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Title
A name given to the resource
Letters from 1944
Letter
Text
Any textual data included in the document
Dec. 1, 1944
Dearest Geraldine,
Apparently my mail is taking the long was around again, at least I haven't had any for two weeks. We've been busy as bees lately. We never know when we go to bed where we'll wake up as we've been pulling out on runs in the middle of the nite lately. We've had seven runs in the last six days—one was on all nite affair. They are the kind that tire you out. I'm sitting now all alone in a ward car listening to records I'm selecting and playing through the radio. At present I'm listening to Harry James playing 'When You're A Long, Long Way From Home.' Very appropriate, don't you think. I've found that the first year in the army is the hardest. After that you just coast along and take what comes. There's nothing new to bother you. I imagine you'll receive this letter about Xmas time, so I hope you have a very happy one. Don't eat too much though—you musn't forget your girlish figure you know. My sister is on a permanent diet. My how women suffer! Tsk, tsk! Well, Guy, my favorite, Lombardo is playing 'Goodnite Sweetheart' now so, I'll confess hoping you are well and don't work too hard.
Cheerio, Johnny
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Creator
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John C. Waller
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-12-01
Description
An account of the resource
This letter captures Johnny's love of music. He mentions Harry James and Guy Lombardo and two songs he listens to while writing.
Title
A name given to the resource
December 1, 1944
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Title
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Letters from 1944
Letter
Text
Any textual data included in the document
December 17, 1944
Dearest Geraldine,
This will probably be one of the last if not the last letter I'll get to you this year. I don't know if my epistle of Nov. 8 scared you or not but I haven't heard from you in at least a month. I realize that my mail is long winded in arriving and you have a heavy correspondence list but—say, I've just through what is probably the matter—you had a relapse after gazing at the picture I sent you. I send you my condolences.
Your package arrived one day last week. I intended to write sooner to thank you and here I am just getting around to it. Thanks a million, Jerry. They couldn't have come at a more opportune time. We were unable to get cigarettes for about three weeks so I shared my good fortune with a couple of my buddies. We all thank you heartily.
We've been in our stable now for two days—correction—three days, however we will be going out again to-morrow.
I actually managed to get into town on Friday night to see a movie. It was "The Canterville Ghost" with Charles Laughton and Robert Young. Charles was his usual entertaining self. There was a young girl by the name of Margaret O'Brien I believe it was. She was the cutest child star I've seen since the days when Shirley Temple was the rage.
Our weather is the usual—you know what that means by this time.
So far I haven't heard one Christmas carol. Either they don't go in for that kind of stuff over here or else I just haven't been around at the right time. I did see one sign of the season yesterday when I went to the hospital for a haircut, namely, holly wreaths on the doors. I think that the less we're reminded about it while over here, the better. I seldom can remember what day it is. That isn't my personal failing as it prevails among most of us especially when we're busy.
Here's another little verse out of the Stars & Stripes, the daily newspaper of U. S. Forces. — To keep our ships on an even keel, takes tons and tons of corset steel, the die is cast, their fate is written, Now our ladies bulge for Britain. They bulge over here too.
Well things are going much the same as far as I'm concerned so I can't tell you anything you don't already know. Nearly everyone is in to-night in order to get a good night's sleep on preparation for to-morrow. One fellow is keeping us entertained by playing records through the radio speaker. All the conveniences of home you know, more or less. We're a heck of a lot more fortunate than Joes in other outfits. As I've said before, I'll be spoiled when I get back with my boys.
Now like the Arab I'll fold my tent and silently steal away. Best wishes for a Happy New Year once again. Pardon me if I repeat myself but if the new year is anything like the old one it will stand for & need many good wishes.
I hope you are well, Toots. Don't work too hard at work or play.
Love,
Johnny
APO
The number of the Army Post Office from which Johnny sent a letter
511
Location
The location of the interview
Burnham-On-Sea
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John C. Waller
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-12-17
Description
An account of the resource
In this letter, Johnny describes attending the cinema, Christmas activities, and entertainment with his army unit.
Title
A name given to the resource
December 17, 1944
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Title
A name given to the resource
Letters from 1944
Letter
Text
Any textual data included in the document
Dec. 2, 1944
Dear Gerry,
I knocked off a VMail to you last nite but I received your letter of Nov. 6 today so thought I might as well acknowledge it now while I've got a spare moment. You'll note I have a new A.P.O now so you can change my address again. Fun ain't it?
