Tag Archives: New Zealand

Danville (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 19, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just finished writing to the folks. Sometimes I almost forget to write them their regular Sunday letter until too late but somehow I got started at this letter writing early today. In fact it is only 1445 and their letter all completed. I have so many other letters to write that it seems a hopeless task so I just keep putting it off longer and longer. I don’t mind yours in the least – (anyway I’d better say that) because it’s a visit and if there isn’t much news or stuff you won’t be disappointed.

Yesterday I ran into a fellow from Danville, Ind., and his brother

[page 2] works for Jim Alley. He was telling me how cute their kids are – I didn’t ask him what he thought of Mrs. Alley. It had been a long time since I’d even thought of Jim but when he mentioned Danville it just occurred to me that Jim did go in business there. He said he would write his brother and have him tell Jim he had seen me. That is two boys from Indiana now that I’ve contacted lately.

There is some sort of a movie here tonite but I don’t remember the name – good or bad I suppose I’ll go in order to pass the time.

[page 3] There are always news reels on Sunday eve but they are generally weeks old. Even at that they are somewhat interesting.

A few hours later – The show is over and a round table discussion following the show is likewise complete. Just a few in the officer’s ward room – a bull session. The discussion was a general affair – medicine, war, diplomatic procedures and maybe a little smut mixed in here and there.

Tomorrow is Ruth M.’s birthday. I wrote her a birthday letter some time ago – hope she receives it by tomorrow.

It’s my bed time now so
Lots of Love
Daddy

[Editor’s note: Jim Alley was a high school classmate of Roscoe’s. They graduated from Clay City High School in 1922. Jim became a pharmacist, attending the Indianapolis College of Pharmacy.]

Alley, James - Indianapolis School of Pharmacy, 1924

Indianapolis College of Pharmacy yearbook, 1924 (Image courtesy of Ancestry.com)

Clay City HS - Class of 1922 (Photograph from the private collection of Deborah Sweeney)

Clay City HS – Class of 1922 (Photograph from the private collection of Deborah Sweeney)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/18/danville-roscoe/

A Weekend on Tulagi (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
12-18-43

Dear Mother,

Just one week from Christmas and all my shopping done. You of course know that is a laugh.

Three letters today – one from you dated late in Oct., one from the folks about the same time and a greeting card letter from the Walkups with a family group picture.

In your letter you told of D. getting a kick out of playing in the kitchen with the pots & pans and in Mother’s letter she told of the same thing while you were down there – so he must be rather a pot & pan man.

Undated Christmas telegram from 1942 or 1943

Undated Christmas telegram, likely the one sent in 1943

I sent you and the folks a cable today – hope they get there around Christmas time but I may have waited a little

[page 2] too long because I suppose everyone will have the same idea.

It’s a little amusing to see the influence of the North in the local Christmas decorations. The windows in some of the our buildings have been decorated with candles and snow. The candles are of course universal but the snow seems out of place. It’s just a carry over or a carry down under. Then of course there are some colored bells, stars, etc. I think the wards are probably competing with each other for honors or prizes. The prize probably to be are a snow ball or some such valuable object.

Our show here last night was “The Great Dictator” – remember when we saw that – seems like years ago. The shows here are

[page 3] much behind those we used to see. I didn’t go to see this one last night first because I was on duty – a good reason and of course I had seen it before so wouldn’t have gone secondly.

I’ve wondered lots about Foulkes’ brother-in-law. As to where he was etc. I think I’ve seen most of the places around these parts but could easily have missed him because some of my stops were only short. Just a visit one might say. I spend one weekend on Tulagi and it was a most enjoyable one because it was so different. Maybe it was because the officer I was visiting had beer and I hadn’t had any for a considerable length of time, and it was cold, too. I

[page 4] mean the beer was cold.

A pause of a few hours. In fact evening chow has come & gone. We had steak – good thick and French fried potatoes. The steaks were really good but not rate enough for me but don’t misunderstand I’m not complaining. There was ice cream also but I very seldom eat that anymore. There was a lettuce salad in the beginning and that is still good after being off of that kind of food for so long.

