Tag Archives: Wellington

Ten Days (Roscoe)

1 Reply

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)

1 Reply

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)

1 Reply

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

New_Zealand_Cities

©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)

1 Reply

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)

1 Reply

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

New_Zealand_Cities

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

Gold Brick (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 13
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
1-22-44

Dear Mother,

Sat. P.M. and things more or less on the lazy order. We are still having a slight, fine rain and of course the coldness that goes along with the rain.

I must tell you about the gold brick I bought this morning – a watch. I had gotten along without one for so long but still missed one very much. One of the patients went into town and when he came back had one which he bought for on  5 pounds so I thought if he could get me one for the same it would be OK. That amounts to something around $17.25. I may have gotten stung and it may be a bargain. The only name on it or indication as to the make is that it is Swiss

[page 2] made. It seems to be gaining a little but I can probably get that regulated. Watches are very hard to obtain around here. In fact this is the first time I’ve heard of any for sale.

This is Sat. as you note from the date and I said that at first so don’t know if I’ll mail this today or just combine this & tomorrow’s – depends upon how much I can think of today. It isn’t mail time as yet so don’t know if there will be anything to comment upon or not.

I was able to do Joe R. a good turn the other day. He sent his glasses down with another fellow to have fixed so and he couldn’t go into town with them so I made a quick dash in with them. The other fellow got them, paid the bill and sent

[page 3] them on. Well I’m going to stop this and see if there is any mail later this P.M. and then I’ll decide whether or not to mail it or wait until tomorrow.

Sun. No mail on Sat. and I didn’t mail this as you know. The rain of the past few days has slowed down. In fact I don’t believe we had any rain today unless it was a mere sprinkle early this A.M. but it has been cool. Right now I have the radiator turned on full blast and it isn’t bad.

My watch has been running now for better than 24 hours and seems to be doing OK but that doesn’t mean a thing. I still hope I didn’t buy a gold brick but I have my fingers crossed.

This being Sunday I’ll have to

[page 4] write the folk but I don’t have the slightest idea of what I might write. It seems I have trouble writing to them as well as other folk. However I never have trouble writing you. I mean I always get something written and really I enjoy it but more than to you seems the darndest burden.

Well it’s getting into the evening so I’d better stop this and get going on the letter to the folks, and may I say lots of Love
From Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/25/gold-brick-roscoe/

I Know I’m Nuts (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 21, 1944

Dear Mother,

The weather again comes in for the well known beating. It is or rather has been raining most of the time since I wrote yesterday, and it has been rather cold not to – if you don’t have to be out too much but I haven’t been out much just between ward & mess hall and back and forth, etc. I rather enjoy the rain – gives one a real reason to gripe and we always feel better when in that mood. Just by way of example – You remember Mead Johnson sent the vitamins. Well I didn’t take them because I was afraid I’d feel too good and

[page 2] therefore would have nothing to complain about and then I’d feel worse. Figure all that out and you probably will have something to complain about or possibly you have something to complain about because I’d write such stuff – Don’t worry that I might be ready for the bughouse because for lack of better subject matter I’m making poor conversation but I need not write you how poor it is because you have probably guessed it by now.

It sure is funny what one will think while just sitting trying to think of subject matter – Just now a little bird flew by and I wondered if birds ever have diarrhea or sore throats

[page 3] and what they do about if it if so. That last was off the record also. Up to the time that bird flew past I thought I was thru with the nonsense.

This is before mail time and I still have hopes. That picture of D. hasn’t come and I’m real anxious about it for you wrote so highly of it.

Later. The mail came and your v-mail of Dec. 21 and a v-mail from Brewer’s of Jan. 1. Again you wrote of D.’s pictures and I’m gradually getting all the dope on Virginia Zell. I think I now have the whole story – of course that is no fault of yours – It just the way the mail happens to come.

I think I forgot to tell you – yesterday a Christmas greeting came from Sinda Steiner – That

[page 4] was really a surprise. It was postmarked Berne, Ind. and I can’t make out the connection. The folks have said nothing about her being away from home.

I know I’m nuts but it is now 1225 and I’m still not sleepy and it goes that way every night. Seems as if the show, and Acey Ducey game, a bull session and always late to bed – Tonight it was Lentz, last night someone else, but what the ____ What else is there to do? So why not, we used to have fun with the nips and now with friends so what!

Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/21/i-know-im-nuts-roscoe/

A Rainy Spell (Roscoe)

1 Reply

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)

1 Reply

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)

1 Reply

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/ ‎