I don't see why you worry about being short, as you call it. There are plenty of people smaller than you. Besides, wouldn't you rather be small and cute rather than tall and homely? We're on our way again so you'll have to excuse my writing. It's a fair day at present but plenty chilly. I imagine it will be about five hours before we reach our pickup point so I'll have time to rest up a bit. This will be an all nite session again as most of our runs lately seem to be. I don't do much window gazing anymore, we've seen so much country that there is nothing new to see. I did see some snow yesterday though when we were pulling through a valley near some large hills or maybe they call them mts. I wouldn't have wanted to climb them anyway. Here's a little 'pome' I just saw in the Stars & Stripes: Found a little rabbit, called him Jim, Got 18 more, Her weren't no him. There is generally a goofy rhyme in every edition. I'm out of room I see, so you will excuse me for now. Don't work too hard & stay well.
Best wishes for Xmas & love, Johnny
APO
The number of the Army Post Office from which Johnny sent a letter
511
Location
The location of the interview
Burnham-On-Sea
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Creator
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John C. Waller
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-12-02
Description
An account of the resource
In this letter, Johnny comments on body image and describes some of his activities.
Title
A name given to the resource
December 2, 1944
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Dublin Core
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Title
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Letters from 1944
Letter
Text
Any textual data included in the document
December 20, 1944
Dearest Geraldine,
Well little one, how are you? As usual when I write someone asking why they haven't written, I get a litter the nest day. I had an idea when I wrote yesterday that I'd heard from you today. Yours of the 21 & 25 arrived. I didn't yet receive the letter you mention but I'll be darned (that's darn) if I can see what you're worrying about. Regardless of what the epistle says you know how you rate with me. I've got an idea what you said anyway and as I told you Toot before, we'll be friends always regardless. Well I guess there's not too much sense in my telling you what I think you said so I'll let it go until I receive it (the letter). I notice you're glad I brought the subject up and so am I as there was sort of a barrier in our letters before and now I figure we'll understand one another better. You perhaps think my endings in some of my letters a little nuts but when I say 'stay as sweet as you are' I mean just that.
You know, I write under a little handicap in as much as all these letters are censored by my C.O. Some fun, aye, Toots!
By the way, if you ever get me under the mistletoe there won't be any perhaps about it. It will be you who will have to watch out as I'm going to wear a piece in my hat. While I think of it, you better get better hours for writing. Beauty needs sleep you know. You and my mother are two for a pair.
As far as my activities are concerned there is nothing to report except that things have slacked off the last week. I don't imagine it will be a very long reprieve. I know we'll be off again to-morrow sometime. I hope no runs will come up over New Years as the fellows have a party planned. we'll all be there including our officers to try to help bring the New Year in. They're bringing some Wrens (British Waves) along to help us. I'll let you know what kind of character I get stuck with. At least it will help us forget the blues which we no doubt would have if left with our own thoughts.
I got weighed one day last week and I'll have you know that I am no longer what you termed in one letter 'much fatter'. I came down from 150 in August to 132 lbs. Quite a difference, isn't it. The major is always telling me I'm too thin. There's nothing to be done about it I guess as I just don't seem to gain anymore.
Your antique collection must be something new as I don't remember your having a liking for that stuff. I've seen plenty of them over here in various places but all inanimate. I did some cussin' one day when I was trying to find something and all I saw for sale was antiques. Still everyone to his liking as the old woman said when she kissed her cow.
Now I'm going to sign off wishing you a very Happy New Year. Let's hope there'll be more men around to take you girls at home out during the new year. It seems like they all have six or seven apiece over here. Lend-lease I suppose you call it. Lots of luck in your sorority activities, president. Yours till Niagara Falls, Canuck.
Johnny
APO
The number of the Army Post Office from which Johnny sent a letter
511
Location
The location of the interview
Burnham-On-Sea
Dublin Core
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Creator
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John C. Waller
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-12-20
Title
A name given to the resource
December 20, 1944
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Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Letters from 1944
Letter
Text
Any textual data included in the document
December 25, 1944
Dearest Geraldine,
Well Toots your Xmas card arrived to-day with two letters from you for which thank you very much. I thought the card was made to order and you sure had the time figured out to a t. I'm writing you two letters to-day, one for current events and this one to answer your letters.
By the way, the four of us who went out last nite have now all lighted up cigars. Paul is from the 717th, Joe and John are medics on the train. It's Pauls and my first cigar; John, who is twenty smokes them only and Joe is about in the same boat with Paul and I—cig & pipe smoker. Time out for chow.
