Mt. Shasta.
Sept. 12, 1946

Darling:-

            Just a brief note tonight it is late but will tell you what I can.

            I had not heard of the deposit to be made – – if such is the case, please find out from the embasy where I must send it.  I have had no communication from the embasy or our State Department.  I do not want to cause any delay, so any thing that I must do will be taken care of as soon as possible when I know of it.

            About the rail trip from New York:  You will probably have to take a Taxi from the airport to the station.  At the railroad Station it is very simple to get on your train.  A group of Negro porters (“Red Caps”) who know all of the trains and all of the scheduals are always present at every station.  They recieve no regular pay and the “tip” each person they help gives them is their only compensation.  It is customary to give them 50ȼ or $1.00 depending upon the amount of help you require. If you have to stop over at a hotel over night either enquire at “Travelers Aid”, or ask your Taxi driver to take you to the Y.W.C.A. or simply tell him you just arrived from England and know nothing of American ways and ask him to suggest a hotel.  Most of the drivers are pretty nice.  They do not expect a tip unless they find you a hotel or render some unusual service.

            Your journey will be broken at Chicago.  Your ticket will include a “transfer” which entitles you to transport across town to the other station – – your ticket will tell you which of the 7 or 8 to go to – the station will be crowded and unless you watch carefully you may have some difficulty.  There are information windows in all the stations and they are usually helpful.

            On the train you will have a negro porter.  He is responsible for all the people in one coach – – He will “make up” your bed and see that you are well cared for as long as you are with his coach . . He will answer any questions you may have . . Unless you happen to learn his name just call him “Porter”.  (a tip of about 50ȼ for each day you are in his coach will make him happy).  If you go to Los Angeles your journey will be broken there for a few hours – – if you go to Los Angeles let Clare know when you arrive and she will probably try to meet you.  You will probably go to Oakland and go by bus connection from there to Sausaleto to catch the train for Eureka.  or possibly Oakland then by bus to San Francisco then to Sausaleto.  Your food on the train will be expensive, I would suggest that you have at least $25 -$30 to see you through tips, food etc. that is £6-7 but it is difficult to get by on less.

            Another thing – four or five full days on the train can be boring so unless you spend your time walking; a few minutes of shopping in the Station news stand for a book or magazine will be profitable.  reading is difficult but not impossible.

            I love you, Darling; I hope this will help some on your long journey.

                                                            all my love

                                                                        Harold

P.S. let me know if I can do any think to help – -and about the deposit.

                                                                        H.

                                                                                                         Mount Shasta, Calif

                                                                                                         1 Sept. 1946

My Darling:-

            It seems only a few days since June and now it is September.  Tomorrow is “Labor Day” the one important holiday of late summer, then comes my first day of school.  I will drive the bus before and after school so my day will run from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.  I have the 8th grade – – (13-14 year-olds) probably about 30-35 of them, they are supposed to be a very nice bunch of people.  I have not yet met the rest of my co-workers but the Principal (“Head Master,” to you) has made me feel that it will be a very nice place to work.

            The town is very old and rather crowded at the moment but I have a prospect of an apartment for about 9 Oct.  The town is built almost on the slope of Mount Shasta.  The “Old girl” has snow on her peak year round and furnishes a wealth of clear cold spring water for the town even in the dry autumn months.  The winter is rather cold but probably no worse than you are accustomed to in England.  You will have one advantage here too, you will not have 4 miles to cycle to your work each day.  I hope to have a car by the time you are settled in at Mount Shasta so you won’t need to do very much going in the cold weather.

            Of course Arcata will be considered my home for some years yet and I hope to get into the schools there before many years.  With a possible advance to the College level before many years more.

            Dearest, I think it is well that we have been honast with each other in this matter because there is nothing quite so distructive to love as lack of confidence.  I have always felt that you were your own judge, and if you wanted to change your mind that was your privelidge.  If you come to America because of a feeling of oblication you would not be happy.  I loved you for what you were to me in England and I feel now that if you want to come to me enough to make the sacrifices that you will have to to get here, then you are still the girl that I loved in England and I will love you even more because you have proven your self to be what I thought you were.  There will be no reason for you to plan to return to England if I have my way . . . If you get here I think you will stay.

            Please, try to understand what I mean when I say; I don’t want you to come unless you really want to come.  It has been two years since we parted and will be less than a month untill we are together, there will be adjustments to make but we will be happy making those adjustments together.  There will not be time for many more letters but perhaps every thing can be arranged by the time the last letter arrives.

            Let me know when you have completed your plans and I will try to keep my end up with you.

                                    all my love,

                                                     Harold

                                                                                                                      Arcata, Calif.

                                                                                                                      15 August 1946

Dearest Joan:-

            Several days have slipped past with many things taking place around here.  I have made arrangements for most every thing except the final arrangements for the license and health examination required for it.  I will try to see that is taken care of before you arrive.  Here are two alternate plans which you may pick from or change to suit your preference.  Do not feel that they are final for they will adapt to your wishes. .

            Depending upon the date of your arrival you will be met at the rail depot in Eureka by either your happy and adoring Fiancé, or by Rev. Nelson Oldford, and various other people, possibly Mrs. Watkins and Elsie . . (I have not spoken to the latter two)  After 6000 miles of travel you will need some rest . . . I have arranged two possibilities for accomodations.  Mrs Watkins has said that she would like to have you and I think you would find it nice there as well as being conveniently located to become acquainted with Elsie.  I think Elsie would probably understand your problems better than any one else.  The other place is with Velda, (Earl’s former wife).  She has Jannet and they live near enough to the other people that you will be able to get acquainted with Elsie and also Kenneth & Earl’s families . . . This depends entirely upon your judgement.  Either place will be very nice and they will do all they can to make you comfortable. 

            As to a schedual of events . . perhaps I could be more orrigonal but this is one suggestion. 

            I believe you will arrive in Eureka either Friday 27 Sept. or Saturday, 28 Sept.  If you arrive Friday I will be unable to meet you but you can depend upon being “called for” and delivered to your choice of temporary homes.  If you arrive Saturday I will be at the Station to meet you.   In either case, subject to your approval this is my schedual.

            You will spend the week in Arcata while I return to Mt. Shasta to conduct my classes and complete any arrangements that may be necessary for housing a new family; then the following weekend with all arrangements completed, I will steam into Arcata and we will stand before Rev. Nelson Oldford to become husband  & wife . . then away to our “Castle” in the mountains.  It is customary for newly weds to take a trip but we will have to be satisfied with your 6,000 miles and a final drive through the mountains to Mt. Shasta, at least untill there is time for a vacation from school.

            Perhaps it sounds strange to you that I should want to wait a week after you arrive before we are married – – I don’t want to – – but I think it best in several ways.  It will give you a chance to rest and shop and adjust your self a little to being away from England before you start the serious adjustment of building a new life.  there is only one suggestion I could make about your travel.  If Cooks can arrange air passage for you from New York to San Francisco it will save you at least 3 days possibly 4.-. and is about £10 or 12 cheeper.  I know there is a strong antagonism between B.O.A.C. and the American air lines, but it might be possible.

            Any thing you ship by surface vessel should go to Mt. Shasta because you will be there to recieve it.  My School opens Sept. 3. which is very soon now. and I am taking a trip over there now to get some of my baggage over and settled.  In spite of the fact that the army moved me very frequently and it became easy to move I dislike the thought of it.

            I will probably be in Mt. Shasta to recieve your next letter so you may address it there, ie. Mount Shasta, Calif.

            There will be a lot more to write to you as the weeks pass and there will be some that I will forget but I will try to give you enough information to make it possible for you to get here.  I will try to comb your letters for questions and answer most of them.

            One more thing before I end this letter. I understand your reluctance to leave your home and friends, after 2 years memory is very dim of the feeling we had for each other, but it will return even stronger because of the long waiting time.  in the past few weeks I had grown to doubt whether we would ever meet again . . I was on the verge of telling you that it would be better for you to find an English lad – – but now that you are comming soon all doubts are gone and I am looking forward to your arrival with deep longing.  Please try to understand, Darling, my love for you has survived a great many difficult trials but you will find it intact and very strong.

                                                Untill next time, Darling,

                                                            I’ll be seeing you.

                                                                        love

                                                                           Harold

                                                                                                                   Arcata, Calif.
July 30 1946

My Darling:-

            Although I am as excited as a small boy over the contents of your last letter, just recieved:- I must begin by begging your forgiveness for waiting so long to write.   I have berated myself repeatedly for neglecting you.

            I mentioned before that I had taken a different job . . It was at the request of a dear friend who owns and manages a “Sweet Shop”.  The establishment should employ 16 or 18 people but was opperating with 10.  I joined the staff of two men and eight girls and tried to carry my part of the load . . being already obligated to teach at the College I found a schedual about as follows – – : 6:30 Am. start breakfast preparations, shave, etc, 7:45 start my 1½ mile walk up the hill to College 8: AM begin classes . . 12: Noon start home for lunch – – prepare and eat lunch – – Correct papers and prepare lessons for next day.  4:30 P.M. start work at Sweet Shop . . 1:30 – 2: AM Arrive home from work . . etc.  Certainly I should have been able to sandwitch in an hour for a letter to My Darling, so this is not a sufficient reason for not writting.  Mark it up to neglect and save a few dozen lashes of the whip for retribution.

            Now, Darling, to get back to your letter.  It arrived in record time, just over 4 days from the time of posting.

            My enthusiasm for your decission was unbounded – – Never have I heard more welcome news than that letter brought.  With regard to the cost I will quote a currently popular saying here in America.  “You can’t take it with you”, it arrizes from the title of a popular play in which the leading character made preparations to take his money with him when he entered the “here-after”, He was continuously reminded, “You Can’t take it with you”.  In an America where every one has more money than they can spend sensibly, they salve their conscience when they buy some little trifle by repeating, “You Can’t take it with you”.  Darling what is £44 to pay for months of happiness, perhaps even years.  I’ll admit waiting had become rather boring, and only by working long hours could I “keep my self out of mischief”.  If you need financial assistance please do not hesitate to tell some one here. . Mom and I probably have the most available cash but some of the others would help you without hesitation if you asked or even hinted that you wanted any thing.

            Once you mentioned white wedge sandals .. . I have not forgotten . . I have not yet seen any that struck my fancy.  Perhaps now that my college work is finished I will be able to shop around a bit.

            There are several other things which I must tell you but time grows short so I’ll post this and write again soon.

                                                                        I’ll be seeing you.

                                                                                                love,    Harold

(After this letter is a telegram stamped Sawbridgeworth on Aug 2, 1946. The text follows)

Can hardly wait May be at Shasta but will make arrangements for you will be seeing you love

                                                                                    Harold Walton

                                                                                                                 Arcata Calif.

                                                                                                                 8 July, 1946

My Darling:-

            It seems there were too many irons in the fire for a few days, as a result none of them were properly taken care of at the proper time.

Perhaps I should answer some of your questions first then open a few new subjects – –

With regard to your last letter (1 July).  I do not usually take so great a part in church work but more or less of an emergency arose and I was asked to do what I could to help with it.  As to our religious beliefs . . I think we are very much in accord with each other in that line.  My chief interest in the church is the group of young people, (perhaps you would call them children).  I will be working with that same group at school, it is my idea that to do a thorough job with their education I must know them better and have the greater respect and confidence that comes with the further direction of their activities; In order to be permitted to work with those young people I must work some with the regular church activities . . I think you will enjoy a part of the social or recreational activities of that sort of thing – – I don’t expect you to leap into it with out first becomming well acquainted with just what it is.  If after you see what I am doing you do not wish to join me you will be able to find other things for us to do together.  I think it was mentioned before that marriage is a life in which two people share equally . . there will be quite as much giving up to do as there is agreeing on the things that we both want . . I expect to do my share.  You are giving up your family and friends to come to me – – I should be able to make some concessions to your wishes.

            Since I have chosen a “Britisher” to be my wife, I have been doing quite a bit of studying of the European attitude toward marriage and the relation of man and wife . . There is deffinitely a contrast between the typically American families and the families with European background.  Using my observations of Elsie, Mrs Bruce (of Arroyo Grande) and Mrs. Bernie (an English born friend of mine in Arcata) as reference for England, I find that I will probably greet a wife who will be neither as submissive as the southern European women, nor as cooperative as the American girl; but since my own personality does not fit either of the extremes I think my choice a wise one and consider myself fortunate to have my proposal accepted by my little “Limey”.

            About the cabin – – When they served notice I just packed up and moved  . . .  I was toutering a young fellow in Trigonometry at that time and am now toutering him in Physics.  His family has a “ranch”, (about 140 acres) some 50 miles from Arcata, in the mountains.  The house at the ranch burned three years ago and is just now being replaced with a new one.  Frank’s mother had returned to Arcata and the farming was done done on a “weekend” basis for some time – – now, however, the ranch house is nearing completion and just as I “got notice” Frank was left alone in a 7 room house.  He had asked me to share it with him for the summer and the notice only served to precipitate action.

            Since last week I have changed jobs again – I am now a “Soda Jerk,” that is I work in an ice cream store, mixing and serving the varrious concoctions of that business; more another time about that; now I must go to work.

            love, in fact all my love, and there is lots of it.

                                                            Yours, always, but impatient

                                                                        Harold.

                                                                                                                  Arcata

                                                                                                                  27, June 1946

My Darling:

            It is Thursday night of a very busy week . . I am very sorry that I didn’t get a letter written before now .. .. It has made me angry to think of you so much and still have people bothering me so that I couldn’t get to write a letter to you.

            The trip to Santa Cruz set me behind so far that it will be weeks before I get things organized again . . Comming home from Santa Cruz I drove all night arriving in Arcata at 5:30 AM.  At 8:20 AM I had to put in an appearance at college . . From that time on I have been busy.  That has been almost two weeks – –

            I recieved your letter from Brighton, and was very much disturbed to hear that you had ended your week end in the hospital.  To be able to be with you while you were ill would have given me a little chance to justify my existance.  True enough I could do little but hold your hand or bring you flowers – – but it would be better than sitting here 6,000 miles away and biting my nails over your condition.  Your letter sounded as though you expected to be in the hospital for several days and spend several more days convalescing – There must be some difference in methods here in America . . . an appendectomy case usually spends 8 hours in the hospital and another day in bed at home then, a week of rest and back to work – – Even men who do hard work are back on the job in less than 3 weeks.

            My bed seems to be particularly lumpy tonight, I always write in bed but the quality is even worse than usual tonight.

            Joan, I heard a little more about transport today – – One of the proffessors at the college is told that his daughter-in-law will arrive in San Francisco early in September.  She has arranged her own passage by air . . She will go to Ireland to board the plane and will fly to San Francisco, the fare will be just under £100.  Not excessive when you consider that it will cost about £55 to cross from New York to California.  I gather that there is a waiting list but that there are at least 4 trips each week and more to be added as the planes are available.  The whole trip will take 3 days – while it would be nearer 12 days by surface vessel and rail.

            Darling, it is so lonesome with out you, even though I am busy, I have lots of time to think about you and hope that some day soon you will be able to join me.

            Did I mention before that I was teaching algebra and Geometry at the College this summer.  It is not difficult but requires some time to prepare lessons and correct papers.

            Well, Darling I’m too sleepy to do much more now so I’ll say good night and God speed your recovery . . Ill try to do better next time.  I’ll be seeing you

                                                                        Love

                                                                                    Harold

(there are two dried flowers in the envelope of this letter)

                                                                                                                       Santa Cruze
10 June 1946

My Darling:-

            It is Monday night and time for my usual chat with the one I love.  But this has been a busy day and I may fall asleep before I get far . . We started from Arcata at 4:AM and I arrived here in Santa Cruze (some 400 miles away) at about 4:30 P.M.  I drove Velda’s car with Velda and Janett as far as San Jose then, “hitch hiked,” the remaining 40 miles, while they continued on to Arroyo Grande.

            Did Clare mention Velda in the list of the family . . Velda is Jannett’s mother.  She and Earl were divorced while I was in England and I hardly heard of it untill a year or so later when Earl and Kay were married.  Velda was in the same class in school that I was in at Arroyo Grande.  I have seen Janett quite often since I came home and Velda remains on friendly terms with the family.

            Well, Darling, I didn’t get far with this but my eyes are heavy so I’ll have to let this go till tomorrow.  good night, girl of my dreams, untill tomorrow

                                                            XXXXXO
H.

            Hello:-

               The morning after I started this my pen was dry so after waiting ’till I had a chance to get some ink and then another chance to start writing it is now Friday night.

            I have forgotten whether I mentioned the purpose of my visit here . . The Methodist Church organization is such that each June there are a group of “Conferences”, the area of the United States is divided so that from 200-350 local churches are grouped into a “Conference”, the Bishop of the area calls the pastors of all the churches and a lay delegate from each to meet at a city that is centrally located.  The program of the past year is reported upon and the plans for the next year are talked over.  It was my priveledge to come as the delegate from Arcata.  It has been a very outstanding week to me.  It has been highlighted with several inspirational addresses from the Bishop and several other very fine speakers, College Presidents, Editors of magazines etc.

            I will write more about this when I am home again but jut now I would like to take time out to say, I love you and can hardly wait to hold you in my arms again and tell you how much I have missed you.  Now I’m even more keenly conscious of needing you.  I would like to have shared some of the things with you this week.

            We should go home Sunday night and be ready to go to school Monday.

            getting sleepy again, Darling, so good night and I’ll be seeing you

                                                                        love

                                                                            Harold.

                                                                                                                    3d June 1946

My Darling:

            The past several days have seen me leading a life of liesure, with nothing to do but study for and take final examinations.  Although the examinations were not too difficult, I felt a need to prepare for them.  Saturday I completed the examination in “Organic Chemistry”, today it was “Architectual Drafting”, and “Vertebrate Zoology”.  None of them were extremely difficult but they all required some attention.

            Since your letter came today I suppose it would be just as well to answer it as to wait till next week. – – As yet I have no deffinite information but I will write to our congressman, and perhaps his secretary will see fit to answer my inquirey. It has been rumored that the question of priority for Fianceés has been discussed before Congress but always the final arrangements have been omitted from the rumor.  If you think it would be of any value you might also address a note to, The Hon. Clarence F. Lea,

            (Congressman 1st District Calif.)
Washington, D.C.
U.S.A.

            I will dispatch a letter to him in the very near future.

            The enclosure in last weeks letter bore one interesting item.  Air travel in American air lines planes was not subject to priority, a strong indication of the unfriendly relations between American airlines and your government controlled transport agencies.  In spite of the lengthy waiting list and the added cost, I think I would suggest contacting them if you think it will do any good.  Now that my school is some what quieted down perhaps I can do a bit of writing to offices at this end.

            You enquired about Elsie, I see her occasionally and she seems happy, but there is one question that arrizes which I think you should give some consideration.  She does not wish to exchange her British citizenship for American citizenship. – she will go through the formalities but she will remain fiercely loyal to England. . that may decrease with time but it is not a good thing to let be known . . . Americans are a proud people and they are proud of their country. – there is a different attitude amoung the people.  America is made up of all races, all nationalities, all religions, but together they are Americans and proud of it.  We are some what narrow minded, we can’t see why anyone should prefer any other country – – .

            There is an old saying about “marrying the whole family”.  This time it is a case of “marrying the whole country” – – or something like that.  I hope you understand what I mean . . It will not be enough to be the English wife of an American but you will have to learn to be an American.  I present this for your consideration, perhaps it will be easier if you have thought of it as it is for a while.  I don’t think you will have any difficulty in adapting to the life of an American.

            About Mount Shasta, it is about 120 miles north east from Arcata.  If you have a map large enough to give details you will find it at the extreme north end of the Sacramento valley.

            Well, Darling, its time to sleep and dream of you.

                                                            Good night.

                                                                 all my love

                                                                        Harold

                                                                                                                   Arcata, Calif

                                                                                                                   21, May 1946

Dearest Joan:-

            Your letter telling of the arrival of the package came yesterday . . I was much relieved to hear that you could get some good of the things in it.  While it was in transit I saw some other things which I thought you would like but hesitated to do any thing about them because I had not had your reaction to the others.  I will now be able to let my eye wander to the “ladies’ Department” without wondering if I should stick to the other end of the store.

            Your dream of being in Arcata must have some foundation, because I have felt for several days that arrangements for your transport were pending . . perhaps it is just a subconscious reaction to the changes here, but I will try to describe they way it keeps slipping into my mind:  It seems that some place there are ships, several of them, making their last voyages as troop transports . . after they are refitted they will go into Civilian transport service – – It seems that you will be on the third voyage of one of the ships.  It must be a dream because I have no information concerning such a group of ships but the picture is as vivid as if I had the passenger lists and the sailing orders of all of these ships. – – – Perhaps we are doing a lot of wishful dreaming.  Nevertheless I can’t help feeling optomistic about it.  True enough our real problems begin when that ship docks, “State Side”, but the fact that we are willing to try to solve those problems together will make them a pleasure rather than a burden.

            Darling, I love you so much – – we will surely live more intensely when we are together just because we have waited so long.  Keep in mind that no matter how long we wait – – I love you and am waiting rather impatiently for you to come.

            Well, it is 1:00 AM time to get some sleep so that I can get another day of school and work behind me.

                                                Goodnight, Darling, I’ll be seeing you

                                                                        love

                                                                            Harold

                                                                                                                 Arcata, Calif.

