Our WWII Soldier Goes To a Quaint Old Pub in France

June 21, 1944

Wed. Eve. 10:00 P.M.

My Darling Mark

Hello Sweetheart!!

I just got your letter of the 9^th yesterday and the one of the 11^th today.

I was mighty happy to hear from you honey.

So you got the letter I raised all the hell in huh? I’m sorry I wrote it now honey – but I had to blow my top sometime. It’s all over now anyway.

Let’s just keep the mail regular now huh?

I’ve got two letters from Cec. in the last two weeks too. You both seem to be getting on the ball! He told me he was going to be a daddy in August!  He must have fired for effect pretty quick!

I got a letter from my bro. Bobby today. He’s in the hospital again taking treatments for 10 days. I hope they help him soon.

I just finished playing a little ball & tired as hell. Then I gripe about not getting enough sleep.

I’m Cpl. of the guard tonite from 12 to 6 so I know I won’t get a hell of a lot of sleep tonite. It won’t be any use to go to sleep now for an hour or two.

I went to town last nite. Well – there was seven of us. We had a party all by ourselves at a pub. We had it in a room that hadn’t been used since the first of the war. It was really a nice place. Kinda old & quaint. The man that ran the place fixed us chicken dinners & two cases of the best beer I’ve had in England & whiskey. We really had a time! We didn’t get drunk just feeling pretty good. I did have a headache this morning tho.

The owner of the pub married an American woman.

Honey – he had the smartest & prettiest cocker spaniel I ever seen. He talked to that dog just like one of his sons & damn if he didn’t know what to do. He’d even dance with him.

Have you seen Cec. & Lu. lately? Tell them hello for me.

Did you get that 10 shilling note I sent in a letter a while back?

Well, honey I’ve got to get ready for guard & should write to Bobby yet too.

I will write you as soon as I can tho, honey. I miss you - & love you honey. Bye for now. Write soon.

All My Love Always,    Johnny

I love you sweetheart.

Our WWII Soldier is Sorry He Wrote The Letter Where He Gave His Sweetheart Hell

Author’s note:  The return address now has the rank of Corporal.

June 8, 1944

Thurs. morn

My Darling Mark

Hello Sweetheart!!

I got your very nice and welcome letter of the 15^th yesterday.

I guess you’ve got the letter I gave you all the hell in by now. I wish I hadn’t of written it now – but I was plenty hot around the collar anyway - you had it coming don’t you think? It’s too late to talk about that now anyway I just hope you keep writing like you have been doing lately & more.

I finally got a letter from Cec. too – I sent him a kinda nasty letter too – He wrote before he got it I know. He told me about the coming event.

I’m glad you got the threepence – I'm sending a 10 shilling note in this letter – its worth about $1.00 in Am. money.  [Author’s note: mostly illegible, blacked out sentence here – something about $??? in Am. money] That’s the kind of money we’re using here.

I have to go back on guard in a little while so I’d better start closing this letter. I hope you get to go out to the folks – I know they’d be glad to see you.

I sent Mom a cablegram on Mother’s Day – but I don’t think it ever went thru.

I haven’t received the stationery as yet honey but I guess I will in time.

Honey – you can send those pictures you took – I’m always glad to get pictures of you. I’ve got to go now – honey. Write soon. I love you sweetheart!!

All My Love always - Johnny

Ten Shilling Note

Our WWII Soldier Sends Home a British Pre-War Threepence - Quite Rare!

April 17, 1944

Mon. Eve.

My Darling Mark

Hello Sweetheart!!

                 I got your V-mail today of the 3^rd – was going to write anyway tonite. I was on guard Sat & Sun. so didn’t have a chance to write.

I probably won’t be able to write for a couple of days after this, so if you don’t hear, you’ll know why – although I can’t tell you why not. I’ll write again as soon as I can.

         It’s been a pretty nice day here – hows the weather in K.C.?

         Have you seen Lu. or Cec. lately – I haven’t hear from Cec. for quite some time now.

         Honey I’m sending this British threepence in this letter. It’s a pre-war threepence & quite rare now. Its worth 5c in our money. Let me know if you get it.

         Well honey I guess I’ll close for tonite. I’ve got to write home too. I got a letter from an Aunt that I have to answer too.

         Goodnite now Darling – I miss you like all hell & love you more every day. Write soon hone. I miss you.

