September 30, 1944 V-mail

Dearest Kitten:

To-day is pay day again and as usual I will be busy as a little beaver, so I am writing this early in the morning so that you will at least get something from me. Yesterday I received all kinds of mail. A letter from Mother, three from you, card from Mother, and three cards from my own little family. I will answer your letters when I have more time to myself. Pay day is always a busy day for a First Sgt. in the Army. I know that you will forgive me for not doing better now. I can now tell you that we are building refrigerator and utility barges. The censor has let up a bit on us. Brisbane is so far back from the front that I can not see any sense censoring back here. The main thing that I want to tell you in this letter is how much that I love you. It is a very nice feeling to be in love with such a beautiful woman as you, exciting too. There is a small matter of about nine thousand miles that sort of cramps my love making. Love making by remote control is highly unsatisfactory and impersonal, I would much rather be able to do it in person.

Do you know that I have put on so much weight that I am only eating twice a day now? It is a fact, and since going on my diet I feel a lot better. Too much office work and not enough physical is making me a fat guy. I was never so soft in all my life, so I am doing something about it. Getting a tan while doing it also. For a couple of hours a day I go out into the area and work with a pick or shovel, depending on what kind of work is being done at the time.

Give my regards to every one and give the babies a big kiss for me. ILOVEYOU ILOVEYOU ILOVEYOU - the broken record.

Your Loving, Devoted, & Faithful Husband,

Bob

Thursday September 28, 1944

Dearest Kitten:

Last night I was planning on writing to you but instead I went into town with Sgt. Ryan to a G.I. show. Yanks A Poppin. I laughed so much that the muscles in my face were sore. It sure was a great show. It is handled by servicemen in conjunction with the U.S.O. The cast is made up of servicemen entirely except for a few civilian gals hired by the U.S.O.

The show is free and is well worth going to. After last night I hope and will try to make each new show that they put on. Every two weeks they put on a new show on Monday, Wednesday, & Sunday nights.

Letter #104 came in last evening’s mail. It sure is a pip, and your typing is still very good.

I was afraid that you might see the resemblance when you saw the Wolf in the Beachcomber acts just like me, huh?

(Before I forget it, please send me an automatic pencil.) The one that I bought back in the States has been AWOL for two weeks and I am afraid that it is desertion and I will never see it again.

If anyone wants to know what I need, tell them some T shirts. I could use a couple of dozen.

The picture of myself with the snake did not come out. It was alive, in fact it was a constrictor snake. The kind that strangle whatever they eat.

When this mess is over and we get the chance, we will take a trip by plane. It was a wonderful experience.

Here’s wishing you luck with your diet. If you can manage to stay on it, you will undoubtedly feel a hundred percent better. Mm I imagine that I could really go for you if you weighed about 115 lbs. Don’t worry about it though I will still love you no matter.

Always remain my beautiful brunette wife please. If I had wanted a blonde, I most certainly would not have bothered you. Instead I married you, remember.

Bobby & Barby must look cute going out to play together. Big brother act on the part of Bobby, huh?

You have perhaps wondered what we were doing in Brisbane. Now a small part can be told. We are building Refrigerator & Utility barges. Now you know. We are no longer soldiers, just a bunch of unhappy, homesick, lovesick, workmen. Doing work that pays from $100.00 to $200.00 a week back in the old country.

I always knew that you were a smart wife and that I do not appreciate you half enough.

Is there something wrong with a baby looking like his father? I liked the way you described Lorraine’s youngster. Cute but he still looks like Arthur. Is that what you say about Bobby too?

The next time that you see Charlie & Tess, tell Charlie that after a few months overseas, something eighteen and American looks good to you.

(Any time that a new song comes out please get the music for me and send it.) We have a very good pianist and he plays for the Battalion Orchestra, we would appreciate receiving the music so that we can scoop everybody around on them. Catch?

If medals were horses, I am afraid that I will be left on foot after this mess is all cleared up. Never fear, I will never be accused of being a hero. Naturally I will always try to do my duty to the best of my ability.

Gosh but I love and miss you Sweetheart. The longer that I am away from you the greater is my desire to be with you. Give my regards to all & kiss the babies for me. Take very good care of my heart until my return.

