Tag Archives: World War II

November 15, 1942 (Gladys)

Click to enlarge

Things in Washington were not always too serious as President Roosevelt occasionally provided some light hearted humor. The president apparently became a bit flummoxed and mixed his metaphors during a press conference. As usual, the press corps were merciless.

On a more serious note, November 15th was the day that Roosevelt made a speech concerning the Philippines. The speech commemorated the 7th anniversary of the Philippines becoming a commonwealth. Gladys might have heard this speech on the radio:
Roosevelt Speech regarding the Philippines 11-15-1942

: November 15, 1942 Envelope

: November 15, 1942, p. 1

: November 15, 1942, p. 2

: November 15, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 15 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Sunday evening and just finished giving David his oleum & orange juice. He got a little off schedule this morning and missed getting it at the regular time. He slept thru his 2 a.m. feeing but woke at 4 instead. This afternoon we drove over to Watseka to see Mrs. R [Leila Roberts] but she wasn’t home. On our way back John wanted to stop & see Miss Smith so we did. Her sister-in-law was there with her baby – 5 mo. old. She thought David looked so small but then she said she had almost forgotten her baby had been so small. We also stopped at Krull’s – Dorothy had a headache and is going down to see Dr. Ade Thursday. Since they are closed on Thurs that is the best time for her to go. Nick has a dishwasher and Dorothy operates it and he cooks. They haven’t any other kitchen help. I must get John to Dr. A this fall. He went to see him in Aug. but Dr. A said then his glasses would do him until about Christmas. The band is going to Purdue to broadcast Sat. and I may arrange to have him go then.

[page 2] Wish you could hear the broadcast – of course you wouldn’t be able to discern John’s blowing from the rest but maybe it would help to hear it. John is practicing now & Mark is washing the dishes. They went to the Youth fellowship meeting and we didn’t eat supper until they came home. On the advice of Mr. Zell and much to the boys delight we are going to leave the leaves on the grass except where they have bunched up and are causing the grass to die. There is quite a pile on the terrace so it will have to be raked but that is about all. We have had so much wind recently that it wouldn’t do much good to rake. Mrs. Zell says this wind is something they aren’t used to – they used to live close to Cincinatti and of course they wouldn’t have so much there. Seems to me it has been unusually windy this fall – but maybe that is like the Californians say about their weather. I didn’t get a letter Sat so will be looking for two or more Mon. They came every day last week until Sat. I sent your Mother an enlargement of the picture you sent. I told you that before but repeat just in case. The bank bal. is around 700 – that includes the birthday gift. I am afraid you are going to get tired of this but I decided after the last two letters I had better repeat certain things in every letter. Allotment comes every month. Notice of your insurance policy came too – policy to follow. That came some time ago.

[page 3] I sent Lentz pictures & films in your birthday box – hope you get it. It is getting late so must finish this & get it to the P.O. so it will go out early in the morning,

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/17/november-15-1942-gladys/ ‎

November 14, 1942 (Roscoe)

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The United States military created many films during World War II. Some were for the folks back home, while others were for the service members. This film was made to highlight the army’s activity on New Caledonia. While this film does not specifically reference anything in which my grandfather would have participated, it does show the terrain of New Caledonia. If you watch all the way through to the end, you will be honored with some native dancing. This film was made in 1942, most likely just prior to Roscoe’s arrival.

: November 14, 1942 Envelope

: November 14, 1942, p. 1

: November 14, 1942, p. 2

: November 14, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 14, 1942

Dear Mother,

Sat. nite and I suppose there is the usual Sat. nite crowd in town, but it doesn’t seem as if it makes any difference here. We don’t even have boxing shows here anymore so as usual all we have to look forward to is going to bed. Again today we have had the gale which seems to get a little stronger each day. Hope it doesn’t get too stout. It sure makes the sun from being so hot. At night the breeze sure blows over us but with a sheet, blanket and spread it isn’t too cold.

