Tag Archives: United States Naval Reserve

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

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

Sleeping Partner (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 1, 1944

Dear Mother,

It’s really mail time but nothing as yet has shown up but it could be late. My last letter being Jan. 12 makes this a pretty long mail famine again.

We were looking at the ads in the paper today and their wording is different than ours and we get a real kick out of some of them. One I remember in particular was a business in which a partner was wanted. And instead of saying a silent partner they called it a sleeping partner. There were others which weren’t so funny but we were in a funny stage and laughed more than much about most of them.

The mail just came and your v-mail of 1-18 and 1-20 arrived. The one on the 20th told of Tommy B. saying I had called from San Francisco – He surely can stretch stories

[page 2] for that one reached for miles. Hope it isn’t for such a long time.

I didn’t get to send Mark’s money order today because I find they don’t sell money orders every day so I’ll get one the first day they sell them and it should still arrive in time.

It seems as if D. is still very much an active boy and giving his mother plenty of running to do. Maybe I don’t get the ruder side of life but I’ve never heard of him getting a real old fashioned spanking – Yes you have mentioned about slapping his hands. Maybe he is good enough that he doesn’t need any more severe punishment.

Some hours later – It seems I was detained by supper and a stage show which I wouldn’t class as too good but it was pretty good entertainment. I think I’ve told you all about those Tue. Evening shows before and they are about all alike. They make have a habit of singing old songs. A favorite I believe is “For Me & My Gal.” That one has been used every week since I’ve been here. Well time to turn in –

Love Daddy

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Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/11/sleeping-partner-roscoe/ ‎

Another Month All Used Up (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 31, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m writing before mail time again and hope. Of course, mail came only two days ago but it wasn’t such late mail. Just a little over 2 wks. and generally we get the latest in just a little less than two weeks.

Notice the date another month all used up and then we go into the one which we hope has a meaning but which isn’t too promising I’m afraid, however. One never knows.

I forgot to tell you – about 3 days ago I had a woman patient.

[page 2] The wife of a U.S. service man. I was so excited I hardly knew what to ask her – She is going to have a baby and came in for her first prenatal check up. A patient with that diagnosis is an unusual thing for me. That here isn’t my usual work, but since the usual Dr. who takes care of that was busy he asked me to pinch hit. No I don’t mean that. I didn’t pinch or hit the lady either one. Anyway we got the little lady taken care of.

One of the Dr. here it seems run low on white shirts and has laundered one himself and hung it on the fence outside my window and I’m watching

[page 3] it with interest because it might blow off. Maybe I just want it to blow off or something. I don’t think it can now because one sleeve is now well anchored on the barbs of the upper strand of wire. He will probably have to med mend a hole if the wind blows hard enough to tear the thing.

Just saw a bus go down the road and noticed something I don’t believe I’ve mentioned before. Baby carriages on the back. That is very common.  In town there are hooks on the front of the street car for the carriages and one often sees 4 or 5 of them there. When Mother and babe

[page 4] get off the car, the conductor gets out and takes the carriage down and away they go. I mean the mother and babe. I can’t imagine that at home but maybe with gas shortage, etc., thinks have changed there.

I’ll get a money order tomorrow for Mark’s birthday. I can’t send money because we don’t get any American money anymore but we can use this to buy money orders. At first we were paid with New Zealand our money and then could get it changed but now it’s all foreign. It doesn’t matter because one finally learns how to make change, etc.

Well, I guess I’d better do something else for a change
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/09/another-month-all-used-up-roscoe/ ‎

Officer’s Club (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. 29, 1944

Deat Mother,

Just another of those lazy Sat. P.M. and I can’t see why it should seem any different but it does. Tonite we are to have an unofficial opening of our officer’s club and I suppose there will be some who drink too much or at least plenty and I might be one. Yes, you are right you’ll have to take me in hand but don’t get alarmed I’m not too bad.

Yesterday in the first part of that letter I think I sounded

[page 2] a little sarcastic, disgruntled or something but I didn’t mean to do so. It’s just that one sorta gets fed up sometimes at nothing in particular. Just like any human whatever the circumstances so don’t pay any attention be me as Sister used to say.

Your air mail of Jan. 12 just came and your v-mail of Dec. 23 also came – Mark’s thank you v-mail came also. The 5 above weather sure sounds cold. In all possibility it will not get as cold this year as last at least for not such a long period.

This being Sat. I’ll conclude on Sunday and get the two together –

[page 3] Sun Morn.

The officer’s club opened and it wasn’t so bad nor it wasn’t so good anyway I don’t have a hangover and that is something.

Today is the regular time to write the folks but I don’t believe I’ll mention the officers club etc. They might not understand.

Chow this noon will be chicken instead of beef. Personally I prefer beef because it’s the big thick steaks but I guess they don’t ask me what they will serve.