                                                                                                                 15 May, 1946

My Darling:-

            There have been a few changes here since I last wrote to you.  Maybe I should start with one that I had expected before. – I have engaged to teach at a school in Mount Shasta, California.  I will teach 8th grade (13-14 year olds) and drive a buss that carries some of the children to school.  The school term opens in September.  The District Superintendent assures me of a nice room in a private home, and an apartment when you come.  Mount Shasta is a small town about 150 miles from Arcata.  Although I have not visited it as yet I think it is in a mountainous section. – at least there are a lot of mountains between here and there.

            Another of the changes that have taken place here is that I have to find another place to live . . . this place has been sold and the new owner has given me “notice”.  I will move as soon as I can make arangements.  On top of all this I “resigned” from my job at the factory.  I will work at a small “oak extract” plant that has a little better hours.  Since I have the school and still cannot get materials to start a house there is little reason to work so hard to get the money to buy the materials.

            Darling, even if I don’t remember to say it in just so many words, I love you – – – there is a bond between us even greater than just the usual attraction between two people who are close to each other and see each other often.  We had a few weeks together and have had only our letters for 20 months, those letters have meant a great deal to me, to be able to hold you in my arms and talk to you will be so much nicer though.  A kiss would be very much more than just a mark on a paper.

            When you arrive you can expect a few cracked ribs because my arms are hungry for you.  Do please hurry those people with their shipping; each day I grow more lonesome for you.

                                                            Untill next time,

                                                                        with all my love

                                                                                    Harold

                                                                                                    Arcata, 6 May 1946

My Dear Joan:-

            May is with us and spring has really set in.  Dafodills are gone and tulips are in full bloom, roses are really strong again and all kinds of flowers are out.  The weather bureau reported that we had some 2362 hours of sunshine in April or 50% of the daylight hours.  May promises to be even better.

            As I mentioned last week we are now in the midst of the process of securing schools to teach next term.  I have not talked to many of the graduating teachers yet but there seems to be quite a selection of jobs open.  So we will do a little shopping around before we settle definitely.  Since the army has indicated that they have no assignment for me at present, I suppose it is only right to take a school and settle down to work.  That will mean of course that unless you come before September or during one of our long hollidays I will be unable to meet you at New York.  You see I’m trying to hurry you in to arriving soon.

            With regard to air transport, a bit of checking indicates that a bit of stuffiness between the principal air lines of England and the U.S. is causing a delay in transport directly to this country, but that virtually free travel is possible if you can arrange to leave England for Canada . . . There have been several cases of trips by that route . . one recent case that was mentioned in the press . . The Churchills were joined by their daughter who arrived in the US via Chicago . . . As Chicago is 1200 miles from our east coast the only possible route was through Canada . . Rates advertised from Chicago to England, or Scotland about $238.00 are less than half the fare quoted to you for passage direct to New York.  Although I was unable to confirm the report, one person said that air transport from Ireland to the U.S. was also quite readily obtained.  I don’t know why the fact that our representative to the air conference last Summer quarreled continually with the British representative had not suggested the possibility of indirect approach before.  Canada and the US have almost no restrictions to trade or travel across the 3000 miles of border.  You might inquire concerning the possibility of passage to Canada and how it would effect your visa.  Also how you would be effected by the customs and other restrictions.  We should be able to work out some thing one of these days.

            Well it is getting late, Dear, I’ll have to say good night, till next time.

                                                            love,

                                                                Harold.

                                                                                                                                                Arcata

                                                                                                    29. April, 1946

My Darling:-

            Again it is Monday night and time for our little chat. – – This week will be a bit mixed up and I expect I will know more to write about in the near future. – It is now the time of year when school officials think of securing teachers for next year.  As there are fewer teachers than there are jobs it should not be too difficult; however the task of breaking into the group is my greatest worry.  Of course everyone wants a teacher with experience and at other times it was almost demanded – – now they will have to take what they can get.

            The college operates a placement servece and they have several requests for teachers that sound attractive.  Most of them pay from $2,000 to $2,400 per year and some offer a man a chance to earn more by driving a bus.  I think I will be able to keep the “wolf” from the door with such a position.

            The chief sourse of concern will be the amount of income tax that I shall have to pay.  You will simply have to hurry so that I can claim you as a reason for deducting from my tax. If there is no other developments in your transport before next month I shall have signed a contract to teach next year . . .

            The army informed me that there would be no chance for assignment before September and possibly not that soon – – So – – perhaps I will not be able to keep my promise to come for you if you cannot come by June.

            Well, Darling, the lumber workers are still on strike so building material is very hard to find – – I shall have to wait till the strike is settled before I can start to build a house.  However, I think there will be some place for you to park your belongings when you come.  The cabin I now occupy is not exactly a mansion but if nothing else was available we can get along in it. – – If my memory serves me right my kitchen is as large if not larger than yours at “Talma”, It also serves as a dining room for me  You would not find it a very interesting place to spend the days so you would have to have something more to do than “keep house”.

            Darling, I’m getting sleepy, so rather than fall asleep right in the middle of our chat, I will say good night for this time and remind you that, I love you – – I need you, each hour seems to drag on leaden feet while I am waiting for you – –

                                    Untill next time, Darling, good night

                                                            love,

                                                                  Harold

                                                                                                                  22 April 1946

My Dearest Joan:-

            Again I slide into bed and prop a box on my knees and write to you – – It is almost impossible to find any other place that is warm and comfortable to spend an hour or so chatting with you, perhaps there are more things to write about this week than usual, perhaps I will be able to remember to mention more of them or on the other hand I may forget more of them. –

            First off . . I met Elsie, quite by accident, and having never seen her before, I was surprised that I knew her instantly and she was soon aware of my identity, – – I was standing in the post office, reading a letter from Pearl, when Elsie came in looked around for a place to “Post a letter”, and failing to see the tiny “letter drop” which was obscured by a rather plump woman at the time, she turned to me to enquire where she could “post” her letter (we always say, “mail a letter”) the phrase and the obviously English voice were enough to give her away. – a moment later she was struggling with the combination lock on the Box in which she recieves her mail.  I offered my assistance and she looked at me and said, “You are Joan’s young man, aren’t you?”  I don’t know how she knew, but she did – – –

            Now, I can tell you more about her and how I think you will “get on” with her. – she is rather short, about 5 ft. I would guess, a bit on the plumpish side, and far from being pretty, but I liked her instantly, she is much like you in her quick sensible answers to questions, and just as quick to ask questions when she wants to know something. . .

            For a casual meeting on the street she gave a very favorable first impression, and she had not the slightest trace of lipstick.  From my estimate of her and from what I have heard from Mr. & Mrs. Watkins, I would say, you and Elsie will be the very best of friends in a very short time.  I think it would please her if you would write to her regularly . . she can tell you far more of the things you want to know about America, Arcata, the trip, etc. than I can because I don’t know quite what you want to know or how to contrast it to you with regard to what you have and see around you now.

            Today was our first day of school after a week of “Spring Vacation” it seemed good to get back to school and it is an indication that the end of the term is comming nearer.  Easter is past, another week is gone, another week closer to the time when we will be together again . . . The days are really so empty without you.  The passing of time reminds me that before many more weeks you will have another birthday, I remember that you said you might be able to join me before you were 23.  Your last mention of a date was much more pesamistic than that . . Although I have lost all contact with the shipping situation I did see an anouncement that the Matson Line was about to resume service to Hawaii, but that was to be in May . . . There is one indication of a proposed date of release of shipping . . . The army has anounced that all troops that are comming home from Europe now, will be home by June.  That should mean August will see a number of ships in civilian service again . . . I hope the priority passengers are all satisfied before that time so that others will be permitted to come soon. – –

            Saturday I had another go at flying the tiny planes at the local airport. – – it was fun and I took one of Lawrence’s girls for her first plane ride . . she became air sick soon after we started so she didn’t enjoy it much.  Sunday, (yesterday) we all went to Lawrence’s for dinner, (perhaps you would call it lunch) at 1:00 o’clock, just after church, after we had eaten our fill of fried rabbit, etc the children colored some eggs and then Kenneth & I hid them about the yard . . . . it took most of an hour for the seven children to find them again. – – I think the Easter Egg hunt is a tradition that came from England, or maybe it was France I’m not quite sure.

            Well, Darling, I’ve been too long with this chat now and it is getting late, some of the things will have to wait till next time – – –

            Just remember, I love you, and when you have a minute to spare, just think of the time when you can hear me say that again – –

                                                Good night, my Darling,

                                                                        love

                                                                          Harold

                                                                                                                    16 April 1946

My Darling:-

            it seems that the more time I have the less is accomplished in that time.  But I do have one thing to report.  Elsie Young has arrived in Arcata, and has been accepted by the family with great enthusiasm – Rather I should say she has taken them by storm. – She arrived Friday and by Sunday evening when I talked with the Watkins’, they could talk of nothing else.  I have not had the oppertunity to meet her yet but I am looking forward to that occasion.  Mrs. Watkins is very critical and doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind, and since she was so enthusiastic in her approval of Elsie I think she will get on well with every one.

            About the Hollywood version of England and Englishmen; I have been particularly displeased with most of their efforts, but they continue to dispense the same type of thing in all of their films – – even those set in America are as false as you found, the setting of “Love Letters”.  The actor whom you disapproved of so greatly is an Englishman recruited by Hollywood not too many years ago,  The same sort of thing happens every time.  As to the setting I saw many places similar to those used in the film, true enough they were on back-country lanes and not the usual thing but there none the less – – Americans have a high disregard for privacy, so Lt. Thompson & I poked our noses into many beautiful old gardens and farm yards that were closed to the average Englishman.  I hope you can learn to “take Hollywood with a grain of salt” and enjoy their efforts without regard to the errors they make.

            Your last letter arrived in only five days and your Easter Greeting arrived by regular mail in barely over two weeks – – so far in advance of Easter that it gave me some hope that the package I sent would reach you before Easter and if any of the things were suitable you might have something new for Easter, although my thick skull did not think of sending it a little earlier to be sure it would arrive by Easter.  Your last letter giving your measurements contained sufficient information for any future shopping that I may do.  I have only one hope with regards to the things that I sent – – most manufacturers have been making their sizes rather skimpy for some time so perhaps there will be some chance to alter the size of such that need it and the ones that are beyond hope can be sold or given to some one who can use them.  Incidentally I discovered from my friend in the post office that small parcels of less than 2 lb 3 oz may be sent duty free . . in the future I shall remember that and save some of your money for you.

            Well, Darling it is almost time to go to work so I must sign off and pack my lunch box.  Remember always that even if I ramble on and forget to say it in so many words – . I love you; I become more lonely every day and hope and pray that you may soon be assured of passage to join me . . .

                                                Untill next time, Darling

                                                         all my love

                                                                        Harold

                                                                                                                    9 April 1946

My Darling:-

            I suppose it is as well to begin by answering some of your enquiries as any other way. . One thing I will say, however, if you can still get no satisfaction from the transport companies by June, I shall endeavor to see what the U.S. Army can do about getting me to Europe.  I spent the time last night, that should have been used to write to you, composing a letter to my commanding General, asking for information concerning the types of duty available if I should choose to request active duty again.  The conscription is still in force and a very active campaign is being waged to encourage enlistments of the enlisted ranks – – not much is said about officers at the present time.  Earl left recently for duty in Alaska and Marion is still on Okinawa with a group of replacements who arrived after V-J day and have had no assignment as yet. – When I have had a reply from Headquarters I will know whether to expect to meet you in England or the U.S.A.

            With regards to plans for our marriage, Mom implied that she would like it to be at Arroyo Grande.  She has seen 8 of the other 11 children married so I suppose it is natural for her to want us to be married where she could get to the wedding.  One or two people in Arcata have mentioned it also – – I have put them all off with the idea that the trip would be a good “Honeymoon” for us – – so there is no one counting on such a thing – – it leaves the plans entirely up to us.

            Another thing that comes to mind – – Elsie is reported to be enroute from New York, and is to arrive in Eureka (7 miles from Arcata and our rail terminal) Friday of this week.  Dave wants to intercept her in San Francisco but is being discouraged by his sister who thinks the chance of missing her and not being here to meet her is too great to risk.

            You asked about what I had sent in the package I mailed some days ago . . I had antisipated such an enquiry, also I expected that you would neglect to relieve my anxiaty as to whether I chose proper sizes – – I had hoped to use this as a means of getting that information but I find it difficult to resist your request.  The package contained four items:  A wool skirt, a white cotton blouse, a wool sweater, and a flower print jersy dress – – as to sizes – – as I told you my guesses were just guesses – – the dress is size 14, the skirt is 28 in waist the sweater and blouse are 34 & 36 respectively – – (now maybe you will tell me if I am right).

            Food is one of my favorite subjects of discussion so be careful how you approach it – – you might get me to rambling around on the topic and then you would hear something. – – I knew that your milk ration was rather short but not quite so short as you say it is – – why – I use more than 10 pints of milk each week by myself and nearly a dozen eggs besides the 6 pints of orange and grapefruit juice and gallons of tea.  Last week I tried my hand at something that I haven’t done since I was just a little boy . . . I baked a loaf of “yeast rising bread”.  Mom used to bake all our bread but for some years we have used “Bakery bread”. – – about 95% of all bread in America is baked, sliced, wrapped in waxed paper and sold by the loaf at the stores (you would probably say “in the food markets”).  So, most of my bread is bought from the store.  I had no pans of the proper size so I used my dishpan and made one large loaf  – – it took me four days to eat it but not a crumb was wasted.

            You asked about my reaction to Kathleen – – perhaps I approached her from a different angle than most people do – – I rather liked her, she was much like any American farm girl that you might meet; rather quiet and a bit reserved but sincere and straight forward – – Kath would never mix with city folk of any country but she would get on well with farm folk any where . . . Your friendship with Kathleen was one of the things that gave me an insight into your personallity; and, incidentally while on the subject  of your friends . . Denise impressed me as being just as shallow as Kath was deep, and I was left as cold toward her as I was drawn toward Kath – – not that I knew either of them well enough to really form an oppinion – – but I am prone to making quick judgments and usually stick to them.

                                    Well, good night, my Darling;

                                                untill next week

                                                  all my love

                                                            Harold

                                                                                                                 31 March, 1946

My Darling:-

            I feel almost in the mood for a little pleasant argument so here goes – – you have mentioned my “atrocious” spelling  Well, Dear!, I could hardly pass the glarring “slip” in your so lovely, so welcome letter of 18 March . . my knowled of the English language is limited, but I know of a word, psychological, another, physiological, and still another philosophical, but no “phsycological“ appears in my dictionary, maybe they spell some words differently in England than they do in America, there are a lot of them that are pronounced differently.

            My weeks activities were some what curtailed by two days in bed with flu, but the only lingering effects of it are a continued hunger and a noticable sag to my clothes where the 20 pounds of fat melted off me in that space of time.  I suppose it will come back in time but it sure leaves a big space now.

            Early in the week I saw Dave Young, he has no deffinite information yet but expects Elsie on this trip of the “Mary” or rather expects her in San Francisco in a day or two – – they will drive up from there as our Rail service is not the best and the motor trip is one of the really beautiful parts of California scenery.

            Darling, each day I become more impatient for news of a deffinite date for your arrival – – each day that passes makes me more anxious to hold you in my arms, to know that there is something more than ink and paper to the girl of my dreams.  As June draws nearer I think of several things that I could do to prepare for your comming if I was certain that I would not have to take a hitch of active duty to get you over here.

            Well, it is after midnight so perhaps it is time to say, I love you, and goodnight, my Darling,

                                                            I’ll be seeing you.

                                                                        love

                                                                           Harold.

                                                                                                                    24 March 1946

My Dearest Joan:-

            To begin a letter with the admission that I am almost a full week behind schedual is not my idea of the propper way to say that I love you and think of you a great deal.  However, supply has improoved at the factory and extra help is desperately needed – – I have been working untill 1:00 AM to try to help out – – If I had been devoted to the task of getting your letter off on time, I could have written it after 1:30 when I came home – Perhaps you will forgive me this time and next week I will come home at 11: one night just to be sure the letter gets off.  Your explanation that your letter would be late this week slipped my mind so each day I visited the post office in the few minutes between preparing my lunch and going off to work, but all in vain.

            Although our days are longer now and the spring equinox has passed our weather is continuing to be quite varriable – – our quota of rain is about normal and continues intermittantly the sun shines as much as can be expected with the rain and the temperature varries also.  We have had no frost for several days and perhaps we will have no more this spring.  The flowers are becomming more abundant now with tulips, pansies, iris, gladiollas putting in their appearance – – the roses are looking fresh and pretty instead of bedraggled and damp – – they always bloom valiantly all winter but the rain spoils them before they are open.

            I have been trying to study more in the last few days so that I can keep my records at a favorable level – – also with the idea that if I am at the top of the class I may be permitted to absent myself for a few days at the end of the term if you book passage at that time.  The work is not difficult, and my schedual at school is not too difficult so I think I’ll get by. .

            The situation of supply is quite varriable in its different aspects now . . food is being curtailed some what in order that more may be shipped to Europe, although sugar remains as the only rationed item and butter and margarine are practically non existent.  Milk is plentiful but containers are difficult to get so the dairies will deliver only to regular customers and no extra milk will be delivered unless there are children.  The stores are limited to the number of bottles of milk that they can return empty bottles for – – I mention this to show you how pittiful is our reason for complaint.  The refrigerator of the store where I do most of my marketing is usually full of milk and I buy all I want, that is usually about a gallon each week.

            Clothes are now more plentiful and of some what better materials.  Perhaps I should mot mention this untill after a few days – but like a little boy with a secret; it will leak out;  Each time I go into a shop to see if there are any civilian garments for my own wardrobe, which is still very much uniforms, I also stroll over to the opposite side of the shop and glance over the feminine attire . . . Yesterday at last there were some things that appeared worth-while; – so taking a wild guess as to the propper sizes, I made a few small purchases – – at the earliest opportunity I will dispatch them to you, as I mentioned before our postmasters seem to have a wide varriety of notions about the customs regulations and the requirements . . if there is no undue delay the small package should reach you about 4 weeks after it is mailed, and possibly 3 weeks behind this letter. 

            Just out of curiosity, now that it is too late to do any good you might tell me some thing of the sizes in clothing that you wear.  I won’t mention the sizes that I sent because they were guesses from what I remember of the way you fit in my arms and that was a long time ago . . especially when I had no idea then that I would be shopping for you – – – I hope that after paying duty on them you can get some good from them or find one of your friends who is the size I thought you were – – your nimble fingers and a needle and thread may be able to make some slight alterations if I guessed almost right – – –

            I wanted to send Tony something also but you mentioned that he was growing, and also since I did not hold him in my arms I was a little afraid to venture a guess as to his size or his tastes in clothes.  Speaking of tastes in clothes – – I do hope that you will like what I am sending because we did not discuss such things over much . . . . and when I looked at the variety of things and tried to put your personality into them the things chosen were the best I could do to match a dream with a dress.

            If you pay duty comparable with that paid on the package of Moreen’s that you told about it will be rather a stiff chunk of your week’s pay . . but the original purchase price was equal to what I make in my extra time for two weeks . . not even toutching my regular pay . . so it will cost you more hours of work than it did me.

            Well my Darling I have prattled for too long now about nothings and said nothing of importance either.  Since I got too near the end of my paper on the last sheet to end there now it will be necessary for you to put up with some more of my nonsense untill I have used up some of this one.

            It seems that that I mentioned once before that I had bought two lots out near Kenneth’s with the idea of building a house on each . . Plans for the first one are taking shape so that by the time you arrive in Arcata it will be started, the second one will be designed and built after you are here to express your views of the subject.  The practice gained from building the first house will serve to teach us better how to build the second.  I hope to build a house each summer for some years to come so that I will be kept out of mischief during the time there is no school to teach.

                                                Untill next time, Darling,

                                                            I love you,

                                                                        Harold

                                                                                                                   11, March 1946

My Dearest:-

            You were brought vividly into my mind last evening while I was at the cinema.  The film was “Love Letters”, starring Jennifer Jones.  The plot was entirely English and the scenes were authentic enough to be English country side.  The most striking thing about the film, that fascinated me was the girl – – perhaps my memory was playing tricks, but, there were so many things about her that reminded me of Moreen.  The tone and inflection of her voice the way she smiled . . since she was under the controll of a director, she didn’t rattle on so rapidly in her excited moments as Moreen did, but she gave the impression that she would if really released rattle in her Welch accent so that no one could under stand her . – The general resemblance of face and hair was also remarkable . – perhaps if you saw the film you would think it far from authentic and find little resemblance between “Victoria” and Moreen . . , however, I sat enraptured waiting for something . . I realized later that it was just a subconscious desire to see you appear as you usually did when Moreen and I were at the same place.

            With regard to my joining up again – – It isn’t quite as if I had been released completely, – – I am still a member of the “army of the United States”, still a pilot in the AAF, but now I am on reserve status, or “inactive duty”.  A letter to the commanding General requesting return to active duty would be all that was necessary to start me on my way.  As to a minimum time of active duty, I could probably request release after a year or be automaticly returned to reserve after three years.

            About your Valentine card and your letters, they have all arrived in good time . . The valentine arrived on the exact appropriate date . . although it slipped my mind when next I wrote to you it was appreciated and there was no reason to doubt whom it was from, as your hand writing is evidence enough for me.