No mail again today – That seems to be getting the usual procedure again, but of course we are spoiled now since we had been getting the back wash so regular. But it is rather discusting [disgusting] to know there is mail coming and none here.

You know this letter writing is getting to be a problem because one day is so much like the last and the ones before etc. I did go to town today and one thing I noticed was

Amborella, a native species of New Caledonia (Image courtesy of Wikipedia Commons)

[page 2] the increase in green, that seems to be the result of the rains we had here while back and the warm weather. Then too there were odors. I couldn’t distinguish the flowers th it was coming from but it was very noticeable along the way. There are also some very beautiful flowers – deep colors etc. Most of the flowers are small, and all the trees around here are small and there are no jungles in our parts, but plenty of young mountains. In fact our toilet is practically on top of one of them or maybe it just seems that way when we start up in a hurry. I’ll be able to walk all the way to town when I get back without complaining. I haven’t had my oxfords on but a few times since we landed. Always heavy marine shoes and heavy grey socks. Those light back [black] ones I used to wear at home are too thin for heavy walking.

Bridge playing waxes and wanes. I haven’t played any for several days but will start

[page 3] agin [again] one of these days.

Tomorrow is pay day and I’ll try to send some money home. Yours & Davids I’ll send in one chunk, but I’ll send Johns & Marks separately. I’m telling you this so you can check on it. I told you about it once before so that should be enough until after I send it. Guess you have to take care of the folks because I don’t know what I could do.

We lost another tent mate today. He was with us about one week. Here today gone tomorrow, but we seem to stick on the same old stamping ground. Don’t know if that is good or bad. I won’t even hazard a guess.

Well, I haven’t asked for anything so far and I’ve filled up about the usual space so will sign off with Lots of Love,

Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/27/november-14-1942-roscoe/

V-mail from John

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Click to enlarge

At this point we have read several letters from Roscoe to his older boys, but we have not really read any of the boys’ letters to him as not many of them survive. Today’s post is a V-mail that John wrote to his father. In the United States, meat rationing was about to begin. Adults and children over the age of 12 were limited to 2 1/2 lbs of meat per week. Children under 12 received an even smaller portion. There were exceptions. Less choice cuts of meat were not included under the 2 1/2 pound per week rule. Check out the above article which lists the non-restricted meats. Two recipes are also included.

John F. Yegerlehner, c.1942

Letter transcription:

LT. (J.G.) YEGERLEHNER (M.C.)
NAVY S.S. A. (WHITE POPPY)
c/o POSTMASTER
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF

JOHN YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
11-14-42

Dear Daddy,

It is a sunny Saturday afternoon and I feel kind of down in the dumps. I believe it is because I haven’t had any meat today. We had a very light dinner because Mother had company before noon and didn’t get a chance to fix a very big one. I was taking my music lesson so I couldn’t help her. – Mother is on the studio couch writing and David is at the other end of the couch sleeping peacefully but with a frown on his face. Mark just came in and is causing general confusion. Guess that’s about all

Your loving son
John

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/17/v-mail-from-john/

More Local News (Gladys)

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Although Gladys makes no mention of it in her letters, Roosevelt’s Teen Age Draft Bill is now officially the law of the land. The new law affected a large number of young men. An estimated 2,500,000 boys were eligible to be drafted into the armed services as well as thousands more who were close to their eighteenth birthdays. One exception to the new draft was for those who were regularly engaged in essential agricultural positions. Producing and harvesting food was considered to be an integral part of the war effort.

Meanwhile in Roscoe’s part of the world, the Navy was engaged in fighting another major series of battles around Guadalcanal Island. For a more in depth breakdown of the battles that occurred during this week in 1942, check out Wikipedia’s page. Or you can watch this military video about the Victory At Sea – Guadalcanal (although it tells more of the story of the first offensive in August 1942). The documentary also includes some great military propaganda, showing everyone working together at home and abroad in the war effort.

