Tag Archives: Noumea

Finally Got Some Mail (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

June 8, 1943
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Finally got some mail from you – your air mail letters of May 15-16 and May 17, and v-mail of May 12, 21 and 22. The v-mail was latest but Geo and another fellow got air mail dated May 28 – somehow it just doesn’t seem I score as well as I used to, but I won’t complain as long as they keep coming, but as I advised write each every other time if possible to do so. Mark’s letter was in with yours of

[page 2] May 15 but John’s v-mail hasn’t arrived as yet.

The garden seen you sent is still on the way someplace and it might be like the package I sent you from Noumea. The seeds I did sow don’t seem to be doing to well. I think it’s too shady. That might be hard for you to understand but have you ever been in a cocoanut area? There is pretty much of an umbrella growth over head and try as you may there aren’t any areas but what are like that only on the beach and that

[page 3] is hardly the place for a garden. Your letters came late yesterday and I had a hard time getting them read. The interference I had wasn’t the same as yours but I believe more annoying but that’s the way things go, so what?

I don’t believe I would make Mark work any arithmetic out of his L. pad. Encourage him to read for pleasure and a good little problem once in a while involving some of the principles concerned would be OK, but don’t make

[page 4] it a burden for him in the summer time. The cornet idea is good and should be purchased for him if the money is there and maybe a few private lessons if the cash is available. That might help keep him in line as much as hard & cold arithmetic problems.

Lentz and a few of my former friends have been sent to New Zealand for a rest. That was some months ago. Hope they don’t do that to me. I’d rather go thru here and serve my time and then head for U.S.A.

Well, that about takes care of the present –

Love Daddy

A new runway, Russell Islands, 1943

A new runway, Russell Islands, 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/07/29/finally-got-some-mail-roscoe/

Another Lazy Sunday (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
June 6 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another lazy Sunday afternoon. It is inclined to cloud up at intervals and very close & hot. Had David in the buggy but he got tired – the buggy hampers his style too much so put him in his pen. So far the mosquitos haven’t bitten him but they are awfully thick out in the yard around the shrubbery. We have not been bothered much with flies in the house, but every time any one sees a fly we go after it like it is a dragon “or something – “ but as far as the baby is concerned a fly can be as dangerous. The last of the week it was so hot he broke out around his neck and shoulders with heat, but it is better now, and it’s getting hot again.

Mark is coming along nicely from his tonsillectomy. He seems to be hungry all the time – hope that

[page 2] is a good sign. He is so anxious to gain and get big muscles. I should get some myself from the work I do in the garden & flower beds but so far haven’t noticed any.

There is an item in the paper about getting new telephone rates (higher). Our phone has been going dead ever so often. The service man was here one day but it has been out a time or two since then – so we wondered what we would be getting higher rates for, but I suppose it costs the co. more to operate now.

–a pause—went over to Zell’s & fed their chickens – They are away for the day – The chickens are ready for market, but I don’t want many at the present price – however they aren’t as expensive as steak. The ceiling on chickens to dealers – and that is what they would charge me – being a neighbor is .35¢ – I sent to town for sirloin steak yesterday – it was .45¢ a lb. I didn’t want to drive to Sheldon so thought I would try “store meat” once again – It was good enough but not as tender I thought as what we have had.

[page 3] The last quarter of beef I got was cut into roasts & boiling meat mostly so we are out of steaks at present. I ordered another quarter put in the locker – but Brands can only by a limited amount now and I have to wait my turn. Parttens will have a beef ready for fall, but we will need some before theirs are ready. We will have plenty of coupons – with five books. We have plenty for canned goods too. I want to can beans, carrots & tomatoes this summer. The first carrots I sowed are up and I am going to put in more.

Bobby Funk is here – Bill and Arlene left in their car – We heard Bobby crying very loudly – Mark and I were pushing the carriage trying to get David to sleep and Bobby came out – Betty Muscleman [Musselman] came out after him – we told her we would take care of him – since she had to stay with Donnie. Mark is working on a model airplane and Bobby is admiring him very much. Bobby said, “My Daddy is teaching my mommy how to drive, ha! ha!”