Back again, honey, minus the cigar. Paul and I made it about halfway and then swore off. That will be my first and last cigar. Hells bells, it was so big I could hardly her it in my mouth. I'm on a Sweet Caporal now—once again thank you for sending them, Toots. You've probably noticed my pen isn't working so good. I blame the pen but maybe it's the cigar.
To get back to your letter, I thought it was very nice, especially not to blame me for what happened. I'll always maintain that it was my fault things turned out as they did but they won't again. I don't wonder that you didn't say what you wanted to little one but you need not worry about saying anything you please now as I wouldn't hurt you for the world. You know you're a sweetheart if there was ever one and I love you for it, in fact, I just love you, period.
Right now, I want to say something though which I think is necessary under the present circumstances. You know that old saying about a bird on hand being worth two in the bush. All I want you to do is remember it—as God knows how long it will be before the USA is under my feet again. Furthermore, when I do get back I'm seriously thinking of going after a degree in mechanical engineering; a three year job. So you see I'd only be able to see you on weekends. I guess that pretty well covers everything as far as I can see. If you have any thoughts on the subject I'll be bending an ear. Say I just thought what that dash-fortune teller told you. Let me know if anything develops.
You and Sue or Butch as I call her seem to hit it off fine together. My unc tells me that she and Ruth, the schoolteacher staying with them, are practically inseparable. I may leave Butch with them as they give her such a swell home although I'd hate to.
I hope you are able to do all the traveling you want. Personally, I'm going to be like the song San Fernando Valley, namely settle down and never more roam. The major told us just last week that the train has covered about thirty thousand miles so far about half of it in the last four months.
I feel like I could go on and on but I'll spare you that Toots. The first talk we have together will be a lulu no doubt. At least if we're alone with no interruptions. Before I forget send that curl by all means.
Now in the words of that current song hit 'I'll Walk Alone' please send your love and your kisses to guide me, till you're walking beside me, I'll walk alone. Goodnight sweetheart.
All my love,
Johnny
P.S. The name on the envelope is that of the Censor:
Why the new address?
APO
The number of the Army Post Office from which Johnny sent a letter
511
Location
The location of the interview
Burnham-On-Sea
Dublin Core
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Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
John C. Waller
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-12-25
Title
A name given to the resource
December 25, 1944, #1
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Dublin Core
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Title
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Letters from 1944
Letter
Text
Any textual data included in the document
December 25, 1944
Dearest Geraldine,
Well little one here I am again on Xmas Day and I sure hope you had a happy time this day. We are working as usual, however, we had all day yesterday free so we can't kick.
From Thursday nite until late Saturday nite we were on the run continuously. On Thursday's run I met two girls from Buffalo, one a nurse and the other a Red Cross girl. They were both patients going back to the U.S. I went to school with the nurse's brother and the Red Cross girl and I had several mutual acquaintances, although I didn't know her. The nurse gave me a roll of film so I may be able to take some snaps in the near future.
Yesterday the major and four of us went to the services at one of the protestant churches. The organist there is stone blind but he plays beautifully. In the afternoon three of my buddies and I took a long walk as it was a clear day for a change. We must have walked about ten miles. We ate at a snack bar because the Red Cross was giving a party for the children and we didn't want to intrude.
About nine o'clock we met an RA2 sgt with some girls. They wanted to sing carols so we went around to all the houses with lights on and sang carols. We'd knock on each door when we finished. and wish them a Merry Xmas! The four of us left them at eleven-thirty so we could go to the midnite service at one of the churches. It was a very nice service and the church was packed with people standing in the rear.
Back home I used to attend the midnite service on Xmas eve at St. Mary's on the Hill. (Episcopal) I've never seen a Xmas service to compare with it anywhere. The church is always decorated in true Christmas fashion, in fact it almost seems like you're right inside a fir tree there is so much green everywhere. The service is held by candlelight too, which adds to its beauty. I hope I'll be there for next Xmas.
This morning we left about seven o'clock on this run. At present we're waiting for the boat to come in. One of our mess sergeants got out his concertina to accompany us in singing carols plus everything from Goodnight Sweetheart to the 'Beer Barrel Polka'. My voice is just about gone now. At least we managed to cheer each other up.
