Tag Archives: United States Naval Reserve

Mail Call (Roscoe)

: November 15, 1943 envelope

: November 15, 1943, p. 1

: November 15, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

It’s fun to be a foreigner and see people in their native surroundings. Of course, this isn’t the first time for we were also foreigners to those natives we used to treat and write about but I mean civilized people just like ourselves. Their expressions and manners are different and very noticeable, for example, while walking down the sidewalk – instinctively I want to pass to their right – results a few near head in smash up. It isn’t bad walking for a quick step and things are OK but I can see where driving a car might be dangerous. However, that is one thing which won’t bother because chances for driving around these parts are very few.

I can really see how much fun someone would have if they came from a foreign country and landed in the middle of one of our towns. Our peculiar habits and money would be a joke to them so it all adds up to the same thing and it’s still fun. Depending on which side you are on and the circumstances prevailing.

Some time later – I just had a hunch some mail might come in for me today and sure enough it did. Your v-mails of 16, 24 & 26 came as well as air mails of 21, 23 & 25 so now all your letters from Oct. 10 to 16

[page 2] are missing. You gave me a few details of your mother but most of them are missing and of course as yet no cablegram from the Red Cross.

What I’m interested in now is the finances. You probably have written that also and all will come in due time. I’m glad that you could spend a few days with the folks and see all the “kin” folk round about. You didn’t mention anything about Floyd being reclassified so I’ve wondered, since some time ago, I got the word that he thought he was going to be, and I suppose Paul & Earl are pretty well out of it by now.

Then there is another thing I’ve wondered about – and that is the amount of gasoline you are able to get. That car must be giving pretty good mileage or else you are getting more than I supposed. Perhaps you were able to get a little more due to illness or does it work that way? I’m really glad that you can use it because it would really be a handicap if you didn’t have it.

Well Dear do take care of yourself now that you have had your let down and keep your chin up as I know you have been doing in A-1 condition –

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/14/mail-call-roscoe/

News and Shorts (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: November 14, 1943 envelope

: November 14, 1943, p. 1

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

Just to be different another Dr. and I went into town to see a show tonite and we just glanced at the name of the show and you guessed it I had seen the thing, as near as I can recall about 6 months ago. The news and the shorts were new so I wasn’t disappointed too much. After the show we had a hamburger and a cup of coffee and then home. That was the first time in a long time that approached anything like a show at home with the refreshment after, etc.

The dew today was pretty heavy – I mean of course the rain. It never seems to rain very hard but just keeps coming – Somehow it seems to be much wetter than the rain at home. I believe the drops are smaller and penetrate more – Just a crazy way of looking at it I suppose.

Well Dear it seems that writable news and stuff is really hard to think up and I promise to do better once your mail starts coming.

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/12/news-and-shorts-roscoe/

Second Hand News (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: November 13, 1943 envelope

: November 13, 1943, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133 F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Nov. 13, 1943

Dear Mother,

No mail again today but each day there seems to be a little and one of these days it will be my time to receive.

I’m beginning to believe that every day is a little overcast and only once in ever soften there is a clear sun shining all day long. In fact there has only been one real fine day since I’ve arrived. There really hasn’t been enough sun shine for me to get the directions all straight. However it isn’t that hot sticky weather we used to have so I’m satisfied.

Our Radio news here are not as clear as at the last station. KWID is hard to get on the radio here. I don’t believe I told you but I sto sold my part of that radio to a fellow there because those things are really scarce in those parts. All of our news here come thru local stations and it’s more or less second hand.

There is no reason for spoiling two pieces of paper – So Solong Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/10/second-hand-news-roscoe/

Home from the Show (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: November 12, 1943 envelope

: November 12, 1943, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Nov. 12, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just home from the show – The shows are all older here than previously but here we are in an enclosed building and of course the sound affects are much better. I really don’t care for shows now anymore than I did way back when but it is something to do to pass away the time – helps kill an evening as quickly as anything here.

Seems as if I’m stumped for want of something to write at the moment. There has been a little mail about each day but so far Ruth’s letter was the only one. It seems that v-mail is a little faster so you might try a few more. As I have it figure you didn’t get my corrected address until just a few days ago and all the mail in between times had to go either to my old home or to the incorrect address and then be sent on so it will probably be some time before mail gets to me.