: November 14, 1942 Envelope

: November 14, 1942, p. 1

: November 14, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 14 – 1942

Dear Daddy-

Another sunny fall day. However a little crisp. The boys are home today but haven’t worked very much because I did most everything yesterday. Now that Mother has gone back to T.H. [Terre Haute] they have to wash dishes but can’t work together so good – so they take turns. I didn’t receive a letter this a.m. but will probably get two or three Mon. (I hope). This week they have been coming every day. Last week they came in bunches. I have decided to give you the bank balance in every letter & be sure to mention whether or not I received any letters from you. Now the bank bal is around 720 – that includes the birthday gift. I get my allotment checks every month – (now if that everything I should mention?) We have a new mail carrier – Carl Donahue. The Hall boy had to go into service. You said something in one letter about Nick being closed on Sun. He closes Thurs & Sun and Johnny closes Wed. After gas rationing I wonder if there will be as much restaurant business. The traffic certainly has slowed down on 41 – If the baby weren’t so small and gas rationing coming in I would plan to go places this fall but with both I think I’ll stay home (except for the four gal per). I may go to Ruth M’s later on.

[page 2] The telephone had to ring this morning just when I was talking a little cat nap before getting up, ant [and] it caused David to give a little cry like he was frightened. So far noises haven’t bothered him. Then the party had the wrong number. Grrr! This being Sat. we weren’t in a hurry to get up. Our neighbor Zell is going into the chicken business – Had a chicken house moved to the north side of his lot this morning. He I think is more “your idea” of what a county agent should be. Louise Glenn came to see me this a.m. She brought Johnny along. He certainly is a live wire. She had to move everything from the coffee table. I had some washing soaking in the lavaratory & Johnny upset the box of Duz over the floor. I showed Louise the shells & coral. She agreed that the coral would be very attractive mounted & set on the coffee table or somewhere. I wouldn’t care if you could send more. The second box hasn’t arrived yet. Will let you know.

Link got a load of wood this afternoon. He tried burning hard coal in his fireplace but couldn’t get it to burn. I told him we had soft coal for ours last winter. He took Jimmies boat bed and set it back of the garage to put coal in. They got a new bedroom suite for Jimmie’s room. I am enclosing the last two months from my desk calendar and hope you get them before Nov is past. Will find a small new one for next year and send to you.

David weighed 8 lbs 10 oz this morning and is 7 ½ weeks old. He took 5 oz milk at 2 p.m. which is an increase of ½ to 1 oz over what he has been taking. John & Mark are both “OK.”

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/25/more-local-news-gladys/‎

Phases of the moon (Roscoe)

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Roscoe brings up an interesting scientific question about the moon. In case you are wondering, here is a link that will answer the question for you: http://museumvictoria.com.au/planetarium/discoverycentre/faqs/moon-phases-on-other-side-of-earth/

: November 13, 1942 Envelope

: November 13, 1942, p. 1

: November 13, 1942, p. 2

: November 13, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 13, 1942

Dear Mother,

Just about 1700 or ½ hour before Chow. This was my P.M. off and again all I’ve done is sprawl on my bunk and finally took a bath. Nice bath and fine rest. I can’t say anything about the weather other than the sun is still very very hot and I don’t believe there was a cloud in the sky today – Just the clear blue all day long with the saving feature – The breeze. It’s really more than a breeze almost a gale. When making that ambulance trip the other night I noticed the moon shining over the water and it just reminded me of the South Sea Islands we often read about. I believe the romance that is often referred to the South Sea is true, but needless to say it is wasted on a bunch of stags but one can still dream.