Well sweet, I'll leave you now. I hope you are well and enjoy this Xmas season. I wish I was around to help you but I'm sure you'll make out O.K. Take care of yourself president and don't work too hard. All my love,
Johnny
Write as often as you wish, you couldn't write too much
APO
The number of the Army Post Office from which Johnny sent a letter
511
Location
The location of the interview
Burnham-On-Sea
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Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
John C. Waller
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-12-25
Title
A name given to the resource
December 25, 1944, #2
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Dublin Core
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Title
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Letters from 1944
Letter
Text
Any textual data included in the document
December 28, 1944
Hello honey!
Here I am again taking it easy after a couple of tiresome runs. We're on our way back at present and I'm sitting alone in one of the chair with table cars, equipped with my slippers, pipe, and snap of you taken on log at The Alford. It's purpose is to serve as inspiration you know.
If my writing wiggles blame it on the trains. We were right on time until about five o'clock when we ran into a thick blanket of fog. You can't see a half car length ahead so we're almost an hour late already. Wish you were here with me. You could give me one of your seven day kisses—the kind that used to make one weak. Heh, heh!
We had a little trouble getting started on this run yesterday due to a heavy frost. Everything was covered in white like it is back home when we have a sleet storm. It was really a beautiful sight but at the same time it made us a lot of extra work. Where we tried to water the train we found that all the hoses were frozen plus the lister bag in which our drinking water is kept. This happened about two o'clock with the train due to pull out an hour later.
The major soon had us all stepping lively carrying hot water from the kitchen car trying to thaw things out. It took almost an hour and a half to do the job and then we only freed two hoses. We used the two to water all the cars. Fortunately, the engine was frozen up so it didn't arrive on time. They had to send a replacement.
They coupled up after chow only to find the wheels wouldn't budge. All the brakes on the cars were frozen fast. The conductor was running around like a chicken with his head cut off. The brakes were finally loosened by pounding on them with a sledge hammer and we got under way. What a circus we had for a while!
At present we're going ahead for three or four minutes and then stopping. Our speed must be about four miles an hour. I don't envy the engineer his job. It's enough responsibility under ordinary conditions! I just had a look out the window. You'd think we were in the middle of a cloud.
Well sweet I've told all the little news there is. I've been sitting here puffing away, the last few fragments trying to think of something else. All that came up was the song 'It Could Happen to You' which I promptly sang to myself in my own inimitable way. I don't know if you remember the occasional times when I used to burst into song. You never let me get very far, claiming that I could whistle better. The fellows take your place now. I can always get a laugh out of them by bursting forth so it serves one good purpose anyway.
Say toots, I can't see why you keep knocking those snaps. I don't think you could be much prettier in fact. For my money you take first place. Your sweet and your lovely, what more could you ask. Apparently I can't convince you by my literary efforts but I will when I see you in person or bust.
Let me know how you make out over New Years. I won't be surprised if we're working. I'll bet you and your friends will have one heck of a time now you're president and guiding genius of your sorority. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up with you if I was there—getting old you know.
Now I'll say goodnite, sweetheart. May you have nothing but good fortune, good luck and all the happiness through the New Year. Hoping you and your folks are well and to hear from you soon, I remain, loving you always,
Johnny
APO
The number of the Army Post Office from which Johnny sent a letter
511
Location
The location of the interview
Burnham-On-Sea
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
John C. Waller
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-12-28
Title
A name given to the resource
December 28, 1944
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Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Letters from 1944
Letter
Text
Any textual data included in the document
February 13, 1944
Dear Jerry,
I don't know why you make disparaging remarks about your letter writing; I always enjoy them. Thanks for the compliment on mine. It's a funny thing, but everyone I write to thinks I write an interesting letter or am I bragging too much. Nothing like blowing your own horn you know. Nearly all women drivers I ever encountered believed in that saying. I've never ridden with you so for the time being you're exempt!
You'll never guess what I did last week end. Nothing less than went home. Boy, oh boy, was I happy when I walked out of the station onto good old Main St! What a feeling! I never experienced such a thrill at seeing the old town before. Believe me you'll go along way before beating that city.
I left camp at noon on Friday, arriving in Buffalo at eleven P.M. My mother and sister were in the kitchen when I walked in. I sure surprised them! It was a tiring weekend, but well worth it. My buddy, 'Buck,' went home with me. He lives in Lancaster, a suburb of ye olde city.
We left for camp at 7:30 P.M. Sunday. Just before I left home, my sister's youngest girls, Nancy (2 yrs.) said to me, "Don't go, John." I don't consider myself too much of a softy, but I had to turn away for a couple of seconds. I wish you could see her. She's the cutest little angel this side of heaven. She is also a little devil on the side. What mischief she doesn't get in, isn't worth while.
