail and packages but none later than Dec Nov. 27. Guess I’ve told you that before.

So far today it hasn’t been either rainy or clear just

[page 2] a mixture of each, but it is plenty warm.

I’m not sure what all I said last night about the U.S.O. etc. but all the boys are a little discussed [disgusted] about the whole thing. Maybe we expect too much. Not for ourselves but for the boys. Of course it’s a long way out here and a little hard for too much to be done. So forget the whole thing.

One of our corpsman got a letter informing him that he was a new papa. And of course he had been for some weeks but about that same time. I mean when he got the letter he came down with gonorrhea. Just couldn’t contain himself

[page 3] but I guess he’ll learn.

Somehow I’m having a hard time concentrating this P.M. Guess it must be the warm humid weather. We had pork chops for dinner today. Really were good. I believe that is the first time those have showed up. Along with that we had mashed sweet potatoes and carrots with raisins. I don’t like that last mixture but we do have it often.

I still have two cans of peanuts left. I think I save them until after the Christmas rush is over and things like that are past and forgotten. I saw them putting some colored lights on

[page 4] the Christmas tree. It’s outside and the burning hot sun sure makes things look like Christmas in July if you get what I mean. It’s OK, however, better than nothing and I suppose lots of the boy will get a big kick out of it.

I’ll finish later – After the show – A World War I show – The Christmas tree was all lighted and in the dark does look very nice. Just a little more cold and it would be home like. I got the Newton Co. Enterprse this Eve. And Fred got some packages well only one more shopping day until Christmas –

Lots of love

Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/12/only-one-more-…ing-day-roscoe/

Why no songs about New Caledonia (Roscoe)

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: December 22, 1942 Envelope front

: December 22, 1942 Envelope back (with a little candy goo)

: December 22, 1942, p. 1

: December 22, 1942, p. 2

: December 22, 1942, p. 3

: December 22, 1942, p. 4

: December 22, 1942, p. 5

Letter transcription:

Dec. 22 1942

The Burma Convoy (1941)

Dear Mother,

Just back from the show and I’m a little chilly. The show tonite was “The Burma Convoy.” Pretty good show. I don’t understand why shows and songs are written. One about “On the Road to Mandaley.” Songs about Samoa. Why no songs about New Caledonia. Seems this place would be a fit place to write a song about although I’d rather sing it in U.S.A.

I got a letter today from the Lontz boy that lives in Kentland. I didn’t know he was here but I’m going to look him up. Just got the letter this evening. He has been here since Mar. so he we probably has some

[page 2] things in common.

I got a letter (V-mail) from each of the boys today. Was glad to hear from them and some of these days I’ll write them again but it seems I’m always behind on letters. I’ve been trying to answer the letters the same day they come in but haven’t been able to do so lately because of the shows and incidentally work also.

We’ve had rice and hot chilli soup now – 2 times in the last 4 days and I can’t say I like it too much. Of course I get along and am not loosing too much weight. I’m about 3-4 pounds heavier than when I left home. Maybe it’s the heavy shoes

[page 3] we wear. Gee it will seem funny to wear clothes other than Khaki and low shoes and take a warm bath and use a water stool and not be invaded by 8 other fellows doing the same thing in a nine holer. We all get along however and are able to smile and joke and be good fellows with one and another.

And I want you to know we have a Christmas tree. It’s pretty sad looking but it will do for want of something better. Looks more like a pussy willow but it’s green. This is the first day out of the past 10 that it hasn’t rained and was that sun hot. This is our first day of summer but

[page 4] Our open air show started at 7:30 P.M. I’m trying to say the twilight doesn’t last long because at home at 7:30 in the summer time it would be much to light to start a show in the open.

Our news has been very scarce lately. Not much in our local paper nor over the radio but our radio is a one lung[?] affair and the programs that are broadcast to the boys overseas are more or less a myth and the U.S. O. is a good organization for the arm chair fighters at home and the social workers in the U.S.A. Where they are needed, “puey.” Pardon Me.

Lots of Love Daddy

OVER

This is a candy envelope.

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/10/why-no-songs-a…ledonia-roscoe/ ‎

Letters received (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: December 21, 1942 Envelope

: December 21, 1942, p. 1

: December 21, 1942, p. 2

: December 21, 1942, p. 3

: December 21, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Dec. 21, 1942

Dear Mother,

Just back from the show, 52^nd Street, A musical comedy. I really didn’t enjoy it very much because in the open air the sound doesn’t carry very well and the plot wasn’t good so it was about a total loss as far as I was concerned.