Well, I’ve really run down so solong until tomorrow
Love Daddy

 

© 2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/16/a-weekend-on-tulagi-roscoe/

My Belongings (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
Dec. 17, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just two bits of mail today. One a letter from Joe Roberts – Written Sept. 5 and mailed Oct. 4 and another a card from the Li Reader’s Digest informing me that the Digest was being sent me by the Rotary Club and the Jr. Women’s Club. It went to the old place also and likewise all the issues will go there until I can get the word to them. It’s been so long since I’ve heard from Joe that I wonder if he is still where he was when he wrote the letter. You have never mentioned him having a change so I suppose he is still there.

When I came here I came by air and naturally couldn’t bring all my gear along and I’ve been worried all this time that it never would catch up but it finally did and now I’m unpacking again. This is the first time in almost a year that me and my belongings have been together. I had to watch my clothes pretty close in order to have enough left between laundry days, and another thing like a dummy I put all of my pictures

[page 2] in the goods I left behind but and now that I have them all together there is a pretty good sized pile of them.

My room is more filled up now than before but when I get things all stored I’ll have plenty of room. There are 8 drawers in this dresser and everyone is pretty well filled up only not neat. Just wadded and I believe I can improve if I try.

Now that I have all the pictures and a fine wall I think I’ll put D.’s pictures up in an orderly fashion as per each month to get a comparison of how he has grown.

I had late duty tonite and it is now getting near 12 midnight so
Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/14/my-belongings-roscoe/ ‎

Downhill Stretch (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133 F.P.O. San Fran C.
Dec. 16, 1943

Dear Mother,

There was no mail today but we just can’t expect mail every day and really it has been coming in pretty good lately. Rather I’d say pretty regular.

Today for the most part was rather warm but just now as I came into the room I turned on the radiator because it seemed just a little too chilly without some added heat. Maybe it’s because the wind blows rather fiercely at times. Not like the good old prairie wind at home but it’s still rather chilly if one isn’t in the sun.

This being the 16th of Dec. we

[page 2] are now on the down hill stetch of this month. Seems as if time is passing rather rapidly but not as rapidly as at the last place. The time spent there seems to have passed and it’s very hard to really think back and recall what actually did happen. Maybe I don’t want to think of it but after all it wasn’t so bad.

The stores in town are not as elaborately decorated as back there for Christmas, but maybe ours are not so good this year. I was in town only a short time and perhaps I missed the best. This being summer people take more vacation around Christmas than they do at home and that might account for less fixing up of stores, homes, etc.

The check I wrote you about was in the letter of Dec. 15. I’ll repeat that again a time or two so don’t think I’m the broken record.

Just happened to think I never did reply or let you know that I had received your letter telling me that Dolores was married. More power to them if that’s the way they feel about the whole thing. I suppose she is continuing on with her work.

This may be a little late but a Merry Christmas to you and the boys and
Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/11/downhill-stretch-roscoe/

Keeps the Wolf Away (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

Your V-mail of Nov. 4 came today and it made me feel rather badly again because you were in that period where no mail was coming to you due to the ten days when I was away. By now the letters should be coming to you regular again I hope.

No need to mention the check I’m sending because you will find it. Hope it keeps the wolf away from the door until I can get more saved. Use it where ever or for what ever you need and I’m sure you’ll need it

[page 2] or can use it in lots of places. I’ll be anxious to get the detailed financial statement you mentioned. You did in this letter mention the bonds you bought and the Insurance you paid off during the year. I have a pretty hard time trying to remember what Insurance comes due, how much and when but I guess you remember and with the notices coming in I’m sure you can’t forget.

I’m surprised that you compared D. to all men shoppers – Said he was got too anxious to be on the move – you know very well I always liked to go shopping and took all the time in the world. Or did I?

[page 3] It have been a little chilly around here today. From your letter it sounded as if it might be as cold here as there. Last night I had the radiator turned on full blast and it didn’t feel too bad, but tonite the wind is in the other direction so didn’t have to have the extra heat.