We arrived back in camp at 4:20 A.M. Monday morning to find that I had K.P. at 5 A.M. I just had time to change my clothes before reporting for duty. I felt like breaking a dozen eggs over the 1st sergeant's head.
The past week has gone by uneventfully. Yesterday I worked all day on a job for the Colonel. I was supposed to be an M.P. in town last nite, however I had to work instead. I carried on all day to-day finally finishing at three o'clock.
While I was working away Saturday afternoon, the colonel himself came up and stopped by my drawing board. Luckily, I had a short haircut with just a few 'twigs' sticking up for fine weather. He's a stickler for GI scalping. We had quite a little conversation while the C.O. stood around biting his nails. He's as nervous as a cat when an officer who outranks him is around. A lt. bears about the same relationship to a colonel as a pvt. does to a staff sgt.
Anyway, to get back to our conversation, the colonel wanted to know where I worked, where I learned drafting, if I was married. Quite a few people ask me that. I don't know if I look 'married' or what the heck. Someday I'll say I am just for the heck of it. Some fellows have noticed that snap you sent me which is in my wallet. Quite a few wanted to know if that was my wife. I hope you are properly taken aback. Please don't tell that boyfriend of yours or I'll probably be getting a sock in the nose via airmail. Besides, Uncle Sam wants me in good shape to do my job, & he might do more than pop me in the schnozzle.
Speaking of marriage, did you know that Lyle Goring is married to an English girl. That son-of-a-gun sure surprised me. I only hope he comes through the rest of the war O.K. He's been very fortunate so far.
I'll be getting my furlough within a month or so. We expect to pull out of here sometime before May for additional training down South. Personally, I'll be very sorry to leave the northern states. You probably would give your left eye for a chance to spend the winter in southern climes. Take it from me, it isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Well, I guess I've rambled on long enough for now. Hoping you are well and to hear from you soon, I remain,
As ever,
Johnny
P.S. Thank you for the pretty valentine. I hope mine was O.K.
Location
The location of the interview
Fort Wayne
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
John C. Waller
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-02-13
Description
An account of the resource
A letter from Johnny to Geraldine on February 13, describing his trip home to Buffalo.
Title
A name given to the resource
February 13, 1944
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letters from 1944
Letter
Text
Any textual data included in the document
January 22, 1944
Dear Jerry,
I'll have to ask forgiveness for my failure to answer your last two letters. One thing I don't understand is why you still send them to New Orleans, unless you have lost this address. Generally, a letter from Sardines reaches here in a day, but via N.O. it takes a week.
I forget what I told you in my last letter so please bear with me if I repeat myself. Where do you think I'm writing from—no less a place than the guard house. To be exact, I'm in the men's room, but only because there is a good light in here. There is another fellow here dashing off a few lines to his honey. By the way, I'm not a prisoner, just a private of the guard. I came on duty at 6 P.M. and will be relieved at the same time tomorrow nite. The tour of duty is two hours on and four off. There are beds here without a mattress for sleeping in your off hours and we do sleep.
Enough of that. The last three weeks I've been working as a structural draftsman in one of the Pennsylvania Railroads drafting rooms. It is quite an interesting job. There is another Buffalo boy on the job with me. We go out with the head draftsman to measure and locate various buildings, towers, switches, etc. and then draw up the plans. Sometimes we have the plans and have to check to see if the building is built according to them. Any necessary changes have to be made and a new blueprint obtained. We also work on track charts which are scale drawings of P.R.R track right of ways. The finished drawings are between thirty-five and forty feet long. Every little detail has to be included, right down to father Brown's private cattle crossing.
We work in the shops from Monday through Friday. Saturday is devoted to training. Sunday is your day off unless you have a detail such as the one I have to-night. I just took a look at your letter of the twelfth and note that you wonder what the address means. Since you wrote to N.O. I presume you mean the one which is as follows: A.S.F.-U.T.C. = Army Service Forces - Unit Training Center. Of course the other is Railway Operating Battalion. Verstehen Sic! [trans from German: do you understand]
I haven't any small snaps taken yet. Monday I'll try to find a film for my camera. If I'm not successful, I'll purchase a cheap one which I saw advertised. I want to get some pictures of my buddies and the camp so I'll have them for my album. I'll drop you a couple as soon as I have any.