Mail came today but I was the little man who wasn’t there. Not even a V-mail. It’s sorta disappointing but not your fault. I think they just grab a bunch and if

[page 2] mine isn’t there it is too bad. Some letters were dated as late as Nov. 2. So we do keep up, but I didn’t score. And all those letters that I was supposed to get about David’s arrival have never showed up. Not even a one. I believe you said Dorothy wrote an air mail and Uncle Wes & others but none have arrived. That space of about 4-5 days has never arrived. I’m going to chow – and it may be 8:00 or 9:00 before I finish.

Planes Blast Enemy’s Ships

Again – It’s not as late as I expected. Now 7:45 P.M. Got the news and according to our source it’s just a repeat over last night. Locally we have none to be given.

There is one thing I’ve wondered about for a long time. Whether the moon is in the same phase there as here. It’s beginning to get about ½ moon here now. Of course by the time you get this you will have no way to check on it. Maybe I can get a penna alamanac. That probably is spelled wrong, but you know what I mean. I’m afraid things would be different here than there.

[page 3] So far this Eve I have thought of nothing to ask for but as things come along I’ll probably be asking for them. I saw some more Christmas cards yesterday – 3 for one two dollar – but I’m too much of a Scotch to even pay that. They are nothing but water colored pictures on a piece of folded drawing paper. And a fellow bought a boor’s tusk – which was polished and paid better than $15⁰⁰ for it for his wife. He wouldn’t say how much but he did say it amounted to more than $15. I can’t see that maybe I’m still hard hearted. I’ll send the do-re-me and you can by [buy] a good Dress for that.

We are spending the Eve in the lighted mess recreation hall because the mosquitoes are pretty bad but the wind is blowing so hard they are all blown away or should be.

Will proceed with the news tomorrow
Lots of Love
Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/24/phases-of-the-moon/

Teen Age Draft Bill (Gladys)

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The Teen Age Draft Bill was working its way to President Roosevelt’s desk on November 13, 1942. The bill that required men to register for the selective service lowered the age requirement from twenty to eighteen. The war effort needed assistance from men as well as women, persons of color, and individuals of every age. A month previously on October 12, 1942, President Roosevelt returned from a two week tour of the country. He shared his new hopes and visions with the nation in a Fireside Chat. In this speech, he spoke of lowering the age requirement. He felt that this was necessary for a more speedy victory of the war. A month later, Roosevelt signed the Teen Age Draft bill into law.

I am including two links to audio recordings of this speech:
The first link is to the Miller Center in Virginia which includes a rough transcript of the speech. The link to the audio is on the right hand side of the page.
http://millercenter.org/president/speeches/detail/3329
The second link is to My Old Radio which has many of Roosevelt’s other speeches in its archives as well as many old radio shows and commercials. http://www.myoldradio.com/old-radio-episodes/fdr-set-prejudices-aside/16

: November 13, 1942 Envelope

: November 13, 1942, p. 1

: November 13, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Indiana
Nov 13 – 1942
(Fri)

Dear Daddy –

Got up early this am (but went back to bed) David slept thru the 2 a.m. feeding then woke up at 5 – and then Mother wanted to get up at 5 because she was going to T.H. [Terre Haute] with Servies and they were coming for her at 6. I got part of washing done yesterday & finished today. With a little “fellar” there is always a washing to do. I am still able to hang things out but when it gets too cold I will put them in the basement.

Rec’d a letter this morning – and you were somewhat out of sorts when you wrote. Well maybe by this time you have a few more letters and know I am receiving yours and have all you have written to date. That is, the one I rec’d this a.m. was dated Nov. 4 & this is the 13^th so that brings it to date. Now that you have rec’d some of those “back numbers: maybe you will get all or most of them. Remember you asked for your comm. & I sent it. Sorry, those two letters I wrote Oct 24 & 25 didn’t mention receiving your letters regularly, because I did mention it in most of my letters.