Seems I’m repeating what I wrote a few days ago so solong
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/08/home-from-the-show-roscoe/

Base Hospital #4 (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: November 11, 1943 envelope

: November 11, 1943, p. 1

: November 11, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

All the rainy weather of the past few days has been canceled by the fine warm sunshine of today. This is really the first good day since I arrived, and from what I can learn the bad days here are much in the majority.

Today was the first day I was able to send any laundry as it is collected and delivered only once per week. At least here we don’t have to bother about drying the stuff and it is also starched and neatly ironed. All of which will cost more than we previously paid. It cost me eleven shillings to have my blue suit and rain coat put in wearing condition. I think that is a little under two dollars but I’m not too sure. One has to have blues to go into town and I want to go in and look around to see what these parts of the world are like. I’ve thought of Christmas shopping but old timers here say it’s a non profitable trip both from articles being scarce and from the prices requested but I’d like to see for myself.

Some of the officers here play golf frequently but as yet I haven’t been for I’m afraid I couldn’t count high enough to keep the score. Golf balls are a little

[page 2] hard to secure but it seems all those wishing to play somehow find them.

Sometime ago in one of your letters you mentioned something about hiding Mark’s bike and Ruth Y M. also mentioned it in her letter but I really didn’t get the whole story – It’s probably been told in those letters which are missing. In reading between the lines I believe it must have been some type of punishment. Those letters should be catching up with me before too long now. Your last letter was is still one dated Oct. 10 which is over one month old. My mail situation is as bad now as it was a year ago at this time, but it should get better now again when you finally get my address corrected.

I was just trying to recall the different ways in which my mail has been addressed. You probably remember all of them but I’m sure I can’t. Without trying I can think of six ad different one I have had. It really makes one think I’ve been lots of places – maybe I have, at least, I’ve covered lots of miles. Even in this letter I’ve rambled from one topic to the other without writing anything worth reading but it’s the best under the circumstances so solong until next time

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/06/base-hospital-4-roscoe/

A Room of One’s Own (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: November 10, 1943 envelope

: November 10, 1943, p. 1

: November 10, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Nov. 10, 1943

Dear Mother,

In talking with individuals here I find that mail is much slower in these parts than it was in the last area in which I was located, so don’t worry if my letters are slow in coming – I’m writing daily again so when things do get going again you should get them the letters as regularily if not as soon. I used to write I the morning but now that we can use lights – (good lights) – as long as we wish I write at night after the show – yes we have a show 2-3 or 4 times per week with some other features thrown in on other nights. Last Last night we had a type of variety show by a bunch of entertainers – singing, dancing and musical. A little girl 10 years old stold the show with her singing and dancing. She was really good. The other parts of the program were just fair but it was something to pass the time. I’m sure John would be a hit on that program with his playing.

We have had some rain today and it has been rather cold. I’m getting a little more accustomed

[page 2] to the weather now and I really like it. Even if it does rain, for here, one can get inside and turn on the heat and dry things out.

Each officer here has a room about 8 by 10 with a clothes closet in one corner, a bed and a desk dresser combination and one chair, a throw run on the deck and of course a window – my window faces South I think. It’s so much different than living in a tent and I surely appreciate it. To some individuals it might be classed as a hole in the wall but after living in various manner and modes this is really a delux affair. I can read in bed and after 10:00 P.M. also.

Yesterday my woman’s influence got the best of me so I moved the furniture. I didn’t like the arrangement so the three pieces of furniture were re-arranged – It was a job but I made it without too much of a struggle. I thought of you rearranging the furniture at home while I was doing this. In fact I moved the bed twice before it really suited me. I’ll leave it this way now until spring or maybe fall house cleaning which ever season comes up next.

Well Dear I’ve just about exhausted the paper so much get to bed –
Lots of Love
Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/04/a-room-of-ones-own-roscoe/

A Letter from Sis (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: November 9, 1943 envelope

: November 9, 1943, p. 1

: November 9, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Nov. 9, 1943

Dear Mother,

A letter from Sis came today informing me that your Mother had passed away. I’m very sorry and feel badly that I couldn’t be there to assume the responsibilities with you but that just was not possible. From your letters I knew pretty well what the final outcome would be. As I wrote before you must be very careful now because you have been going on nerves and the let down will have its affect.

Ruth praised you highly in the way you are carrying on. All of which I felt sure of, but it sure makes me feel good to hear it from others. I think I’ve written that before but I don’t mind repeating on a subject of that type.

