Tag Archives: New Zealand

Staring At That Wall (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 10, 1944

Dear Mother,

For the past hour or more I’ve been down on the bunk just thinking of what I might write you and I could do no good lying there staring at that wall so I decided to get up and start and maybe something would come.

I thought possibly I could put down my thoughts while lying there but often trying to recall what I was thinking I can’t seem to recall so I guess I was a total blank. I did read the morning paper. I had taken care of the news pretty well just before and after breakfast so started in on the want ads, public sales, legal notices

[pager 2] and other bits of printed articles. Some interesting, some queerly stated and some just plain funny. Much of their wording, etc., reads like our papers used to years ago. Even the Kentland papers seem to be more modern in statement. One never reads a paper but what there is a notice or two which states that such and such a man, no names, but a brief description who wishes to become acquainted with a certain type woman with marriage as the aim. And their ad about patent medicine are a scream. I can’t remember any just now but they are really heart rendering with the suffering which is going on needlessly.

This county as you might know, I didn’t, has state medicine and I’ve heard something about it from the lay individual as well as the Dr. and

[page 3] I can say the parties concerned are in a fog as to its merits and demerits. It came just about the time the war did so neither side has had a fair chance to win out. It seems that the Drs. are living and some of the patients are living so it can’t be a total failure on one side or the other. It is a little hard to ask the Dr. how much his salary amounts to so it’s hard to learn much – I do know this there are dissatisfied persons on both sides. However, that is something I don’t intend to get worked up about just now. If it comes it will just have to come and everyone concerned will have to make the best of it.

Lentz just poked his head in to inquire about the time. He informed me there was no mail again today – don’t know where he got his information but I’d say it

[page 4] was darn rotten information and not the least bit welcome. The mail situation is about like it was first when we left the States. There is one thing I’m always certain about, however, and that it that there are letters on the way because I know you are writing as regular as you always did. Lentz could have been mistaken so I’ll still have hope for another hour or two since it is only about 1500.

It’s time I should have my PM coke. I’m getting just like the natives only theirs is tea. I saw a group of men working on the road this AM and about 1000 they all stopped and had tea – eh what!

Well, I did get something written after all so solong love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/30/staring-at-that-wall-roscoe/

Mail Traffic Cop (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 9, 1944

Dear Mother,

One can just imagine in looking out the window that snow will start falling most any time for it surely feels that way but really it isn’t so cold. Just the cool damp wind with no sun.

So far as I know the new wedded couple are enjoying themselves. He was able to get a few days leave and is possibly spending it getting papers signed, etc. I understand there are lots of those to be fixed up when there is an international affair such as that. They possibly are going other things also but one’s imagination can get the better of him if it isn’t curbed to some extent. Bob is really a swell fellow and I hope he is doing alright

[page 2] by himself. He was raised around Rockford, Ill., but was practicing in Elko, Nevada. That isn’t too terribly far from where Glenn lives.

I believe I never did describe for you any of the charcoal burning cars that we see here – In fact there isn’t any description other than they have two big tanks – generally one on either side of the car in front of the front doors. These are about the size of that pressure tank we used to have at C.C. Once in awhile one can see a flame under one of the tanks. I don’t know how they work but it is a little funny to see a fine new car with those tanks and then the steering wheel on the other side. That latter really doesn’t seem near as funny

[page 3] now as it used to. In fact the left hand drive now looks a little strange. We have a few around here like that. I haven’t driven since coming here because there has been no car or jeep to drive. Good reason – don’t you think?

It is almost 3 PM and there have been several persons up the hall way and for only one reason – To see if the mail has arrived. I could save them lots of trouble but I can’t stand out there and act as traffic cop or something.

It is rather interesting to sit in my room and hear the remarks made by the various ones when they find no mail – Some just

[page 4] more or less expel a few disappointing words. Some just turn around and walk out while other express themselves very loudly in terms now [not] writeable. The end results are the same however – There is no mail so —. I don’t need to go into the room because I can hear it being sorted thru the wall – lucky me.

It seems I’m all out of something to write and a little space left so I’ll save the remaining space to tell you how many letters arrived –

Love Daddy

P.S. There wasn’t any mail.

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/28/mail-traffic-cop-roscoe/

Two Things (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
2-8-44

Dear Mother,

Two things happened today which are a little out of the ordinary and maybe will break the monotony of the letters of the past few days.