About Mark – I couldn’t get him a bike unless I found one second-hand – because you have to have a requisition from the ration board and I am afraid I wouldn’t have any reason for getting him one. I think I could get him a Jr. bike but that would be foolish because he wants a full size. He is learning to play the cornet and Mr. Webster says he is doing fine. That he has a better tone range than most of the band children. The only thing he lacks is perseverance. I have been bragging on him and he has been practicing a little better this week. I told him if he learned to play the cornet I would buy him a better horn but I didn’t want to invest anything is a horn if he wouldn’t stick with it. He can blow Taps & Silent Night. I am going to get him a tool set for Christmas and fix him a work shop in the basement. He would do something worthwhile I am sure if he had some help. That is what he says he wants and has one picked out in the Sears holiday book. John is doing as usual. He is playing a large Sax now and still takes piano lessons. He was in a play that is a ”stunt” by the 7^th grade. When he came home last night I had to clean make-up off his face. Mother went to see it and said the 7^th grade stunt was the best. Now I wonder why she thought that (or do I wonder so much)

[page 2] By Mother getting to go home before her birthday I had to go to town and get her something yesterday evening since she left at 6 a.m. today. While in town I saw Lucile Johnson and she said I could use the baby carriage she has until she is ready for it. The one Zell’s have will require so much work however I may fix it up so I can use it when L. wants hers. I saw Ira D. and he said he had another letter from you. I told him he could keep you posted on the local gossip – and he promised to do that. Ellsworth [Wilson] was in the drug store at the time and I talked to him about the Ins. policy for David and he is going to write it in the Laf. Life. He said that was a good company. Hope that meets with your approval.

Had a letter from Henry R. – Jr. today and he wanted to know about you. Evidently he is still at Moffett Field because his letter came from there. Here is his address – you write to him. his address is H. W. Reinhard, Ylc, CUB Two, Moffett Field Calif. He said “would like very much to know something about Jake.”

I sent you a birthday box and put the Lentz pictures & films in it. By getting Boonies candy as soon as you did you should get the box I sent. Again I’ll quote the present bank bal (721). I get my checks each month. It comes in two since you made the additional after you reached Calif. I haven’t done any spending yet this fall. Got the boys some new clothes, but haven’t paid that bill yet (50⁰⁰). That includes some things I got for Mother. I also gave her 10⁰⁰ this morning when she left. The bank bal. of course includes the birthday money. If you get all the letters I have made repeats in you may be sorry you asked for “rehash.”

The baby had a crusty formation in his eyebrows and I was afraid it might be impetigo – how he could get anything at all is beyond me because you know my “mania” for keeping clean. I had been using water on his face but but he got a rash or something so just used oil and the rash cleared but this thing started in his eyebrow – so decided to use some samples I rec’d – “Pragmusal” I applied it three nights in succession and it cleared up. I read the label on the tube carefully and decided it would not be too strong for his skin even if it didn’t help – but it did the trick. Of course if it had gotten worse & spread would have taken him to Dr. C. but didn’t want to make an unnecessary trip. I am not due to go back for more than a week yet. I want to make the trip just before gas rationing but then after that will have to make trips because will have to get David started on his shots when he is old enough.

The Myers twins were just sent to Laf. to the Naval Station there. They had enlisted in Aug. – 18 went from Newton Co. Nov. 6 – Jim Fletcher’s widow [Emma Fletcher] is working at Sharps. Just put in the above from glancing at the Enterprize. You should be getting it soon as Bart is sending it every week.

Have to register for gas ration card next week. Hope this finds you with all the letters you should get

Love Mother
(hope you can read all this)

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/23/teen-age-draft-bill-gladys/

November 12, 1942 (Roscoe)

3 Replies

I have been going through some of FDR’s speeches and World War II government films to add some more World War II historical context to the blog. Since the television was not an appliance found in American homes during this time, people went to the cinema to see their motion picture entertainment. Or perhaps such films were shown to children during the school day. The following film was one made by the Department of Defense in 1942 as part of a series. Titled “War Comes to America,” it is quite the masterpiece of American propaganda.