Your Loving, Devoted, & Faithful Husband,

Bob

Tuesday, September 26, 1944

Dearest Kitten:

Forgive me for neglecting you for the past few days. It seems that just when I get all set to write to you something comes up and I have to postpone writing.

It has been almost a week since I last heard from you. Maybe today the mail clerk will be good to me and give me a letter or two. I sure would appreciate some news.

Saturday afternoon was a holiday for us as our football team played the first game of American football to be put on in this area. We lost 12 to 6. What a game. There were a lot of Aussies around and one of the sports writers who witnessed the game put it this way. A group of men who were trying to put their foot into somebody else’s face. My throat was sore from yelling so much. I let loose of myself, jumping up and down, all excited, exactly like a high school student. It sure was fun though. Can you imagine how will act when Bobby is playing & Barby is a cheer leader.

There never was a prouder father or husband than I am. Just hope and pray for our sakes that...

[Page 2 looks disjointed. Not sure if he got interrupted, or if the real page 2 got lost.]

Enclosed is the complete Beachcomber. It is the first time we have been permitted to send the complete paper home.

Gosh but my heart & body yearns for you Sweetheart. I am just existing until the day that I return to you, then I can start living again.

Regards to all & kiss the babies for me.

Your Loving, Devoted, & Faithful Husband,

Bob

Wednesday 20 Sept. 1944

Dearest Kitten:

Letters @102&3 came this noon and what a letter #103 is. Nice and long with everything in it.

Did I tell you in my last letter that I had received a package from Dad? Well I did. It had candy, cookies and golf balls. I wrote to him asking if he would mind writing as well, and to be careful of the kind of candy that he sends me. It gets quite hot crossing the equator and candy is very apt to melt.

Barbara must be quite a devilish little girl. I could picture her in bed with all the papers piled up around her and shaking her head no so that you would not spank her.

Bobby has finally reached the age when he has to know the why of everything. I bet you get a kick out of all the things that he says and does.

So you are getting to like beer, huh? Better be careful as it is fattening and you are trying to get slim. When I get home, I expect to find you weighing about 110 lbs. Yes, that will just about do the trick.

As for your going out with Lorraine, that is up to you entirely. I have told you what to expect and I do not distrust you in the least. As for your going dancing, I do not like it. Too many things can happen at a dance.

I plan to look Robert Brousseau up. I guess that the best way for me to do it would be through the Red Cross. Get his address for me, just in case that I do not make connections on my own.

Barby must have been surprised when the hen picked her finger. She must have had a funny look on her face when it happened.

So, you like to be alone when you write to me. I know how you feel, because it is very seldom that I am able to sit down and write a letter without interruption. Very disconcerting to say the least.

Mother’s letter will probably reach me in a couple more days. Ii hope that she has been able to get a few of the addresses that I wanted from my old friends in Ogunquit.

I wrote to your Mother and also to Andrew. It was about time that I did again.

If you knew what you are doing to me, writing about your cooking, I am sure that you would not torment me with it.

Enclosed is a picture of my Company Commander and also the page from the Beachcomber.

This Saturday we are having the afternoon off to see our team participate in the first football game, that is American football, to ever be played in Australia. Chalk up another first for the Amphibians. In next week’s Beachcomber, you will probably be able to read all about it.

There is a very good reason for my letters being delayed, but I can not explain what it is. I wrote regularly however.

Gosh but I love you Sweetheart. It is always a lonesome time for me when I first climb into bed. When I first go to bed my thoughts are always of you and home. No matter how hard I try to think of pleasant instances my morale always take a drop. Guess that it must be love.

Give my regards to all & kiss the babies for me.

I love you with all my heart, Beautiful.

Your Loving, Devoted, & Faithful Husband,

Bob

Sunday 17 Sept. 1944

Dearest Kitten:

How I long for you today. As usual on Sunday, I feel a little down in the dumps, but not too bad. Have had enough excitement today to last and take my mind off of all the Sundays that we used to spend together. How you used to kick when I was spending too much time with the papers.

