January - March 1944

January 9, 1944

9 Jan. '44
England

Dearest -

Where are your letters? The last I received from you was dated 20th December. I received one from mother today dated the 27th. Tell my mother that I have received all the letters that she mentioned.

I have been having a pretty bad cold, otherwise everything is O.K. I was so sorry to hear of Jo's loss. When you visit her, tell her that I felt very badly over it. She had quite a sorrowful Christmas.

Does there seem to be many fellows, from the service, home on furloughs? When will Kenny be getting one again?

I don't know whats happened to the Northwest News. I haven't received one for several weeks and do I miss it.

I'll close and look up something to read, only everything is so old. Our papers we received from the States this morning were dated Dec. 11th, a month old.

Hoping you all had a nice New Year's.
With Love,
Byron

January 11, 1944

11 Jan '44
England

Dearest.

I received a letter from you to-day dated Dec. 29th. I was awaiting to hear from you to see what kind of a Christmas you had and you hardly mentioned it. Perhaps you have written one prior to that one, and I haven't received it. I certainly hope so, otherwise I would be disappointed.

If I ever by chance ask any question, in yours, or in letters home, please answer them at once. Even then, I have to wait at least a month or maybe more for an answer.

If you shouldn't receive any mail from me for several weeks, don't become alarmed. It will either mean that I am very busy or negligent.

Our food is pretty good, in comparison with the outside, altho nothing like home. What does chicken and noodles taste like? I can almost taste your grandmothers steam pudding. Tell her that's what I want for my first meal, when I return home.

Sending my love to all.
Yours Always,
Byron

January 12, 1944

12 [January] 1944
England

Dearest -

It was just as I had thought. Yesterday I received a letter from you dated the 29th and to-day I received one from you, dated the 26th. I'm glad you all had a nice Christmas. Marcille had written me and described the giving out of the gifts to the children. Its to bad your mother and grandmother had to miss the party. It was sure nice that Eleanor and Stan could come home for a short visit.

I have been very busy, but so far, so good. Well I'll close and see if I can get a haircut. We have a fellow from our company that cuts hair a couple of nites a week. He has set up a shop in the same building in which I live.

Please keep the mail coming my way even if I am forced to slow up my writing.

Love,
Byron

January 19, 1944

19 Jan. '44
England

Dearest -

I have two letters before me that I have received from you, dated Jan. 2nd and Jan 4th. I'm so glad to hear that you had a nice visit in Columbus. You stated that Eleanor went bowling. Isn't she still working? I should write several people such as the Standishs but my time is to limited, so won't you please let them know that I think of them often but time doesn't permit me to write. I even neglect writing my sisters and brother.

Do you have any difficulty in reading my V-mails. Maybe black ink would be better.

I will be doing no writing over the week end, as I expect to visit with Charles Benecke. Do you remember meeting he and his friend one evening into "Mikes" while I was home on I think my first furlough? He is a good looking fellow and wears glasses.

You worry me when you say your grandmother doesn't feel well enough to go visiting now and then.

You failed to answer my question quite some time back about across the street. Remember?

My love to All.

Always Yours,
Byron

January 29, 1944

29 Jan. '44
England

Dearest -

Yesterday I received a letter from you, Fredia and Kenny and to-day one from Garnet. I'm C.Q. this evening again, so shall write as it is pretty quite now. A lot of the fellows went to town. I just walked past the kitchen, and the fellows are cleaning chickens, so if nothing happens we may have chicken to morrow. The last time we had chicken, I got a back and neck. That's something isn't it, That was always the dog's feed, whenever we had chicken at home.

Fredia has written that mother has the flu. I do hope she is O.K. by now.

Do you know Vaneda Wittenburg? That's Charles Benecke's friend. It would be nice if you too could get to gether sometime.

I'll agree this letter is short, but I've nothing else to write. I'll add a note to your folks.

Dear Folks -

I think of you often, but what can I do? I know there is no need in trying to write you, as you get the news from Eloise. So greetings Mother and Dad Higgins and grandmother Frease, and God willing, everything will be O.K. until such time that we can have a happy reunion.