Just happened to think. You mentioned Irene in your letter – I don’t think as I told you before she has anything

[page 4] organically wrong but she is just not cut out to do work of that kind – She needs plenty of activity but not responsible every day grind type, but again that is a long distance diagnosis. She must be pretty desperate going from one Dr. to another. Why white about her when it’s you I’m interest in? Hope you can get along the next few months as well as you have this winter so far. And I hope you can have your own private Dr. If hoping does any good I’d be there now I “betcha.”

Love Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/06/officers-club-roscoe/ ‎

Ten Days (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Jan. 28, 1943

Dear Mother,

The only mail today was a letter dated Dec. 28 from Wayne Watson – that makes the third he has written now since I’ve written and do I feel ashamed but I still have very little interest in letter writing. Maybe they will be sore but what do I care as long as Mrs. R.S.Y. isn’t OK. Someday I’ll write them all but I’ve said that so often, I’m telling you it’s the most repulsive thing to even think of writing anyone besides you and I can’t tell why. I owe both Ruths etc. I’ve said all that before. So don’t mind me.

Wayne asked when I was coming home – as if I knew. Sure

[page 2] eighteen months is all the rage but when you associate with men and know others who have been that long or longer all the bright edge is worn off of that 18 mo. stuff and you just wonder. I’m not beafing but just not being too happy about the whole thing. As it stands now there is only 10 days between now and 18 and – so what?

That accordion is getting ready to go again so I’m not sure what I might write. It’s

It’s been about 3 hours since the first part of this. The show came in between – Paris Honeymoon. I had seen it before so didn’t enjoy it much but it was funny so

[page 3] wasn’t so bad.

They just finished a song and some Dr. spoke up and said – “Do you fellows feel as sour as you sound?” I’m inclined to be on his side – It does help pass however so let them sing. Somehow I don’t seem to get much kick out of sing[ing] with them. I feel a little like John used to when he would come home from church and someone didn’t quite hit the right spot.

Well, I guess I’d better stop –
Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/04/ten-days-roscoe-2/

More Fun Than Monkeys (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. 27, 1944

Dear Mother,

The only mail today was the Nov. 18 issue of the Kentland Democrat. That was the one in which I was mentioned as having seen Hicky Reinhart. That seems like ages ago since I’ve seen him. I’m supposed to send Marg a statement that I want the paper so that she can send it second class. So if I want the paper to be continued I’ll have to write some sort of a note. She probably has erased my name from the list already because it has

[page 2] been so long.

Just now turned on the radiator because it was really getting a little chilly. It always does in the evening and the extra heat seems to help lots.

Well I finally was able to buy a pair of shoes today – a pair of Florsheim – a pound and 11 shilling I think – Just a little better than $4,.00 or maybe about $5.00. Buying a watch and a pair of shoes between pay day really cuts a hole in the cash but that is the penalty of civilization. Before any kind of shoes were OK and one didn’t need a watch because you never got far enough

[page 3] away from chow to miss it.

Lentz just brought me a drink of water – don’t know why he wanted to be so nice but probably he is after something or wants me to do something for him which means more than a glass of water. There is always something back of little kind deeds like that. I’ve had to chase him out 3-4 times while I’m trying to write this and finally got him out but had to get up and shut the door after he left.

Sometimes I think there is the nuttiest bunch around here but when you get a group of Drs. anything might happen.

[page 4] Just as I finished that page Lentz came in again and after about 5 min. he finally left what is that saying – Who has more fun than monkeys? Or monkeys is the funniest people? I sometimes wonder about Drs.

It seems I’ve written about all I know so you can see what a blank I am because if there is anything interesting or intelligent in this I’ve missed my guess.

I haven’t said anything about the weather today – fair – Now I think I’ve written all the usual things – so solong
Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/03/more-fun-than-monkeys-roscoe/

The Maytag Technique (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 26, 1944

Dear Mother,

Your two v-mail letters dated 12-19 & 22 came today. They were a little old but a few things were brought up to date. One was that matter of dividends on that paid up policy and the other dividends which I couldn’t get just correct. They evidently made a mistake in sending that other check rather than just deducting it from the premium as it had always been done before. Again however nothing of the much talked of picture arrived.

I did my laundry again this PM

[page 2] Just the socks, “undies,” and hankies. We have plenty of hot water and one of the fellows even has a washboard but I don’t use it. Just rub them a little and give them the up & down Maytag technique. It gets the smell out of thinks and that is all that is necessary. Ever so often I send some underwear to the laundry. That is when it gets so brown.

Our new captain is a little fussy about how the enlisted men keep their quarters and then he comes into ours and also claims that he is a little disappointed with how ours looks and I guess he is correct. In fact I’ve tried to

[page 3] do a little brushing off this PM. It would be better however if he didn’t open the dresser drawers or the closet door. Maybe I’ll get interested enough to do something to those some of these days. My closet isn’t like F. McGee’s hallway closet as yet but it has possibilities.