First and possibly foremost is one that has nothing to do with me only in a roundabout way. The fellow that I spent my leave with – you have his picture, well, he got married. I guess I had never mentioned that he was single and all that stuff. Lentz is standing up with him because the girl who is going

[page 2] to be the best woman, etc., is a friend of Ed’s. And I’m taking his duty. It makes duties come very close together for me but I guess I can help a boy out in a pinch. I think it was one of those whirlwind affairs where things happen fast. In fact, when he and I went on the trip he was against the institution of marriage and I’m very certain that he didn’t know this girl at that time, but you know when people fall they really fall hard. She is a nice girl for all I know – and why should I know? He has had her out here on a number of occasions and she is Irish the same as he – of course me being Irish also – think she is OK.

[page 3] He was very much in a huff all morning. He told me last night when he came home but didn’t tell Lentz until this AM, and Lentz had sent his clothes to the cleaners and he wanted to borrow mine but he was a bit too large in spots, so he had to get clothes from someone else. Enough for the romantic side.

The second thing was the Rotary meeting. I enjoyed it pretty much but of course not as much as at home. The home club will not get a notice that I attended because it is against the censor regulations. They could name the country but they can’t name the town.

[page 4] so in the course of due time the Kentland Club will be notified – after the war I suppose. I’ll try to write Bob Hufty and at least tell him that I attended the meeting.

The mail just came – I’d say about 2 doz. V-mail for all the Drs. I was lucky enough to score one letter – your V-mail of Jan. 26. Not much but it helps lots just to get that little bit for it lets me know you and the boys are doing OK. It sure looks as if V-mail is all that comes anymore. Your last air mail was Jan. 12 and the picture of D. never did arrive as yet.

Well, Dear must get to work –
Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/26/two-things-roscoe/ ‎

Listening For Footsteps (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner (MC) USNR
Navy 133
USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 7, 1944

Dear Mother,

Writing of dates this really marks the one date looked forward to but why? Anyway maybe we can be a little more expecting now but I don’t know exactly why. Again I don’t see why I’m writing this because after all I’m not even expressing well what I want to say.

Today is so much more calm than yesterday – with only a few clouds and very little wind but still cool if not right out in the sun. All the land of this place is near the ocean so I suppose the ocean breezes keep things cooled off. Probably John has read all of that in the National Geographic. I’ll have to read those when I get back to see if they are

[page 2] anything like the places I’ve seen.

I think Lentz is doing some laundry this P.M. He just asked me if I’d be willing to help him and of course I answered in the negative in a positive way. He still kids as much as he used to only there are more around now to kid than when just he & I were together at Norfolk.

The picture tonite is “How Green Was My Valley” a good picture but I’ve seen it once before. I may go again but that one as I remember is a little on the sad side and twice is once too often. I didn’t go to the show last night because I was on duty and had to spend the time at other places.

Yes it’s about time for me to bring in that usual sentence – no mail yet today but there is still a little time. I hope I can say later that some has arrived

[page 3] as I sit here trying to think of something to write I keep listening for footsteps down the hall way which might sound like the fellow bringing mail but up to now they have all been fellow officers just looking for mail or someone going to the ice-box across the way for a cold glass of water or something else they might have placed in there to keep from spoiling. However most of the things kept there are not very prone to spoil even in the hottest of weather. Things such as coke and things like that there.

If your mail is as slow as mine, and I have a feeling it is – this won’t reach you much before time to file income tax blanks, but and I’m not saying anything about that business at all this year – just do what you and Agnes think best. I gave you the figures some time ago and

[page 4] that it that. I guess you will get along with the assessor this year also. It seems you had no trouble with him last year whoever he was and still is or have they changed since last year.

This last part sounds very business-like but I just happened to think. I believe most of the fellows have not paid their Income tax – however a few have. Maybe we all didn’t get the word or maybe we all did get the word. I’m not sure anyway that is the way most are doing.

So far as far as mail is concerned it’s a total black out but there still may be a wee little chance. Anyway I’m all out of writing material and I don’t mean ink & paper –

Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/25/listening-for-footsteps-roscoe/

Candy Stains (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 6, 1944

Dear Mother,

You will note I’m using the paper you sent for my Christmas present and you will also note the candy stains on the inside. I had to throw only 2 or 3 sheets away so that wasn’t bad.

The wind today sure is whipping around. Due to our not having storm windows or the building being built too good the dust sure does pour in on windy days. The whole day reminds me of a March day at home – clear, cloudy, windy, etc. No rain as yet but it could most any time from the way it looks.

Had to stop long enough to open a coke. I just put the case under the bunk and

[page 2] when the urge comes on to drink one it isn’t hard to get it. Really no strain nor pain. I’ve often wondered if coke is to be had in the states or if it is rationed. If I remember correctly it was a little hard to get at times before I left.