            Darling, I ramble on and on and crowd out the things I want to say that would tell you that I love you, although more than a year and a half have gon by since we last saw each other and my memory of your appearance has dimmed, I have had your letters – – and they are as much a part of you as any thing could be.  I think I said this once before, I am in love with the girl who writes those letters and from the things I remember of the girl I saw and held in my arms while I was in England, if the two are the same girl, then I am quite sure that the bonds between us are strong, another thing which I am sure of is that I shall do every thing in my power to maintain those things between us that are fine and beautiful.  The fact that our discussion of the affairs of life are rather stilted by being carried on over 6,000 miles and by pen and paper should not endanger our future or our happiness – – I have not really felt a need to discuss very many things with you – – because I have felt that our desires or our wishes, or what ever you may call the things that have been fixed in our minds, were near enough alike that the urge to please each the other would make the compromise very easy.  We will have a long time to discuss details once we are together.  As far as the fundamental things are concerned there has already been some exchange of ideas – – perhaps I gathered more of your ideas than you did of mine – – at any rate let me summarize:- although divorce is fairly common in America I do not expect to ever contemplate such, nor do I expect to give you reason to consider it.  We are mature, intelligent people who have taken deliberate thought of our actions. – – There is every reason to believe that we will live in harmony and happiness untill such time as our maker sees fit to call us from this life.  Digressing some what from the summary:- You possess some physical features which I wish my children to inherit.  I have met only a few girls in my life who could measure up to the standards that I unconsciously set many years ago, – – I have reason to believe that my side of the heredity will not be too much below standard. – – – People who admire and respect each other as I admire and respect you, cannot help but “fall in love” if they are together. – – if they try they can have a successful marriage and a long and happy life together – – Perhaps I sound smug, or concieted – – there is little difference in self confidence and conciet – – my hope is that when ever my confidence inflates to conciet that it be deflated again quickly – you can do that easily enough. –

            Darling, I have rattled on and on never stopping to think of how some of these things might sound some 6,000 miles and ten days from now.  You will find me that way some times so it is as well that you become accustomed to it or at least be warned of my “rattle brained” manner and mood.

            Good night, Dearest – – I’ll be with you in a letter next week and I’ll be seeing you in person one of these days – –

                                                                        love,

                                                                           Harold

                                                                                                                       5 Mar. 1946

My Darling:-

            Already it is March, and the indications of spring are increasing each day.  The warm spring rain is beginning now and the daffodills are at their peak . . .

            Again I will have to make this letter rather short as it is after work and that means near midnight.  Perhaps I can answer some of your questions and tell you a little about what has been happening in Arcata the past few days. . .

            With regard to your booking rail transport from the east coast to Arcata – – Probably it would be the best way to be sure of the price of ticket if you need it. . I plan to meet you but may be unable to do so – – if you arrive at New York or Boston, and need money quickly you can “cash in” the rail ticket and if you find it necessary to use the ticket you will have it.  Although I expect to carry sufficient money with me to meet any emergency that may arrize, I will bring enough for you to do any shopping that you may wish to do.

            A great many people have expressed a wish for us to be married in California; so although it will be inconvenient for you, some people will be pleased if the remote chance does develope that I cannot meet you.  Perhaps I should mention the telegraph system’s service of sending money.  If you are in need of money at any time after you get to the States it usually takes less than 24 hrs. to send a request and get a reply.  Please, Darling, if the need arrizes do not hesitate to let me know.  If I am on my way to meet you Mom will be able to take care of your needs – – I am telling you these things and at the same time hoping that you will never need them, it is better to know than to need them and not know them.

            You asked about my gland disturbance; after lancing the difficulty seemed to disappear rather quickly, but has since shown some signs of returning, I think it is under controll, however.

            I suppose you will soon hear from Moreen after she has reached New York and joined Roland.  You will, no doubt, recieve detailed accounts of her voyage and all of the other things that she encounters on the way, such as customs, etc.

            My week has been rather uneventful, with the usual routine unbroken.  School each morning, work each afternoon, a show Saturday night and church Sunday morning.  This week the film was “Kiss and Tell” with Shirley Temple; she was my favorite child actress and now that she has returned to the screen she is just as good as ever.

            I am working on plans for a house to build this spring and summer in spare moments but I have not completed all of the details yet.  I am not sure just what I can do untill materials are more plentiful, right now it is rather difficult to get any thing to build with.  After you see how I build this house you can decide whether you will trust me to build one for you.

            Well, it is time to say, Good night, for this time.  I’ll be seeing you,

                                                                        love,

Harold

                                                                                                                   25 Feb. 1946

My Darling:-

            ‘Tis Monday night and another week has begun.  They are becomming rather humdrum with no real varriation one from the other, but still, underneath there is the thought that each week that ticks away will be one more in the chain to bind us closer together when the last week of our separation has passed.

            My days and weeks are rather full of the same things each time and for that reason do not permitt much of great interest to be crowded in.  I suppose it is of little use to tell you of my siege of the Flu now that it is over but you probably would scold me if you heard of it from some one else – – It was really nothing to bother with as I worked every day and missed only one day at school.  One of the easier jobs at the factory was handed to me about the time I began having a cough, not to help me but because the regular man on the job was home with “mumps”.  He is still quite ill but now that my recovery is about complete I’m ready for him to take his job back.

            I have not been following world affairs closely during the past few weeks but from the occasional glance I get of headlines – it seems that your food situation will be rather accute for the remainder of the winter.  I’m not sure just how much food is being shipped from America to England, but it is evident that a large percentage of our dairy products are being preserved in one form or another to be shipped.  We do not want for food but there is bitter complaint because there is no butter.  There is no rationing of food (except sugar) but Butter is just not being made.

            Well Darling, it is rather late and tomorrow is another day, with school and work – so perhaps it is best to just say “good night”, and go to sleep to dream of the time when you will be beside me. –

                                                                        all my love,
Harold.

                                                                                                                             21 Feb 1946

My Darling:

            It seems that this week is going to slip past with out a letter to you if something isn’t done about it soon.

            Sunday was a rather hecktic day with very little accomplished but a great deal of time wasted.  Monday school kept me ’till almost time to go to work then work held ’till 2:a.m.  not much chance to write a letter after work.  Tuesday and Wednesday again school and work. – today I am letting the dishes lye dirty in the sink to catch these few minutes.  As a consequence this well be a rather short letter.

            With regard to your philatelist friends I will do what I can when I have a few minutes to talk to the postmaster. – The stamps if used to send the letters will be cancelled – – as most philatelists prefer.  It may be some time before I can satisfy their desires.

            Well water for my tea is boiling I will have to take care of it now.

                        _______

The tea will call again in a minute or two, but I guess I have time to say, I love you; The day that we are together again can come none too soon for me.  ‘Though it is drawing nearer each week it still seems a long time before we can expect to see each other.

            You probably know more about the current activities of the family than I do – – asside from letters to you I don’t get around to writing very often.

            Dave Young has recieved no letters from Elsie for four weeks and she was to report to a collecting station within 48 hrs. after her last letter – – so he expects to see her home most any time now.  Before you recieve this letter Moreen will probably have sailed and a great many others as well.  The day will come when you will find it difficult to understand why you do not recieve passage.

            I have been considering a plan to use in the event that you are long delayed in arriving.  tennatively I had thought that by June if there was no immediate prospect of transport for you I would request readmission to the service with a request for occupation duty in Europe – – a few weeks after entering service I would be in Germany with a chance to get to England for a weekend occasionally.  That would make it possible for me to be married and come home together when my occupation tour was up.

            Just – – thinking – – —————-

                                                            ’till next time,
love
Harold.

                                                                     11 Feb. 1946

Dearest Joan:-

There are signs all about that spring will soon be here – – The trees are leafing with tiny pale green leaves – – the blossoms are on the cherry trees and pussy willows have already lost their fuzzy coat; Rose buds are swelling, a few camilia buds have split and there are hundred of them showing pink – . The dafodills have been out for a month, and the new grass is showing through the old. The sun comes over the hills before eight oclock.

We have an occasional day of rain but the nights usually are clear and cold with white frost and a little ice in the mornings. The sun melts the ice and the frost rather quickly once it shows itself.

Darling, I wish we could share some of the beauties of spring this year – but we will have a great many springs to share in the years to come. There are so many things that are really only half appreciated by a person who is alone.

As I sit here writing this letter I thought of how careful I have been to write to you regularly – – Never before, to any one have I written so many letters without missing a few – – I have known since that night that I told you that I loved you that my love for you was deep and strong and lasting – – but it had not occurred to me till just now that that love has a great influence over me – greater than I had guessed. Let us hope and pray that no obstacle will delay the day which we are looking forward to with such impatience.

Perhaps I should tell you a little about what I have done in the past week. Friday for some reason the factory did not run so I was able to put in a full day at school. That was the first full nights sleep I have had except for Saturday nights for some time . . Sunday, (yesterday) I went to church as usual and to the youth Fellowship in the evening and the cinema afterward. I didn’t want to miss “Rapsody in Blue”, which was a Biography of George Gershwin, the beloved composer of the American master pieces. It was a long film with a great number of Gershwin’s finer compositions played full length and others shortened some what. If you get an opportunity to see “Rapsody in Blue” I recommend that you see it.

I almost forgot Saturday – – Saturday morning I had a go at the muddy air field and flew one of the little planes again my first flight since becoming a civilian, and the first flight in a little plane since March 10 1944 in England.

Good night, Darling
love,
Harold

4, Feb. 1946

My Darling:-

Each day seems to fly so quickly that I capture only a few minutes of it, but at the same time the weeks and months untill you will come seem to drag past on leaden feet. I need you so much, Darling, nothing seems to work out without you. I am getting things done slowly but there are so many things that must wait for you. Life seems to have little meaning except in relation to your comming. I waste a great deal of time, wishing I could do some thing or other but knowing that because I have no car it will be impossible to do it; or wishing I were sure that it would not rain so that I could walk some place.

Last week I finished the formal requirements for becomming a certified teacher in California. Today my application for the credential was presented to the registrar of the college. I plan to enroll for two classes during the spring term which is just starting. I had rather hesitated, because I expect to be gone from Arcata about three weeks when you are able to get passage to the U.S.A. If that comes just at the wrong time of the class it will be rather difficult to explain to the instructors – – but my guess is that you will arrive about the time I have completed the terms work. If you come earlier it will be a pleasant surprise to me.

Darling, please keep me informed of any progress you make, especially when it appears that you may sail soon . . my plans will be as difficult as yours because I will have to be prepared to travel as far as you do – – and at the same time make arrangements for our return. You will simply have to terminate your affairs while I will have to arrange mine in such a way that no one will be too angry with me for flying away and leaving them for three weeks. Perhaps it would be best for me to warn you now that if you sail the first week in May it will be almost impossible for me to meet you at the east coast. – The critical period from 15 April to 15 May will demand that I be in Arcata all of the time – – after 15 May or before 15 April I should be able to make some arrangements. After 15 May with about two weeks notice I will be quite free to make the trip. Perhaps I should have kept my affairs in such a condition that I would be free to go at any time; But it seems a waste of time to let this school term go by with no improvement in my educational back ground for a better job. Please, do not misunderstand me – – there is just the one week that is really so very critical, but during the one month I would have to hurry back rather than taking the full time to enjoy our Journey. The final plans will have to be made after you are assured of a probable date of sailing.

You may think this a very poor excuse for a “valentine” letter, but maybe it will serve to remind you that I love you. Darling, each time I read one of your letters I thrill to the thoughts it brings, the hint that soon I will be able to hold you in my arms and kiss you, sends me into dreams of happiness to come. What can I say to give you some idea of how much our love means to me? – – The words that I could whisper in your ear would not look half so good on paper; but at least on paper I can write the three words that it all boils down to in the end: I Love You.

I’ll be seeing you

Harold

22 Jan 1946

Dearest Joan:-

Today is Tuesday and my day is well begun but has a long time to run before it is ended.  I had a very pleasant day at school and expect to go to work in a few minutes.  Since I was so late last week in getting a letter written it seems that this week will be almost as disjointed.  Whether I get a letter written or not – – you are always in my thoughts, especially when I enjoy something – – I wish that you could be there to share it with me.  Since that is impossible for the moment, I can anticipate the time when we will be able to share our pleasures and our troubles; thereby doubling one and halfing the other.

It is time to go to work – – I’ll be seeing you

H.

(This was enclosed with the following letter)

26 Jan. 1946

My Darling:-

“Tempus Fugit”; so they say, but the past few days has galloped so quickly away that it seems to have left me standing waiting for it to come.  I have had a rather full schedual all week with school, work and an occasional visit to the doctor for a dressing on my neck.  We would have presented quite a picture, you with a foot and me with a neck out of order . . but at any rate we would be happy to be together regardless of appearance.  Yes, Darling, although I cannot predict our reactions at the moment we meet, I assure you that when I have an oppertunity to meet the girl to whom the personallty belongs, that has been comming to me through letters for so many weeks and months she will probably find very little reason to doubt that I am in love with her.  The peculiar little snatches of vivid memory that I retain are the kind of things that index personallty.  I remember the little disapproving glances when I held your hand in public, or the way you reminded me of my assertions that every thing in America was, “Bigger, better and more beautiful”; or the way you looked at me the first day we met in Bps. Stortford; or the way you watched me eat waffels at the officers Red Cross. before you started to eat yours.  All of them little things yet to me as vividly in my memory as if they were yesterday.

To answer some of the questions you asked – – with regards to a proxy wedding – – it is altogether possible and legally acceptable, but in order for you to gain any benefits from such a step it would have had to take place before my release from service.  Now such a wedding would only serve to make us more anxious to be together and possibly to shorten the delay of our arrangements for a wedding and other things upon your arrival at the east coast.  If I thought it would really do any good I would be all for it, but as there seems to be nothing to be gained I see no good in the bother and expense; true enough, if I were still in service the cost of transport would be well worth the expense of the arrangements and the fact that you would be able to come sooner to join me would well repay any bother.

With regard to Bette Davis – – I do admire her very much – – I would no more miss a Bette Davis film than I would try to fly to the moon.  As to the film you mentioned . . I do not recall titles of films . . frequently forgetting before the end of the show.

Also with regard to the concrete mixers – – the designations that are used generally are given in yard measure for the mixed batch only – – A standard small job mixer that is very popular is the ⅓ yd size . . there is also a ½ yd size used by contractors that specialize in concrete work.  In the past few years a new type of mixer has been introduced to the construction industry.  It is mounted on a big truck (Lory, to you) the dry mix for a 2 yd batch is loaded at a central “materials dump”.  A water tank on the truck supplies the water just at the last minute.  The driver shifts a lever that starts the mixer turning and adds the water just before reaching the point of delivery.  The contractors that use this type of mixer are able to compete with the standard, dry delivery and mix on the job contractors so they must be good.  There is a standard 1 yd mixer that is in general use – – however, the type mixer you might be interested in is the one used on large projects such as the Shasta Dam., On Shasta Dam, on Boulder Dam, and Grand Coulee Dam they used mixers which supplied 30 cubic yards of mix to any point on the structure by way of a huge tower and cable system.

Seriously, the ⅓ & ½ yd mixers are our standard market or production sizes, they are of the “tipping” type – while the 1 & 2 yd mixers are “drum type” with a small chute to empty, and a large scoop to load them; very similar to some I saw in the yard at Millar’s.
I guess I really haven’t said much in this letter but it can be a medium to tell you that I love you and that there is nothing I want more than to have you come home. –

It is time to say, Good night, and I’ll be seeing you.

love

Harold

P.S. On opening my stationery box I found a letter that I started Tuesday.  I’ll send it on with this.

18 Jan, 1946

My Darling:-

It is far later in the week than I had planned to start this letter.  Saturday a gland infection on my neck became bad enough that it became necessary to visit a surgeon each day since it has been necessary to return for a fresh dressing and further treatment – – The case seems to be progressing quite favorably so I should be able to return to school Monday.  I taught Monday and Tuesday of this week in spite of the discomfort but thought it advisable to stay home for these last three days.

Some new developments at the factory have kept us working 11 hrs. each day this week so I have really not had much time to loiter.  The extra 3 hrs each day is really a big increase in pay because we work @ $1.53(7/8d) during that time.  The extra time brings our pay up to about $14.00 per day.

Honey, you asked about carrying books home – – I find in necessary to carry books home each day and make time enough to mark them  It would probably be possible to get by with only an occasional few minutes at home for preparation, but my study habbits are pretty well out of gear after four years away from books.

If I had not missed these three days there would be only one more week before I had completed the requirements for the “teaching certificate”, now, however it will probably take a few more days to get things wound up.

Darling, there are more and more indications that the transport situation is improving.  I am still not over optomistic but, at any rate we can start to dream if not to really hope yet.  By spring the situation should be under controll so that the G.I.’s wives and children will all be home.  I can hardly wait to greet you and America will undoubtedly be back to a better ballance before you arrive.  It will be a long journey for you and a hard task to break clear of all your familiar faces and places – – Once you mentioned “keeping me waiting”.  Darling, waiting for a girl who will give up everything to travel 6000 miles to marry a man is deffinitely a pleasure as well as a valuable experience . . If you love me enough to come to America to marry me – – there is little danger that my waiting will be wasted effort – – The first time I hold you in my arms you will know that I consider it well worth waiting for you.

Well, my Dear, it’s almost time to go to work perhaps I can write more later. –

till then,

H

Hello!  I’m back, after almost twenty four hours.  Things went all “haywire” at work last night and although I worked ’till 2 A.M. I felt tired and disgusted but after a good nights sleep and a good breakfast I feel much better. – –

You should have seen our January weather – – untill this morning we have been enjoying the most beautiful sunshine that is possible.  The nights were clear and crisp with frost by midnight but sunshine all day and stars and a moon after dark.-  This morning it was raining again but only a gentle, fine rain.  Even that has passed now and the sun is out again.  The rain will come, some times for days, but the clear days will become more and more frequent from now to April when the rain will be gone for the summer – – possibly into October or November.

Looking out my window now I can see the two new houses that are going up near here they now have complete roof and siding on them but no windows or doors as yet.  There is a strike on at several of the lumber mills so there may be some delay in getting materials but houses will be more numerous by spring and even better by the end of summer.

Well, good bye for now, Darling.

love,

Harold

5 Jan. 1946

My Dearest Joan:-

As 1946 begins its circuit the miles shrink even smaller than before . . It is difficult to describe just how I have considered the distance between us – – at first it seemed that it would be necessary only to take my bicycle and cycle over the hill to see you – – then the miles stretched to seem in my minds eye a journey of several days – – now however, they are shrinking again to seem only a few hours.  I know that I shall have to wait months before I can make the journey to meet you . . . and when I travel it will take days to get to the east coast and we will be days on the return trip. – but that seems to be getting nearer and nearer each time there is a change in the situation keeping us apart.

I do not profess to remember a great many details abut your appearance . . I have a general idea how you looked when I last saw you, and I have no doubt that I shall recognize you when next I see you.  We will really have an opertunity to become acquainted during the years that we share a life, a home, and world.

It has been 16 months since we parted I only hope it will be no more than that many weeks before we are reunited.

Darling, in enquiring about one of the English brides who expects to come to Arcata I learned that she must be near you – – a neighbor told me that, her “brother’s wife is from about 30 mi north east of London”.  The girls address is.:

Mrs. B. D. Young
78 Costead Manor Rd.
Brentwood, Essex

My rather limited memory of English geography places that in easy cycling range of Bps. Stortford . . or at least close enough that you may be able to arrange a common meeting place . . . It would be very nice if you could meet her because Arcata is a rather small town and you would undoubtedly find some things in common – – – I do not know Mr. Young, but his sister (Mrs. Watkins) is very nice and would be of help to you girls who are being transplanted here.  There are other G.I. wives coming here but I have not been able to discover the people who know their addresses as yet.

For the past fortnight I have enjoyed the luxury of little activity and a great deal of time in bed – – the hollidays closed the schools and also left little time for work.  The one black spot is that no work means no pay.  This week I worked two days and will recieve about $22. (about £5-10) less than half a normal weeks pay.

Now that the hollidays are over and the new year has begun there should be little or no difficulty in keeping the factory operating on schedual.  Schools reopen monday and then I shall be busy again . .

Mixing subjects a little more than is propper – – I noticed an article in our press concerning transport for G.I. wives – – Our navy has committed itself to getting all of them “State side” by “late spring or early Summer”.  They expect to bring 6,000 in January and more each succeeding month, with a peak of 16,000 per month, untill they are all home.  Also in the same paper but with less emphasis it was stated that replacements were not being secured rapidly enough for the occupation forces . . consequently shipping GI’s home would have to be slower than planned – – that may result in erlier release of shipping for civilian travel . . . We can hope that it will not delay that day when we will see our plans begin to materialize.

Well, my Darling the hour grows late and tomorrow is another day.

If every thing goes well and no one throws a “monkey wrench”. I shall go to church tomorrow.  It seems to round out my week to make it possible to be certain that it is Sunday . . it gives a basis for indexing the week that nothing else quite seems to be able to give. –

untill next time, Darling,

love

Harold.