That little ha ha he sometimes

[page 4] adds to his sentences sounds like he means more than I know he can.

Joe Bill Mullen has been commissioned a second Lt. at Field Artillery Officers Candidate School at Ft. Sills, Oka. That is where Emmett Miller is stationed. He rec’d a promotion to Capt. Some time ago. Eddie Steinbach is now a second Lt. in the Medical Administration Corps, Camp Barkley, Texas. Pat Mullen is a corporal now – he has a N.Y. address.

There is a new Auto Ins. law – anyone operating a car has to carry $11,000 liability – July 1 – our policy expires in Aug but will have to see about it to make sure we are carrying the correct amt.

Mark just got caught in the closet – the door knob doesn’t turn from the inside – Bobby let him out. John was listening to a musical program but it was so noisy with static I insisted he turn it off – so he went upstairs.

Love Mother

[page 5] Since finishing the letters I started this afternoon had callers, Mrs. Roberts & her children and one of Earl’s. She hadn’t had any recent word from Joe but he isn’t in Noumea now. She doesn’t know where he is. I told her my mail had been slow this week too. She said Joe had written you a note and thought you should have it quite some time ago.

The threatening rain finally came and what a rain. It came down in sheets for a few minutes. It has stopped now but the radio is still noisy and there is thunder. The noise on the radio was more than I cared to listen to so the boys are in their bedroom listening. David of course is asleep – He goes to bed following his 6 P.M. feeding.

–Monday—It turned very cool during the night, following the hard rain. It has been cloudy all day but begins to look like it is clearing away. We have the Bendix going now with David’s clothes.

[page 6] No mail again today – This makes a week without mail – Probably will get a bunch when it does come. David pulled himself up to his feet in his pen this morning. He is in his pen how with one foot sticking out on the floor. Margaret Kruman asked me to give Bud a hypo Wed. She wants to go away for the day and couldn’t find anyone. Since I have given myself shots, I suppose she thought I could give one to Bud. – Well, I’ll try.

Mark is in the baking mood and is mixing a cake now. I think he is coming along nicely from his tonsillectomy. It’s time to get David’s dinner ready so must open a can or two of vegetables.

Love Mother

YEG1943-06 Dunlop Street house

Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, Indiana, June 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/07/27/another-lazy-sunday-gladys/

A dentist arrives (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

6/6/43
Lieut R.S.Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Yesterday one of our old group from Noumea came into camp. One of the dentists that was there while we were there – So it was just like a homecoming. Had lots to talk about for he had seen many of our group coming and going and a few for one reason or another were back in the U.S.A. but only a very few. We of course know nothing of the length of the tour of duty but we have hopes. We had a little party for him last night

[page 2] onion sandwitches and sardines. Of course I don’t believe he appreciated them so much since he just came from civilized Noumea. If you want to call it that.

Today is Sunday and time for a letter to the folks. I’ll have a little to write because two letters both v-mail came from them and also the box of chewing gum etc. It always helps to have a thread to use as subject matter for a letter.

One of these days I’ll break down and write the boys again

[page 3] but paper and stamps have been a little hard to get. And of course all envelopes are stuck when they get here and after tearing them open the mucilage is no good and mucilage in bottles out here is about as unheard of as numerous other things one could mention.

I see the mess boy coming to clean out the tent so had better give way because it looks pretty messy this A.M.

Love Daddy

Russell Islands  Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/07/25/a-dentist-arrives-roscoe/

 

No cream or sugar (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

May 21, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco

Dear Mother,

Yesterday after your letters came or rather day before – another v-mail came but it was dated earlier than the latest – but on the whole the mail is coming thru pretty good.

Went shelling yesterday and got quite a few pretty nice ones so some of these days I’ll be able to send home some again. These in a way are prettier than those at Noumea, but they are not nearly so numerous.

I’ll have to tell you one habit that I’ve gotten into – No

[page 2] cream or sugar in my coffee – sure came in handy this A.M. It seems the colored mess boy sprayed the sugar with fly spray and everyone was going on about the coffee but mine tasted OK. Really I thought it was my tastes on the brew but found it was fly spray.