You mentioned something about the Christmas tree – Well we are beginning to see a few decorations around here and there. I noticed some decorated bells in one of the wards today. I suppose there will be  more in the next few day. Makes Christmas seem a little more real – if that is possible out here – good night

Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/09/keeps-the-wolf-away-roscoe/

Local Entertainment (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
Dec. 14, 1943

Dear Mother,

It’s a little late again this time. Seems as if I didn’t have time to write during the day and then there was a stage show of native talent and naturally I wanted to go to that. It’s a regular Tue. night program and of course it’s must different than the usual movies we see. I can’t say that I’d pay much to see such back home but it is different and a few of us go just to see what will

[page 2] happen and how it will happen. Possibly the how is as much the entertainment as the what. The thing lasted about 2 hours and everyone was more or less show happy when the last act was presented. They do have some kids that are good dancers and singers but it seems to me they try to over develop 8-10 year olds’ voices. Many of the 16-18 year old actors they have, try to over act, but who am I to be critical of singing and acting?

Tomorrow is Coca Cola day. We get can get a case. It costs us 3/6  I think, and that is very reasonable but we have to

[page 3] furnish the bottles and the case in the beginning, and that is a little more. The 3/6 is about 58 cents I think and the 3/6 is read or means 3 shilling & six pence. A shilling is a bob and a six pence is a sprat. Just like we would say a Jitney and a buck. They have lots of sayings which to us might be a little funny or even a little smutty and that can also be turned around. The word bloody is never used in mixed society. I mean nice society and if someone remarks that they were screwed yesterday – That means they drew their salary yesterday. Imagine

[page 4] what a funny situation that might create back in the U.S.A.

Tomorrow is payday and I’ll be sending you a check. I really don’t know how much is due. However, I won’t get it sent until the 16th so you can be looking for that letter. I just hope it gets to you by the first of the year because I know we always had lots of insurance, etc., coming due around about then.

Well, Dear starting this letter with no thought in mind as to what I would write – I think I did pretty good to fill up this much space so before it’s all gone let me write – “Lots of Love” from

Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/06/local-entertainment-roscoe/ ‎

Writing Practice (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 13, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just finished writing some records and while I’m in the writing atmosphere I’ll try on a letter – with records to write and letters my writing should improve but it seems to get worse. I miss a secretary and a wife who to do all the writing that was done around our place – The wife the most however. I really didn’t know how much I didn’t write before I joined the navy but I can easily break that writing habit once this thing is over. The above was some bunch of nonsense but it sure filled up space.

I thought I heard someone

[page 2] talking about mail but my rushing in to see was all unnecessary because there was none but it isn’t hardly time yet so there is still some hope.

I’m writing this time in the P.M. just before walk time (Long pause). The fellow I was going walking with just came along and it is now some hours later and three letters to answer – yours of Nov. 27, Nov. 30 and Dec. 2 came; the two last ones were v-mail. A greeting card letter also came from Sam & E.

I didn’t know Foulkes’ brother-in-law had been out of the States. Yes it isn’t good to be ill like he must have been. He evidently wasn’t in the Pacific area because I know of no tour like that unless it was for his

[page 3] illness.

I had received word about Marie S. in your letters and you writing of X-ray treatment – just reminded me. The next time you go to Lafayette take Mark and have a chest X-ray. All you need to do is go to St. E. and ask that Dr. Mcc McClelland read the picture, and if need be you can give Dr. Cole’s name.

I was amused and at one thing you wrote and that was the “loaning” of D.’s shoes to Jimmie Ed. Was there hope or despair in the word loan? Who is there to wear them after D.? Maybe I just read between the lines or am I assuming? Or am I just plain crazy? Or what?

Even in the letter from Sam & E.

[page 4] D. came in for his share they said “very sweet and good looking” like his mother. I added the last part of that.