Love to All,
Byron

February 5, 1944

5 Feb. '44
England

Dearest -

I have received several unexpected letters, in the past few days. Ive received a letter from Don Aderman of Malinta, who is now a Lt. Stationed in Lorain, Ohio, A letter from Mr. And Mrs. Orva Rieter, a letter from Mr. And Mrs. Vern Perkins and a Birthday card and letter from the Foughtoe's, from Montpelier. On top of that I've received Birthday greetings from you, your grandmother, and Mabel and Ott.

You are one jump ahead of me. You know Berneida's husband and I have never seen him. Did Berneida go back with him? Please give her my best wishes. Say Eloise, didn't you say that Jo had sent me a letter? I have never received it, as yet. Maybe its still on its way. I owe so many letters but I'm not going to answer them. It would take up all my spare time and I would rather just rest.

Helen Foughty would love to meet you, so sometime when it is convenient, why don't you and mother and whoever else you would like, drive to Montpelier for a visit?

I've cabled home some money, to mother, Tell her to please let me know when she receives it. It was sent to-day, I think. I thank you for the greeting and also your grandmother for her beautiful card.

Will spend tomorrow evening with the Hughes', I hope.

With Oceans of Love,
Byron

February 8, 1944

8 Feb. '44
England

Dearest -

I'm writing this on a magazine, perched on my knee while sitting in a soft chair, in front of the new radio, we just moved into our day room.

I haven't much news, but must drop you a note to let you know that to-day I received the four letters that you had written on the 23rd of January. Also received letters to-day from Emma and Marcille. I still haven't received Jo's letter.

I had a pleasant Sunday afternoon and evening. We had a four thirty tea at the Hughes and popped corn later on in the evening.

Where is Mrs. Burton going to live, if she returns to Napoleon? I thought she was going to keep house for her brother.

I don't believe I ever received the long letter from Lauren that you have mentioned, altho I think I have received the rest.

I must drop Kenny a letter yet, so Cheerio and keep your chin up.

With Love,
Byron

P.S. The boys Marcille mentioned are still with us, but I haven't seen them for almost five months.

To my
dear
Valentine

Dearest -
My thoughts are
with you always.
From Byron

To the Sweetest Valentine

How sweet it sounds - "My Valentine!"
And none is sweeter, dear, than mine.
If I should whisper in your ear
Just four small words - "I love you dear."
I wonder would your answer be
That you would give your heart to me.

[Signature of poem's author - illegible]

February 25, 1944

25 Feb '44
England

Dearest -

How's Eloise? You are asking where the Wittenberg's live. I don't know for certain but Clarissa can tell you. Vanada doesn't run a beauty shop. That's her cousin. She, at present, is working at the County Home. It would be nice if you two could chum together.

Did they ever find out who caused Long's all the trouble? Who did Howard Overluke marry? What did mother name her new dog? So much for questions?

Tell mother not to try and send any boiled eggs. I'm afraid they wouldn't be much good because it sometimes takes a month or so for packages to get here. I haven't received the fruit cake yet. However you could have mother send me some more pop corn.

We didn't have any time off last week end, we were in the field all day Sunday. I'm hoping that we may be able to go into town for services this coming Sunday. The services that we have here in camp are held in the mess hall and it just doesn't seem like church.

With Love,
Be-Be

P.S. Tell grandmother I said hell-o and I thank her for the card, if I haven't already, also give my regards to Mrs. Burton.

March 5, 1944

5 March '44
England

Dearest -

This is a very quite afternoon. Many of the boys have gone into town, to see a show. Several of we fellows just stayed in and are going to relax. We had a pretty good dinner this noon, including chicken. It perhaps would taste better still if we could eat it off of china instead of from mess kits. We have used mess kits exclusively since our arrival.

Yesterday I received three North-Wests. They certainly pile them up. Have they received any other word concerning the fate of Benton Lowery?

Last evening we poped some of the corn that Jo and Tom sent. It certainly tastes good.

Tell Lauren that it is impossible to mail what he ask for, but if by the end of the war, he doesn't already have any, I'll be sure and get him a pair.

Sorry we can't put on paper, what we have in our minds. However, its all for the best.

Love to All,
Byron

March 9, 1944

9 March '44
England

Dearest Eloise -

This letter will be rather jumbled up, as I'm in a hurry. Have you heard any more of Jerry Wendt? Have they found the fellows that caused all the disturbance at Long's?

