Tag Archives: New Zealand

A Rainy Spell (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 20, 1944

Dear Mother,

We seem to have gotten into a rainy spell but it sure is good to see it rain – The grass even now looks lots greener than it did just two days ago. One is not as comfortable during weather like this as when the bright sun is shining but it has its compensation otherwise.

This A.M. I censored a Red Cross worker’s letter and she evidently hadn’t been here long for she wrote 13 pages. All about the country and as much description as she could and not be telling. She would have been far wiser had she cut that into several smaller letters because the next time she is

[page 2] going to find it terribly difficult to get subject matter but then maybe she doesn’t write every day. I think I had included every one of here her topics but in numerous letters.

Even on a cloudy day the scenery around here is pretty nice. The shifting mist presents changing pictures as it slides along the green background of treels trees on the mountain sides. Ever so often a sea gull flies along and just seems to vanish as its body either blends with the mist or the green or both. A little farther along the entire mountain is obliterated by the mist or low hanging clouds.

[page 3] Between the mountain and the me there is a river which can be seen only in spots due to the heavy growth of trees and parallel with the river spots of the road can be seen also. From my description I know you must have a picture so clear that you can hear someone standing by saying “too right,” meaning “that is good” or some such other common New Zealand phrase.

This whole country – what I’ve seen of it is really pretty but not my kind of country. I’m willing to let the Indians have the place, possibly I should have said the Maoris for they were to New Zealand as the Indians were to us. I believe they are

[page 4] accepted into society here a little more readily than either the Indians or colored people are at home. However, marriage between a white and a Maori is not considered the best in the world as far as society is concerned.

There are not classes here as in England or at least I have heard about them. I don’t believe there are many rich people and I’m pretty sure there are no very poor. They have state medicine and the people & Drs. neither one think much of the system –

Well, I’ve rambled lots –
Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/19/a-rainy-spell-roscoe/ ‎

Tall, Dark and Handsome (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 19, 1944

Dear Mother,

Just back from the show – plenty rotten. “Tall Dark and Handsome.” It was only about 16 years old. I think the setting was in 1929 and had Chicago as the background. In other words, a gang picture. It helped pass about 1 ½ hrs. so maybe it wasn’t so bad.

Our rain yesterday and last night was not very plentiful. In fact hardly enough to settle the dust and today being very windy we really noticed the dust. The

[page 2] top of this table and the writing paper is all ‘sorts’ sandy.

I’m really anxious to get the pictures of D. that you have written so much about but I don’t believe the air mail stamps had anything to do with speed. The letters before and after have gotten here but that just doesn’t come, and if the Folks sent their picture for Christmas it hasn’t arrived as yet. Mother said they were sending something but so far nothing has shown up. And I believe you said Dave & Marie were sending something. I’m not disappointed. I mean I wouldn’t

[page 3] be if they hadn’t sent the things.

Lentz got some underware today and they had gotten wet and were moldy in the funniest places. I accused him of having worn them but he answered me they came thru the mail. They didn’t smell bad so I guess he was right.

Lentz got a Jan. 10 issue of Time magazine the other day and I’ve been reading it this P.M. It really brings things up to date pretty well.

Well Dear I’m not very “writey” this Eve so solong
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/17/tall-dark-and-handsome-roscoe/ ‎

Just Plain Gossip (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlener USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 18, 1944

Dear Mother,

Three v-mails from you and two air mail letters from the folks. Yours were dated Jan. 2-4-7. The air mails from home were dated Dec. 26 and Jan. 3.

The folks seem to be doing OK this winter since Mother got over her cold, flu or whatever it was.

It was a little amusing to me for you to say that you read in the paper Irene was in a hospital in Chicago. In other words, you don’t see much of them. She probably would be better off if she would work at home and skip the job because

[page 2] that type of work is a little too exciting for one of her make up, and I doubt very much if all her medical attention will correct her condition but of course this is more or less a long distant diagnosis and opinion – That darn accordion is going again and I can’t just function at writing like I should. The music wouldn’t be so bad if it was good but my diagnosis of that is correct. (I stopped for a while) and right now it is a little more on the soft order.

I’ve really had lots of fun over that financial statement. As I told you before I still can’t figure what $6.60 tax you paid and the dividends on the Hancock policies is a little out of my

[page 3] line but it’s been a good 18 mo. since I came in contact with the domestic problems. I’ve more or less forgotten because I know you would take care of things as they should be taken care of and there wasn’t much I could have done otherwise.

Just for a change we had some rain today – the first in some time – It really was good to see a little rain to settle the dust but it will take a lot to revive the grass for it is as brown as our lawn gets in the good old summer time.