Part way through this letter Roscoe mentions President Roosevelt’s speech that he made from Arlington National Cemetery on Armistice Day. I was unable to find an audio recording of the speech. However, if you follow the hyperlink in the letter, you will find yourself at the FDR library’s website and the digital images of Roosevelt’s typewritten copies of the speech he made that day.

: November 12, 1942 Envelope

: November 12, 1942, p. 1

: November 12, 1942, p. 2

: November 12, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 12, 1942

Dear Mother,

Got two letters today one a V-mail dated Sept 25 and one an ordinary letter dated Sept. 9. Both were rather stale and why couldn’t I have gotten the Sept 25 before the Oct. 6. The first that I knew about David. Anyway that’s the way they came and still the latest news is Oct 27 which came several days ago. Maybe things will happen tomorrow. We always keep thinking that. And once in a while it really hits.

WPA Censorship Poster

I’ve been officially appointed on the censor board. I’ve censored lots before but not officially. It’s a job that isn’t very desirable but still has to be done. I’ve heard some of the enlisted men say they just put things in to see if the censor will catch them. So you see why it has to be done.

I started just a little late to finish this by daylight. So I may have

[page 2] to stop any time now. Due to the fact that I had night duty and didn’t have a flashlight I was given one of Navy issue today. So if you have granted my desire I’ll have two which won’t be too many because one never knows when one will go bad.

Our mosquitoes are truly viscous at night if we aren’t in the hall. We have to be under our nets as they really carry on. Even bite thru shirt & pants, but we can really thumb our noses at them when inside the net.

I’ll have to stop – have been listening to news broadcast from both sides and strange as it may seem both sides think they are going to win. Things do look pretty good. We heard the president’s speech as it was rebroadcast. We heard it at about 4:00 AM this morning.

At 8:00 tonite
This is my night off so I hope I can go to bed and not be disturbed by mosquitoes also if you could get some of the ointment that

[page 3] that we had when we were in Wis. last year I think that would help. It would keep them off while we got undressed for bed.

Had very good chow this P.M. – Hamburger balls, a cabbage pineapple salad and peach cobbler that’s all I can remember but it was good. Our chow is much better now than it was a few weeks ago. We don’t seem to be rationed on anything but love & kisses and we just don’t have those at all only in our dreams – which don’t help much.

You had better buy all the gas you can and preserve the supply so if you have to make any trip to Lafayette you’ll have enough to make the trip.

I started this letter about 6:00 PM and it is now about 9:20 PM almost bed time and soon time for taps when all lights have to be out.

Well, I’m all run down So Solong

-Lots of Love

Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/22/november-12-1942-roscoe/

November 12, 1942 (Gladys)

1 Reply

: November 12, 1942 Envelope

: November 12, 1942, p. 1

: November 12, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov. 12, 1942

Dear Daddy –

Rec’d two letters this a.m. – That puts them all in order now, one a day. Sometimes they get mixed up in their order of arriving but now they are all here. Some have been missent to other towns. Some come in 6 days & some take 10 day to 2 weeks. I wish I could remember some of the things I wrote you in Sept – but at best the letters up to Sept 22 weren’t too interesting because I was in bed so much and wasn’t out for a month. I had gotten up and went to the Opening Club luncheon Sept 22 then rode to Sheldon & back and that was my first time out – and I think that was what brought things on sooner. Just in case you haven’t gotten any letters about it – My water broke at 11 p.m. and I called Dr. C. He said to come to the hospital. I called Bob & Dorothy & we were on our way by 11:15 and at 12 – I was in the hospital and by 2:03 we had another son. It was very “easy” this time. My breasts really gave me more pain – over a longer period of time and then after pains last longer but it is all over now and I have regained my strength and have even done most of the cleaning with the help of the boys. So far the boys have been able to take care of the furnace and it isn’t necessary to hire anyone to take care of it. And I think we can get along on our own power now. Mother is going back to T.H.[Terre Haute] tomorrow. Servies are going & she is riding with them. I decided that was too much of a trip to make now with the baby so small. It is so hard to find house help that I will do what I can and let other things go – however I have the cleaning done and it isn’t so hard to keep things going with the help of the boys & conveniences.