Right after dinner I received a call from two officers from the Battalion that they were down the river and wanted me to send a boat after them. I decided to go down myself and sent for an engineman, a seaman, and a communications man. I wound up with eight men beside myself.

When we got to the boats we found that a couple of my company’s officers had a boat ram them and smash the one that they were on. We had a very nice ride and rescued the two officers who had called. On our way we passed a sailboat race and saw a small Japanese sailboat.

Tonight I hope to go to the stage show. I will let you know what I think of it if I do.

The news is looking better with each passing day. Let us keep hoping & praying for everything to get cleared up in short order.

Of course I am still courting you. I always will because you are more to me than just my life. You are my Sweetheart as well, so I have to keep courting you.

No grey hairs as yet but my crop of hair is getting thinner. I am keeping my hair cut short as it is easier to keep clean and is cooler.

My address is put on with a rubber stamp. It cost me five shillings and is worth it. The time that it saves me from writing out my return address is well worth it.

I am glad that you liked my picture. My battle jacket will make a nice jacket for when I get home.

Of course it was a dig about your going to the dance, I did not intend for it to be taken any other way.

Sorry to hear about your toe. I have had the same thing wrong with one of my big toes and it is an uncomfortable feeling to say the least.

You people certainly had a time in Ayer. Everything happened to you. You must have had a good time despite all your trouble.

Mother’s letter has not reached me as yet. I am anxious to hear about some of my old friends.

Sweetheart, I have given up trying to dope anything out. Just as soon as I am sure that I have the right answer, something always pops up and changes everything.

You wanted to know what Army I am in, well there is only one Army in the SouthWest Pacific area so figure it out for yourself.

Did you know that Red Skelton has a prefix of Pvt. to his name now?

There is no doubt in my mind but that I would love my children now. I know so little about them as it is.

The package that you will receive will be my Xmas present to you and the youngsters. I am sure that you will like what I am sending you.

Gosh but I love you Sweetheart but I must close. Regards to all & kiss the babies for me.

I love you with all my heart, Beautiful.

Your Loving, Devoted, & Faithful Husband,

Bob

Kiss kiss kiss kiss kiss kiss kiss

Thursday 14 Sept. 1944

Dearest Kitten:

Yesterday was my lucky day again. Two letters #94&7 and the package with the golf balls. Thanks a lot for the package. I have enough shorts and stockings for awhile now anyhow. If you can get me some T shirts, I will be more or less set, as far as clothes are concerned. The only thing that I need now is you.

They say that with the passing of time, a person loses their lonesomeness. It may be true, but I must be an exception to the rule. The longer that I am away from you the worse it gets. So many things remind me of you and home. I do not mind because it is pleasant to remember you and home. Of course I have to be careful that it does not drive me crazy. Being over here away from home has a certain mental effect on all of us, and it is surprising how different men react.

Being away from you has made me appreciate you more than I ever did. My love for you has shown how deeply rooted within me that it has become. It is a very pleasant feeling to find out these things. I was sure of my love for you when I was home, but over here things are brought out in a different way and a person becomes more aware of his true feelings. In more romantic words, all that I am trying to say is, I love you, Kitten.

Mother should have a nice time at Ogunquit. She deserves a vacation and I hope that she enjoys herself.

Maybe Barby will turn out to be a swimming champ or something.

Of course our children are smart. They are going to have to be, to get by in this world. Their looks from their Mother, and brains from their Father - a good combination, I call it.

You certainly have been having company. It keeps you busy and out of trouble anyhow. Time passes more rapidly when you have somebody to talk to.

Lorraine must have had an awful let down when she woke and saw it was only Barby beside her.

Last night I went to the show and got tangled up - shooting the breeze - with my mess & supply sergeants after the show. We made some coffee from the can you sent me and had a steak apiece. My mess sergeant & supply sergeant are the two that I am the friendliest with. It is only natural that I should be as they are the men that I have the most personal contact with.

The weather is getting much better around here and it will not be long before I will be wanting to go swimming. The nights are still cool though.

It is with a certain feeling of pride that I feel for this outfit that makes me write the following. Also to prove to you what a great guy your husband is.