         All My Love Always     Johnny

1939 British Threepence

 Author's Note: The actual coin was not with the letters.

Our WWII Soldier Has Been on Guard Duty and Hasn't Had Time To Write

April 2, 1944

Sunday    6:00 P.M.

My Darling Mark

        Hello Sweetheart!!  I got your V-mail today so I’d better answer now. I haven’t had much time to write lately. I’ve been on guard since Fri. & I’m on again tonite & tomorrow. It seems like I’ll never catch up on my letter writing. I got a letter from Mom today that I’ll have to answer tonite, or maybe she may think I’m dead by now.

         The weather is back to normal around here again – cold & rainy. It rained all last nite.

         Honey – I don’t know really what to write about. I miss you like hell & wish I was back with you tho. If I ever get back to you – I’ll never leave you again honey. Are you still working nites honey? What do you see of Cec. & Lu? How’s your Mother & sisters & Dee Dee?  Have you sent that big picture yet? I haven’t had time to have one taken as yet.

         Well honey I’d better close for now & write home – by that time I’ll have to go on duty. I’ll write again tomorrow honey. Bye for now. Write soon honey!

         All My Love Darling – Johnny

Our WWII Soldier Says Things Are Different Than They Were In The States

March 26, 1944

Sun.  1:00 P.M.

My Darling Mark -

Hello Sweetheart !  How’s my honey? It’s a beautiful day here this Sunday. It has been this week. I’ve still got a lot of letters to answer yet – but I want to write to you first. I’m on guard tonite so I’ll have time to write a few more. I’ll bet its pretty nice in K.C. huh – honey? If I was only back there now honey I’d be with you every minute. Kissing you every other minute.

         I slept till 10:30 this morning honey – it sure felt good. I went to 11:30 Mass this morning.

         Honey – you can send me that picture you intended to a while back – I’d like to have it.

         Are you still working nights honey? Do you see Lu & Cec. much?

         I don’t know what to write about honey – I could just keep writing how much I miss you & love you & how I’d like to be back with you. Honey that’ll be a wonderful day when we’re together again.

         Well – honey I should be washing clothes now but its too late for that – so I have to shave & get ready for guard.

         Honey I’ll be thinking of you constantly & waiting for your letters. Please write soon & often. If you don’t get a letter for a day or two honey – remember its not that I don’t want to write, things are a little different as they were in the states. We’re pretty busy & honey you can see why can’t you? I love you Darling don’t ever forget!

Bye for now Darling  I Miss you.

All My Love forever     Johnny

December 20, 1943

Camp Polk, Louisiana

Dec. 20, 1943

Mon. 1:00 P.M.

(inside envelope flap)

Hello

Darling!!

I MISS YOU! X O X

Yo te amo     X O X X O

Write Soon honey, X O X O X O

My Darling Mark –

Hello Sweetheart ! !

I thought I’d start this letter now while I’m thinking of you so much! I’ve got two more hours of guard from 2 to 4 & then I’m thru. I have to stand guard mount at 5 tho.  Honey I thought about you every minute on guard last nite. It was almost like you walking beside me, but not quite – I couldn’t kiss you!

I can almost picture you now at work, or was you working at this time?

Honey – I guess you’ve got the ring by now. I had it wrapped at the service club & they did a pretty poor job of it. They didn’t even have any cards to put inside so I could tell you how much I loved you. Honey – I love you & miss you – I hope you don’t get tired waiting for me. I’m looking so forward to the day that we can be together & married. That’s the dream & future I’m planning on most!  And praying for darling!

Honey – I’ll have to close here & get ready for guard. I’m just about half-dressed & was laying around reading when I decided to write to you. I should have a letter from you this afternoon – shouldn’t I.  I’ll finish this then honey. X X X X X

7:30

Hello again honey – I did get a letter from you today. I got one from Cec too & a card.

Honey – now is a fine time to tell of your birthday!  I never knew & you never told me. That must have been your birthday dinner you went to the other night huh?  I catch on fast!

Sounds like you had a very happy birthday honey. Since you’ve asked, I was born June 23, 1922 by Mrs. Jambrosic who is my mother. I had nothing to do with it, but I’m glad some body did.

I’ve sure got a hell of a cold!  Guess I caught it last nite on guard. My dogs are really sore! I don’t know what I’d do if I really had to walk a lot.