I received mothers birthday greeting yesterday. It was even on the way almost six weeks and it had two airmail stamps on it.

Remember dear, it will be two years this month that we went to Toledo, for you know what, remember? Does it seem that long?

Tell mother that she needn't send any clippings unless she thought that I'd be very interested in them. She mentioned Kenny sending me some data from Arizona. When she writes him tell her to mention it to him. That would be swell. He wanted to send me some thing, from his P.X. I thanked him and told him not to.

I got a grand long letter from Mabel and family but I have nothing to write them.

We spent last evening with the Hughes. We had a lunch including a fried egg for each. We expect to go back and visit them Sunday. Their daughter and son-in-law who is an officer in the British army, will be home.

My thoughts are with you always, even in the midst of training.

Love,
Byron

March 14, 1944

14 March '44
England

Dearest -

The same old thing - no news. I have been staying pretty close to camp.

I received both of the letters that you sent Feb. 29th also the one dated Feb. 25th. I think I received all the mail. I received mom's dated Feb. 28th. Today I received an Easter card from Lucy Bechtal and a letter from Blaine Foughty.

Bert certainly is lucky. Does he have his commission now? I wish him all the luck in the world. Has Stan been transferred yet? If so, where is Eleanor?

Things here remain about the same. The same old routine.

When you see Bert, tell him I said hello and tell him to drop me a line.

Please excuse my writing this evening as I just can't keep my mind on writing. It difficult to write when news is so scarse.

Closing with heaps of love.
And more Love,
Byron

March 18, 1944

18 March '44
England

Dearest -

It was two years ago yesterday that I left home and it has been over a year since I have seen Kenny. Remember how disappointed we were because my Company Commander would not extend my furlough by two days, so that I might be able to meet him, who was on his way home from Phoenix, thinking all the time that I might be home when he arrived.

Today received letters from Freda, F.M. and two from you.

If Lauren leaves for the Army, is F.M. and Larry Lee moving?

I should think it would be nice if they moved home. He would perhaps be gone for quite a spell.

Please tell my folks to send me some pop corn. I wish they would send me some every couple of weeks. We all crave it, here. Anyway it makes the evening go by faster and keeps one from thinking of home.

Well dear, again news is scarse, so shall sign off. Sending my love to you and your parents. I hope grandmother continues to grow better in health.

Love,
Byron

March 22, 1944

22 March '44
England

Dearest Eloise -

Today I received your letter dated March 7th. I can hardly wait to hear from you from one letter to another. I haven't received Bell's gift, as yet. Is it something to eat? I was so glad to hear that grandmother is feeling better. I hope you will get nice spring weather soon and then everyone will feel better. Do you have our home picked out yet?

Sunday afternoon and evening we had a grand time at the Hughes. Their daughter and son-in-law were home. He is an English Flight Officer. I never shall speak of the Army after I return but shall tell you of the places I have visited and of the nice times we have now and then. Mrs. Hughes and both her children are graduates of Oxford. They have friends in the States, which they met in school and may visit the States sometime after the war.

This is Wednesday and I have had a busy day, but must shave and wash my web equipment before I can call it quits.

Give my regards to you folks and Mrs. Burton.

The Hughes thought your mothers poem was grand.

Call Mom and tell her that I'm thinking of her also while I'm writing this letter, but have know additional news. Everything is O.K. so don't worry. You are always in my prayers.

Love,
Byron

March 27, 1944

27 March '44
England

Dearest -

Today I received a card from Paul Leifers, a letter from Emma, one from Marcille and three from you. I'm so glad you met Vanada. I knew you would like her.

Nothing pleases me more than to know that you and my mother are such good pals. It means so much to both mother and myself, at a time like this. I do hope dear that you are now feeling O.K. I also hate to go to a dentist. I've only had to have two teeth filled since I've been in the army.

The spring flowers are now in bloom and it makes me wish I were back home, in my own yard, digging away.

Where is Eleanor moving? Is she going with Stan?

We have pin up girls and often I have looked them all over. I think the picture Frances Mary took when she graduated would lay them all in the shade. Tell her if she has an extra one, I sure would like to have her send me one. That's the one is brown and side view, not the one in pink. I'll perhaps lose it after I leave England but I could certainly enjoy it while here.

I can hardly wait until the pop corn arrives.

Closing with all my Love,
Byron