Another Rotarian and I are planning on going to a meeting this coming Tue. I should have gone long before now but all of their meetings around here are noon meetings and it’s a little hard to get off and get transportation at that time of the day.

I’m on regular O.D. duty today. It really doesn’t amount to very much only being on the phone for a 4 hour stretch and that gets pretty tiresome before the 4 hour period rolls around. It’s a little painful if any calls come in from New Zealanders

[page 3] because I have a duce of a time understanding them over the phone. It’s sometimes bad enough in a conversation with them.

The outing season is still one here. I can see cars parked along the roadside, from my window, or picnics along the river and the mountain side. That sentence is a little mixed up but I think you can get the meaning. The cars and the mountains are not having the picnics.

I haven’t written the folks as yet today but will get started just as soon as I finish yours. That is always a good Sunday sentence as you well know because it appears in all my Sunday letters.

Just checked up to see on what day

[page 4] Easter comes this year. Yes, maybe I’m thinking of the same thing you are but I’m still not counting on anything like that. I suppose the 4th of July would be a better date to look forward to. It seems that that business crops into every letter I write anymore. It’s the most vital topic I can think of so I guess it’s bound to break into print or I should say writing very often.

Well, it seems as if I’m just about all washed up for anything else to write so
Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/23/candy-stains-roscoe/

Notice the Date (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133
USN Base Hospital #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 5, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m starting this on Sat. and if I can think of enough to write I’ll mail this one and write another for tomorrow even though they will both leave at the same time.

So far today I haven’t been warm because it’s one of those cool wet damp rainy days. I’m really not complaining because when I think of that hot steaming place it’s a pleasure to shake a little with the cool breezes.

Our show last night was fair – Rosalind Russell and someone in “Borrowed Wife” – a comedy that moved rapidly and filled with wisecracks. Tonite there is a

[page 2] double feature with two western pictures. No doubt they will really be good, but when one doesn’t like the show he can always get up and leave – There is no money involved so it’s one’s own pleasure.

You will notice the date on this letter – It seems to be getting around to that certain time and I don’t mind telling you that I’m not going to get much discussed until the month of Mar. rolls around and then I can’t promise. I’ve often written of the time, etc., but I find the anxiety increasing by the inverse rule, which means the shorter the time the more anxious. I guess I need say no more because

[page 3] you are perhaps experiencing the same reactions. When one is away from civilization it seems a more or less routine to see only persons in Khaki, but when one sees kids, women, men in civilian clothes with colored ties and numerous other things it is a little harder to have the time pass rapidly. Now I’ve said some things I didn’t even mean to say because I’m afraid they might make you feel badly. Please excuse I’ll be over this odd moment in a short time.

The radio in the rumpus room is going full blast and the dice of 3-4 Acey Ducey games are clicking. I’ve played a game

[page 4] or two since chow but one gets little tired of that also. It generally takes 20-30 min. to play one game – fun but there is lots of luck along with some science. Right now the Beer Barrel song is on the radio – a good song I’d say.

So far I have said nothing about mail – You guessed it there hasn’t been any but the P.M. is rather young.

Now that I’ve gotten so far along with this I’ll post it and write another tomorrow – That way I can say

Lots of Love (one time extra)
Daddy

 

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/21/notice-the-date-roscoe/

Packages (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 4, 1944

Dear Mother,

Finally I got the M.O. for Mark and it will go out in the mail tomorrow so that is that.

I’m writing this before mail time today again and will add a note later letting you know if anything comes along. Now I’ve written that same line that appears in every one of the letters.

There is an ambitious Dr. outside my window practicing golf. I mean just swinging a club. No he has a ball tied to a string.

[page 2] He seems to be enjoying himself lots. Lentz is out playing again this P.M.

The mail came it was packages. Your other Christmas package came this one had socks. I didn’t know you had sent tow. This one today was crushed up a bit with a little candy on the socks and some sticky on all the boxes parts including some on the writing paper, but I’ll be able to use the paper I think. I’d hoped the picture of D might arrive but no such luck.

A letter also came from Joe R. He seems to be doing OK and still wondering about the 18 mo. just like all of up us are doing.

[page 3] Geo. Wingfield also sent me a Christmas present. A sterling silver name plate with chain for around the wrist. You know an identification tag. It sure is a swell one. Needless to say all these packages went to Navy 60 and that is the reason for the lateness and the bad condition. Your packages are always in worse condition than those from anyone else. I can tell that you secure them as well as anyone else but I think they must read who they are from and then someone gets them down and stamps them and then

[page 4] use them for a football and then just for good measure gives them a final kick. Maybe I’m a little hard on the mail carrier.