Our outfit has the reputation of being the finest that has ever hit Brisbane. A captain from Allied Headquarters was asking my C.O. if all the men were hand-picked. He would not believe that we were not hand-picked men. He claimed that we were the best and most intelligent outfit that he has ever seen and morale was above normal. We have the reputation in town of being the cleanest and most well behaved outfit. It makes a man feel good to hear things like that about his outfit.

Well, Sweetheart, I have to close and get to work.

Regards to everyone & kiss the babies for me.

I love you with all my heart, Beautiful.

Your Loving, Devoted, & Faithful Husband,

Bob

Sunday 10 Sept. 1944

Dearest Kitten:

Your small package of candy came today. Thanks a lot for being so thoughtful of me. The candy did not last too long, I managed to get a couple of pieces anyhow.

Letters 89-92&3 came yesterday and as always I enjoyed them very much. Just keep up the good work and one of these days you will be rewarded by having your husband sent back to you. I can hardly wait for that day to arrive.

What a treat it will be to be able to take you in my arms again and be able to see, feel, and love you. Gosh but I love you sweetheart, and today, like all other Sundays, I am so lonesome for you that it is far from being funny.

Sunday is the worst day for men in the army. It is a day that is full of memories of home and our loved ones.

Last night I went over to the show and the last reel of the feature picture was missing. The film distributors had left the last reel out of the box. It was a mystery picture and it ended just as it was getting good. Boy, did the men howl. I am dying to see how it ended now and will probably never will find out.

Yesterday afternoon Lt. Flanagan from over at the Airport called me up and told me that from now on to call him if I ever want to go up on a flight again and he would make the arrangements as too many men from the battalion have been going over there lately and pestering everybody for rides. A lot of the men in the outfit have managed to get rides but they are overdoing it and have spoiled it.

The pay-off was when a couple of my own sergeants went over with a couple of AWAS and went up. I have yet to find out who they were, but I got a very good idea.

Enclosed is this week's Beachcomber, I hope you enjoy it as much as you have the others. It is a lot more fun when you know the persons that they write about. For instance Dangerous Dan MacDonald is about the most timid guy that I ever knew. It is things like that which makes it a lot funnier to us than to outsiders.

In letter 89 you said that you wanted to begin your letter differently. Well I always feel the same way when I decide to write to you, Sweetheart. I try to coin new phrases to let you know how much I love you and always wind up by saying I love you in the time tested way. It is still the best way to express your feelings if they are sincere.

Wow if you lose twenty pounds you sure will have some figure, but there will not be so much of you for me to love. You would probably feel a lot better if you did lose a little weight too.

I am always proud of my little Bundle of Love. To me there is no one like her.

Eva was lucky to be able to see Pat before he left. I am happy for them. I am just as glad that it was impossible for us to get together before we left. It is damn hard to leave to go back to camp after a pass, but when you have to leave knowing that it is for overseas, it is another thing.

Before I forget it, please send me about a half a dozen T shirts. It is pronounced, tea. They are undershirts with a short shoulder sleeve and crew neck.

I am very happy for Julie. She sure deserves the best after what she has been through.

How can our children be anything but the best with you as their mother. The only thing they get from me is food, clothing, and shelter.

What I would give to be able to sink my teeth into one of your pies right now. Hmmm.

I feel sorry for Eva but when you are standing and watching the Golden Gate Bridge slide by on your own anniversary it is no fun either.

It is surprising how many mental cases are caused through the neglect of the folks back home. The two calls that are most popular in the Army is chow and Mail call. If a man misses one or the other, there is something wrong. I can appreciate how Andrew feels.

Of course I remember Cecelia? One time on my way home from a furlough, I had an hour stopover in Washington and try as I could, I could not remember her married name. I was going to call her up and say hello. I remembered it about three hours later.

Who will want to get out of your sight? Not me I am sure. It will take me about fifty years to get my fill of you, so in fifty years from now you can start worrying about my looking the field over matrimony.

Well Beautiful I am run out so I will close. By the way, I answered Doris Hall’s letter. The gal in Alexanders.

Regards to everyone and kiss the babies for me.

I love you Sweetheart and miss you very much.

Your Loving, Devoted, & Faithful Husband,

Bob