Last night I did the craziest thing. Several of us sat around

[page 4] here and chewed the fat until nearly 1200 and then a fellow came into my room and we talked until almost 3 AM and the most of it was just plain gossip. I was ready for bed but he just seemed to want to continue to talk. I was a little sleepy at 0700 this AM when it came time to get up. It is nearly always 1200 before I get to bed. Seems as if there is always someone to talk to or something going on in the lounge which is next door to me, but that seems to make the time pass more rapidly.

Well Dear, I’m about reached capacity so solong
Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/15/just-plain-gossip-roscoe/ ‎

Slap Happy (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 17, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m starting early today and hope I can add a P.S. on the end saying letters have arrived – How many time now have I started with that same sentence? When I write early I always think of that the first thing – hence its always written.

Later – Had some work to do and then some mail came – four letters from you – written Dec. 29, Dec. 31, Jan. 1 & Jan. 3. The one written Dec. 29 had the pictures, I may not say too much about the pictures when I get them but you know I appreciate

[page 2] then just the same.

I’ll say the financial statement was really a complete one – I didn’t expect anything like that but it was OK. I’ll keep it for study now & then when I have nothing to do and get to thinking about things.

I sure wish the birthday present Mark mentioned would be a fact instead of a fancy. These days do seem to roll around and now it is only 22 days until that certain time comes I mean the anticipated time comes. I think I told you the other day that Bob, the Dr. who was with me on vacation, is past due now almost 2 mo. so that is why I’m thinking of the thing as not

[page 3] coming due on the exact date but one can always expect and the expectation will always be greater after the time period.

I guess I mentioned writing to Joe R. He as you know is only a short time behind me, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he got there first but that remains to be seen. Anyway don’t have Mark plan on that birthday present too strongly. I’ll send him his present in due time just like I did D. and John.

I’ve received a letter or two from Geo. Wingfield and I think I owe him one now but he is in that group who I owe letters and don’t get them written. To write letters now it seems just like starting out the old trite

[page 4] saying of “Once Upon a Time.” All I can say is I’m in the S.W. Pacific or New Zealand and the weather is fine hot & dry and the food is better – What am I doing? Repeating. Guess I’ve been talking to myself and got confused. I can talk to other people and get them confused but I thought I was pretty resistant to my own ideas. In other words I’ve built up an immunity to my own disorganization – Does the above make sense? No, alright that just pass the butter and don’t bother with the two that remain.

I’m OK. Dear I’ve just been around too many slap happy people –
Lots of Love

Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/13/slap-happy-roscoe/

Two Day Letter (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 15, 1943

Dear Mother,

This is one of these started on Sat. finished later letters. If you would rather I’d write each day even though they don’t go out let me know but I know this one or rather Sat. mail is held over so that is how it stands.

To begin with there was no mail today so that topic for subject matter can be dropped without further ado.

This being Sat. you remember how I used to talk about inspection and beans. Well, we didn’t have inspection nor did we have beans. Since I’ve arrived here I think I haven’t missed a morning or at

[page 2] least very few when I didn’t have eggs. Or rather egg. At first I ate two but usually now it is only one and a slice of toast. Sometimes just some dry cereal. Milk is the only thing we have for on the cereal but due to the fact that I don’t use cream anymore for my coffee I slip a little of the coffee cream into my cereal. Now you might think I use sugar in my coffee but that is out also. It’s peculiar how this black coffee came about or maybe not so peculiar. You see at first we had no screens around out mess halls and the cream & sugar was placed on the table ahead of schedule and the flies would

[page 3] be thick on both and I decided to just drink it black and now neither taste good hence the black coffee. Is that good reason? Anyway that is the way it is. Maybe I’ve told you that before. Just between you & I that is a lot of “crap” to be writing in a letter but it is all I can think of and that just happened to somehow pop into my mind. So much for Sat –

SUN JAN. 16, 1943

Just finished writing to the folks and will try to pick p yesterday’s but after re-reading I don’t know if it is worthwhile to pick up the topic of Sat.’s.

The weather here is unusually dry – according to the natives. They say it is dryer than it has been for several years. The grass is all burned brown and the

[page 4] dust is pretty bad. Most of the time the wind blows and that really brings the dust into the room. It gets a little thick on things but that doesn’t matter. Sometimes one wonders if the Japs and Germans bother about dust and also if they fret and stew about things like we do. I have an idea they have their ups & downs only I hope they have more downs than ups.