It seems to me that chewing gum has changed or maybe it’s the heat but it really don’t seem the same at least this that you sent doesn’t/ They don’t have the stuff here so I really get a kick out of that. I possibly won’t need the socks but I can always use them sooner or later.

Well Dear thanks loads for the package and

Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/19/packages-roscoe/

Central Heating (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 3, 1944

Dear Mother,

You will have to explain to Mark that his birthday present might be a little late because due to something or other the P.O. isn’t issuing money orders just now but I’ll get one as soon as they are and maybe it will get there in time I hope.

It has rained a little this P.M. and is rather cool in fact so cool I’m thinking of adding a little extra heat. That is another thing

[page 2] these people here don’t believe in – central heat. Each home has several fireplaces and I don’t think they are used much at that of course I have no way of know[ing] if they are used or not. We have one in our lounge here and it hasn’t been used over once or twice and we have one in our officer’s club which has never been used.

I suppose you and the boys use our fireplace pretty frequently these days. I know how you used to like to do that in the evening.

This is before mail time – fooled you this time but not

[page 3] starting the letter with those few simple remarks. We should be due for some good air mail one of these days, but I believe I’ve said that on many occasions before.

I seemed to have stalled for it’s been about 10 min. between the last two sentences. I have a big map on the wall next to me of the Pacific Ocean and I keep looking at the latest war developments and then my eyes drop to N.Z. and off hand we are a considerable distance from the war, not to say, a more considerable from home.

I’ve often wondered about Gale Dye’s husband. I believe

[page 4] you said he returned to Hawaii after his 10 day leave. Who knows I may get a 10 day leave some of these days – I hope – That some of these days is a vague indefinite thing but a reality which will be an actuality in some not too distant future I hope.

No mail so let’s change the subjects and say –
“Lots of Love”
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/17/central-heating-roscoe/

Birthday Letter to Mark (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner (MC) USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 2, 1944

Dear Mark,

It seems to me you have a birthday this month so I guess I’d better send you the same as I did John & David. This one is different however because it will be a mixed up one. Bought in shillings and then when you get the money it will be in dollars. How do you like that? Wouldn’t it be a surprise if when you went to cash it you would get 12/9 instead of the two bucks?

I guess I received a letter from you just the other day thanking me for the Christmas present I sent you – That just about slipped my mind. So I really owed you a letter.

Well, I hope I won’t have to send John any present for his birthday from overseas but one never can tell.

Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/14/birthday-letter-to-mark-roscoe/ ‎

That’ll Be The Day (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 2, 1944

Dear Mother,

Before mail time again today but I’m not expecting much since your two letters came yesterday. However there are several missing between the last two bunches.

I went to the P.O. just before starting this letter to get Mark’s M.O. and found that it didn’t open for about an hour so will have to make another trip later. I’ll try and finish this and then write his letter before going back.

Again bringing up the subject of what Tommy Britton told his mother. I’ve always wondered just how or what I’d do by

[page 2] way of informing you that I have arrived. I suppose it won’t be hard to figure that out once I’ve gotten on the USA soil again. It probably will be strange because things have changed but we should be able to get used to those changes if we were able to get used to the foreign situations.

Transportation across the country probably will be hard to get and that is going to seem like a long trip – but why am I writing all this? Well anyway it doesn’t matter if one wants to daydream now and then or should I say think ahead. As we say in New Zealand – That’s be the day.

As I wrote you often and long ago the term of duty out here

[page 3] is still a very favorite topic of conversation and everyone is vitally interested, however, much one might like this country.

That is a question on is often asked here – How do you like our country? If one meets a native before long that question is going to be asked, and of course they like an answered which is good. The average New Zealander thinks Americans are supermen. I mean those that haven’t learned. One could make lots of money selling buying Americans for what they are worth and selling them for their actual value. The “Bloody” Yanks do spend lots of money here and that gives the people a false idea, and incidentally don’t ever use the word Bloody in nice company because it’s considered definitely

[page 4] ungood.

You will note that I’m writing on this paper just a little funny but I don’t like to unfold it. I guess you can find the key to read it I’ll at least number the pages and that will help.

I’m sipping a coke while I write. Today is coke day so I bought a case. The price was up to 4 shillings but that isn’t too much to pay for a case. Cigarettes are down in price 6/2 2/6 and that makes them cost around 5 to 7 cents per pack.

When one rides on a tram here he has to tell them how far he is going because the fare is different for different distances. Seems logical doesn’t it? Tickets to service men are reduced – I don’t know how much.

I hope John reads lots about the country because I don’t know much about it and I’ll be able to learn something when I get back.

Well, I’ll write Mark now and get the M.O. later.
Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/13/thatll-be-the-day-roscoe/