I received your letter today of around 17 and 18 of November. There was three in all and there are some things there I want to comment on. First, I don’t remember about the septic tank. That is I don’t remember you mentioning it. Anyway those shouldn’t be cleaned out yet and possibly will never have to be unless as you say Monroe connected

[page 2] the sink to the tank and even at that I don’t believe they are due to be cleaned out yet. I really believe there isn’t enough grease to cause those not to work. Anyway the worst thing that could happen would be for them to stop up and then they can be cleaned out without much more trouble than if they aren’t stopped up. There are two and I don’t believe they would both go out at the same time so you can use the other until someone can clean the stopped up one.

I’ll be glad to get John’s song for I believe I can get someone to play it. So if he hasn’t sent if have him do so.

I also received Floyd & Ruth’s

[page 3] box today. It was in very good condition. The peanuts really were swell. One can gone already but the only trouble is I’m about half “ga ga” since eating so many. I’ll save the other two cans a few days until I get over this can. Of course, I shared this can with 5 others so maybe I didn’t have too many.

I also received a letter from Wayne Watson – A V-mail but he had put an air mail special so it came thru just like it was. A V-mail also came from Sykes. So you see I have several letters to write but not tonight.

In your letter today you told me of the flash light batteries

[page 4] in the candy bar but I found them yesterday and wrote you about that. The shirt was in the box. Thanks. Wow I wish you had sent the whole of the laundry in Their box.

We all enjoyed the comic books haven’t started on the puzzle books yet nor have we played checkers. Probably won’t play any either.

I guess I told you but if I did or didn’t. I wrote Joe R. but haven’t heard from him yet. Our latest mail is still Nov. 27 so I’m really expecting mail now any day which will be later.

Well, I hope I’ve answered everything – So Solong
Lots of Love
Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/08/letters-received-roscoe/

Isn’t much doing (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: December 20, 1942 Envelope

: December 20, 1942, p. 1

: December 20, 1942, p. 2

: December 20, 1942, p. 3

: December 20, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Dec. 20, 1942

Dear Mother,

Sun P.M. and a little lazy at that. There isn’t much doing this P.M. so I’ll try to answer a few more Christmas greetings and presents. The one from Rotary etc. came today. It was real nice had a number and variety of things all very useful. I imagine they had a campain [campaign] for Reader’s Digests for I got one in my box dated Dec. 1941. That of course I had read but I passed it along to the boys in the hospital maybe someone will read it. There were razor blades, tooth paste. And this is some of the stationary I’m writing on. Some cigarettes, two combs etc. All will come to use in due time. The Clay City news also came today, but no first class

[page 2] mail.

A long time ago you said Geo Tilton said something about helping to collect the bills. I always forgot to mention that he offered to help the morning he went with Nick & I to Chicago. You said something about that one time so you might see what he has in mind. Don’t seem as if Cliff had much affect. If you fill feel real ambitious some day you might send me a few of the names with the bills amount they owe and I’ll look them over – don’t send any with less than $2.00.

There is one question I’ve asked several times but never yet received an answer. You possibly have sent it but I haven’t that letter. On what date did you receive the first letter from me after

[page 3] we landed? No particular reason only just wanted to know.

It will be past Christmas when you receive this so I can ask you if you had any surprises and what you did Christmas day and how the weather was etc. I doubt it we will know which day is Christmas because it will be like all the others as far as we know now. Maybe we will have turkey or something and maybe a snifter or two if any can be found. Just had an idea might go swimming on Christmas – wouldn’t that be something to tell the folks in Indiana – your grandfather went swimming on Christmas once upon a time. Fred suggested we go on New Year’s day also. (Pop) Porterfield as we call him

[page 4]might have something to say about that, but he’d say yes if we asked him to do most anything.

We’ve had a few sprinkles of rain today but the sun hasn’t shone much. In fact it been one week now since the sun has been out good and bright for any length of time. It’s OK too because it doesn’t get so hot as usual.

Well, I have several letters to write and this is the day for the letter to the folks at home. I’ll save some space in case the P.M. mail delivery is good.

So Solong Love Daddy

P.S. The envelope is one you sent not the sweetened edges

P.S. again – I was going to eat that Baby Ruth candy bar this P.M. and found two flash light batteries. That was a surprise. Hope I didn’t throw anything else out in the gue.

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/06/isnt-much-doing-roscoe/

Another Red Letter Day (Roscoe)

6 Replies

: December 19, 1942 Envelope

: December 19, 1942, p. 1

: December 19, 1942, p. 2

: December 19, 1942, p. 3

: December 19, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Dec. 19, 1942

Dear Mother,

Just got back from the show. It was one of those fast moving mystery stories which kept one out on the edge of the seat most of the time. I mean that box I have to sit on. Didn’t rain one bit but the dust sure flew in our eyes. It’s right here in the middle of the summer and at night it gets so cold that even with a windbreaker on one nearly freezes before the show is over. Not that bad but it is real chilly.