I started to town tonite but couldn’t make it.

They’ve got a loud-speaker put up & have been playing Christmas carols every nite.

It’s funny how they make a guy feel when he’s away from home. I never paid much attention to them when I was home on Christmas. I guess a guy learns to appreciate a lot of things when he’s away from them.

Honey – I’ll never let you go when I get back. I love you more each day. I never get tired of hearing how much you love & miss me honey.

We’re going to have midnite Mass in the Field house Christmas Eve. It’s a pretty big auditorium & they’re fixing pretty nice. They’re having a large choir too.

Well – honey I’d better sign off for tonite – I should write to Cec if I can before lights go out.

I’m a pretty tired soldier tonite, I should go to bed early - & dream longer of you.

Honey I’ll bet you gained 5 lbs on your birthday didn’t you?

I’m trying hard to make this a six page letter honey – & just saying anything to fill it out. I seem to be going pretty good now. If I can just keep it up a few more lines & a little larger writing I should do it.  There!!  I dood it!

Goodnite Honey X

XOX  All My Love        Johnny     XOX

X       X       X       O      X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X

December 19, 1943

Camp Polk, Louisiana

Dec. 19, 1943

Sun. 12:00

(inside envelope flap)

Hello

Darling!!

ALL MY LOVE!!

Write Soon             I Miss You

X O X O X O

My Darling Mark –

Hello Sweetheart ! !

I just came back from Mass & while waiting till chow goes – I thought I’d start a letter to you.

I’m on guard duty tonite so I probably wouldn’t get to write. Honey – I’m really thinking of you a lot. I won’t mind guard – how much I think of you all of the time. There goes chow honey – I’ll finish later.  Back again honey – but I can’t finish now. We have to go to the motor pool this afternoon. I’m still in O.D’s & have to change, so honey I’ll finish this sometime today or tonite xxxxx

4:00 P.M.

Hello again honey!

         I just finished shaving, shining shoes & cleaning a rifle. I go on guard mount at 5:00. I just got your letter too. Honey – I didn’t miss getting any letter this week except the day I got the card & No letter. Honey I’ll tell you, I’m very blue when I don’t get a letter from you – please try not to miss writing honey.

Honey – there’s nothing new about the air cadets & I doubt if they will be now.

Well, honey I’d better dress for guard now. – I’ll write tomorrow again. Maybe I’ll write tonite again if I have time at the guard’s quarters.

I miss you honey so very much & love you more!

Bye for now       Darling!!!

Write Soon.

All My Love        Johnny     xox

X       X       X       X

I miss you honey – I miss you!!!!        X       O      X

XO  so very much & love you more!

Bye for now       Darling!!!

Write Soon.

All My Love        Johnny     xox

X       X       X       X

I miss you honey – I miss you!!!!        X       O      X

XOX   Yo te amo X O X

         X       O      X       X       X       X      

         X       X       O      X       O      X       O     

August 30, 1943

Desert Training Center, California

Aug 30, 1943

12:00 P.M.

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!

I got your 5 page letter today. I’m glad it came today, we’re moving out at 2:00 for another week in the field. That means I’ll be  - CHOW –

As I was saying I’ll be pretty busy. I only had time to write 3 letters last week. I go to observation school 2 nites a week now too. I usually have a little nite work along with my regular routine. I’ll never catch up on sleep.

Sat. nite I was on guard till 10:00 & Sun. from 6-8 & 12-2.

Next week end will be our last in camp till Oct. 16. The nites are plenty cool now out in the field.

Yes I got a letter from Cec yesterday – it made me a little blue not being able to see him. I like the picture honey & you know damn well I’m going to keep it. Yes, I still want the other one & anymore you’ve got.

The folks are all okay & the baby that was burned is alright now too.

I don’t think I’ll be able to see Ralph here, till after maneuvers anyway. No, he doesn’t like it at all. He told me every evening when school is out he expects to go home like he did in high school. Honey, there’s sure a lot of stars in the sky out here & one nite I timed the moon coming up over a mountain. It took 1 min & 40 seconds for the whole moon to come up above the mountain. It was really beautiful. I have a pastime on guard duty at nite. Mainly thinking of you – what you’re doing – how are you, when will I see you, & how I’d like to be with you. Just dreaming honey.