Just got thru giving a fellow a dose of Epsom Salts and did he smack his lips. That is not my idea of what a person should smack their lips about.

Saw some baby pictures yesterday of an officer – His

[page 3] is about 4 mo old but it was only a snap shot and not much could be seen but bundles of clothes.

In you [sic] last letter you told of John’s having a temperature hope he is getting along OK. It seems hardly possible that he would have the measles at that late date but you never can tell.

Well, must get going
Love
Daddy

Russell Islands  Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found:

Potato Eyes (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

May 4, 1943
Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.

Dear Mother,

Believe it or not I made garden yesterday. I was able to get 3 good sized potatoes and by carefully cutting them so that I had plenty to eat out of the center I got 20 nice fine eyes to plant. Not knowing the time for planting potatoes here and not knowing if the light of the moon or dark affect spud growth here I am at a little loss but I haven’t put out any financial funds and not too much physical effort – so if my crop is a failure I’ll not be disappointed.

Our mail is lagging again – True I’ve gotten some letters but the latest one was that which you wrote at Clay City so you see that is getting rather old now in fact I think it was just a month ago today that you wrote that.

Somehow I never did get word as to whether or not you received that second necklace I sent. There were some other things in that box but I don’t even remember now what they were – you may have received it and the letter saying so did not reach me.

I guess school will soon be out and the boys will be home to help you more or maybe hinder you more but I guess from the way you talk you will all be busy with your gardens and yards, but I hope you don’t try to work too hard on those things, and surely your food tickets will be sufficient. I’m really expecting that the locker meat

[page 2] will be rationed in one way or another. Wish you could send out a frozen chicken. That would be a real treat.

We I mean (chappic) chaplin and I are alone in the tent and he is reading his Bible so you see I’m able to write a little longer letter but probably just as drab to you as the others before hand – we have no library or place to go to write and when one is off duty others are also and since I’m the only daily writer I have to write in the midst of heated arguments and various un written writable phrases.

I’m anxiously waiting the arrival of a few packages of seed so that I can go into the garden business much more elaborately.

In Noumea we could see the female sex occasionally some white French live there but here I’ve seen only one such animal and she at some distance but dressed in native attire wich which consisted of the skirt only so In all probability when we do get to civilization we will just stand and stare. When one actually thinks of the thing it is preculiar and reminds one of that old song “Ruben, Ruben I’ve been thing what a queer world this would be etc”

Well, I’ve rambled enough so

Love Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/05/22/potato-eyes-roscoe/

News from Noumea (Dr. Porterfield)

R.S. USA PB
Noumea NC
7 PM San Fra Cal.
3.31.43 –

Dear Mrs “Yege”

Thanks for the letter. Sorry your family are having the measles. The pictures did not arrive until after he left. His mail is being forwarded from – here – I had word direct from him yesterday by messenger and he is ok. Conveniences are not as good there as here. But will improve very soon.

[page 2] We miss him very much and felt that we would be left together but one never knows out here what the next move is. One of my boys is out here someplace but I haven’t seen him. Hope the boys are over measles by now – I remember when mine had them. Oh – Boy –

[page 3] Everything is running along very smoothly here and we are really living very comfortable under circumstances. But there still remains the longing to see our families, which we hope will not be too long over the year we have sorta set our hearts on.

Sincerely the Country Doctor
M. H. Porterfield

New_Caledonia-CIA_WFB_Map

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/20/news-from-noum…dr-porterfield/

Greetings from Pop

Letter transcription:

Receiving Station
USN Advanced Base
Noumea N.C-
FPM San Fran Cal
2-18-43

Dear Mrs. Yegerlehner,

I have a hard job in writing you for we certainly hated to see your husband transferred. We had been together since arriving at Moffett Field. I was very fond of him and his work – and enjoyed having him around. He was good company – He was much interested in his family and we all enjoyed looking at the pictures of them and your comfortable home.

Now as to where he went or what he is doing your guess is as good as mine. Though I am sure he will do a good job wherever he goes.

[page 2] He left a box with me and some other things which I will ship to you as soon as I have instructions from him.

He has a fine commanding officer to be with and I am sure he will take the best of care of his men and they of him.