Edward J. Funk & sons, c1960s

Today was a red letter day in some respects. No late mail and I really don’t expect much until after the Christmas rush is over for you know how things are always jammed up this time of the year. What I meant was I got greetings from John Ley – Junior and Sr. No got Sr. yesterday. Well, I got one from Ed. J. Funk and Sons. One from Carl Funks. One from Sam Yegerlehner and a greeting and

[page 2] box from Dave and Marie. That was a real surprise – Maybe they have told you what they sent. I’ll just enumerate them in case – There were several Brazil papers – 26 air mail stamps two packages of air mail stationary. 3 cans of smoking tobacco one Kaywoodie pipe. Lots of pipe cleaners. Two suits of underware and a sack of candy. The candy was soft but each piece was individually wrapped. These toffie bars etc. Even though it was soft it wasn’t mixed. I was really surprised and very much tickled. That will do me a long time on the underware and tobacco also. I really was glad to get it because I’ve been smoking too many cigarettes with them being given out the way they are. Maybe that will help me slow down. The tendency to smoke too much is really great because one gets to thinking that is about the only mode of enjoyment and away goes another cigarette.

I’ll repeat the figure I gave you last nite

[page 3] about the taxes. The amount that I am taxable on since I joined the Navy is $1317.79. Now I can’t take any travel expenses from that. I mean since I joined the Navy. The $110 to Calif. it cost me to cross the country is not deductible because I didn’t add what I got for travel. And the same goes for food and rent because that amount is not added. This is only on base pay plus 10% which is added for foreign services so there isn’t much that can be deducted from that but deduction before May 10, can be made pretty high. I wrote most of that in last night’s letter but our mail as I’ve told you before may be slow in getting there so I’ll repeat things in several letters.

We had a little surprise here tonite also had a table cloth and plates to eat out of. The first in ever so long. We had been eating out of tin trays up until now didn’t hardly know how to act. Our of our original 42 there are now 5 left. Two dentists. Dr. Huth & Gardnier and Fred, Porterfield and Myself. I believe if we can keep certain ones from snoring and others from

[page 4] waking them up we will get along swell. Four of us – Huth Gardinier Fred and I live together while Dr. Porterfield lives by himself.

Oh yes. I almost forgot. Dave’s box also had in it a comic book a cigarette lighter and the story White Christmas by Fanny Hurst. Some of the things I haven’t read as yet. I hope I haven’t bragged Dave & M. box up to highly after what I said about yours. Especially the candy was funny. And how did you know that the weather was damp and warm down here, and as yet my laundry hasn’t arrived. Maybe it will come in time I hope.

We have had to censor mail lately. I’ve been on the board for some time but didn’t do much work as long as other Dr’s were here but it was thrown into our laps. Most of the letters, of course, now regret not being able to be home for Christmas and some are just plain mushy with the girl friends. Well, I must answer some of these Christmas greetings and write Dave & Marie a letter –

So Solong
Lots of Love Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/05/another-red-letter-day-roscoe

It came! And how! (Roscoe)

5 Replies

: December 18, 1942 Envelope

: December 18, 1942, p. 1

: December 18, 1942, p. 2

: December 18, 1942, p. 3

: December 18, 1942, p. 4

: December 18, 1942, p. 5

Letter transcription:

Dec. 18, 1942

Dear Mother,

Seems as if it’s only one week from Christmas so that makes only about so many shopping days until then. I was in town today and there was a definite lack of any kind of decorations. There were a very few toys but all of a very simple nature. I saw one bubble blowing outfit and one set of Jacks. No trains dolls etc. Maybe it’s the usual thing and maybe it’s the lack of shipments into the place anyway there wasn’t much there.

The biggest surprise and I might say pleasure today was your Christmas box. It came! And how! The box was open on one end and tied with heavy fishing cord. Maybe you tied it that way and it was opened for inspection or maybe it came open and some good soul tied it up. The content, all the candy sticks were melted into one big gob. With packages of chewing gum interspersed. It was fun finding the chewing gum. The flash light was incased in a “gue” of soft. The leather mirror case had sticky on it. The billfold with the pictures was untouched. The black tie had one long streak

[page 2] of sweet all along the broad flat outside surface and the underware were colored in spots yellow and I thought David had worked on them until I smelled but it was candy. The air mail envelopes were all stuck together with candy and but the paper was untouched. I think I can use the envelopes OK however. There was no batteries for the flash light, and there is about as much chance of getting batteries here that size as there is buying a flash light in the first place. Now I’ve given the low down on the stuff. Listen Dear it was a scream you couldn’t have sent me anything more pleasing and anything that I could have gotten more kick out of. I have a flash light now that was given me by the medical department. I haven’t been wearing any underware shirts. The pants can be easily washed. We don’t wear ties anymore. I’ve gotten candy from Ruth and Boonie. The chewing gum was not spoiled and that is about the best thing you could have sent. The mirror is OK and really is one