It's now Sunday afternoon. It sho was a cold nite last nite. When I came in off my last tour of duty, my feet were like ice. We had quite a bad snowstorm during the nite so when the guards came in they looked like snowmen. We who were on patrol duty got a break this A.M. The sergeant let us off at eight o'clock. The gate guards had to stay all day to watch the prisoners because they had a nice warm gatehouse to sit in all nite, while we were out in the elements.
The boys are all cleaned up now so we'll be going to town soon. A little while ago we were having a snowball fight with the fellows in the latrine. They run from their barracks to the latrine in their shorts when taking a shower so we caught some of them good. Only one window got broken, which was a wonder.
Well, I'm going over to get my pass now. Hoping you are well and to hear from you soon. I remain,
Johnny
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
John C. Waller
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-01-22
Description
An account of the resource
A letter from Johnny to Geraldine, written from a guardhouse at Fort Wayne, Indiana on January 22, 1944.
Title
A name given to the resource
January 22, 1944
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letters from 1944
Letter
Text
Any textual data included in the document
June 3, 1944
Dear Jerry,
This reminds me of that song 'When You're a Long, Long Way From Home' or words to that effect. It certainly is true enough in my case.
We had an uneventful crossing but it sure was monotonous after the first couple of days. All we did was eat, sleep and read pocket books. An orchestra composed of G.I.s helped to pass the time a little each evening. Also a religious service was held each afternoon for Catholic and Protestants. I was in charge of obtaining supplies for the men during the voyage (a s/sgt helped me or probably more correct I helped him). Anyway, he took charge of the money while I handled the goods. You'd be surprised at the amount of candy, soap, tobacco and the like that our company alone consumed. In one day alone they bought over seven hundred bars of soap. They should all be able to keep clean over here at any rate.
We passed through some beautiful country during our trip to this camp from the boat. It reminded me very much of the Cherry Valley section of good old New York State.
I've never seen such changeable weather as that which we have to put up with here. As the captain told us when we first arrived, "When you can see the hills, it's going to rain. When you can't see the hills, it's raining." There's more truth than fiction in that statement.
The thing with impressed me most upon my first glimpse of the country was the preponderance of brick construction in the homes, factories and all the other buildings. We've covered a good many miles of the country already and I've only seen about two non-brick structures. The style of the homes is lousy from an architectural point of view. I don't know how architects over here even sell their plans. Maybe I'm just prejudiced. You can't imagine how much better the U.S. and Canada are, as compared to this place. It's too bad that the entire population of both countries couldn't visit for a couple of weeks. Believe me, they would really appreciate North America afterwards.
As far as girls are concerned, they don't curve in the right places. There is another matter in connection with girls which we aren't allowed to mention, but I never heard of anything like it before.
This past week we've been sleeping in our pup tents with one blanket and raincoat under us and two on top. It's not too bad except for the bugs. They are very aggravating sometimes.
They're setting up six man tents for us now so we'll have it a bit easier soon. There will be canvas topped cots to sleep on so it will be like living in the lap of luxury.
We have a good setup here. We work nights, having the days free until 3 P.M. A pass can be obtained every other day. So far I haven't been to town, but I hope to make it to church on Sunday.
I forgot to mention a very strange thing in regard to daylight over here. It stays light until after 11P.M. There are no more than three or four hours of darkness. Later in June they say there will be only two hours darkness. So when I say we work nights, it isn't actually true.
I'm doing an entirely different job here to the one for which I was trained. It's a case of doing the most essential job. If it hastens the end of the war we don't mind. If I get married and have children I hope they're all girls as it's darn hard on parents to raise children and then have to send them off to the army. The trouble is that at the rate things are going now they'll be drafting women in the next war so a guy just can't win. We've got a job to do anyway, and we're going to do it.
Don't mind me if I've griped throughout this letter. A guy gets that way every once in a while in the army. It reminds me of a letter I received from a friend of mine. She had been married just about a year when her husband was drafted. In the letter I mention she had just said goodbye to her husband as he was leaving for overseas. She sure sounded in the dumps. About a week later she wrote again & apologized for being so gloomy. That's how it is up and down.
Well, I have to get ready for work again so I'll have to sign off now. I hope you and yours all well. Hoping I'm back on your side again soon, I remain,
As ever,
Johnny
P.S. If you see Susy give her a pat for me. My Unc tells me she's a bit down in the dumps now Ruth is gone.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
John C. Waller
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06-03
Description
An account of the resource
A letter from Johnny to Geraldine written June 3, 1944, describing his Atlantic crossing and first impressions of Great Britain.
Title
A name given to the resource
June 3, 1944