Answering your letters.

Dec 29, 1942

My Darling Wife

Today brought some more mail—Newspress of Dec 1 & 3, a card & letter from Carl & Madge a letter from mother giving me hell, a letter from your folks and another letter from Kitty It is now 6:20 P and I’m going to try to answer all my correspondents

Oct 14th You had been doing a lot of reading It sounds like the way I spent my time when I had little to do. I still like to read of an evening so keep the magazines, especially the Post. coming

Oct 11th—Now that letter was really a honey, 8 pages full of interesting chat. After starting to number my letters I gave up when we were permitted to use a date line. Now I write every day so you can soon see if you’re missing …

… any letters. If I miss a day I’ll try to write two the next and date one back, telling you about the previous 24 hrs.

I’m glad you received the menu in that letter I wrote. I’ll always remember that trip. As yet I have not received any cigarettes that you sent, but have received the one carton from Ditty. The Readers Digest did not get here as yet but the other three magazines have. The Newspress of Oct up to the 10th & copies for Dec 1 & 3 have come through. The other copies will probably show up soon. The box containing soap, candy, gum, did not come yet.

The box with your picture in it has not come yet either. I can probably get along O.K. without a bathrobe but it would be nice to have

If you have not received that additional $35.00 allotment per month by the time …

… you receive this letter write a letter to the Finance Officer, War Department, Washington D.C.—Officers allotments. Give my name, rank and serial number, and tell them the allotment was changed for September that you received 175.— for Sept, then $35.— later, but that for October, December you only received $175.—. Ask them to check their records & then send you the additional $35.— per month.

Incidentally a clipping I saw today would infer that I am entitled to another $100.— for comforts. If true, I’ll get it and send it home too.

Your descriptions of Linda and what she is doing are fascinating honey and …

… I love to get them. I’ll bet she is “some” help doing the dusting, making beds, etc.

Oct 19th

The package you had just mailed did not get here yet. I enjoyed your remark about keeping me home—not letting me join clubs when I get home—with the accompanying remark.

Oct 24th.

Now here’s another swell letter and one of those snapshots I don’t get often enough.—the picture of Linda & Marylee. Keep them coming honey.

In one of your letters you wrote that your brother had been transferred and stationed at “Tampa Florida”. That was the only thing cut out, and they left the cutout piece in …

… the letter.

You wrote about the folks resenting your moving. I wrote to mother and told her shortly after you moved that I thought it was for the best—that grandparents are too lenient for proper disciplining and interfered too often with the disciplining. They probably didn’t like it but I presented it as diplomatically as possible. Mother’s letter & Dad’s too give me hell for not writing often, and they say you don’t read my letters to them. There are lots of personal things in them which are none of their business, but I wish you would pass on most of the other news. Sometimes it’s pretty hard to write—and I do get a letter off to you every day I can. I never did write many letters and they are jealous as hell because I write to you everyday.

I haven’t received the fountain pen yet

You said in this letter “Honey bunch, have you forgotten your wife?” Kitty had received a letter from Scotland before you and apparently you were jealous. You always come first and you know, but that damn postmaster is trying to get me in trouble because I’m a Republican. Kitty has written me faithfully once or twice each week sending me clippings and any office or city hall gossip she can think of. I’m forwarding a couple of her letters to let you see what they are like. I hope you won’t mind my writing her once in awhile because I think she is one of the best friends I have—and one of Ren’s too. Ask him.

Nov 1st—Another nice fat letter. That’s the way I like them.

The boxes you had just mailed with candy & nuts & Margie’s box has not come yet—but packages are still pouring in. The package with stationery & stamps has not come yet either

Nov 4.—This is the letter with the power of attorney in it. The only way I can get it properly notarized is to go before the American Consul—which I shall try to do as soon as possible

Mona & Jo Hubbard used to go with Louise Westberg, Marie Westberg & Jim Chiams in high school & until he died in an auto accident. Both the Hubbard girls were a lot of fun and damn good patrons of the Owl. Maurie Walker, if he is the fellow I think he is, is a leading Young Republican or democrat—if so, I’ve known him for years—a good …

… looking guy, so don’t visit them too much.

Nov 11, I only received the one telegram you sent to me in England. They will show up probably when the war is over. I answered this letter a couple of days ago

Nov 13 I would like to have seen mother’s face when Linda said her bathroom was all dirty. Mother usually has a lot of stuff laying around while you don’t. Probably Linda noticed that

Nov 15—I answered that a day or two ago

Dec 3 Ditto

Dec 5. The money order for $50.00 and £5.—I sent is from my pay—and not part of the allotment. That goes to you direct. I have had $210.— deducted each month and Washington is supposed to send it to you

I hope you won’t work too much. Take care of Linda first and if you can spare some time then work—but don’t do it until you get down in heart.

Dec 7th You say you have been working too hard.—Don’t forget what I said above.

Well that brings that bunch of your letters up to date—Your mother wrote that Durwood is on the way to Australia. Carl & Madge wrote about their farming. Mother and Dad wrote giving me hell for not writing them—which only makes me have less incentive to write.

This afternoon we had a movie here in our barracks “The Fleet’s In”—and what a picture. The men were quite enthused and enjoyed it immensely—and so do I.

There were lots of gags, good music, my old pal of the Palomar—Jimmy Dorsey, good looking American wenches—Dot Lamour etc. I hope we have many more of them.

I just have to stop writing honey I’ve been at this for two hours and I won’t get any more letters written tonight. I love you dearest—my own sweet little wife. As you have said in your letters the future for us is very promising because we have come to appreciate each other more. You’re a darling and I love you with all my heart. Give the Princess a kiss for me

All my love
Your John