You need not apologize for the Christmas presents because I certainly did not over extend myself for you – and remember I asked you not to send things and I know the spirit in which it was given and certainly appreciate it very much. (another pause)

It is now about 8 hours since this letter was started. The last pause was a bit of Bull throwing along medical lines and lots of fun.

Well Dear again a Merry Christmas and Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/04/writing-practice-roscoe/ ‎

Time and Censorship (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 12, 1943

Dear Mother,

Another Sunday almost gone and after it’s all said and done time does pass rather rapidly – not rapidly enough at times but when one looks back he sometimes just wonders where it has gone. Really it has been some time since I’ve left the last station but it doesn’t seem long but add that on to what I’ve had here and it puts things along toward spring – and who knows.

So much for that – I don’t just know why or how I got started on that time business and after all as we have written

[page 2] before – Don’t build too high on any time period and then if things don’t work out the disappointment will not be so great.

I did hear from one of our original group – not a Dr. He has been home and back again and I can’t see too much percentage in that – but here I go again – seems I can’t get off the subject.

I’d forgotten when I sat down to write that this was the day to write the folks so must do that before going to bed. There are other letters to write also – both the Ruths and some of my pals back up the line but it just seems I have a dickens of a time getting started. It’s not nearly so much fun writing to anyone but you as it used to be. Your letters are just natural to write, but

[page 3] I will say I’ve certainly fallen down in subject matter recently, and try as hard as I can I can think of nothing that would be of interest and still be passable. It seems there are more censorable things here than at any previous station. Maybe it just seems that way to me.

If I’m going to get a letter out to the folks I’d better get started. The reason I’m so late is – our orchestra played for a while – Then some old news for about ½ hour and a then long movie, so it’s a little late and good night –

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/02/time-and-censorship-roscoe/

Pictures (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 11, 1943

Dear Mother,

You will or rather have noted the pictures which were included in yesterday’s letter. The others will follow a few at a time so that they will not be too heavy for air mail. These were taken as you can see – one in a Botanical garden and the other just outside a little hotel where we stayed. That is about all I can say about the pictures for further description and “stuff” might be telling things so we will stop there.

Once before I mentioned about

[page 2] you putting the boys’ ages on the pictures and not putting your own. Of course, I know, so you can’t fool me although that picture would fool me if I didn’t know because you surely don’t look your age – and I don’t mean you look older.

You also wrote in one of those letter about D. & his mother both taking a nap in the P.M. You wrote it as if you were ashamed but I see no reason why you would feel badly about taking a nap in the day time. I sure don’t feel that way and I’m sure some of the other fellows around

[page 3] here feel the same as I on that score.

The Newton Co. E. came today – The first issue in a very long time. It was the issue dated Sept. 30. I’ve read the whole thing and will give it to the Mulligan boy. He told me the other day he had not received any issue and I think he doesn’t receive any letters from there.

If I’ve figured correctly it is just two weeks until Christmas and if I’m going to wish you a Merry Christmas and have it get there in time I should do it now – So Merry Christmas and lots of love

Daddy

[Editor’s Note: I do not believe I have the photographs Roscoe sent home in this letter.]

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/31/pictures-roscoe/

A Better Christmas Present (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Dec. 10, 1943

Dear Mother,

Two air mail letters today one dated Nov. 23 & one Nov. 26. The pictures were in one and believe it or not I think you couldn’t have sent a better Christmas present. Those are the first pictures I’ve seen in a long time because the ones you have sent are packed away and are supposed to be sent to me. You see most of my gear had to be shipped because I traveled by air and couldn’t take everything. I sure went round and round there to tell you I didn’t have your

[page 2] pictures with me.

A letter from the folks came yesterday today also. It seems as if they are getting along fine. Mother’s writing has improved lots and I’m sure she isn’t nearly as nervous now as a year or so ago.

When on our trip we had some pictures taken and when they come back I’ll send them to you if they are good. They might be good of the hills, etc., but the subjects in question were both poor so I know they can’t be too good. The pictures I mean – I’m run down –

Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/29/a-better-christmas-present-roscoe/ ‎