I’d better close for now. I haven’t quite the time to write a 5 page today – but the first chance I get I’ll write again. I’ve got to pack now & it usually takes me quite a while to get all the stuff I need & want to take along in this mussett bag.

WWII mussette bag

It takes 5 days for your letters to get here.

I’m okay honey – maybe not as happy as I’d like to be – but okay. I know you’re alright – aren’t you? Gotta go now.

Write soon, Honey.

Bye now                     All My Love

                                           Johnny              X O X

X   O  X       O  X

X   O  X   O       X       O

May 4, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
May 4, 1943
9:30 A.M.
Tuesday

(inside flap)

Hello
Sweetheart!!
I MISS YOU!!
LOVE X O X X O X)



Darling Mark:

Here it is Tues. morning & I’m just laying around. We don’t start work till 11:00. We usually take a walk about an hour & then come back & eat. I suppose we’ll fire again today.

There’s a big blackjack game going on in the middle of the floor – I wonder if I’m lucky today? I don’t know whether I could concentrate on cards or not – I think of you so much.

It sure is a swell day. They tell us we’re going to start wearing our khaki uniform the 15th, but I wish they would start sooner – it’s so hot. Honey – I’m going to stop for awhile now, but I’ll write after chow & tonight I’ll finish this letter. I just got thru mailing one. I don’t want to mail them the same day – bye for now – honey XOXXX.

2:20 Hello honey – I’m on guard tonight so I didn’t have to go with the co. today.

I’ve just finished showering shining my shoes & cleaning my pistol. In about ½ hr. we go out for practice guard mount & at 4 we relieve the old guard. I’m guarding the motor pool tonite & I hope I catch a Louie down there – I’ll blow daylight thru him. I sure feel mean today – you ought to be here.

I told the orderlie room clerk to put me on guard today – so I wouldn’t have to take any chances of getting it on the week-end.

I got 9 1/2 hrs. sleep last nite – it sure felt good. I won’t get much tonite tho. They’re calling me it now – honey. Bye again.

7:20. Here I am again – I go on guard at 8:00 tho. I just finished chasing a prisoner around.
It’s nice up here this evening – I wish you were here with me. Oh-oh – I got to go again honey –

10:00 I’ve just come off guard. I don’t go back now till
2:00 next morning. I’d better finish this letter now honey – or I’ll be writing a week from now. I expect a letter from you tomorrow – then I’ll write again.

Goodnite honey – I’ll be seein’ ya! I love you.

All My Love
Johnny
XXXOXOOX
X O X

April 13, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas

April 13, 1943

My Darling Mark,

I just received your letter about 15 min. ago. Talk about a morale booster – WOW! I was feeling kinda blue ever since Sun. nite. I’ve already read your letter 4 times, & I’m just beginning.

Honey, I’m thinking about you so much right now I can hardly write. Besides that I’m writing by the light of a fire, & half the time I can’t see. It’s too hot to get close & if I move away, there’s no light. So bear with me, if you have to (have) this writing translated into readable words.

Mark – sweetheart, last nite I wrote & told you to come up this week-end. – well honey, I’m afraid, as much as I regret it, that you’ll have to postpone it, if you were coming up. We’re out in the field & I don’t know for how long. There’s a chance that I might be able to meet you in Junction City next Sat. but I don’t want to take the chance of you coming up & then me not getting to see you. I’d be awfully tempted to go A.W.O.L. for a couple of days. In this Army honey, you never know from one min. till the next what’s up. They keep us going around in a vicious whirl here. Boy is that fire getting hot. The flames throw so many shadows, I don’t know whether I’m writing on the paper or what.

INTERRUPTION

They just blew assembly call & I was informed that I’m on guard tonight. I go on from 10-12 & then from 4-6. I’m glad I got you to think of tonight.

Well – sweetheart it’s about 9:45 now so I’d better be closing, as much as I hate to. I can hardly see to write anyhow.

Sweetheart I guess I’ll just have to wait & pray it isn’t too long till I see you again.

Will let you know when I can see you next. And tell Lu. I’d like to have her come too, besides I wouldn’t want you to make the trip alone.

Honey I’ll have to finish this in the morning, I don’t think I’d better try to address an envelope. Good-nite honey xxxoxxox.

April 14, 1:00 P.M.

Just finished chow & am now going out on the firing range to fire 50 cal. machine gun. Mercy it was cold on ground last nite. Write soon Sweetheart –

All my Love

Johnny