Well Dear for two days this isn’t much of a letter but that doesn’t mean that for the two days I haven’t thought of you often because you really come in and claim lots of thoughts – more than you will ever know –

Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/10/two-day-letter-roscoe/

Warmer Than Usual (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-15-44

Dear Daddy –

Sat. evening – have been busy all day – It was warmer than usual or I mean it is unusually warm and I got started washing windows on the outside and couldn’t stop – I washed the car and Mark watered the evergreens. It has been so dry this winter and now that the ground isn’t frozen I thought it would be a good idea to give the shrubbery some water, especially the new tree. We had David out in the yard this morning a while and again this afternoon. He does enjoy being out in the open spaces. Jimmy Ed is still recuperating from the flu and hasn’t been out in the spring-like weather. Lucile went with me to see Clarice in the Watseka Hospital and she said she wasn’t going to take him out for a few days. They got a sun lamp just for Jimmy and he had sun baths every day. I felt a little badly about not having one for us to use but David seems to get along just as well. However I still wish we had one. Do you think they are of any value? Ed just happened to find the one they have – they can’t be bought just anywhere now. Like so many other things – none for the duration – unless you are lucky enough to find one someone doesn’t want.

The hospital is full and they had a

[page 2] bed in the hall. Clarice was in a double room. She was feeling fine except for her breasts. She is one of rate persons capable of feeding an infant. The new boy is named John F. He weighed 8-9 – quite a sizeable baby. Clarice is coming home Mon. They still have the 8 day rule. After see [saw] C., we went to see Mrs. R. There is an artist at Joe’s station and he made a portrait of Joe and painted a snap shot and made a greeting folder with it for Christmas. Joe is still hoping to come home at the end of 18 mo. I hope that ruling holds for you too.

Do you remember Dick Simons? He is in the Merchant Marines and is home for a 30 day leave. He just returned from the Pacific. Said they were in N.Z., N.C., and Island north. Said they unloaded gas in the Russells and Florida. He was in Tulagi. He seemed to know quite a bit about Wellington, N.Z. I asked him if he knew you and he said he did. He is Johnny Simon’s brother (Elsaleah’s boyfriend).

Yours of Jan. 3 & 4 came today. So glad you rec’d the pictures. I had another roll I’ll start taking with now. You should receive two more groups of pictures I sent out in Dec. The one (3) is of David in a folder. I do want you to get it.

This warm spell has about ruined the skating at the pond. I told Mark he couldn’t go now because it’s too warm to be safe.

It’s about time to get supper started and I am hungry, after all the day’s activity.
Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/09/warmer-than-usual-gladys/

Lots of Questions Answered (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 14, 1943

Dear Mother,

Lots of questions were answered today because there was a bunch of Oct. mail. A letter from Dr. Cole, two air mail from you and a letter from Wayne W., a v-mail from The Brewers, a v-mail each from John & Mark and a birthday greeting from the boys. That particular bunch of mail must have been on the wandering order. It, of course, went to the old address and was then sent to Mob. 4 and then on to here.

I can understand why you didn’t mention anything about

[page 2] expenses of your mother’s funeral. I knew you had some policies but I thought those were turned over to someone or something when she got that pension. I guess if the insurance wasn’t enough Bob will hold off until we can pay. Hope I don’t worry you too much about expenses.

Right at the end of one of your letters you said something again about me writing a book. That has been so long ago I, of course, have no idea about what I wrote. You will of course note that my letters from here are different. Which is very easily explained. There are too many Drs. around. Where I was before I was the only one and the other officers had work to do

[page 3] and there was hours on end when I was alone but here someone is barging in most of the time or I’m barging on to someone else so without thought you can see the difference in ideas formulated, and anyway I don’t remember anything I wrote that was worthy of note. Maybe I was a little off that day.

Writing a book would be something but having someone else read it is another thing. You see you read my letters not for the same reason that most people read books and just incidentally pick up here and there a little something that might be catchy but that

[page 4] wouldn’t interest many people. Anyway I haven’t written one as yet and I doubt it very much if I ever will because my thinker doesn’t work that good.

The envelopes I’m using now are the ones Dave Mace sent me last Christmas. I mean Christmas a year ago. They were stored with my stuff when I went you know where.

Well, I guess I’ve about run down again so for now, Solong until tomorrow

Love Daddy

P.S. Ed Johnson’s v-mail letter also came today.

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/08/lots-of-questions-answered-roscoe/ ‎

Laundry Hanging Around (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133
USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
1-13-44

Dear Mother,

After I finished writing yesterday I thought there would be a P.S. to add regarding more mail but there was none for me. It was all mail for persons who had been transferred from other islands and most of my mail in that class is now thru those areas.

I still have some of my laundry hanging around the room from yesterday. It would have been dry if I’d left the radiator on all night but that makes it a little too warm and there is no particular hurry. We should have a line outside but with reconstruction going on in the yard I’m afraid the dust would be pretty thick on the laundry before it could dry because

[page 2] this wind sure whips around the corners and over the knobs. This AM there was a slight sprinkle but not enough to make any impression on the dust.

I’ve read that double talk over that you wrote from the radio program but can’t seem to make much headway. If I had the tune and could hear the words it would probably make sense. Or would it?