I hope Jim could come home and help you but Ruth didn’t say if either Glenn or Jim were there. You probably have written all the details but the letters just haven’t made the rounds. Her letter was dated Sept. Oct. 17 and it does seem strange that that should come thru and none of yours. Perhaps you didn’t have time to write as often as you wished.

It seems that D. is still a favorite with

[page 2] his aunt Ruth because she described some of his doings while she was taking care of him. Of course Mark & John came in for their share and she also said that people around there said she looked like me. How terrible for us both!!

I’m glad my Mother could come and be with you for awhile. I know she must have felt badly because I believe she thought lots of your Mother. I suppose we were very fortunate in having the mothers we had and I cannot sympathize with you because mine is still with us even though we have been miles apart for some time now.

Glenn surely picked a very good time to come home because he was able to see his mother before it was too late and I’m sure she was very much pleased with his visit.

Don’t worry about finances, etc., because they will be taken case of as time goes along and worry will only make thinks more severe for you.

I’m very anxious to receive your letters of the past few weeks for I know you have written as often as possible.

All my sympathy Dear and
Lots of Love
Daddy.

Personal Means of Locomotion (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: November 8, 1943 envelope

: November 8, 1943, p. 1

: November 8, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133 USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Nov. 8, 1943

Dear Mother,

It seems it’s about as hard to think of things to write from here as it was at the last place but I know if I can ever get mail from you it will be easier again.

There is a fellow here from Anderson Ind. that I had a chat with this Eve. I mean he chatted with me – His tongue was a little on the run away order and he did most of the talking. He knows a few people that I know so we did have a little in common.

Took another walk this P.M. Just a short turn around the valley – Not a long walk – about ¾ hr. all in all and I was about all in when we returned. You see I’m still not used to walking too much and here I don’t have a jeep like at the last place so must use my own personal means of locomotion. The roads are mostly black top so it’s much better walking than from cocoanut to cocoanut. The varieties of vegetation are so much more numerous here and really is beautiful this time of year with all the fresh green and also the various wild flowers. As time goes along I want to go on

[page 2] longer walks in order to see as much of the country as possible. The cities doesn’t don’t hold nearly as much for me as the country because they are somewhat like our own.

It seems I have a devil of time with shillings, pounds, etc., but possibly in time I’ll be able to carry on a transaction without feeling I’m being robbed. It’s almost a necessity to be able to use the money even in our own compound. Rumors have it that we will be paid that way but I rather doubt that.

I had an extra half strip put on my blue coat and it came to six shillings and I’m having the suit and rain coat cleaned & pressed and I thik think that will cost around 10 or 11 shillings. I think 6 shillings is about the same as one dollar but I’m not sure.

Well, Dear I hope your mail is getting thru to you better than mine is coming this way for it sure does seem a long time since I’ve heard from you but it’s still –

Lots of Love
Daddy

Map of New Zealand (via Wikipedia Commons)

Settled Again (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: November 6, 1943 envelope

: November 6, 1943, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133, F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Nov. 6, 1943

Dear Mother,

Now that I’m settled again I should be able to write on schedule. At least I’ll try.

Things here are so much different than at the last place but in a short time everything should work out all right. The cold weather here is fine and after the initial shock I’m really going to enjoy it lots. Persons around here say that it is much warmer than a few weeks or months ago but it sure seems cold to me. In fact I’ve had the radiator turned on full blast in my room continuously.

Needless to say no mail has arrived as yet and I’ll be surprised if any does come for a week or 10 days. Your Oct. 10. Letter was the last I received and it came on Oct. 24 so I’m just about one month behind.

Yesterday I sent a cable to you – hoping it would be faster than any letter but I’m told that those are sometimes very slow so if this gets there first I’ll know not to cable anymore.

Living quarters, food, etc. here are the best I’ve had and I’m sure the work will be more pleasant but that remains to be seen. More about that later

Lots of Love
Daddy

Greetings (Roscoe)

4 Replies

[Editor’s note: Roscoe did not write on November 5, 1943, but he did send a ‘cable’ or telegram. This telegram has perplexed me for many months. Gladys wrote November 10th on it which was likely the day she received it. On the envelope is penciled 1942? Apparently, years later, she could not remember which year she had received it. On November 4, Roscoe left Auckland, New Zealand at 1530. He traveled by “rail” overnight. At 0825 on the morning of November 5, Roscoe arrived at his final destination – Wellington, New Zealand, his “travel completed.”]