His address as best he knew when he left was –

Navy 224
% Postmaster – San Fran Cal.

Best wishes to you and your family

Sincerely “Pop”

M H Porterfield

©copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/05/greetings-from-pop/

Sunburned (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

2/11/43

Dear Mother,

Probably surprised to get this letter – That is if the letter I wrote this A.M. should come first. At any rate I’ll just repeat a little. My mail to you may be a little spotty and even scarce for several days or even months – so don’t worry just keep writing to the same address.

I’ve been working in the sun practically all day and like a dunce wore that over seas cap and my face is just a little redder than usual. In a day or two I think I’ll start rubbing off because I believe the outer layer is a little more than cooked.

[page 2] The only mail that came today was Ruth Y letter of Sept. 28 telling me about David and his Mother after the arrival. Not much late news but never the less welcome.

While in town today saw several things unusual – seems as if one can see new things every time. The thing that really stuck today was a couple of natives carrying wood from a truck. Of course they were bunching it up and putting it on their heads but before doing that they placed a small square of burlap over their caps. Don’t know if it was to protect the head from pressure

[page 3] or dirt. The railroads here would make you laugh the engines are about the size of a good sized tractor – run on steam with a big smoke stack and a shrill little whistle. The tracks are narrow gauge – only about ½ as wide as ours in the states. Really I believe the boys would get a kick out of such as a play thing of course it’s a little larger than the boys electric.

You may get letters from Mrs. Porterfield thru Dr. P. which may help when you aren’t able to get letters from me. So maybe we can keep up a three way correspondence. You will probably get notes now and then as time goes along.

[page 4]I think I’ll have to get some sun burn lotion on my face before bed time so that I can sleep. Makes me feel like I have a fever of the face – Just like you had once or twice upon a time – once when we were swimming camping and once when we lived on 2nd and Carroll street.

Well, I’ll get another letter out as soon as possible – so again don’t worry –

Lots of Love
Daddy

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Post originally found at:

Temporary Additional Duty (Roscoe)

1943-02-10 - Orders (RSY), p. 1 1943-02-10 - Orders (RSY), p. 2

 

 

 

 

 

Letter transcription:

2/11/43
Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner
Receiving Station
U.S. Naval Advanced Base
Noumea, New Caledonia
% Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

Now it may be some time before you get mail regular from me again. I’ll write as often as possible but the outgoing mail may not be so good – Don’t be discouraged if it runs into months before you get a letter but don’t worry. I’m not writing anyone else you might write the folk and tell them the mail service is going to be slow. I just don’t have the time to write to them all at present, but will do so just as soon as established. Now please don’t worry because that won’t help and after all there is

[page 2] nothing to worry about but I can’t tell anymore than that at present.

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/25/temporary-addi…al-duty-roscoe/

Planting things in the yard (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

2/10/43

Dear Mother,

Still the same old hot weather but the wind is blowing rather briskly so inside or in the shade we don’t notice the heat so badly.

You said the money order for the uniform had not arrived and neither has it showed up here. I wrote the Bureau of Supplies and accounts but haven’t heard from them as yet. That seems to be the place where all that kind of stuff is handled.

Now get a load of this. I’m going to take a good big warm water shower this P.M. (We now have hot water) and I’m also thinking of getting a hair cut.

[page 2] I speak of that last as if it were an event. Write me of things about the house and yard that you think necessary in the spring and I will give my judgment later on. We’ll still have time to get letters back and forth before the time to plant things in the spring. I may have some suggestions which I’ll write later when the weather is more settled here.

There was no mail this A.M. but we have hope always in the P.M. Seems as if most of it comes on the afternoon mail delivery. I’ll write more later as I might get mail and have some things to say extra.

[page 3] Just happened to think, however, I’m going to send a box of my things home like my blue suit and blue rain coat and some shells and a few other things to numerous to mention. It may take several months for that to arrive because it’s more like freight – all my white suits and white shoes are in there also. Now I’ll finish after the mail.

There was no mail so there isn’t much more to write. Really I’ll try to do better next time.

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/23/planting-thing…he-yard-roscoe/