29. Dec, 1945

My Darling:-

As I start this letter I am “bubbling” almost “dancing with joy”. . . There are really only a few minor differences from the usual round of activities.  First, I recieved your letter in the usual 7-8 days – – and second, I recieved a card from ex-Sgt. Crane, the “crew chief” of “Queenie” . . . In addition to extending a Christmas Greeting he wrote that, “She finished the war no. 1 in the 344th with 174 Missions”.  It seems ages since I last warmed “Queenie’s” engines before a takeoff, but the mere mention of her brings back more vividly the memories of that summer during which so many things happened.  The days that we spent together, the nights at “Longs” even the “operations parties” seem, in retrospect, to have been glorious and romantic occasions.  The future will hold more and more joyous occasions and the antisipation of them will be as pleasant as the memories of our past shared experiences.

Your Simile of the fog does not pass unappreciated here . . spring brings us fog such as you described, often the beauty of the clear sky has awed me as I groped through the fog.  It reminds me of a chat I once had with an old naval officer, he had seen more than 40 years of service and was just ready to retire when the “emergency” made his continued service necessary . . . He was as enthusiastic as a lad of 18 and as he described the situation at our, “Arcata naval air station” . . he said – – “the weather here is always bad for flying – – but it never quite “closes in”, there is always a clear path that they can come in through.”  His statement was with reference to our winter weather, but it could be just as true if applied to the troubles of a life on this old world of ours – – – Troubles are always bad but they will never quite “close in” on us if we look at them in the right way.
Enough romantic “mush” for one evening; It makes me lonesome to discuss with you the things we have done or will do together . .. . ..

One of the reasons that I was concerned about the duty on items sent to England was the fact that the thought occurred to me . . if you had to pay a duty on the ring I sent you equal to the cost here (though it wasn’t much by our standards) it would have been a rather warped presentation of an “engagement ring”  I was not asked to declare a value of either that package or the little one last December . . . You didn’t mention duty on either of them so when the mothers began enquiring about duty I became curious – – I shall watch our markets for items which I think you can have some use for . . We can certainly help your coupons stretch if we set about it in the propper manner.  Even if the final cost of the items does approach the Black Market price – – the extra cost goes for “a worthy cause” that of helping your government carry on the wonderful job that it has been doing in this war and in the rebuilding for peace – – Deffinitely better than to have it go to those selfish enough and unpatriotic enough to operate the Black Market.  I will certainly advise all of the people here who have some one to send to in England to disregard the rumors about the Import duty etc – – perhaps I should say set them straight about what it is.  The only items which I would feel concern over duty on would be useless articles of jewelry . . . the clothing is a necessity not a luxury and the duty could be considered a part of the cost – – we pay much higher prices for “Imported” goods – – a London tailor’s name on a suit almost doubles its price . . A Paris Frock fetches three or four times the price of a domestic product of equal (or better) value.  Although the “gifts” are not truly gifts but a mechanism for placing the wares of American merchants in the hands of the English people who have such channels to go through . . I can immagine how proud an American girl would be to be able to say this is from a London shop – – or a Paris merchant sold this – – One girl told me of her stockings that came from Rio De Jonerio – – she was as proud as though she had personally made the journey just to make that purchase.  Perhaps I can help some of the people here to see that a great many things would be well worth the extra cost – – better to pay the tax and be well clothed than to begrudge the tax and freeze – –

I have over played the issue but perhaps you will understand what I mean . . we are not sending gifts in reality, for in most cases it is wives, daughters, etc. who will recieve the materials . . even in your case it is purely a case of if I spend the money now it won’t be here to spend when you get here . . it is really a case of trying to spread the supply a little more evenly – . . rather than having famin now and a feast later that will be more than out of balance with the famin.

Well, I suppose I should write to Mom, Ive neglected her too long now . . . untill next time.

Remember; I love you,

Harold.

25, December, 1945

My Darling:-

Today is perhaps the least memorable of all days for me; except that I slept till noon and lay abed till 2:30 PM reading, it is just one more day in the endless procession of days till you will be in America and we will be together again.  The unusual rush of Christmas mail has delayed your letters somewhat and probably with the foul weather of the North Atlantic has caused my letters to be late in reaching you.  There is one significance of the season, however, that I have noted – – the shortest days of the year have passed and now the return of the sun has started.  The months of winter will pass now with increasing swiftness and as the new year brings a reduction in taxes and restrictions on Industry we will see America begin to take an atmosphere of prosperity again.  Our hopes are high at least that we will be able to buy a great many things that have here to fore been simply out of the picture.

You asked about other girls from England comming to Arcata – – last week I saw a note in the paper concerning a girl from Ipswitch who was to come to this vacinity – – I will make a few inquiries and see if I can secure some names and addresses of English girls who will be close enough to be contacted when you reach Arcata. – – There may be several of them if I can find the right place to get the information.
Our schools are having hollidays now till 7 January that will permit me to get some rest and to secure some information concerning the materials we will cover in the remaining weeks of the term.  I have been concerned primarily with mathamatics in the past weeks but will begin to work with the language arts (reading, writing and speeking) when we return to school as well as the math.
I hope that I can keep busy enough to keep from being too lonely till it is nearer the time for you to come; perhaps I would be a better house keeper if I spent more time at home.  But then, I would not appreciate you quite so much if I considered my-self sufficient without your help . .

You asked about Marion, Louis & Earl – – – Marion is on Okinawa, with little hope of return to the states for some time as he did not arrive in time to get in on the actual fighting – – Louis has been demobbed and has returned to his air craft factory job. – – I have not had a letter from him or Clare since he returned, however.  Earl has been transfered to an embarkation station with a few days leave enroute – – He arrived in Arcata last night at midnight . . . I saw him for a while at dinner today with the rest of the family here in Arcata . – (Lawrence and his family, Kenneth and his family, Earl & Kay, and I)
Your letter of 16 Dec. arrived yesterday, just two days behind the letter of 10 Dec.  I hope you do not have to delay too long in recieving my letters  They are not much to call letters but perhaps they will suffice to tell you that I love you untill I can hold you in my arms and tell you in person . . .

About the snow – – we never have snow in Arcata, rarely even a near approach to the town.  Our weather is peculiar in that if it is cold there is never any precipitation and if there is precipitation it is warm (usually about 50ºF.)  We have had alternate days of sunshine and rain for the past week and could never tell from one minute to the next what to expect
Well, Darling, it is past midnight and tomorrow is another day.

I’ll be seeing you!

love,

Harold

16, December 1945

Dearest Joan:-

For some unknown reason the sun was with us today – as he was nearly all week, although it rained Friday night and most of Saturday. – – Our weather is quite fickle this time of year but it isn’t so bad even at it’s worst. Our lowest temperatures seldom are below freezing and it is never cold when it rains. Tonight the big moon is almost full and the stars are bright, almost like May . . In the weathers favor it is well that you will not arrive untill spring. Some people who see our winters first are some what disappointed before they see our spring and summer. Even summer is not so hot as in England . . Perhaps it would be better to let you find out for your self when the time comes.

Would that you were here now, though time has dimmed the familiarity of you in my arms and disuse has reduced their skill – – a few minutes would soon return the sharpness to the dimmed remembrance of the sweet joy of your kiss. One minute around you would return the dexterity to the arms that long for that opertunity again . . . . as you said, kisses on paper don’t mean a thing . . nor do simbols for an embrase even begin to approximate the real thing . . but just you wait – – if you have a whole rib in your body – – it won’t be my fault.

Darling, for weeks I have been pondering the question of some small sign of my love for you in the form of a Christmas greeting – – here as in England the shops are full of rubbish . . a few worth while things are returning to the shops, and more will come after the new year. My decision was to wait a short time and secure something that might be a bit more useful. Certainly the value of the Christmas greeting will be lost but I hope you will be able to understand and forgive the seeming negligence in the light of the circumstances.

As the days and weeks pass and the day draws nearer when we can be together, I hope that I will be better able to adjust myself to a quiet life that is useful and at the same time so adjusted to alow time to be with my wife and see that my duties as a husband are fulfilled faithfully. Perhaps I am overdoing it at the moment but my time is quite well occupied . . I returned a few minutes ago from a meeting with the youth group at the church . . there is a deffinite need for a sponsor for the youth of our communities now – – they have been deprived of the guidance of “young adults” for the years of the war and now there are some of us back we should get on the job as soon as we can – – – I mention this because you will probably either take me out of this work or step into it with me. The program that I plan is not only a part of the church youth movement but a community activity as well. Maybe I am just dreaming but the next few months will see some change made in our old world – as the fellows come home from service and the production of their hands is added to the supply of things available to the world.

Since last week I see three more new houses starting in Arcata – – there are more than a dozen now in the process of building; they are slow because of the rain and a shortage of materials but they will progress and each one that is completed will be one more home to house one of the crowded families. When I have completed my present work at the college I shall try to find something where I can add my efforts to the task of producing some of the things that the world needs so badly. As I said before maybe I am dreaming, but – – I still have hopes of seeing a glorious future for our America and the world as well.

Well, good night, my Darling, I’ll be seeing you,

love

Harold

Arcata
9, Dec. 1945

Darling:-

For some strange reason my mood has changed since two weeks ago. Part of the reason is that I have been busy – very busy – – not really accomplishing much but none the less, busy – – You have heard about my venture back into school . . it is moving along satisfactorily and perhaps there will be no reason for me to lack occupation in the week and months before you can join me . . . It seems that there will be no lack of occupation for my time and energy. Really that is the chief difficulty that has confronted me to this point.
I have never before worked with people of this age group . . it is such a great improvement over the smaller ones that I worked with before that they may sell me the idea that I want to be a school teacher.

Please, Darling forgive my wanderings – – I am really not settled in this life as a civilian it is even more difficult to do it alone – – – Would that you were here to help me . . . It will be a task for you to become adjusted to me – – and to a new life in a new country – but there should be no real difficulty, beyond the adjustment all couples make to the business of making a life together.

You mentioned the change from the gregarious life of an office – – perhaps you can realize some of the change which is necessary to adapt from the gregarious life of the army with hundreds of fellows to the lonely state of bachelorhood that so many of us are now returning to . . . It is simply a matter of producing sufficient demands upon ones time to prevent stagnation. If it seems necessary to do something more than household tasks during the adjustment it will be simple enough to find employment in an office . . perhaps not as a short hand – typist but at least where you can hear a typewriter and become acquainted with some of the girls who controll the destiny of industry in Arcata. A great number of the girls are awaiting the return of soldier husbands and will leave their jobs when the home calls them. Also many young wives will work to suplament their husbands earnings so that they can sooner have a new home or a new car or can afford to start a family . . . You see, Honey, we are prepared to do about any thing to make you happy that is possible to be done. If you don’t wish to work, but still think you need something to occupy some of your time we could arrange for you to go to College either as a regular student or on a part time basis . – – if you have any idea that you might like to attend college it would be helpful if you brought some written record of your school work – – Perhaps you think college an undue expense – – it will cost less than the cinema once a week for the two of us . – Yes, you can keep busy here whether it be Social activities, work – – or college, play or just wandering about to see the beauties of California . .

Darling, there is something I have wanted to ask you for some time but it usually slips my mind while I’m writing and then after the envelope is sealed I think of it – – there has been some talk here about “Import Duty” on things sent to people in England, I have hesitated about sending some things to you because the duty might be more than the items were worth in the first place – – Do you pay duty on gifts sent to you? If so – – how is it computed and how much is it? . . it will be a guide to us here in what to send and how often . . . Several people with someone in England have asked me about it and I promised to find out for them. One old lady in Arroyo Grande has a son in England who married a girl in Liverpool; she has heard all sorts of tales about the Duty and wants so much to send the girl some things but is affraid to because of the uncertainty of the thing. Please, tell me what you can about it.

There is one other question that I have to answer for you – – About snaps of me – – they are rather rare, – as a family we have never done a great deal of picture taking and usually only on special occasions. One of these days I will get some sort of picture for you – – I shall not look greatly different as a civilian for I will continue to wear parts of my uniform with out insignia and somewhat diluted with civilian clothes but as for an improvement I’m doubtful – – although the G.I. uniform was not so attractive the Officers uniforms were pretty glamorous and will be hard to improve upon – – As we had to buy our own uniforms we are now stuck with them. Though I never was and never will be much to look at, I hope you won’t be too dissapointed in me as a civilian you will see one of these days.

Well, Darling its to school tomorrow at 8:30 so good night for now and, I’ll be seeing you.

love,

Harold

Dec. 3 1945

My Dearest Joan:-
I lay here just now rereading some of your letters to see if I had answered all of your questions . . . You seem so close to me that its difficult to realize that you are not within reach of my hand. You are here in your letters and they do help a great deal to make it seem that one of these days we will be together in reality.

I have been in Arcata a month now and have started my fourth week of work; also today I put in my first day at school – – perhaps I didn’t mention before – – I did not complete the requirements in apprentice teaching so now I am going to try to complete that and recieve the “Certificate of Competance” for teaching even though I have no idea at the moment that I will teach especially in Elementary School . . .Today I just observed in the “Eighth grade” the children are 13-14 years of age . . a rather nice group of youngsters and I think I shall like working with them. Now to some of your questions – – –

“Thanksgiving”, I went to Kenneth’s for dinner – although it may seem a strange practice we have “dinner” on official hollidays at noon or there about – – usually about 1:00PM because the extra special preparations take a little longer – – There were six of us as Dorothy’s mother who lives about 450 miles from here came to visit for a few days – – Oh, Yes, Dorothy’s mother lives in the San Juaquine Valley – – you will have to become accustomed to Spanish and “Indian” names when you get to California. As there was nothing else to do we sat and visited, read newspapers and snapped some pictures of the group.

About your coming to Arcata – – there is at least one other English girl to come here, there is one Australian girl here now and others expected in the near future. You will find little difficulty in adapting to the people here they are all accustomed to working with several nationalities – – for example of the 17 men on the shift and crew that Kenneth works with there are 4 Italians, 1 Mexican, 2 Portugese, 1 Swiss; most of whom are emmigrants – – there are a great number of “Second generation” Portugese, Swiss, Italian and other nationalities here . . . The strongest impression that most people seem to have of the English is that you drink tea, almost to the extent that you have a cup of tea in your hand all of the time . . . Since you are concerned about whether you will get your tea – – perhaps it is well that they expect you to want tea – – then you will get it more frequently. My tea service is not fancy but it is efficient – – from the time I light the fire untill the tea is poured is less than five minutes.

About the factory and its work; the factory makes barrells, boxes, baskets crates, etc. The special product of this factory’s box department is a box made of very thin wood, which we call vaneer, the box is bound with several strands of iron wire. The boxes are shipped flat and are assembled when they are filled by simply twisting the ends of the wires together. None of our recent orders have been exported, but formerly we exported to South Africa, Spain, Chile, and some other countries . . My job is in the preparation of the vaneer . . we cut it from big logs, clip it into the desired sizes and put it in piles ready to be dried in kilns. After being dried it is further processed into the boxes, etc. that are made from it. The factory consists of the Barrell Department where barrells are made complete to hoops and bungs; the lumber mill where lumber is cut for the heavy boxes, barrell heads, and for repair work on the rest of the buildings; the box Department which includes vaneer production and processing plants and machines to make boxes baskets, and covers for them.

Some day perhaps you will see all of it for yourself – – it would take an encyclopedia to describe the processes used and the machines used in the production of our boxes, etc here.

Darling, it is 1:00 AM and I have to get up some time tomorrow so untill next time I shall say good night and may God speed your journey to our fair land –

with all my love

Harold

25 Nov 1945

Dearest Joan:-

Another week has slipped behind and I find very little satisfaction in my attempts to become adjusted to my new life – – Still thinking in terms of the highly skilled well paid position of a pilot with no chance to become settled at any one place – . it is difficult to live in a world where every thing is strange – – where I do my own cooking and house cleaning, where there is no one to turn to for anything. Perhaps I should not be writing to you about these things but they are strong in my mind tonight and I have always thought it best to write just what came to me to write in order that the letters would be natural and help you to know me better. It is only natural that being so alone now I wish even more than usual to have you with me. Perhaps it is well that you are not with me at the moment – – you would probably find me rather difficult . . . it was rather difficult when I first entered service to become accustomed to living in a room with 30 men now it is just as difficult to become adjusted to being alone most of the time.

At the other end of the ledger is the job . . not the most wonderful thing in the world nor the most highly paid – – however it will prevent starvation from even thinking of coming to my door for a while. Although I think of it only as a stop gap untill I can get an aviation job it is a job that pays well and is sure to continue as long as I want it. During my first week on the job we worked 37½ hours (one holliday) and earned $40.95 (£10 2/6). There will be weeks with more hours of work and more pay also a higher rate of pay before many months . . a great many strikes are being called now and may delay reconversion some but will undoubtedly improve the position of the worker. The one thing that I dislike about it now is the hours . . that is the shift I work – – 2:30 PM to 11PM leaves no evening and while the morning is free most of the activities of a recreational nature are in the evening. It may be possible to change shifts after I have been working a while or perhaps by the time you are able to book passage to the USA. I may be able to have something with a better arrangement of hours. Kenneth works the early shift 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM . . but even that makes evenings that have to end at 9:00 in order for him to get to work that early . . . however, it is good to have a long evening to garden, or to work on improvements around the house . .

I have really said very little but as it is hard to write when the mood is wrong I’ll let this suffice for this time and just say, Good night, Darling

I love you,

Harold

19 Nov 1945

My Darling:-

Today is another typical Humboldt winter day . . showers of rain, fog and a few faint suggestions that the sun may shine . . . There are many such days here from October to May each year, but there are some nice days mixed with the rainy days . . Frequently as much as a week will be so beautiful that it seems almost like spring. On the clear winter nights with a bright moon shining it is almost breath taking to look down upon the quiet town from the hill by the college.

It is often a wonder to me that the world is as sane today as it is – – however there is a great deal of room for improvement yet before this world is back to a “normal” that we will consider healthy and happy. Of neccessity a part of that readjustment will be the reunion of families – – the reunion of husband and wife that have been separated by the exegencies of the war – – – even the reunion of couples who are bound only by love and a disire to marry – – When these things are all accomplished then and only then will we be able to say that the war is over.

Well, I hear a Ford Car it must be Dorothy.
– — ——- —
It was Dorothy, she came from the Post Office with a package from Mom. – some of my shoes that I forgot to pack untill there was no space for them in my bag. Now I can wear them to work instead of some of my dress shoes that were not made for that kind of work.
While Dorothy was here the sun came out bright for a while but now it is hidden again and the clouds look like it will rain again before long. It is such a difference now – – to be a civilian to, have a job and a home of sorts that it is difficult to adjust to the change – – There is so much that I might do if I just set about it that I seem lost in the midst of it all. There is still the sense of aloneness, the feeling that I don’t have to do any thing if I don’t choose to do it – – the feeling that there is no one at home to expect me so why go home – – the thought that I can eat lunch at the resturant or just forget about lunch for a while – – it may sound alright for a while – – but it is so empty, so lonely that it will make me more than glad to have you come – – you will be a center for my life a fixed point to which I can be sure of returning – – it is difficult to explain just how I feel, but, it is so lonely with out you that waiting for you will seem years instead of weeks and when you do come I can never tell you how much I have longed for you all of these months – –

till next time, Darling

love
Harold

11 Nov. 1945.

My Dearest Joan:-

The past few days have seemed to drag interminably. Just one week ago I reached Arcata; and I have wished a million times that you were here with me. Many things have changed, and many are still exactly as I left them. The weather has been a bit unsympathetic, it has rained every day since I got here. Rain is not unusual for Arcata but the rather abrupt change from near sweltering heat to a cool rain has been more that I had expected. Perhaps you will find our climate at Arcata very similar to England, except that the summer days are not so long nor the winter days so short. We are almost equal in latitude with Southern France.

Darling, I have begun to think in terms of the things that we will do and the things that we will have. As I write to you now it seems that our home is worlds away from this tiny cabin . . that it will take years and years to accomplish our dreams – – perhaps that is the best way, perhaps we will enjoy life more and appreciate the things more that we have if they come slowly and we have a chance to live with less for a time. Life will not be boreing if we have the things to look forward to and plan for instead of having them and wishing for more.

I don’t know if I have answered all of your questions before this or whether I have seemed to ignore some of them . . . One has popped into my mind several times after a letter was finished and ready to be mailed . . Once you asked about people reading in bed . . in particular if I read in bed. Yes, I have read in bed since the time when Mom would make me go to bed because it was late and way past bedtime . . . Those books seemed to have chapters that always ended on a rising note so that I couldn’t seem to find a place to stop; The habit established I frequently take a short story to bed with me or finish a book that is almost finished . . . . however is has been years since I read into the wee small hours before dawn as I often did with the “Penny Dreadfuls” of 1932-1935. There is another factor to be mentioned too, it is much easier to keep warm in bed on cold winter nights than by a fire that is none too warm itself.

Friday afternoon found me at work at the “Barrel Factory” . . I work from 2:30 PM to 11:00 PM with :30 for “lunch” at 6:30. Aunt Pearl thinks that I should find a job where I can use some of my “education” and training. – – Perhaps she is right – – but now the greatest importance is being placed upon making things. Materials are abundant here where they are taken from nature and the market is bigger than it has ever been before . . . I feel that right now I can be of greater value to the world by using my muscles to make things than I can by trying to get a soft job doing nothing. Some people look down upon the factory because it is common labor – – Yet it is the heart of this town . . . Right at this point the factory and the church get a little mixed up . . I hope you can follow me . . . today I attended church and after worship – I was talking to one of the leaders of our church – – I mentioned that I had started work again at the factory – – He said that he had worked there for over forty years. That is a long time and I hope that I am as well satisfied and as financially secure forty years from now as he is – – – Whether I spend that time in the factory or some other place.