[page 2] John & Mark are home and Mark is practicing on his horn and I am having a little trouble concentrating. David has started a noise. I gave him his orange juice & he went to sleep for about 2 ½ mi. The Lucile I was referring to was Johnson. Her baby is due in Jan. Surprised? So was I and a lot of other people here. With all bills paid the bank bal. is 731. That includes the birthday money. I get My allowance comes every month or that word is allotment. I told Bart to send you the Enterprize so you could get all the town news every week in case I forget some item. I have tried to tell you the news in each letter & list the men who have go into service so I am really in a muddle trying to rehash what I have already written. Maybe all those letters will get to you and you will have all the news you care for. If you get Ella’s paper you should get Bart’s.

I am enclosing a good picture of David. Will send one in each letter. If I put in more afraid it won’t go “air.” Will get a calendar in the mail as soon as I can find one. Wish I had known that sooner. I could have put in your birthday box – if you get it. You mentioned your watch – what kind have you now and would you want me to send you a “good” wrist watch – Let me know. I have to make a trip to town and do some shopping – get mother a birthday gift. Hope this finds you in receipt of lots of letters & your laundry & birthday box.

Love – Mother & our sons

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/21/november-12-1942-gladys/

Armistice Day (Roscoe)

4 Replies

: November 11, 1942 Envelope

: November 11, 1942, p. 1

: November 11, 1942, p. 2

: November 11, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 11, 1942

Dear Mother,

This being my P.M. off I have done exactly nothing. Right after noon chow I came to the tent crawled into my bunk and have been here since, only to take a bath. Have had a little sun bath since my tent bunk is along the west side of the tent and extends north & south. And with the flap of the tent up the sun comes in late in the Eve. One has to stir around during the day or use the net because the mosquitoes take unfair advantage and bite in the day time when they are supposed to do their work only at night.

We were fortunate enough last night to hear some news from U.S.A. again. We got the news mostly from North Africa. Not much from our section was mentioned.

My tent mates are talking of eating – about steak, baked potatoes, etc. Wonder what those things are like, but our eats haven’t been bad. We’ve had fresh meat now for some time with emphasis on lamb. I’m not so crazy about lamb but it could be worse.

This being Armistice Day there was some

[page 2] little celebration. One fellow who was in the last war had a little whiskey and invited us to take a drink. Said he hadn’t missed since the last war and didn’t want to today and he didn’t. Had to go very easy because there was only a small amount of the stuff left. He said his wife always let him drink on that one day. She took care of the calls etc. That day and the next. He now has two boys in the air corps so he knows what the whole situation is like. We do meet some varied and unusual people. There is one father & son combination here both are rated the same – live together and work together, both are hospital corpsmen.

So far today no mail but it is a little early 1645. It may come in around 1700 as it frequently does.

Our mornings are generally much warmer than the P.M. The breeze in the P.M. helps lots. I was lying here in the sun this P.M. not think I rolled over, the metal from my dog tag touched me and I’ll swear it burned. That’s the way the sun feels. Guess it’s a little different there although you may be having some pretty warm weather there as

[page 3] is often the case in November.

I haven’t seen Dr. Ash for some time. He hasn’t been over my way and I haven’t been in his direction so we just haven’t compared stories.

When the Christmas rush is over I want you to send me a small box of crackers and a couple tins of sardines. Just small boxes. We can’t buy things like that and that would be fine to munch on now & then. We have so much carbohydrates that candy doesn’t seem to hit the spot so well. No the reason I didn’t write about those before was because I didn’t think or wasn’t hungry for those things. Don’t send them during the Christmas rush or it you do wrap them very good. I finish later we may get mail.