I have 8 drawers and none of them look too good. Some of the officers have only 4. I’m not just sure what I would do if I only had that many. I think I’ll just play like someday I have only 4 and then maybe I’ll appreciate the 4 extra.

Someone said we have

[page 4] some shoes in our store and do I need a pair. We aren’t supposed to wear field shoes and I still have just the same two pair as when I left the states and you know they must look terrible. They haven’t been worn much but the dry rot seems to have gotten them. We can’t buy shoes in town because of rationing. I guess I could go barefooted but that would hardly be “cricket” “don’t you know.” So if I can get a pair it will be “good O.” As we natives express it.

Well, I’ve sure covered the field and said nothing but anyway.
Lots of Love
Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/01/the-maytag-technique-roscoe/ ‎

You Take It Any Way You Like (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133 USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan 25, 1944

Dear Mother,

I reread and have decided that the group you were talking about that David was in was the group that the Democrat took way back there when you first wrote me you were having the picture taken. That picture seems to be the most talked of or rather written of in the past month. It seems a long time but I believe it was only about one month ago that you sent it if I remember correctly. I could dig out your old letters and find out for certain but that is near enough and I’m certain it will be coming along in a week or 10 days. It’s been too long now for air mail

[page 2] and not long enough for regular mail.

Our nice sunshine of yesterday is gone and a cloudy sky keeps the sun back and really makes one wear more clothes. However the natives don’t mind. I’ve seen kids barefooted when you’d think their feet would freeze. Most people here, one can see by their complexion, have been exposed to cold because they have a chronic red skin and they as a rule appear a few years older than they really are. Their span of life according to figures is about 8 or 9 years longer than ours but one can see how that would be because they don’t get excited and they take plenty of holidays. Never work on Sat. at least for the most

[page 3] part they don’t work on Sat. Fri. night is the big night for stores to stay open late and on Sat. they have the whole day off instead of Sat. PM as many of our stores do at home. Offices as a rule are closed all day Sat. Maybe I’ve written this stuff before. If so just forget that I did and remind me that I’m repeating myself.

I’m writing early today because I have O.D. duty later and I’m afraid I won’t feel like writing after finishing that stretch, but it isn’t so bad. I might save a little space at the end in case mail comes. There probably won’t be any but one never can tell sometimes

[page 4] strange things happen and sometime in the sorting a letter or two gets lost and those come in a day late.

I guess Mr. Washburn is getting along OK now that Dr. Van is back in town. I imagine he is of some help to Dr. M. to take a few of the old ones off his hands and maybe to relieve the O.B. situation. That last remark could be taken in more ways than one – you take it anyway you like and I’ll bet I’m thinking the same way you are.

Well, I think I’ve said enough for today – so solong –
Lots of Love
Daddy

P.S. No mail.

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/30/you-take-it-any-way-you-like-roscoe/ ‎

Heavy Exercise (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 24, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m writing just a little before mail time today so I really have hope. It really is time for mail to be coming for it has been some time now since late mail arrived.

The rain finally ended and it is real pleasant out today. The sun is so nice & warm and there is a fine breeze – just like a day in June at home – not too hot. Seems like one should be making garden and planting corn but so far I have seen no corn. I think it’s grown in New Zealand but I haven’t been around enough to see any.

I see some of the boys coming

[page 2] back from playing tennis and some from Golf. I had a little exercise out in our back yard – just throwing an indoor baseball around. I’m still not a believer in heavy exercise for an old man. What am I saying? Was that me I meant? Anyway I don’t like too much heavy exercise. Lentz is playing Golf with a few of the younger boys but I haven’t started as yet. Gold Balls are a little too hard to get and me being practically a beginner would find myself playing without a ball before the game would be over.

I’ll write more later, possibly some mail will arrive I hope.

Your air mail of 5 & 6 of Jan. came and the v-mail of Jan. 11 so I didn’t do

[page 3] too badly. I’ll reread your letters tomorrow and give some comment and answer a few questions, but right now I’ll try to finish with what I remember with one reading. You said something about D.’s pictures being printed in the Democrat. Was there others? You, I believe, said he was the only one with a Daddy overseas. Maybe I’d better reread before I make any further comment.

I remember also you wrote something about the wedding of which I told you I attended. You said it sounded simple and your comment was that that was all that was necessary as far as weddings go and that a simple wedding was all that was

[page 4] necessary if other things kept going along – or something to that affect. How right you are and believe me you are still correct. So don’t worry as I know you aren’t. Anyway who would care about an old fuddy duddy like me when there are is younger and much more desirous company. OK let’s stop all that stuff.

Our water was cold this eve so I’m just stinking for another day for I’m not taking a cold bath in this climate unless of course it runs over too long a period of time.

Well Dear So Long
Love Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/28/heavy-exercise-roscoe/

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

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Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/19/a-rainy-spell-roscoe/ ‎