I hope this rambling harangue can pass for a chat with you . . . I am rather lonely tonight and wish that you could be here with me – – after sharing a room with the fellows for so long there is nothing like being alone on a rainy night to make me wish that you were close to me so that I could put my arms around you and forget all of the rest of the world. Our love is a solid, tangible thing that is far more important to me right now than any thing else (unless it be to get you here). We are young and will live to forget the pain of these months that we have been apart – – – though we have still the hardest part of our wait to endure we can do it and perhaps love each other the more for knowing that we have shared the wait together.

California is much less adapted to the conditions of peace than is our east coast – – Many items are still very scarse – – Although rationing is almost a memory we will find such items as linnens very hard to get for a few more weeks and prices are beginning to get out of controll, not too much as yet, but up a little.

Well, good night, my Darling –
I’ll be seeing you.

love
Harold

5, Nov. 1945

My Darling:-

As you see, it is Monday, and I am not yet back to schedual. This time I traveled from Arroyo Grande to Arcata and I am now trying to start the process of becoming a civilian again.

I arrived yesterday just before noon and spent most of the rest of the day resting after the long trip by bus. Today I did a little shopping around for a place to live. Although housing is rather a problem I finally found a little place. It was built as a “tourist cabin”; primarily for a couple to spend a night or a week but not as a permanant residence. There is one room that serves as a living room by day and a bedroom by night, as the bed folds into the wall. On the south end there is a wee kitchen, about big enough that if you want to turn around, you have to back out into the other room and turn then go back into the kitchen. At the other end is a bath room of equal size. It isn’t much and will cost more than it is worth but it will be a home and from that I can begin to operate. It is near the markets and is easy walking distance of the theatre. I visited my last employer and am assured of a job in the lumber mill whenever I am ready to go to work . . . The fellow who operated the local airport, where I have dreams of someday earning my way as a pilot-instructor, has just been demobed from the navy . . . I will call on him before I go to work and inquire his plans.

I have been at Kenneth’s house since yesterday and will move my luggage down to “my house” tomorrow. I find that I have a tendency to procrastinate and shun making decisions – – as a consequence each time I find myself faced with a decision – – I leap to make it and for that reason I may make mistakes, – – however, I am at Arcata and I will be working in a few days – – that may help me to throw off the feeling of in adequacy that seems to lurk in the back ground. . . .

Each time I have a chance I will do a little more toward getting ready for your arrival and the day that you will “come home”. These activities have crowded the words from this letter that would describe a part of my feeling for you but they certainly have increased the hope that you will come soon . . . although I have no apartment as yet and can’t really start getting the things that we will need . . the feeling is growing that soon – very soon – I can put my arms around you and know that we are together for all time . . .

Darling, I almost forgot to mention it . . . Thank you for the cabled greetings . . I could never begin to describe the thrill I recieved when I read that message.

good night, Darling, I’ll be seeing you,

love
Harold.

21 Oct 1945

Dearest Joan:-

At last I am in California again, this time to stay. I arrived Arroyo Grande about noon Friday, having missed seeing Clare and the others around Los Angeles because I arrived there at dawn and thought it better to go back later than to rouse them from their sleep so early.

Three of your letters were here when I arrived after being processed for “Separation from the Service”. Each time I read one of your letters now I become more impatient for the day when you will arrive. I feel even more strongly the wonderment that such a wonderful girl would care enough for a dope like me to come so far to marry him . . . Darling, I will never stop appreciating the fact that you are giving up your home, and family to be with me; I will never stop trying to be worthy of that love. I hope you will never have any reason to regret your actions in this trip. We are not the best family in the world but we do partially make up in numbers what we lack in quality; perhaps you can be well enough satisfied living in California to take me and my family in with the bargain.

Darling, you asked about the banking; during the time that I was in the war there was some slight possibility that I would become a casualty . . in that event I wanted my mother to have access to my account without process of law, so I mooved my account to Arroyo Grande and placed it under her name . . I will return it to Arcata in a few days and I expect we will make our home at Arcata, at least at first – – Most of the smaller towns are served by “Bank of America”, as are Arroyo Grande and Arcata. There is only the one bank in Arcata, so, if you transfer your account to Arcata, it will be Bank of America.

I haven’t been to Arcata since last October, so, I am anxious to get there and start shoping around for a place to live and a job to do. Perhaps it will be possible to get a good job soon, or perhaps I will have to do a little manipulating before I am satisfied with a position. What ever the situation, I doubt if I will starve in the near future.

My sister, Pearl, who lives on a large ranch a few miles south of here, has asked about yours needs and I think possibly she will do some shopping in Santa Barbera. The owner of the ranch is in the navy but his wife has carried on the operation of the ranch with Clifford’s (Pearl’s husband) help . . She is very nice and often uses her influence to procure scarse items for Pearl. In addition to that Pearl has a way of finding things that others never see . . Just what she will send, when she decides to send something, I don’t know. However, I think you will be well treated by most of the family. The novelty may wear off before too long and the fuss subside . . however they will always do what they can to make us happy, just as we have always worked together as a family . . .

there will be times when you will be home sick for your family and friends and you may almost regret your decission – – however all people who leave their homes and friends are homesick. Darling, I write these things not because I think you need to be told – – but to let you know that I do understand your problems, and that I love you even more when I realize that you are facing these problems to be with me . . . I feel very humble before such love – – and I feel that I will never be able to be worthy of it . . . .

I do love you and want you with me as soon as it is possible – – – There are some things that I may never have courage to tell you . . but all of the things that I know about you are just the way I like them – – some day perhaps I can find a better way of telling you that I love you than just writing it on paper and sending it to you . . untill next time, all my love.

Harold.

14 Oct 1945

My Dearest Joan:-

You will probably find this is not much of a letter . . I can’t seem to think clearly and find words to say the things that are in my mind tonight. The radio is giving forth a program of old and beautiful songs that stir me with a deep longing to have you by my side to share the sentamental melody that is not all a product of the radios voice but is melowed by beautiful memories of years that have passed and a sense that the future will bring more years just as wonderful and even more enjoyable by virtue of the sharing with the one I love.

Just before leaving Florence I recieved a letter from your ‘dad’. – – It was as much like my memory of him as it is possible for a letter to be like a person – – much as your letters are just like I remember they will be – – and just like I think you will be when I see you next.

Tonight I am at Tucson, Arizona, for the express purpose of being released from the service . . . I will probably be able to leave here by Wednesday and be wearing my “civies” in a few days there after. As I told you before I will probably stay in Arroyo Grande for a week or two and then Arcata will be my next stop.

Right now while I think of it – – While I am listening to it . . every Sunday Evening there is a series of programs on the radio that present the best music that it is possible to hear . . . I think you will enjoy them with me when you get where you can reach the place that place to enjoy those things . – – An easy chair with a warm fire and my arms around you . . Well, I can dream can’t I? . . . .

Good night, Darling, this is enough of this muddle . . but its fun, because for the time it takes to write to you you are right here with me and it is almost like talking to you in person

untill next time

love
Harold

7 October 1945

Dearest Joan:-

Another week and at last the day for my departure from Florence has come. At least I will be on the train Monday night or Tuesday. It is a long long trip from here to California, especially since for some reason I will have to go by the southern route through Atlanta Ga, New Orleans, La, and across Texas. Altogether it will be more than 3,000 miles

Darling, it is such a wonderful feeling to think that each day will bring the day of your arrival closer. Each step I take toward being a civilian is just that much closer to the day when we will be together. It is rather a matter of getting enough of us home so we can go to work and straighten things out for the time we have been away. A great many things will work out better when the millions of men who are in the services are returned to productive work. There are so many of them that when they are at work they will more than double the possible out put of materials. We will be able to see the big change by the new year and then things will work for the better for some little time.

I seem to be rambling round and round in circles so perhaps it will be better for me to say good night and get about my packing . . .

Untill next time, good night my Darling.

love
Harold

30 September 1945

Dearest Joan:-

I was rather pleasantly surprised today when I picked up my mail to find two letters, one from my mother and one from my fiancée, (at any rate the girl I love). They were both mailed the same day . . . I was surprised to find that it takes the same length of time to come from California that it does to come from England.

Last week I wrote that I would be on my way soon . . characteristicly the army has managed to find some reason for delay . . I’m still listed as “alerted”, but no date has been set for my departure and untill that time comes I will have to cultivate patience here at Florence.

I suppose that by the time I finally start on my journey this place will be as familliar as Lake Charles became . . and even more discouraging because of the suspense of not knowing when I will be suddenly started on the final step.

The longer I am a civilian before you arrive the easier it will be for me to meet you at New York, Boston or whatever port your ship docks in. The possabbilaty of air booking is rather remote I suppose since the post war air travel has not as yet gotten under way. We are promised air travel to England for $168 or about £52 that will be direct from New York with one stop in Labrador for fuel. I presume that Pan American will cross via Lisbon, the Azores, Bermuda, etc. If it is far enough into the future that that new service is started before you are able to book passage you can choose for your own convenience which mode of travel you will use – – however at the Pan American price I guess we can wait for steam-ship.

With regard to arranging a wedding . . . Some states require a waiting period of 3 days after application is made for a license, during which the aplicants do nothing but wait. Most of these same states require that both aplicants have a blood test before the aplication for the license is filed . . other states require no waiting and no blood test . . . New York and California both require the maximum. If you arrive before Moreen does and want to go ahead “on our own” it will probably take about four or five days in New York – – or assuming that I have a plane we could go one “hop” west to one of the states with no waiting period.. – – Or – -if Moreen comes first and you still want to be married from her home it will probably take as much as a week after you reach New York and clear through customs before you can write that “Mrs.” – . We have waited a full year now and will wait a few more months for transport . . . I suppose we can wait a week after you arrive if you want to do it “properly”. Im not sure about the British requirements, but the American clergy is empowered to act for the State so that there is no reason to require two ceremonies if you wish a church wedding. . The only civil requirements are a license and two people to witness the ceremony . .-

In as much as I will be as new to New York as you are I will try to arrive a little ahead of you to make arrangements . . . I have been speaking in terms of New York – – there is some possibility of your arrival in Boston – – Boston is quite as satisfactory probably more so. at least you will be more at home in Boston . . Many of her buildings date back to 1750 and are much like English towns – – also Boston is smaller and probably will recover from the war a few jumps ahead of New York. The distance from Boston to an “upstate” New York town is little different from that from New York. Perhaps I’m not making things any easier for you . – but it is really a matter of your preference . . because it is all so simple once you get where we can be together. It seems that my antisipation of your arrival was rather dull and disspirited while there was still a war between us, compared the excitement that stirs me when I think about it now – . with nothing but the problem of transport and that only a matter of a few weeks to clear the way.

An interesting comment just came over the radio about transport – – The first regularly schedualed air service round the world has started and the first plane has reached Ciro on the first run . . “exactly on time table”. A few days ago the New York-Paris air service became “daily” instead of 3 times a week as it has been since last winter. These things seem to indicate an improvement in transport so perhaps the queue will shorten quickly once it starts to move.

untill next time, Darling

all my love,
Harold

23 September 1945

My Darling:-

Today is another of those hot but beautiful days that make me wish that I were back in California. When I think of California I think of being there with you. I hope that by the time you get this letter you will know more about when you will be able to get passage to the States. It is going to take some time for all of the details to evolve into a workable plan and even longer to carry out that plan, however, every minute that we are apart is like an endless age – – even so it doesn’t seem that it was more than a year ago that we were together for that brief time that was so happy.

You will have quite a task, getting a visa, Booking passage, packing what you are to bring with you and bidding farewell to your friends and family, as well as your native land. Darling, I will always try to make it worth the things you are giving up when you come to America. It almost frightens me when I think of what it means for you to pick up and come here just to take your chances with me for a happy life.

Last week I wrote to your parents . . . before I had finished I felt the inadequacy of what I was saying but since I could not seem to make the right words come, I sent the results of my efforts along . . I hope they will understand my feelings from what I didn’t write rather than from what I did write.

Perhaps the next few weeks will be a busy time for you . . It certainly will be for me . . . I hate to think of missing any of your letters even for a day or two – – but maybe we will be able to get along for these few weeks untill I am settled by some means or other . . I will still be a Lt. for some time after I leave here but my mail will probably reach me quicker if it is sent to Arroyo Grande, Calif. – – I expect to be in California by the time you recieve this letter and possibly in Civilian clothes by the time your letter that leaves after you get this will reach California.

Perhaps I am being too optomistic but, there was never a time that I felt more like being optomistic. A few days ago there was a report circulated that the shipping of men back from Europe was well ahead of schedual and that we could look forward to a continued increase in the advance in scheduals. That sounds as though transport for civilians would be forthcoming sooner than had been antisipated.

You asked if we were near Rockhill . . . I have been unable to find Rockhill on my map so really don’t know just where it is. South Carolina is not large and we are fair in the middle of it so can’t be far from any other place in S.C.

Well, Darling, untill next time

“I’ll be seeing you”

love
Harold

14. Sept. 1945

My Darling:

Yesterday your letter of 1 Sept arrived. . I sat down to write to you immediately, but on second thought decided that I had best do a little string pulling before I wrote to you . . . The afternoon was occupied with flying and this morning found me camped on the personnel department’s doorstep. By a bit of fast talking and by virtue of the fact that my “points” total almost twice the required number required, I am to be taken off “trainee” status and made available for demobalization. The last words that I heard from them as I left quickly to prevent them from changing their mind were, “We’ll call you in a day or two to tell you when you can leave”. My interpretation of that is that in about 30 days there will be no Lt. H. A. W. . . It will be just plain Mr.___ of California.

You said to tell you if you were being too optomistic, . . Darling, you will have to hurry to even see my dust when it comes to being optomistic from now on. I will go to Arcata as quickly as I can and make some kind of arrangements for a job and a place to live, it may be necessary at first for me to live with my brother Kenneth and his family. I hope that before you arrive “stateside” that I can have an appartment and start plans for a place for “us”. I would prefer to wait till you are able to help with the planning of the house before any thing is done about building.

I think lately I have been neglecting to put into words the things that are uppermost in my mind. . .I know that you are aware of the fact that I love you – – else I would not be trying to get you here to marry you . . . but I too frequently neglect to tell you in words what I feel in my heart. I have done a great many things in the past year almost exclusively to do what was in my power to hasten the day when we would be together again. I remember quite clearly the day that I last visited your home . . there weren’t many words spoken but that was no index of the love that was fealt. Darling, I will probably let long periods of time pass with out saying in so many words that I love you . . it seems that I always miss the exact point of what I want to say and “beat about the bush” but there is always the underlying fact that you are my Sweetheart, you will be my wife as soon as it is possible to arrange the affairs necessary to such a function. It would be easier to just hold you in my arms and say “I love you”; and you would probably understand just as well what I meant when I said it . . . however, these few lines of ink on paper will be the only contact “untill then”.

Before I stop tonight I think I will write to your folks. – I hope it will be adequate and I hope they will not be too dissapointed in me as a son-in-law. From the very moment that I met them they seemed almost like my own parents – – really more like the parents I would like to have had than my own were.

A bit more now about plans before I say goodnight . . . I hope you can arrange transport very soon . . the sooner the better . . perhaps you would like to spend another Christmas in England – – However I would like to have you see this Christmas in California. Perhaps I am being too optomistic – – but I can see no reason to delay, now that things are arranged for the wars end and that was the only thing that stood between us – – Darling, please take this letter for what it is meant for . . . a plea for you to hurry . . You said “spring or early summer”, make it, “fall or early winter.” I can wait but I don’t like to have to wait for you. One of the fellows suggested that I have you book passage on the airline. It will be much more comfortable and much quicker – – and if you are concerned with the cost it is only about 20% higher than steamship. You might investigate the possibilities.

From now on you can expect to find a great many changes in my attitude and a growing impatience, so now while I am still sane – – please remember that I love you and want you very much. I will soon be a civilian again an that will take care of a great many of my troubles. –

untill next time

love
Harold.

9 September 1945

My Darling:-
Your last letter was quite in the same tone of my feelings. Here, we sit . . still in uniform doing nothing and growing fat for lack of exercise and there is a great deal of work that could be done to assist in returning the world to normal. Each time I pack to move . . I complain because I have so much to pack . . . I have enough clothes to keep an entire family going for years . . Without knowing the exact point value of the items in your Rationing I would guess that my wardrobe would cost you at least ten years coupons . . . most of the items would be wasted if I were demobbed immediately.

I hope the post improves for regular sea mail soon. There is really an adequate supply of every thing except a few luxury items here in the States. Items that had high millitary value or had their orrigan in the Orient are scarce yet but will rapidly catch up with the demand. In woolen goods we will soon be over stocked – – America had formerly bought some wool from Australia but was gradually reducing that by domestic production even before the war, now with the sudden reduction of army uniform demands the civilian supply will be quickly taken care of . . In cottons . . it is simply a matter of the army stopping the orders for tents and uniforms – – We have always had at least one years cotton crop stored away as surplus and there has been very little of that surplus used; the chief sourse of shortage was machines to spin and weave the cotton into cloth and manpower to handle it.

America has always exported food in every type except sugar, coffee, and tea; of course bananas were always a luxury imported from South America . . In spite of the fact that a great many people here still complain about shortages of meat, butter and fats . . there will be no Americans starving this winter or any other winter because of shortages of food. True enough our merchants have not yet returned the years surplus to their shelves and warehouses that was customary before the war . . That will take time. No American homes were bombed – – so our housing shortage is entirely a local thing caused primarily by dislocation of workers for war industry and crowding of soldiers families around army camps, each week will see a decrease in this congestion. Our homes like our automobiles are older but still with us and usable. – – – —

I tell you these things to help you to understand why there has been an end of lease-lend shipments to England – –

While there was a war we sent our products to war where ever they would do the most good – – England was one of the places that they were used to good advantage. Lease-Lend was a war measure and any cost to us in that field will be charged to war cost and written off as such. Now, however, our selfish hard headed economists demand that a peace time budget be set up quickly. The first thing that comes to mind on the war budget is the materials going to other countries. They demanded and got and end of lease-lend . . . that will not mean an end to the shipments of food and clothes to the hungry nations but it will mean that they will have to have the price marked on a budget that will demand payment . . I understand as few people in America do, that the people of the war zones – do not have the means of making immediate payment . – America had a reserve . . it was just used up when the war ended – – now by going a little short for a few weeks the reserve will begin to grow again . . . The nations of Europe had no reserve to draw upon – – The war has bitten deep into the flesh of Europe. England is probably better off than France and the other countries that were occupied by Germany. England gave her substance willingly while the Germans stole the food and materials of life from the occupied countries . . Germany was so completely devastated by the bombings and the battles on her soil that she is no better than the rest now.

The war ended at a point when no one was ready for it to end – – if it had lasted till next spring we could all have returned to peace more gracefully, now we will all be caught in an undignified position and probably find a great deal of hard feelings will result. Most of the difficulty will be because of selfishness.

Enough of that sort of thing . . you mentioned that the ring had not arrived as yet – – there was probably some delay or you would have recieved it before posting your letter of 27 Aug. If it has not arrived by the time you recieve this letter there will be reason to think that it was lost – – I don’t recall exactly when it was posted but it was a few days after I mentioned it to you, and it had to be sent regular mail; so it will take about six weeks I think. When there is some assurance that parcels will go through I will send you some items that are critically scarse in England but less so here – – Especially in the line of clothes. My guess as to sizes will be none too good but I will try to avoid undue alterations in items that might be difficult to alter without spoiling the style. My idea is . . that if I can send you some things . . someone else may be able to use the things that you would have had to buy otherwise and leave them that much nearer nude.

Well, my Darling – – I have really enjoyed this little chat with you, and now I will, run along and write a little to one of my brothers who are in service. .

untill next time,

all my love
Harold.

2 Sept. 1945

Dearest Joan:-

After some days of waiting here in South Carolina, your letters were sent on to me from Louisiana.  It is only a thousand miles and required two additional days to get the letters . . The letter with the form for the affadavit arrived very quickly (seven days) even though it did go to Louisiana and return this far. – –

Since we have a holiday this Monday and every thing had to be prepared for the long weekend we have been rushed to get so much of nothing done . . There is quite a hubbub about demobing and every one is hoping that he will be next . . I think that I will probably be in service for several months yet . . But will be able to get leave of absence when you arrive and can meet you at New York – – Boston, or what ever port your ship may enter.  There is only one thing that might stop me from being on hand when you dock . .If I am in the very act of being demobed – – I will have to stay untill they are through with me – – In that case you will have to shift for your self untill such time as I can reach you.  As the time for your arrival draws nearer we will be better able to decide what we can do.  If you arrive some months after I am demobed I hope to be able to hire a private plane and fly to meet you . . . If it is that long before you can arrange transport – – Cable service will be open for civilian messages again and you can notify me of your departure rather quickly.

In the meantime, if there is any thing that I can do to speed you on the voyage . . . tell me and I will do my utmost to accomplish it.

The thought just struck me that this letter will be too heavy to send for the usual fee and the post office may be closed tomorrow . . However, I will get it off as soon as possible and I hope the delay will not be too great.