Later – no mail today – have been rather busy now for the past few hours. Went to town in the ambulance and have been ranting around in general. Maybe more mail will be coming tomorrow I hope –

Good Nite
Lots of Love
Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/09/armistice-day-roscoe/ ‎

November 11, 1942 (Gladys)

3 Replies

: November 11, 1942 Envelope

: November 11, 1942, p. 1

: November 11, 1942, p. 2

: November 11, 1942, p. 3

: November 11, 1942, p. 4 (postscript)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 11-1942

Dear Daddy-

Three letters rec’d today. One missing so it will probably come tomorrow or later. Boonie also got a letter and when I called him to tell him you had the box he said Jean was reading the letter to Ray Cummings. Said he was sending another box to you. That gives me courage that you will get your birthday box by the 25^th. I couldn’t send much but you will know we thought about you and do think about you all the time. Of course we don’t get letters every day but that doesn’t keep us from waiting for the mail man every day. What I have been looking for is a letter saying you rec’d the radiogram and when you rec’d the two letters we send via clipper. In the letters sent clipper I explained about the Radiogram. We sent it just before we got word from you that you were getting news from us. If if was later maybe you enjoyed getting it. When & if the uniform money comes I’ll put same in bank. I haven’t the urge to spend money. I am like Mrs. Roberts – What do I want with new clothes now. I would rather wait until you come home, but of course I’ll get something so I can keep up “appearances.” I gave Mother the “coat.” She seemed to appreciate it very much. I would get a new coat if I could find just what I want. I would even buy a baby buggy could I find one. I looked at the one Zell’s have but it needs

[page 2] a lot of work done on it and I am not exactly in the mood to do that much. David has been on the “ornery” side this morning. He didn’t sleep his usual 10 till 2 period but keeps waking up. He is in a stretchy mood now but won’t be long until time to feed him. I am having a little difficulty getting John to wear his heavy coat to school but since he has such a short distance to go and isn’t out after he gets there I have let him wear his sweater, but I insist on Mark wearing his coat because of the distance to school & playing out at recess. It is very cool today. It was cloud yesterday but clear & cold now. I cleaned the bedspread yesterday but it wasn’t out long enough to get aired out so I put it out this a.m. to flip in the breeze. I am cleaning our room today. When I get that finished the “big” part of housecleaning will be done. I heard some shouting this morning so the hunters are at large again. Makes me think of the pheasant you got one year. Mark wanted to go out wandering around in the country after school but I told him he might get shot. Of course I won’t let him go. I called Servies [Rev. and Mrs. Voris Servies] this a.m. to find out if they were going to T.H. [Terre Haute] and they may be going soon if so Mother will go along. I decided it was too much of a trip for me to try with the baby. I am afraid it might upset him and too something might happen on the way. We won’t be able to go much longer tho, because gas rationing begins Nov. 22.

[page 3] A lot of people have asked me since you have been “out” where you are – some do not ask, others do – I told someone that was the $64⁰⁰ question – and I think Mark heard me because he was in Boonies and they asked him and he said that was the $75⁰⁰ question. They got quite a “kick” out of that. Just like anything else, there were rumors that you were one place or another but when people asked me I told them your destination was is a secret, so no rumors can start from me because my answers to such inquiries are negative. Bun Walkup called me this morning to get your address so you will get a Christmas greeting from them I suppose or maybe Iva J. will write to you. I do wish you could get all those letters missing. I have told you so much in them I can’t remember what you have rec’d just by the dates you mention. I want you to get the pictures too. I have quoted the bank bal. several times & what we owe. Maybe I’ll have a letter tomorrow saying you have the information you want. I am not very newsy today. Maybe after I go to town this evening I can write more.

Lot of Love
Mother
“and our boys”

(over)

You forgot to finish your last letter. The one in which you told about receiving the candy – you must have been excited.

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/19/november-11-1942-gladys/