| APO 640, US Army
Nov. 8, 1942 |
Dear Mom, Dad & all:-
It's Sunday night and I've just got home from
work (about 10:30 pm ). It's been a rather uneventful week for me,
not as far as world events are concerned. I went to a dance Wednesday
night given by the WRENS (Women's Royal Naval Service) and had rather an
enjoyable evening. Yesterday it was another Lt's and my turn to go
to a nearby town to get the rations for the ETG officers here, a task which
took most of the day. Although it had been wet all week it was a
beautiful sunshiny day so the bus trip was most enjoyable, I had quite
a chat with a little white haired old lady coming back on the bus.
She was telling me about the things she used to do when she was a young
lady and something of her experiences in the blitze. Dropped in to
the local pubs last night to hoist afew and chew the rag with the boys.
I'm still working on my radio and its a long way from finished yet.
I should have it working by Christmas, I hope.
Your son & big brother,
Bob
P.S. Enjoying a Robt. Burns Panatella as I write this. Some class,
eh? A 10 cent cigar.
Bob
It certainly was thrilling to hear on the wireless
this morning about the Americans landing in French North Africa and all
week to hear about the wonderful job the British 8th Army is doing in Lybia.
It looks as though we are going to play for keeps this time and I certainly
hope we can hold our gains. This seems to be the first time since
the war began that we have had the supplies to really carry on an effective
blitzkrieg of our own and I get a real kick out of our turning the tables
on Hitler with a week-end coup, such as he himself used so successfully
on the small countries of Europe. I couldn't help but wonder if George
was among those landing in Africa, or is he still in California?
I received my statement of service today from
Washington. It came air mail, but had evidently had a dip in the
ocean. It was all crinkled and faded from having been soaked and
was stamped "Air Mail" delayed at _____. Don't know what could
have happened to it. I'm sure glad to get it, though, since it will
mean three 5% increases in my base pay for longevity of service.
This means a total of 25% above base pay altogether as I get 10% for overseas
service. I hope you got the first payment of my allotment okay.
Don't mention the amount in any letters you write as that is taboo, but,
let me know if you get it, as well as my insurance policy and Defense Bond
receipt. I haven't received any of the packages you sent me as yet,
but suppose they will be arriving in due course since it seems to take
about two months or more usually. I read that an American ship had
been sunk in the Atlantic recently which, according to the "Daily Telegraph"
was carrying 4000 pounds of packages for American troops over here.
I hope none of my packages were among them, but you never can tell until
after about four months as they sometimes take that long to get here.
I also had a letter from Lorna this week.
She's been in the hospital the last eight days suffering from boils.
It's hard to think of her having such an outbreak, her skin is so flawless,
but I suppose that doesn't cut any ice. She's been promoted to an
LACW (Leading Aircraftswoman) about the same as first class private in
the army and was quite elated over it. She got 92% in here trade
test. She should have a commission without a doubt and as she has
been recommended for it, will probably get it eventually. She said
to send you all her best regards. She never fails to write "Say hello
to your Mom for me" in each of her letters.
I haven't heard from Evelyn since I returned
from London though I have written her. It's most likely due to the
postal system rather than her not having written. The London postal
system is so overloaded with the war time mail that it takes over a week
to get any letter mailed in London. It took two for the last one
to reach me. I will probably go down again next week-end to get my
other uniform and see her at the same time. Hope to see George Huff
& wife at the same time, will take my camera and get some snaps of
them to send you, also some of myself and Evelyn.
I suppose the family will be having a gathering
Thanksgiving day. Three of the CTC boys who came over with me and
are assigned here and three of the other Lieutenants and myself are trying
to arrange with one of the hotels here to serve us a Turkey dinner Thanksgiving
evening, but I don't know how successful we'll be. Christmas is Turkey
day in England since they have no, equivalent of our Thanksgiving day at
this time of year. The old lady who runs one of the best hotels here
(she's got bags of dough) has a niece working for her whom I rather rate
well with and I think I can swing the deal. The WVS (Civilian Women's
Volunteer Service) are giving a dance the 18th so I'll have to take her
to that and cinch the deal if it's possible at all. The hotels all
have more business than they can handle all over England with all the troops
here so they don't go out of their way to do any special catering for you,
but if you have an inside track you can usually get what you want.
Lord knows I'm no ladie's man, but the uniform must get
them, although there's a good deal of competition. At any rate I
don't do too badly (ha!).
Well that's all the news and comments for the
moment. I happened to think George's knowledge of French might stand
him in good stead in the army. Tell him to be sure and let the powers
know that he can speak that as well as some Spanish and he might get a
good job out of it, especially now.
Say hello to all the relatives for me and tell
them I'm still all 0.K. and living a quiet peaceful life in a lovely, but
quiet English village. The smartest thing I ever did was to join
the C.T.C., in spite of some of their misgivings, and I think I came out
of it as well off, or better, than any of you. I only hope it lasts
this way for the duration.
And so Cheerio from Merrie England and a Happy Thanksgiving to you all.