I hope the instructions for the affadavit have been complied with accurately enough to satisfy the Consul if any further information is needed I will supply it as quickly as possible . . .

untill next time

love
Harold

26 Aug 1945

My Darling:-

Today is a glorious sun shiney day that reminds me of the August afternoon a year ago that we swam and had a chance to draw closer together and become better acquainted with each other.

I’m affraid that most our conversations consisted mostly of boasting about California, and a great deal of “blowing my own horn”, however I think I managed to learn a few things about you mixed with my boasting.  You seem to have the idea that I will return to “school teaching” immediately upon my return to civilian life . . after more that three years in Service . . possibly four before my return – – I will not be competent to teach without a year at the university to “brush up”.  At the same time . . I’m not sure that I want to teach . . . especially not the grades that I taught before . . . If after becoming adjusted I am able to prepare myself for the position, I may teach some high school classes in math . . .and aeronautics.  I must confess that at the moment I am not sure what I will want to do or will be able to do . . . I had one year in automotive service and maintainence that was rather successful and my farmer employer wants me to come back to the job . . Also  the lumber industry will be busy for some time after the war – – – Rather vaguely in the back of my mind I thought that one of the jobs would see me through readjustment and possibly the year at the university, if I choose to go, . – You see, Darling, . . I am not at all decided upon what I will do . . Perhaps I will do better to earn my living by hard work and use my ability to teach for a hobby and a civic benefit . . . I am not half as ambitious as I was when I started to college nine years ago . . . a great many of my decisions will be much easier after I have you with me so that I can have your opinion on what you like and what you dislike . . We are entering into a partnership and since you are coming 6000 miles from your home – – you should have some thing to say about some of the other things that go into making up our lives.

I think I was able to get a good idea of your educational back ground in the questioning session that first night.  I was interested in the English School System but I used it as a devise to find out about your own schooling.  I had judged that your education was more or less “classical” and that your “business college” training was quite different from the classical curriculum of the High school . . . Your Education is about equivalent to the average American Education except in the field of domestic science; and possibly chemistry, and physics (the pure sciences) . . . You can rest assured that if you survive a few years in America that you will learn the mechanics of automobiles . . airplanes and some other simple chemistry and physics . . .

Back to my brief teaching experience . . I taught every thing . . arithmetic, history, reading, geography, music . . but none of them well; there in lies one of the chief weaknesses of our school system . . each teacher has to teach so many things that each is left with only partial preparation and inferior presentation.  You can immagine me trying to teach some shy little girl to sing a high note when I could only get to a point two octaves below it.  I tried but was rather unsuccessful in that field and had to trade with a girl who could do it, and I taught her class “reading”.

With regard to writing your parents – – I quite agree with you and so starting now I will work at screwing up my courage to a point where I can sit down and write to them . . that letter will probably follow closely behind the legal documents which will make possible your nagotiations with the embassy . – – It will take that long for me to get up to the task . . . It is a great deal to ask for when I think of it in that sense . . I assure you that no one could try harder to take care of you than I will – – and I think I can summon the simple direct language to assure them of my good intentions.

I doubt if you will have suffered through to this point; but, if you have . . perhaps it will be some small measure of compensation if I remind you . . I love you.

Good night, Darling

love
Harold.

12 Aug. 1945

Dearest Joan:-

Some rather significant developments have come in the past week.  Right now we are waiting for further anouncements.  A few days ago it seemed almost impossible that there would be an end to this war for months to come.  Now we expect to hear in hours that the war is ended.

Last time you said that I was pesemistic.  This time I will be more optamistic . . . You were going to save the afadavit untill I returned to the states. . . lets take a chance and start our proceedings as soon as possible, so that if every thing works out well we will gain a few days or weeks.

Perhaps by the time this letter reaches you more complete information will be available.  We can’t get any other news and no one seems interested in any thing else.  Since that is the case here we have no way of knowing whether we will stay here or whether we will go to California.  I hope you will understand how we are feeling here now, because by the time you recieve this letter there may be a very different story to tell.

I would like to know how England is progressing with the job of “re-conversion” and how the new Labor government is getting on with the rest of Parliment.

Some times I think things will be better than ever and other times I think the world is in pretty sad condition.

Well, Good night, my Darling

untill next time

love
Harold

7 Aug. 1945

Dearest Joan:-

This time I am a little late getting this letter written.  Sunday the rumors were so thick that they filled the entire atmosphere of this place.  They varried only in destination and time – but were all concerned with our departure from Lake Charles . . They were so convincing that I almost believed that we would be able to pack our bags and move out.  Partly to await any chance of our status and partly because I was just lazy I put off writing untill today.  At the present moment we have seen two groups of fellows depart for two different places – – the first to go went to California for shipping to the Pacific – – the others were just starting training and they went to Florida to continue their training.

I have made some comments on your Election before but since you have expressed your views perhaps I can enlarge upon my previous statements.  You said that our politics were so different . . . They are really very similar if you look at them carefully.  The chief difference is that we elect a group to Congress and a president to go with them then we are stuck with them for four years and they are stuck with the job . . I think that the situation between our two governments will not change greatly, because we went into the war with a very liberal government that has just been rejuvinated by a change . . we will be just as pleased with our new government as you are with yours.  I hope you won’t misunderstand my meaning – – but I think that the modernizing effect of this new Labor government will be just the thing to bring England up to date with most of the rest of Europe.

Your mention of Moreen’s husband reminds me that I have been intending to ask you more about the fate of the old group.  You said that the Squadron was being broken up . . at the time thought perhaps it was for redeployment and that all of the fellows would be coming back through the states for more training before going on to the Pacific . . I had even visioned pulling some strings to be permitted to rejoin the group . . but I have heard nothing from them, except through you, since last November.

While we are on the subject of old acquaintance I might mention that Tommie never answered my letters – – I have wondered if he had written to you.  One of the possible destinations for the fellows here is Massachusetts so if we do go up there there may be a possibility of seeing him again.

Here at Lake Charles we will willingly trade you some heat for some of your cold . . it seems to get hotter each day and there is no cooling at night.  The days have been getting a little shorter so perhaps the nights will get cooler in a few more weeks.  By that time I suppose there will be some cold days with nasty disagreeable weather so that we won’t appreciate them so much.

In as much as the fellows are beginning to drift back from their “trainer schedual” and the air is getting thick with conversation.  Some of the fellows or shouting at me to get ready to go to the gymnasium for a game of some sort. – so – – what am I to do – – impose my own desires over the mob – or shall I go with them? – So, before I am torn limb from limb I shall go under my own power.

Untill next time, my Darling

love
Harold

29 July 1945

Dearest Joan:-

I have been sitting here by the “runway” rereading some of your letters that are still in the box with the materials for letters to you.

They are so much like I remember you from last summer.  The letters say so much more in each sentance than most people say in a dozen pages.  Each one I read reminds me of the night we were cycling toward Sawbridgeworth for the first time.  I had asked you a dozen or more questions and recieved rather brief answers and I probably talked a hundred times as much as you had when suddenly almost as though it were in desperation to stop the continued questions . . you gave, almost in one breath, a summary of all of the things I had been asking about; then just as tersly you asked if there was any thing else I wanted to know.  At the time I didn’t know you well enough to tell whether you were “put out” at me for being so nosey or if that were just your way of speaking.

Perhaps that is one of the things that will always keep me interested in my job as a husband.  There will never be a complete sureness that I know just what to expect from you; there will always be the independance, the assurance that is a part of you.  Most every one that I have known was an easy task to analyze and predict their reactions . – With you I have never been quite sure what was going to come next.  That could have been a factor to cause me to dislike you except that whatever you said or whatever you did in reaction to my attempts at conversation, was so far above expectations that I was continually at my wit’s end to know what to expect next. . It is not the uncertainty of the details that is so important, but the certainty that the pattern will be always good that I have learned and which is the basis for love.  Upon such a firm foundation our love can grow to be something truely wonderful.

You will probably find that letters from me will say things that I am too bashful to say to any one in broad day light, however they are just as sincerely meant as though they were sworn to in affadavit.

Your ring which I thought would be half way to you by now came back to me . . some postal regulation or other . . I will rewrap it and try to meet their requirements this time perhaps you will get some day if I get all of the regulations right this time . . I will try to send it by air so that there will be less delay.

Some of the last of our “Invaders” are coming in now and soon my duty here at the “Runway” will be finished.  Without this letter to write or something to read this would be a very boreing place, indeed.  There is nothing to do but sit here with a “flare pistol beside me to be used if some pilot comes in with his wheels retracted.  There has been very few, if any, such events in the months that I have been on this field but some one thinks there should be some one out here to prevent such a thing from happening.

Well, Dear one untill next time; We can be together in our dreams and our love will keep us close.

love,
Harold

26 July 1945

My Darling, Joan:-

A few minutes ago I recieved you letter of 16 July.  It came just when I was thinking of you so strongly that I felt that I should write to you . . then your letter came.

Since you have some questions to be answered and I frequently forget to answer questions if I wait ’till Sunday to write, I’ll do that now and be sure that they are answered.

Since I will be leaving for the Pacific most any time and there is a chance that your application may be refused if I am not in the States when I file the affidavit, perhaps it would be better if you did wait untill we are sure of my position when you get the necessary documents to arrange your journey.  Much as I hate to do any thing to delay your arrival, it probably will be better to do every thing just the way they ask rather than trying to get in a hurry.

I have rather hezitated to mention it before, but, in as much as you will be required to spend a large part of your savings for transport; since I have a certain amount of money put away for the purpose of getting you to Arcata, it might be well if I sent you a part of it so that you will be able to meet the requirements of the Embasy, etc.

Right now I have to dash off to school – – I’ll see you in a couple of hours.

H

Hello, Did you miss me?  I sure did miss you.  We just wasted a couple more hours to keep us out of mischief.  The last hour was just looking at pictures that we had seen before.

Well why should we complain we are getting paid for it.

Today our news service carried the report of your General Election . . I don’t know what your views on the subject are, but I think that in view of the fact that Mr. Truman is far more liberal than Mr. Roosevelt was it will be better for Anglo-American cooperation to have a liberal labor government in England. . The sweeping changes that will make the adjustment of “after the war repairs” so much easier, will come now so much easier than with a Conservative government.  At least that is the general impression that the people in America have gathered from the reports of our comentators.

Well, untill next time,

Goodbye, my Darling

love
Harold

22 July 1945

Dearest Joan:-

Another week has slipped into the past, and we are a week nearer to the day when we will be together again.  The feeling of optomism grows stronger each time the news brings new developments from the Pacific.

You asked me to give you an idea of the life you will lead in California. . . That depends to a large extent upon what you want to do . . by that I mean, it is possible to pick the kind of life you want.  You can be very active in local political, social, or church activity groups or any combination of them, or if you wish you can be a quiet “home body”.  There are several groups that overlap in their activities and interests.  For a few very energetic people there is a different activity each afternoon and at least one or two evening functions each week.  They are all entirely voluntary and equally open to anyone on their own merit or their desire to enter the activity.  There is no demand made upon any one simply because she is the wife of a man in a certain job.  Partisipation is limited only by ones ability to get on with one’s fellow members.

There are a few exceptions, such as the auxillary of the vetrans organization, which requires a husband who is a “Legionair”; or one or two others that are “Auxillaries” or strictly organizations of wives of members of a “Fraternal order”.

A typical schedual might run, with two organizations to sponsor functions, one afternoon each week for two hours or more . . one evening a month three to five hours . . . The afternoon sessions usually an all “female” affair and the monthly social affair in the evening a husband & wife combination.

In addition to the group activities there is always the chance that a husband may drag his wife off to a “movie” or a Saturday night dance or a Sunday afternoon drive into the hills or to the ocean.  With also the possibility of the wife doing the “dragging”.

The over-all picture that I wish to convey is that in America you usually do what ever you want to do, so long as you don’t kill your self trying to do it or go beyond your ability to “get on” with your fellows – – and provided you can afford the time and money necessary.

With regard to Arcata’s location . . it is about 4 miles from the ocean and about 3 miles from the river.  The most popular beaches are with in ten or fifteen miles, with most any thing that you might wish within an hours drive by car.  It will take years to see all of the things that I like well enough to want to show you, then we will be able to start at the beginning and see them all again, just for the fun of seeing them – – like all things in nature the beauties of our hills and streams and trees change from year to year, yet they are always the same in their beauty.

When I read your letters I often wonder what there is about the few scribbled lines that I send to you that makes you write those wonderful, cheery-serious, letters, that are pages and pages of what I love to read – they are just so much a part of you that the only thing that will make up for their failure to come when we are together again – will be the fact that you will be here in person to keep me busy, loving you.

There is still no indication of when we will leave Lake Charles for the journey to the Pacific, but we all hope it will be soon – – we are ready and grow more eager each day to be at the job we have been set to do . . For me it is even more hopeful than before, for this time we will finish it all and have done with it.

Untill next time;

love
Harold

15 July 1945

My Darling.:

After many miles of travel and many hours of riding trains, we are back in Louisiana.  The past two weeks have been rather a trial, but still a lot of fun.  For the next few days we will be hearing all of the tales of all of the fellows from all of the states of the union.

The big news that greeted us here is that we will not be mooving as soon as we expected to.  There is now a chance that we will stay here for six weeks or two months more.  If we stay here through August we will either melt or just waste away from the heat.

At Arroyo Grande the weather was almost perfect . . cool enough but still warm enough.  It was half way across Texas that we became uncomfortable.

Once upon a time you mentioned wearing my ring . . Perhaps something can be done about that . . while I was in Los Angeles I visited one of the many Jewelry houses with the idea of finding some thing that you could wear . . since I was not sure about the size of your finger, the ring may be wrong . . however altering the size will be fairly easy and there should be no reason for not fitting it to the finger that will wear if for some time.  It will take some time for the post to get it through to you.

Perhaps I should have been a little faster in getting it started, but I wanted to go to Los Angeles; all of the other places are not supplied so well as the Los Angeles houses.

Well the fellows are all around and all talking so it is difficult to keep things streight and not write what they are saying.

Untill next time,

love
Harold

9 July 1945

My Dear Joan:-

Last week you probably missed me . . because I wasn’t there . .

Saturday morning I began a very busy day . . . Two training flights that remained were completed . . bags packed, and erly Sunday morning we all started for home – – where ever that might be . . . personally I chose Arroyo Grande as a closer stop than Arcata and started on the journey.  After almost 2,000 miles and three days . . a very weary body was dragged into the house.

Now with Independence Day past and brothers and sisters back to thier jobs and some of the big crowd gone I find time to write a little to you.  Rest assured that you were not forgotten.  Since this is the first time that I have seen any of the family since making known the extent of our plans . . Every one was curious to know more about you.

Of course the absence of a letter will not be off set by the unusual talk about you.  Perhaps it will be an indication of what you can expect when in a few days we begin our trip to the “theatre of operations”.  Although we will travel quickly the distance that the letters will travel will continue to grow longer; so the letters may be slow to arrive.

As the weeks pass and the war in the Pacific draws nearer to an end both England and America will return to normal . . Transport will be less congested and other important developments will come, to make our problems easier.

Many of the fellows think that we will be busy for more than a year in working on the Jap . . I think that every one will be finished with the job before that long.  About all that is in the news today is continued bombing of Japan and the political developments that are the finishing toutches of the European war.  When the big details are finished some of the little people will be able to get their wishes considered.  In the meantime our love will carry us through.

As a part of our holiday the family that was here went to the “Beach”.  The Pacific Ocean is a very popular point for California holiday fun.  The sand is clean and a wide flat beach that is sometimes used for speed trials for cars makes a wonderful place for games, swimming or just plain sun bathing.  We were fortunate to be able to watch a group of fishermen bring in their catch.  An unusually large run of fish was observed just off shore and two groups of fishermen came with their boats and nets to catch what they could.  The sea birds were present in great numbers . . the wise old pelicans with their huge beaks were the only kind that didn’t get tangled in the nets. – – –

This letter was just interupted for supper and a brief chat with two small nieces who are spending a few days here with their grandmother.  They are 8 and 9 years old and demand every ones attention when they come into the house.  Incidentally they are the daughters of Earl and his twin sister Pearl.

Well, darling, untill next time,

all my love

Harold

24 June 1945

Dearest Joan

Today is Sunday and again I went for a ride, this time it was to Texas; San Antonio, Texas, the birth place of the A.A.F.  All pilot training was conducted at San Antonio from 1918 to 1940.  Since then it has been spread all over the Unites States, (pilot training, not San Antonio).

About health insurance in the U.S.  Ours is all optional.  There are several systems in operation.  One of the most popular is operated by most hospitals, where in it is possible to buy a “Hospital ticket” usually for $1. per month (5/) which is health insurance for an entire family . . . another is operated by Fraternal Orders or Lodges for their members and members families . . these are free, or might be considered a part of the membership fee.  One of the best organized of these is the vetrans organization “American Legion”.  The American Legion will have a membership of over 15 million men in the years immediately following this war.

In addition to all of these there is a law requiring any corporation, company or firm with more than 3 employees to contribute to a fund which is a State Insurance Company. . its purpose is to pay a man (or woman) a sum equal to 65% of all earnings lost as a result of an accident or illness incurred on the job . .it also pays for hospitalization and all medical care in such cases and pays a lump sum for permanent disability . . such as loss of a finger, a hand, etc.

While I am discussing some of these things I might as well mention some others . . In American business typests, secretaries and file clerks are paid far more than your ₤3/5/ running from about twice that for the incompetents who do little more than file simple forms- to as much as five times that for the secretary to a company manager – – or in cases where the secretary is almost an assistant manager the pay may be ₤60/0/0 per week.  If you can telephone the bosse’s wife and make excuses for his being late to dinner or save his neck when he forgets an apointment the pay may be even better.

Income tax is about the same % as yours now but will decrease sharply after the war.  normally no income tax would be paid by a person with your present income.

Your General Election is getting big headlines in all of the news now . . . It will be a big factor in the world peace . . The peace terms have not been approved by the present parliment and consequently if the color of the government is changed by the general election there may be repercussions in the world situation.  Just as there may be some changes from our side of the ocean due to differences of policy between Roosevelt and Truman.

To get onto less serious subjects, your weather complaints will just balance mine . . it is far too hot for comfort here in Louisiana . . the people that have time for tennis and swimming have been at it for months, in fact tennis never stops here and swimming usually lasts six months.  Of course in California we swim all year and play tennis any time we are so inclined.  To add to that we have six month of snow sports within an hours drive from Arcata.

Yes, my Darling, we shall learn many ways to play together and the years will pass happily and swiftly, even now while we wait and plan.

Untill next time,
love

Harold.

This letter is written on stationery from The Officers’ Club – -Tyndall Field, Panama City, Florida

17 June 1945

My Darling:-

As the weeks become months since we were together, I miss you more and more.  Almost every day something that reminds me of the time we spent together brings the desire to have done with wars and the army and all things that keep us apart . . And then I have but to look at myself and realize that there is still a big job to be done and that I must stay with it till it is finished.  Then and only then will I have earned the right to live in the world of Peace that will follow this greatest of wars.

You asked why American men seemed to prefer English girls.  That is fairly easy to see . . All our life we have spent in being nice to our women – – for the same length of time the women have been the willing recipients of our affectionate care – – however they have become so accustomed to it that they appear to demand even more than they get and though I really think they are unaware of the effect upon the men they seem to lack appreciation of the tender care . . thus it is only natural that when a fellow has a chance to meet a girl who acts naturally, and alows him to see that she appreciates his efforts to please her . . he can do nothing but bask in the luxury of her sincere smile . .

Don’t misunderstand me, American girls are quite as fine as the men and really, (I think) as good as any in the world- – but they are victims of the fact that the male of the species is finding out the extent of his powers . .

The American fellows who marry abroad are just taking advantage of the opportunity to “shop for the best” rather than taking just what there is on hand.  I think you will agree that some girls are better suited to be the wife of some fellows than are others . . instead of being forced to choose from five or six girls of his home town the world roaming G.I. has a chance to see more and get a better bargain.  Personally I think that in the 27 town near which I have been stationed there has been a pretty good representation of the girls that I will meet in my life.  I have made my choice . . . I have bored you with this harangue to show you that in my mind there is little room for doubt . . waiting to see my reaction to American girls was a part of the plan – – (the main reason I didn’t propose formally before leaving England) . . and now I rest with an easy and contented spirit . . . No longer do I serch the world for the one girl who will be my wife . . the die is cast . . the one thing that was missing from my life before is supplied.  To be sure in the years to come you may have reason to doubt that last statement . . “men are such fools” and some times they even act that way . . . That will be a part of your job – to keep foolishness to a minimum and yet alow the little boy that is in all men to have his pranks and his fun.

You wondered about my sense of humor – – I think it is as good as the next fellows . . but it can end abruptly on such things as war and waste.  Some day you will see that fun is just as much a part of my life as anything else . .

Before I run out of paper I had better explain this letter head  . . .

This is the field to which Lt. Hayes, Lt. Harrison, and Lt. Bekwith, were sent when I was sent to Kansas . . today I was given an opertunity to come down here with a plane . . Hoping to find one or all of them still here I came, they are all gone, however, and so – – in about an hour I will fly back to Lake Charles.  Untill next time.