Just stopped to read the Newton Co. E. – Sept. 9 issue that came day before yesterday. I must have been lost in the Christmas rush plus the change of address rush. It’s surprising how much real news there isn’t in the paper. I don’t mean to be an old meanie, but, for example, the personal & society – a visit here, a vacation

[page 3] there – well alright then it is news – I’m having a terrific argument with myself and I’m not sure who is winning, anyway there still isn’t much news in those papers. You always give me the cream of the news but maybe yours is the first edition and this paper is the full account.

Tue. night I heard parts of a Jack Benny program which was pretty good. It had been a long time since I’d heard him so maybe that was why I liked it.

This is before mail time so I’ll stop and maybe be able to add more – I hope.

Later. No mail so
Solong until tomorrow
Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/06/laundry-hanging-around-roscoe/ ‎

Getting Forgetful (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 12, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m getting forgetful. I forgot whether or not I added a P.S. to my letter yesterday telling you your Christmas package came – It did. This time it was in pretty good condition but the contents could be seen without opening the box. In other words the ends were very ragged. The chicken bones are all melted into one huge chunk but still within the paper. And why the alcohol and tobacco chasers? I haven’t opened much of it yet. The chewing gum is the best article. The wafers are good – really surprisingly crisp but I’ve lost practically all my taste

[page 2] for sweets. Just the very smallest bit of sweet is enough so I’ll have candy enough to last all year long. One of the officers who was ordered from here gave me a pound box of candy weeks before Christmas and most of it is still in the box and Floyd & Ruth sent some and it is practically intact. I’ll wait a few weeks and put it out in the ward room and it won’t last long but I know I’ll never eat it, unless I get more of a sweet tooth than at present. I hope I don’t sound ungrateful about the gift. The hankies were fine. I am a little short on those and they will fix me up about right.

I wrote Joe Roberts a letter last  night and will try to answer

[page 3] another of those long unanswered letters today. I have an awful time now trying to figure which one I should answer.

I did some laundry this P.M. Last Thurs. I sent my khaki shirts & pants to the laundry as well as 5 pairs of underware trunks, and today I washed 9 pairs of trunks and 16 pair of socks – don’t ask me where all the things came from. I still have 5 clean pair of trunks and one pair on so that makes a total of 20 pair and approx. 2 doz. pair of socks. I still don’t wear any undershirts so don’t have to worry about that part of the laundry. White shirts are no problem because they are not worn enough. Just to weddings or special things which

[page 4] are far and few between for me. And one shirt will last thru several engagements.

Before I forget it I don’t think it’s necessary to file an income tax return this year but again Agnes M. knows more about the laws and if she thinks necessary go ahead. All we get for sure on the tax problem is scuttlebutt, but there is something about this year & last year or something so let me know what you do.

Don’t run yourself too short on buying bonds as I won’t be able to send too much money extra on account of saving it for travel. Maybe I’m being optimistic but it never is wrong to plan ahead – For now Dear that is all –

Love Daddy

P.S. Thanks for the Christmas present.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/04/getting-forgetful-roscoe/

The Letters That Came Yesterday (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
1-11-44

Dear Mother,

I’ll try to say a few words about your letters that came yesterday. First of all it seems your air mail stamps on D’s pictures didn’t work because as yet those pictures haven’t arrived but the snaps of D. & Jimmie did arrive. It always seems when you write of an emergency that letter is delayed. The one telling about your mother just arrived yesterday.

I’m afraid I can’t make out much of that song you sent which you said was going around. In other word it doesn’t make sense to me but maybe it’s not supposed to.

Now about finances. What I

[page 2] really wanted was the final bank balance. I’m glad to get those other figures as they do give me, as you said, food for thought, but you need not go to all the trouble sending too many figures. I don’t quite understand what the $6.60 for tax was for. I just don’t seem to be able to figure that one out. The tax we pay to the county locally are or were taken care of in the house payments – so that really does give me food for thought.

I guess you got the word about those shoes you loaned. I really got a kick out of your answer – very cleverly put I’d say, but we will talk that over in due time.

Your community letter. I mean the one written at

[page 3] Christmas time with all the signatures was interesting. It brought me greeting more or less from the entire gang. I sure was glad to hear that you could all be together.

Just got a letter from John v-mail – thanking me for the Christmas present.

It has been so cool here lately – I’ve been wearing a sweater – gotten from the Red Cross – under my jacket. The wind must be directly off those mountains with snow that you were trying to locate while you were at Mutch’s. I’ll agree with you – most of our maps of this place are small so you probably couldn’t find too much, but even now, I can’t

[page 4] write much about all the surroundings. Not as much as I’d like to. In fact the mountains are fine but give me some level prairie for a change. I think I’d appreciate that lots. But I’ve said all that before so why bring it up again. However as I’ve said before it’s interesting writing & talking material.

Well, I’ll possibly read reread those letters again and make more comments later –

Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/02/the-letters-that-came-yesterday-roscoe/