[page 3] thing badly needed. And the pictures I like very much so really I’m tickled pink and I really did get a kick out of opening the thing even to the Kentland Democrat and the Indianapolis Star funnies. And Thanks again Dear for all the things. The candy of course had to be discarded because it was mixed with paper inside of the box etc. I really think the mail sack are used to pack with and are probably down in the ship near the engine room where it is hot and that is the reason. Some of the boys have gotten candy sealed in tin cans and it is all stuck together in a big gob. So any way you would send it would be bad. Personally I’d rather have one late letter than all the boxes. I don’t mean to be rude about the box. I really got a kick out of it and I know you couldn’t have known the condition of the shipment of the things. I’m as happy as I could be about the whole thing so please feel that your gift was appreciated and I do mean it was. There are so many packages I really don’t

[page 4]see how things are as good as they are when we know the volume of business that is going on.

The office has furnished me with the figures that will determine the Income tax (federal) that will have to be paid. The gross amount is #1,317.79. That amount added to the amount that was made up to May 20. Less deduction for rent, Interest, Office girl, social security, Insurance on the office and malpractice, insurance on car, gas and oil. Less deduction for dependencies, Tax etc will be the payable tax for 1943, payable on Mar 15. I’d like for that to be figured and if not too much be paid. For as I told you before I don’t want a lot of things hanging over to be paid because I don’t want to have to get my nose to the grind stone right away when this thing is over. You and I are going to live for a while more time for each other and if those things are hanging over to be paid in 6 mo. we’ll feel that our style will be cramped. So pay if you can. Send me the gross of those first 4 ½ months. Or rather the amount that my practice brought in. Especially that that you paid state tax on. We will have to

[page 5] use that amount for federal plus the figure I gave above. I really don’t know what deductions are given this year for dependencies. Agnes will know those things but I take it from your letters that she is in favor of putting these things off but I’m not if they can be paid. So much for that.

Got a Christmas greeting from John & Inez Ley today. Won’t have time to answer that now because it is 2300 and time I was in bed.

Deanna Durbin, c1940s (Image courtesy of Wikipedia Commons)

D. Durbin was the star in the show tonight. It rained almost all thru the show but we stayed anyway.

Again let me thank you for the package and believe me I appreciated it and I sent lots of love to you and the boys.

Daddy

P.S. Remember our mail might be delayed as I told you last night but don’t worry it’s on a change in schedule

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/03/it-came-and-how-roscoe/

About 150 days (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: December 17, 1942 Envelope

: December 17, 1942, p. 1

: December 17, 1942, p. 2

: December 17, 1942, p. 3

: December 17, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Dec. 17, 1942

Dear Mother,

Not much change in temperature or anything else. Had a few slight sprinkles and a better breeze than ordinary. Got one letter this A.M. from Lentz was glad to get it but that didn’t help much. Dr. Porterfield got two packages and Fred got his home town paper. There were lots of packages but I guess mine must be on the bottom of the sack. I’d like to get the packages of course but I’d much prefer letters from home. Skip the mail situation you probably are tired of hearing that.

Our show last night was Joe Penner in something was pretty good for Joe Penner and it didn’t rain all thru the show. It was an old picture had to be for he has been dead for some time if I remember

[page 2] correctly.

We had very good pork for dinner – really was unusually good – mashed sweet potatoes – asparagus tips and a jello salad along with gravy on the meat and soup. Was a little better today than for the past few, but that is the way things go – good poor – good poor etc.

I wrote Bart last night hope he don’t get a fool notion to publish the letter. I was a little afraid he might so I was vague in everything. Couldn’t have been otherwise if I would have wanted to. I’m going to write the boys again one of these days but I was hoping I’d hear from them about their money I sent. John really has written since I wrote them. Guess he is more apt to write than Mark or maybe Mark has written and they just haven’t

[page 3] come thru as yet.

Dr. Porterfield was figuring today how many days he has been out here – about 150 days – That is from the time we were ordered from Norfolk. It seems longer in some ways and in other ways not so long. Guess there isn’t much one can do about the swiftness or slowness of time. Just let it pass and make the best of the whole think and keep the proper prop under the chin.

No doubt all things are getting set up for Christmas but I just happened to think – You’ll be reading this probably a few days after Christmas. Did you have the lights around the front door? And the Christmas tree lights – etc – ? The kind of tree all those things will provide subject

[page 4] matter for a few letters.

We tried printing some more pictures but there are too many variable elements which we are not able to control so haven’t done much good. I think we’ll take them into town and have them printed there and try our own luck later. Wish we had that stuff from home but don’t send it for it would probably be 3-4 years in getting here.

Well, I’ll try to add more later. No mail this Eve – Show was just so so. Shirley Temple in something. We have heard rumors that our mail in that direction might not be so good. So if you don’t get the letters regular don’t worry. Hope your service isn’t as poor as ours

Love Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/02/about-150-days-roscoe/