With all my love,

Harold

12 June 1945

My Dear Joan:-

Another busy week has slipped by with nothing of moment to set it aside from any other such week.  Unless perhaps you would consider the arrival of a letter from England as momentus.

You asked about my plans, there are really two completely different plans running through my mind one is the things that I would like to do altered slightly where it runs counter to your wishes – – the other is the plan that we will be able to make work – – rather I should say the things that can be done with the least effort and expense – –

The final details will be a compromise between the two.  What I would like most is to arive in England with nothing to prevent my staying however long it required for you to be sure that you wanted to marry me, and make the necessary arrangements to get that rite performed . . . Like you I think I would prefer a church wedding . . although no very definite details of such things are a part of my thinking . . . it just seems to be left up to you to arrange. .

Then after that a liesurely voyage to the States via your favorite parts of England, and possibly Paris . . Then New York and on to Arcata . . Taking some of the beauty spots of America in stride as we went . .

However, at the other extreme will come a very different story . . . Which might run something like this: – When you have decided that you are ready to come to America, you would start out alone or with some other girl who has similar plans . . I might be able to meet you in San Francisco, or Chicago, or possibly even in New York . . .

Depending upon the length of time I can take and the financial situation at the time we might make the trip to California a “honeymoon”.  As a part of the “quick plan” you would be alowed very little time to enjoy courtship . . However . . the idea of an extended courtship seems rather impractical from several standpoints.  Furthermore, as I see it, the wedding just marks the official beginning of the courtship.  True enough it is quite a task to convince two people at the same time that they should become man & wife but once a man is convinced, he is usually a willing victim and bends to the task of courting the girl of his choice.

As I said before . . every thing will have to be a compromise between what we would like and what we can get.  When we get a chance to do any thing about our plans at all.  If you can decide how you would like to have things, and we will try to get as near to that as conditions will permit.  In as much as you are at that end of the line you will have to take care of the arrangements there.

Enough of that for now, I might mention my chief objection to waiting too long to get married once the war is over and we can get together – – – it is a peculiar little thing about human nature . . when a fellow loves a girl he wants to be with her as much as possible . . and . . that is more than just an evening now and then.

You asked if I had mentioned you to any of my family.  The arrival of your letters at Arroyo Grande were sufficient to make known the fact that you were in existance . . . I had not kept it a secret that I was a little more than “Interested” in you – – however I haven’t mentioned you as a Fiancé . . just a prospective Fiancé . . Now however I will have to tell them that I think I have you captured and explain the rudaments of our plans.  Never fear . . when you arrive you will be expected and well recieved . . . After all, you will be recieved by experts . . you remember I am the last single member of a family of twelve . . . my mother has been meeting wives, husbands, and “prospectives” for over twenty years . . . .

Well ’till next time . .

Goodnight, my Darling,
love

Harold

3 June 1945

My Dearest Joan:-

June is here with the regular June weather here being, very hot days and nights just enough cooler to permit fitful sleep.  Perhaps I will melt and become a spot of grease on the pavement before the summer is gone.  I mention the weather because it is just one more reason for wishing I were home or in England.  Both are far more comfortable than Louisiana, and when I think of being in either place I think of having you beside me.

Our training here is nearly half finished now; As near as we are able to determine we will get a short leave home at the completion of our training then we will returne here for a short “refresher course” and to await assignment to a shipment.

Once you asked about American music.  Today we had a band concert by our own band.  Some of the music was very old millitary marches, some more modern American music.  Much of the popular music used in England is of American origin.  The old masters; Bach, Wagner, etc are used for the very heavy music, the lighter works of Straus, Tchovsky, are used very much . . . We have a great number of American composers, Steven Foster, Irving Berlin and other more modern.  As for music appreciation is concerned I think Americans and Englishmen are very much alike.  Perhaps I am a little conservative, I don’t like to change as rapidly as the modern dance music changes but I like some of the heavier modern music . . Perhaps some day you will see just how we listen- to our concerts, opera, etc.  Just now I asked one of the fellows who composed, “The Flight of the Bumblebee”, there toutching off a discussion of all of the works of the old and modern composers . . “The Nutcracker Suit”, various piano concertos as well as opera and music in general, but I never got an answer to my question.

Good night, my Darling

love
Harold

29 May 1945

My Darling:

This weeks letter is two full days behind schedule but I will write it while still aglow from reading two of your letters.  Much as I like your letters when they come, these two are extra nice and coming as they do at the end of a long day of work they brighten the whole world for a while.  Last year on Whit Sunday if my memory serves me right there was a holiday atmosphere around Bishop’s Stortford and Castle Gardens was festive. . . we were getting better acquainted and enjoying each others company more each time we met . . . now all I have is the feeling that we have always known, each other that our love has been the nice warm feeling inside me always.  My command of words seems to be so inadequate to discribe the sense of longing to be with you and yet the happiness that never fades just knowing that you are there that some day there will be an end to all this and we can do what we want to do for a few years.  That certainly will enclude an early reunion with my heart that still dashes about an English country side on wheels, and dances at Longs on Saturday night . . . a little more distant in the past and in the future are years in California with similar pleasures – – Dancing, swimming, driving, tennis, but most pleasant of all, just being together in the things we do, and sharing our enjoyment of them.

Sunday was my turn to be “Airdrome Officer,” it is a 24 hour duty that is not too unpleasant except that regular duties are resumed immediately when the tour of duty ends.  That means about 36 hours without seeing your bed or having time to really have a friendly chat with water and soap . . . So when my day of school ended yesterday all thought of any thing except sleep was out of the question.  I had the good fortune to meet a transport plane loaded with wounded that came direct from England.  They were spending the night in our hospital, their second night out of England and they seemed pleased to be back on American soil.

I have forgotten whether I mentioned it or not . . two more of my brothers are in service now . . One in infantry the other in anti-aircraft artillery.  They both hope that their children will be sufficient to keep them on continental duty or secure their release now that -V-E day is passed.  I don’t think they have been in service long enough to be considered but they may be happier, hoping than they would be if they were told that there was no chance.  Marion, who is in infantry has been training about 20 miles from Arroyo Grande and about 200 miles from home . . he has been able to get home some weekends and has spent other Sundays with the folks in Arroyo Grande.  Earl has been sent to Texas and probably will not get home for some time if he gets home at all before going to the Pacific. .

Good night, Darling, I’ll be seeing you,
love

Harold

20, May, 1945

My dearest Joan:-

Although it seems but half that long it has been a week since I last wrote to you . . . There is never any change here never any thing new to write about . . Except an occasional little mixup that I have with some of the regulations here.  Last week “they” threatened me with disciplinary action but changed their mind and take it out by assigning me an aircraft as far from our ops shack as they can so that we walk a mile with our equipment before getting in the plane.

About my gunner:- – He is rather new at the game, one of his first rides in a plane was with me when we were “checked out” in the A-26.  He was placed on “Flying Status” just before he came to this field.  He is one of the better members of the class.  What he lacks in experience he will make up in willingness to work and learn.  We have just started our training together and I think he will be able to do his job well . . not as well as Sgt. Harkabus; – but well enough to bring us home if the pilot is good enough to get us back.

Incidentally, wasn’t it about a year ago that you first appeared on the scene at the Operations Party out at the camp.  That was a fateful evening in the life of one Second Lieutenant of the A.A.F.

Some of the fellows are wanting to go to the show tonight so I’ll write more tonight when we get back from the show.

Hello! We are back.  It was a pretty good Comedy-Romance.  Ida Lupino was the whole show, but pretty good.  The fellows all had a good time.

Some of the fellows are rather curious about “my Limey Girl”.  They all want to see the picture that I have . . . They think it rather a curiosity to see the letters that come with the British postage. – . They first became aware of them the week that six came in one week . . .

Lt Hughes a Philadelphia boy asked me to give you his regards.  Flight Officer Kozomian, and Lt. Binter often ask about you.

There have been no letters for this week but some of the older ones are good enough to reread . . in fact some of them are good enough to read a dozen times or more.

When I started this page I had an idea what I was going to write on it but some of the fellows got to arguing and now the air is full of loud noises and angry voices so I guess I’ll have to let this page go only partly used.

Some of the fellows are just returning from a Sunday afternoon ride over to Alabama . . Its only about 450 miles and they went over this morning went to church, had lunch and came back.  Each week there is to be two of them go some place or other for the day. . my turn will come eventually  However, there is a limit of 500 miles from this field, that means there will be no chance for me to get home.  My gunner is from Washington so we are forgetting the idea of getting home on our cross-country.

Well. . Good night, My Darling.
love

Harold

13 May 1945

My Dearest:-

The past few days have been more and more a reminder that you are always a part of my life.  Last Tuesday when our own Broadcast system relayed a brief BBC broadcast and the very british voice of the anouncer followed by the usual music of BBC came through our radio my pulse beat stronger . . for a few minutes I was back at Stanstead in the hut with Lt. Hays & the others . . for those few minutes you were just over the hill . . my bicycle was just outside the door.  Now, perhaps sooner than we had thought possible you may be able to secure permission to migrate to the U.S.A.  The war in Europe is technically over and the flow of men from Europe to the Pacific will soon begin.  Many men will have leave and many will come home . . perhaps England will return rapidly to a normal life, as you mentioned a frugal life becomes a habit and the simple pleasures that have been sufficient for so many years are really the best.  I think you will find the same kind of life in Arcata, California when you get there.

Darling, once before we spoke of an engagement . . . I hope you will understand what I am going to say now . . . In my heart, where it really counts, I have been engaged to you ever since the night last summer when I finally gathered sufficient courage to stumble through the few words in which I so inadequately told you, that I loved you . . . The formalities of anouncing to varrious and sundry persons that between us there is a mutual desire to share the remainder of our lives seems to me to be an anti-climax.  The use of my name on any statement for a “preliminary application to immigrate” would not be falcification . . . In fact after a little more thought on the subject I think that from my point of view it would be very good to have a Fiance . . . Though it is almost as clumsy and not at all what it should be . . perhaps you could be influenced to consider this letter as a formal proposal of marriage . . Perhaps you would like me to say it in so many words. . . . . Quote, “Joan, my Darling, will you marry me.”. to wit will you do me the honor to become my wife”

I don’t know how long it will take for all of the arrangements to be taken care of, to enable you to get to the States.  If it is possible it would be better if you could arrive after I return from the Pacific war, however if you find it possible or necessary to come sooner you could with out a doubt find santuary with my mother and/or you could find a job to occupy your time untill such time as I return.  I am possibly getting a bit previous about these suggestions . . I will await your answer before trying to make any further plans.

With love

Harold

6, May 1945

My Dearest Joan:-

Do you remember that afternoon last summer when we went swimming in the river?  Do you remember the picture that you gave me that afternoon? – – I always carry it with me . . at odd time when I can think of nothing better to do, I look at it – – and talk to you.  The past few days have been just such days as that one when we were together for a few happy hours.  Perhaps another summer will see us together again for a swim in either the same river or some other . . .

The fellows were telling me today that the reason the Jerries have been so anxious to get the war over, was, that word had reached them that this particular group of fellows was on their way and they knew that it would be rather rough on them when they met the guns our new and better “Invaders”.

Today one of the comentators who thinks he is so much smarter than the rest, implied rather strongly that the Japanese were about ready to ask for a truce.  Whether they believe him or not is up to them – – but I don’t think they will. . . . They will have to feel the power of the guns of our “Invaders”.

We are very confident of our new planes and we are very very sure that the enemy will know that we have been there when we meet them.  The “Invader” is a wonderful weapon and we think it is the best yet.

Tomorrow we start a new schedual which gets us in the air rather early . . so perhaps it would be a good idea for me to get to bed and awake with sufficient energy to give the old crate a good days work.

Goodnight, my Darling . . untill next time
with my love,

Harold

29, April, 1945

My Dear Joan:-

By the time you get this letter you will probably be thinking about a world at peace, already the announcement has come that England is free from the V-bombs.  There is sure to be a change for the better in England as well as the rest of the world when the war with Germany is finished.

The waiting is going to be even harder for you now that the close contact with war has relaxed.  The other half of the world will slowly come to the conclusion that there is still some thing to be done to finish the job before us.

You mentioned the fact that Moreen was planning to come out to the States.  I have wondered how or if she was able to arrange transport and if the situation had improved over what it was when we came home last year.  The business at Millar’s should be greater now that construction materials can be obtained in greater quantities – Perhaps you will find yourself rushed to get all of the work done.

I will risk repetition to tell you a little more about our new aircraft.  It is fast . . I have already seen speeds greater than the 1940 fighters were capable of, and as my experience grows my ability to get more from it will increase.  In a great many ways it reminds me of you. . . It is rather trim and neat – – It has a way of its own but if properly handled it can be made to do what I want her to do.  The old Marauder was more sturdilly built but more cumbersome to handle. . .

You mentioned a shopping spree with Moreen; perhaps you will take me with you on a more extended shopping tour someday . . when there is no necessity to count Ration coupons or to worry what to do for more of them for the next time.  This war has been a great waste of good clothes for the men in the Forces.  All of the fine uniforms that we have are ruined by harsh treatment at the cleaners and they are dragged from place to place so frequently that they are worn to tatters in half the time they should last.

Enough of such – – and things.  Your picture stands before me . . your smile seems to say that nothing could ever be better than it was when that photo was taken.  I would like to keep that smile always as bright . . for there is a little flutter in my heart when ever I let myself really immagine what it will be like when we are together, for meager as they were, the hours we spent together were some of the finest of my life, when we can stretch them to years they will be even better.

Good night, my Darling

Untill next time

love,
Harold

22 April, 1945

My Dear Joan;

Again a week has passed and no great change has come in the situation here at Lake Charles.

We have been antisapating our first flight in our new air-craft.  We have had quite a wait while our turn was coming around.  At the moment the antisapation is at a peak; tomorrow we are scheduled to take our first ride.

At this moment also the world is looking to San Francisco for the Conference that is soon to meet there.  You spoke of your local Brains Trust; This San Francisco Conference will be a really fine example of a Brains Trust.

My interest in the San Francisco Conference has a double foundation.  People from Arcata dash down to San Francisco almost as frequently as you would go to London.  It is only a few hours by car or train . . . . a few minutes by air; in addition to the fact that San Francisco is almost at home I am particularly interested in the outcome of this war.

In one of your letter you said that your activities might seem trivial to me . . . I don’t know how serious and “heavy” you think activities should be. – . I think your ability to carry on a simple quiet life in the midst of the war has always been a puzzle to me and a reason for admiration . . . A great many people say that I am too serious and that I take the war too much upon myself.  Perhaps you can help me to learn the lighter things of life.  Social activities, (which you mentioned) were almost a nonexistant part of my life.  An occasional movie, a dance on alternate Saturdays . . an occasional lunch or Dinner with one of my brothers . . . .

The problem will be less simple when I return, because there will be two people to consider and every one will be interested in meeting my wife.

Good bye, for now.

I’ll be seeing you

love,
Harold

15, April 1945

Dearest Joan:-

Tonight as I write to you there is no chance for me to forget the thing that I want most to tell you.

President Roosevelt has been laid to rest . . . Another man has been given the task of leading the American people.  Perhaps you are hearing quite a bit about that fact . . . There might be some doubt abroad about how well the American people will take to the new leader . . . .

The world can rest assured that the American people will be the least affected by this change, of any of the peoples of the world.

Perhaps you can remember when the anouncement came from London, “the King is Dead, Long live the King”.  The spirit that is behind that anouncement is the spirit that was in the American mind . . . our form of government makes it a bit out of place to chant, “The President is Dead,” “Long Live the President”.  However the greatest effect that will be seen on the American people, will be that they will fight harder because, there has been something to wake them out of the complacence that has grown up on them with the continued success of the Allied Armed Forces.

Perhaps you recall that last November my support was with Roosevelt’s opponent – -when the election was over, our support was 100% behind Roosevelt . . . . We all greive for him, but we do not stop our war efforts more than a moment to pay our respects to him.  Today I stood “on parade” with the rest of the men of Lake Charles A.A.F., and our flag flies at half mast for 30 days . . However we will not miss an hour of school or training to honor our former leader.

Now, about other topics.  The rapid advance of British and American aries across Germany has lead too many people to think that the war is ended . . .it is far from the end . . . just you wait and see.  The Pacific is far from pacific now, and will be for some time . . . Untill it is as quiet as its name emplies I have a job to do and there is going to be nothing that can prevent my doing that job.

Till next time

Good night my Darling,

Harold

10 April 1945

My Dearest Joan:-

I will start this letter tonight though it is late and it will not be finished untill a later time.

We started school this week . . . it is all the same as we had before going to England last year.  The greatest difference is that there are just two of us instead of six. . .

Goodnight, see you tomorrow.

 11. April

The past two days have been rather busy and quite cluttered with some of the things that will be our job for the next three months.

Your last two letters were very nice, in fact, they make me feel as though there was very deffinitely a reason for me to do my utmost to end this war and return to a normal life in which we can be together.

You mentioned the small mark on my forehead . . . . . I am a bit superstitious about it, and it was rather flattering to have you notice it.  I’m quite sure that you could tell us apart because there is really little reason to be confused . . dressed in identical clothes, at a distance there is some chance – – but why should we be concerned about that . . . I think you will be able to distinguish which is which at ranges which would be of any consequence.  Probably you will agree with us that any confusion is silly.

I’m not sure how much you know of the way I think of you – or how I feel . . that is about the details . . the little things, like finances, clothes, whether to buy something or to do with out it . . . Many of the things we did together were very indicative of your tastes, and the unconscious analysing of you during them had convinced me that those little things are all just as I like them.  You have a mind of your own . . yet you can agree with me when my vanity demands it . . It is just a principle of psychology; to gain favor with any person it is only necessary to flatter them or compliment them.  The more sincerely that is done the more effective it is – – My vocabulary is too limited to tell you just the way you seem to me . . . . maybe you can get some measure of what I mean when I say . . I love you . . . though it may seem strange . . I feel almost as thought you were my wife already, that we were just waiting for this war to end so that we can be together again.

With that thought I bid you good night.

love,
Harold.

31 March 1945

Dearest Joan:-

That change of station has finally come.  We are now at Lake Charles Louisiana.

Here we will pick up a new crew and train with them for about three months. We can see little chance of being sent to any theatre of operation except the Philipines.  However there is no way for us to be sure yet; in fact we will be in doubt untill we are on our way.

The last two letters from you are sounding very much like a great many people here in America.  They seem to be very optomistic about the end of hostilities in Europe . . . however I will still wager that November will find some activities of the war in Europe.

The Pacific will probably hit a phase of quiet or “no change” for a few weeks in the next month or two, after that will come a long war, because people will forget that the war is still going on.  New automobiles and other things will take the fore front in public attention. . . . . . . . . .

Another item which you mentioned . . . . the subject of an engagement . . . .I can see your viewpoint and I agree – – with one exception – -I think that we should wait untill some of the Englishmen in service return and untill we see whether the Jap is a better marksman than his European counterpart.  There is still a chance that my fortune and my skill will not continue to be so good.

Tomorrow is Easter – -I think I will finish this by the light of an easter sunrise so that we can share our first Easter over a distance of a few miles. .

goodnight, my Darling

1 April,

Good morning.

We were wakened this morning by a storm which approached a tropical hurricane in its violence and the rain was coming down in torrents.  The peak of the storm seems to have passed now, but it is still raining and the wind is very strong.

Any new Easter clothes will probably be left at home today.  We will just stroll over to the post chapel instead of going to town for church this morning, and our sunrise worship was an individual affair in which each man was alone in his communion; with a feeling that he was very near those he loved and very near indeed to the supreme power of the universe.

It is afternoon in England now and you have probably finished any formal worship for the day.  We are just starting our day with most of the fellows still in bed.  My day will be very quiet with nothing but a few letters written to varrious members of my family and a few friends.

Perhaps you would like to look on your map to see where we are now stationed.  We are about 40 miles from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and two thirds of the way towards Houstin, Texas from New Orleans, La at the mouth of the Mississippi River.  Lake Charles is larger than Bps. Stortford, possibly near the size of Cambridge, but it is 200 miles from any city except Houstin, and 100 miles from Housin.

When you are ready to come to America you may like to see some of these places . . . however they are not really worth the trouble necessary to get to them.

Well, my Darling, untill next time,  . .remember, I love you,

Harold

21 March 1945

My Dear Joan:-

As each day goes by and there is more and more comment concerning the early end of the European conflict, my displeasure with being kept waiting grows.

I believe that late summer will be the earliest that we can expect to see an end to things over there.  Perhaps my knowledge of the factors involved is not as complete as some, but I think there is danger of over optimism and disappointment if too many people get the idea that it is all over.

Some time ago . . I wrote you a fairly complete account of the financial status which you could expect in America. . . There is one factor which I forgot to mention . . the rate of exchange. If you really expect to come to America I would advise you to buy some American currency now.  At the time I left England the rate of exchange was stabalized at $4.035/£ . . . . the rate in the world market and at New York is about $3.56/  if you have an eye on some speculation the money market is a good place to look now.  The British money system is sound but due to the caprice of world affairs the fluxuations of the rates of exchange do some strange things.  At the time we started across last year we were limited to the purchase of £50 because of the difference in rate of exchange.  Your gain would be only about 2/ now but in a year from now it may be twice that.  I’m not sure that the stabalized rate of exchange will pertain to civilians or not . . . if it doesn’t you might have to forego some of the gain unless you could have some one in service make the purchase for you.

Columbia looks almost like England in late July now . . . Nearly every one has changed to summer uniforms and the trees are leafing rapidly, although there is some chance for frost later this month it is almost summer.

I recieved a letter from Sgt. Harkabus today . . he is in Florida as a gunnery instructor on an A-26 base. . . with in ten minutes I had arranged to be transferred there as soon as there is an opening . . . possibly in 15 days or less . . . Untill it is deffinitely ordered there is no way of being sure.  He is very enthusiastic about the new plane and perhaps we can get to fly together in our next tour of duty as we did in the last.  I’m quite sure I will feel more comfortable with a man that I know back there.

Once you asked me to promise that if any thing happened to me, that I would let it make no difference between us . . . . . I don’t think I would be so rash as to make any promise in this war . . .but I assure you, I will let you make the final decision concerning what ever may be the extent of such injuries and their effect upon our lives . . I’m quite sure that if any thing happens it will be serious enough that you will learn about it from some one else . . . or it will be so slight as to be useless to mention. .

Well, my Darling, this is three weeks since your last letter arrived but more will be comming soon I know.

Untill we meet again in our letters,

With my love,
Harold

17. March 1945

 My Dear Joan:-

Something happened here yesterday that has never happened in England: We are now authorized to wear the “Summer Uniform” . . . March is rather winterish to be wearing our coolest uniform in England, but here the fellows have been swimming for most of the month of March and yesterday was so hot that comfort was out of the question – . . we were looking for a place to get out of the sun.  The anouncement that the usual 16 March change of uniform would take place caught me by surprise.  .  . In fact I was contemplating a shopping trip to replace some of my well worn winter clothing . . . All that saved me was the streak of laziness that caused me to put it off.  Now the purchase will be summer cottons because we have never had the opertunity to get a complete summer wardrobe . . . . Looking back it has been almost two years since we wore our “Suntans”.

For some reason the postal service has been very slow the past week . . . No mail from England and only one letter from all of the other people that occasionally write to me.

The fifth week of our stay here has been very much like the others except that we were called to the office of the personnel section to check some of our records, and we started some of the training on the ground. . but still no flying.  Of course each day that passes brings the day when we will fly, that much closer, and then again it is another day that has been wasted   a day that I might have used to bring this war nearer to an end so that the day could come when you and I can begin to plan our lives “Apres le guerre”.

I am deffinitely dissapointed that these five weeks should be wasted, but . . . what can one man do against the system that has been set up and called “the army”.

Another development that was worked on last week but requires some further work.  The “strings” that will bring Sgt. Harkabus back to my crew as gunner are beginning to be pulled.  Whether there will be sufficient time and sufficient string pulling ability available is still a question that has not been answered.  If we can work the arangement it will indeed be a fortunate gain for me. . . experienced gunners are scarse and then too, Harkabus is better than average even without the experience gained in Europe. . . . .

Well, untill next time, goodbye my Darling.

love
Harold

11 Feb 1945
(envelope postmarked Mar 12)

Dearest Joan:-

Today is Sunday, a fine sunny day much like the day last August when we were swimming together.  The peach blossoms are beautiful, the daffodills are so bright and yellow.  The Japanese cherry trees are in bloom now.  Every thing indicates that spring is really here!  I just caught a glimpse of a “butterfly”, the first of the year as far as I know.

The only objection I have to South Carolina now is that there is nothing to do but sit and read, or twiddle my thumbs.  I some times wish I had brought my knitting or something else to occupy my time.

Yesterday I saw some work that one fellow is doing to occupy his time . . he is making models of all of his favorite aircraft.

If time continues to hang heavily on my hands I shall try to do the same.

With nothing here to write about it might be well to go back to the family discriptions that I started some time ago . . .

The third member of my family, my sister Glen as near as I can guess is just past 40 she married a “blacksmith” perhaps you would call him a “wheelright” or a “wagoner” he has modernized as machinery improved and is a skilled craftsman.  I have seen little of them but have had occasional contacts with them all through the years.  The oldest son, my first nephew, was last reported in a hospital on the western front (someplace in Germany) he is 24, the rest of the children, 2 girls and 2 boys, are all nearly grown (15-22), the whole family is rather rural and really frank homey folks.

The next of my brothers, John, entered the navy about the time I was old enough to remember, he served a few years then went to work on “shore duty” at the trade he had learned at sea.  He has now taken to a farm to keep his boys busy . . he still works in the “engine room” of a factory . . His oldest son (18) was last reported “at sea, someplace in the Pacific”.  The other three boys are in school and run the farm besides, with their fathers help.

Next comes two brothers whom you probably will meet when you get to California, I won’t protract this letter by telling you about them now.

I think you will have more letters coming along soon because I have written twice each week except the last one, since I left Dodge City.  I wish we could have been together at Ely but we will save that for some day when we are old and grey and are showing our grandchildren the beauties of England, or perhaps for some erlier date, who can say just when we will go sight seeing in England.

untill next time my Darling

love
Harold

4, Feb. 1945
(envelope postmarked Mar 5)

My Dear Joan:-

The spring is really gaining the upper hand here in Columbia.  The new leaves are showing on the trees, the peach trees are in full bloom and very beautiful . . . though England may be close behind us we will have a warmer spring and summer than you will have. . . . one day last week recorded a temperature of 68º and there has been no frost for several days.

We are becoming very bored with our life of inactivity here.  The waiting is the hardest part, because we know that if we were busy we could be doing a little toward shortening the time till this war is at an end.

You mentioned the rockets landing in England. . They will continue to fall till the rest of Holland is cleared of Natzi fories.  That should be accomplished in a few more months, perhaps even in weeks.

After the big batch of letters that came last week I can hardly expect to recieve more for several days. . . so I’ll have to be content with my usual rereading of the ones I have.

Since the extent of our activities have been to eat, sleep and grow fat there isn’t much to write about our activities – – We have gone to the movie each time there was a new film showing.

There is some indication that the high command has planned for the end of the European conflict this year because we have here on this field a whole group that was ordered home from the Meditirranian area to be retrained for the Pacific area.

Well, I’ll be seeing you, the “boys” are calling me to go to the bar for ice cream.  Shall I eat some for you? –  –

untill next time –

love,
Harold

26, Feb 1945

My Dearest Joan:-

At this moment I feel the greatest thrill that has come my way for some time . . . In two days of this last week I recieved six letters with a familliar handwriting and British Postage Stamps.  The first three were not so unusual because I had recieved that many at once, before.  Now I can say that your letters really are getting to me . . .

Darling, you asked me about the letter which you wrote before I left England . .I recieved it soon after it was written . . .I believe, before I left England . . . I had never made further comment upon religion because I thought we were so completely in accord on the subject that there was no further need for discussion.  Our back grounds are different, to be sure, but our ideas are very similar.

Another item which must envarriabley be discussed is finance.  Perhaps you may have gathered that my family is far from wealthy.  In fact a few years ago we probably would have been refered to as “poor” – -however as more of us grew old enough to work the burden grew less on each, untill now I think there is little danger of any of us starving.

In addition to the ability and knowledge which made it possible for me to earn my living before this war . . I now have an aviation skill which should be of some value . . . making adjustments for post-war slump and keeping in mind that I may not be able to continue in aviation I feel reasonably sure that we can expect finances equivalent to £300 a year after taxes are paid. . that is not much but I think we can avoid starvation untill we become accustomed that sort of life . . . My service pay is being carefully horded to provide a chance at an aviation business if the opertunity remains open.  Another thing that may make it possible for us to be financially secure is the fact that I own one house (in Arroyo Grande where my mother lives) and half of the one in Arcata . . . . I expect to convert the interest in the house in Arcata to cash and build us a new home when prices are lower after the war is over.  I think too that a wife should have some say in the planning and building of her home.

You spoke of my old job . . I rather liked it and it paid me about 5/6d an hour . . not exactly a starving wage . . . I may take it till I can get settled in aviation if that works out alright.  Well so much for money I hope you will not find me a poor provider but you can’t expect to be wealthy if you marry me.

With regard to your “Hope Chest” Whatever you may have, by all means you should bring if for no other reason than the sentiment of knowing that they came with you from England.  Fish-knives and forks are entirely new to me. – but . . I’ll have you know my name is “Walton” maybe not “Isac Walton” but I do a bit of fishing on my own occasionally and we will have all the fish you want – – even if I have to buy it from the fish-market on my way home from a fishing trip.

My brother Earl has always been the family fisherman he catches more fish than any two other men I know.  He is just six years older than I am, and he is the one whom every one confuses with me.  We are the same size and even acquaintances of many years were unable to distinguish which was which of us.

He has a lovely little daughter of nine years who looks more like me than her daddy and has as much affection for her uncle as for her parents.  She has long been my favorite because I was present for most of her first six years care. – I fed her the bottled rations that she lived on, I dressed and bathed her, and walked the floor with her ills untill that sort of thing was no longer necessary.

Now what was I talking about before that interuption on infant care . . . Oh! yes, I was just rambling on about things in general.

Oh! with  regards to the locket – – I wasn’t sure whether it would escape duty charges but if it was recieved in good order it should be safe to send some other things which you find hard to get but which are plentiful here.

I almost forgot, you asked about the American girls . . they are not greatly different from their British cousins – – the Scotish girls are probably more like the Americans than any of the other United Kingdom girls.  You however seemed very Americanized with your slang and your ability to do as those around you did – – frankly the American girls are more self assured and demand more from their men because they have been accustomed to being the equal and treated as superior to the men – – They have never lacked the clothes nor the cosmetics to keep their apearance the chief concern of their lives.  Given six months in America you will be indistinguishable from any of them except to the practiced eye then I fear the American girls will suffer from the contrast.  They lack some of the English poise and good grammar and careful diction.  The American trait of getting what he wants is also a trait of the girls – – they are almost too bold in their independance.  . –

I hope I have made you see some of the things I see in American girls.  They will hold their own any place in the world with any one . . but I think the reason I chose an English girl is because I met the one who suited my tastes in England before I met one in America who could compare . . .

Well, goodnight my darling

love
Harold

20 Feb. 1945

My Darling:-

today we are having a very english spring day . . . . . exactly like many days last spring when we were in Ulster.  This time however I miss my bicycle because we are walking every where we go now.

One of the reasons I am writing today rather than Saturday is that; I recieved four letters from you in the past few days . . . Including your air letter of 5, Feb, which reached Dodge City in ten days.

It seems very significant that you should mention seeming very close regardless of the thousands of miles . . . Sawbridgeworth seems almost as close to me now as it did while I was still at camp only a few minutes away.  It seems almost as though if I started in a plane it would be only a minute or two till I would be sighting the familiar little grassy drome at Sawbridgeworth . . which we always used as a landmark to tell us that we were almost home.  Though I only rode a bus a few times in England . . . In my imagination I would land my little plane on a drome near Bp’s. Stortford and step onto bus and ride to the top of the hill in Sawbridgeworth; then I would walk past the church (remember the way we walked that one day).  On down the hill and across the bridge . . . . Perhaps my dreams are a bit mixed up . . but some place along the way you must appear on the scene because, as I walk down the hill you are beside me . . . . this dream seems to get all mixed up with the gently winding way that leads to my house in Arcata, because, we never seem to reach “Talma” . . . . we walk the last few steps to the door of the little white house and there the picture that I see just goes no farther.  I guess we will have to wait till the time comes when we can really “carry on from there”.

I have already written you all that is known about my new assignment except that it is designed to “probably” take me to the Pacific rather than Europe, and we will be flying A-26 “Invaders” which I mentioned to you before leaving England, as a “Super Marauder” . . . they carry only two men on the crew and also more than half again as many bombs as the Marauder . . they are much faster as well.

The pilots who have flown them speak of them as though they were something in a dream rather than a mass of machinery; to believe all of the things we hear about them would be like saying that they were half “Spitfire” and half “Lancaster” and had all of the best features of both.  For the time being, however, we just sit and dream as some one else goes over head in them.  We are a manpower pool from which pilots are drawn as there are openings in the schools . . . . there is some talk of mooving the “pool” to Florida in the next few days. . . . There may be some delay in the delivery of my mail if and when the move is made.  Therefore . . if any of your questions go unanswered for some time there will be an alabi for me. . Not that I would ever forget . . Oh! no! no! I only forget on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, alternate Thursdays, Sundays, Fridays and twice on Saturday . . . then some times in between,  just in case I forgot to forget . . . but if you want any remembering done just call on me.

Last night I picked up an old issue of the “American Magazine” in which I stumbled on an article written by a London girl who married an American . . . She called it . . “American Husbands are So Sweet” . . . . Her typical British way of speaking reminded me so much of Moreen and her excited chatter . . . . I thought immediately of sending it to you . . . but decided against it on second thought since it was more of an article for the American public and was deffinitely one continuous shout of praise for American men. . . . they probably are already too concieted with out such a nice compliment from any one.

A few days ago I happened on an article summarizing the difficulties which you must surmount in order to gain entrance to the United States. .  They are formidable only in their complexity and not in the requirements themselves . . . . The chief problem seems to be transport . . . .however wives of Americans will meet less difficulties than other people . . . since permission has been granted for them to enter on resident status without regard to the quota system.

With regard to Kathleen’s R.A.F. fellow . . . there were thousands of such fellows on the transport which returned Lt. Hayes and myself to New York.  There were groups of men from RAF, RCAF, RAAF, R.N.Z.A.F., as well as Royal Navy, Fleet air arm, etc. We had quite a chummy affair with the mixture of languages and dialects . . we even had a few thousand Jerry prisoners aboard.

Well, till next time,

with my love,
Harold

CAAB
Feb. 16, 1945

My Dearest Joan:-

It is now Friday and the promised activity has not materialized . . . Just a more certain indication of more and more inactivity.

I can tell you a little about my trip to this place.

Last week I went in to the town of Dodge City, Kansas and boarded a train.

The first stage of my journey carried me to Chicago.  Chicago is a fairly large city so your map should show it.  In Chicago the weather was very foul, there was snow on the dirty streets, more snow as coming down but it was melting as fast as it fell. . My attempts to find lodging were futil, so, I boarded the first train which I could get on.  The next phase of the trip carried us through the states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and thus to Columbia, South Carolina. . . Much of the scenery of the southern half of the trip was very much like California and made me wish even more that I were in the home country.

The camp here is very nice compared to Dodge City; it is in a large pine forest.  The trees are very small when contrasted to the giant Redwoods of Northern California.  The ground is sandy so that mud will not be a problem, the gently rolling hills are much like England.  Even in February it is warm, much like May or June in England, except that the days are shorter.  The seasonal varriation is much less here because it is so far south. . . The rains are infrequent, and very similar to summer rains in England.  The trees are a type of pine that is peculiar to this region . . the needles are very long, exceeding 12 inches in most cases, they grow in clumps at the ends of the branches only, which some times gives them the look of old brooms tied onto the branches of a dead tree.  Every tree bears the scars of cuts made to gather the resin for the production of “naval stores”.  Some of the scars are extended as high as a man can reach . . others are lower, most all of them have been carried almost to the ground.

As usual at such a place the rumors are far more numerous than the true facts about the actual training program; by gathering a huge quantity of rumor and mixing in a little guessing I have decided that we will be here only a short time; perhaps a fortnight, perhaps a month, but no longer than that. . .  That will be a period of inactivity and a very difficult task that will be.

As yet Tommie has not answered my letter of over a month ago, so my knowledge of his activities is rather limited.

Once you asked if it would possible to fly up to see them, (Tommie and Shila) when we have our own plane some day . . .the distance is as great as from London to New York or London to Bombay, India, or from Calif. to the Hawaiian Islands. . . Though travel will be easy and very fast after the war . . . it will continue to cost more than most of us can afford to spend for pleasure travel.  There is a factor that enters into such things, always if any one wants something enough they can save for it and they will get what they want . . . . I think that you can rest assured that you won’t be seeing London for the last time when you embark for America, . . . time is a salable article though, it might take too long to make an ocean voyage, a few hours by air will make the distance that a voyage would take weeks to make. . . .

You also asked about cookery . . . . American cookery is a mixture of the rest of the world and some times a strange combination of some of the elements . . . Families with English ancestry probably are very English in their food . . . The other countries of the world are all represented, and all contribute to the total.  It is a very simple thing to learn to prepare the favorites of each group . .

Untill next time;  love,

Harold

DCAAF
6. Feb. 1945

Dearest Joan:-

At last the good news has come.  I didn’t write Saturday because I thought that I would learn very soon where I was to be sent.  I was notified early yesterday that I was to go to Columbia, South Carolina . . . today I was able to see my orders and find the name of the field . . it is just “Columbia Army Air Base” or (C.A.A.B., Columbia, South Carolina U.S.A.)  I have started to pack and get ready for the three day trip . . some 3000 miles by rail.

There will be a more complete military address as soon as I am settled . . however mail addressed to the above address will reach me.  There have been no letters now for nearly a fortnight because the last two arrived together.

Maybe next time I will have some new material to write about.

Untill then,

good night, my Darling
Harold.

D.C.A.A.F.
Jan. 27, 1945

 My Darling:-

“Dame Fortune” smiled upon me again today.  Another of those letters with the British “Postage Revenue” was handed to me at the post office.  This particular letter made its way through stormy skies in twenty days.  There were several things today that made me wish that I were back in England; back where I could be with you.  The first thing that brought pleasant memories to my mind was a few bars of music . . . Serching the airwaves for a clear broadcast on our high-powered short-wave radio . . A station came through very clearly and then a very British voice said, “This is BBC”, etc . . . the “six pips” of the time signal, the other routine B.B.C. formalities; then for over an hour we were back in a hut on the hill out from Stanstead . . . . . . . The freak activities of Radio dropped us back in Kansas with a splutter of static and the girl in London faded away.

You asked about my family . . . . . . They are really not very important but I suppose it would be a little easier if you know a little about them.  I won’t bore you with a lengthy discussion of any of them.  The eldest, Robert Allen Walton was twenty years of age when I was born. – he went to California several years before the rest of the family.  He followed the trade which our Grandfather brought from England, (painter).  During the prosperous years before 1929 he extended into construction of homes . . . . He was not satisfied with the scale of construction which he could finance properly and so . . when the depression came, his finances went with the building industry. . . . He is an experienced construction contractor . . . but due to restrictions on building he works for the government as an inspector of lumber and other construction materials.  Because of the difference in our ages he is really quite a stranger to me.  The remote chance that you will ever meet him and his wife, it is sufficient to say you know him as well as I do.

Before I go any farther, I might answer your other question . . . All of my brothers and sisters have stuck together, and they all respect each ones ideas and oppinions . . though we often disagree we never quarrel or fight . . . . you will be accepted as though you were from the next town and you will find them all very straight forward and friendly.  Like all normal people they may be curious and some of the things you regard as everyday occurrances may seem very strange to them.  They will ask questions; after they know you better they will tease you . . . . all in different ways. . You will like them all, some of them you will learn to love as brothers or sisters.  They will all like you.

Next in the list is a sister Zephyra Borg . . . who is eighteen years older than I am, she is a farmers wife and lives on the farm that they went to when they were married twenty-three years ago . . . They are prosperous farmers, hard working and simple folks . . . much like your friend, Kathrine . . . . . I admire them both very much because although they did not have much formal education they are among the most advanced thinkers in all lines and on all subjects. . . I had not seen them for 16½ years untill Christmas but found them still the same most progressive farmers in their section of the country.  They have a very sweet little girl of 9 years, whom I fell in love with when I met her last month.

That should be enough for this time.  Should I say, “continued next week”?

I recieved the picture you sent.  I don’t think it is a bit like you . . . especially with the “snap” which your father took of us to compare . . . . I much prefer the older picture that I brought home with me. . . of course it would be much nicer to see the real thing, and then maybe I could steal a kiss . . think so?

good night, Darling.

Harold

D.C.A.A.F.
Jan. 20, 1945

My Darling Joan:-

The cold winter of Kansas seems to have overtaken us at last.  Yesterday the first snow of the new year fell.  It fell thick and fast, huge fluffy snowflakes that covered the ground to a depth of six inches in three hours.  As darkness fell the snow became a powdery white mist that coated the wet snow with a dry fluffy cover.

Your letter of 29 December arrived this week.  Most of your letters are comming regularly now . . . They are such fine letters I read them several times, sometimes going back to the first ones and reading all of them.  At the beginning I thought I loved you . . each letter has convinced me that I only half knew my feelings for you and the more I read the letters the more deeply do I know that you are the one true love for which I have waited. . . at first I thought that I might meet some American girl who would appeal to me . . . after four months I find them less attractive and even more that at first I compare their reactions unfavorably with your actions and reactions.  It is true that we are much alike.  You asked when I found that I cared at all about you . . . .  If you will recall, the first time I saw you I arranged to see you again . . it would have been so simple to just not ask to see you again.  You said that I always seemed so indifferent . . . . You will also recall that the first time I saw you in Bps. S. that I rode to Sawbridgeworth on a bicycle on dark English roads to find where you lived; you will recall that though it was the second time I had seen you that I kissed you . . . . not because you were so easily carried away, but because I was sufficiently interested to set the stage for that first kiss.  Love does not come so quickly nor so easily . . . but indifference, pray, never accuse me of such a thing.  Rather I was affraid that I showed too much interest.  You will recall that almost every time I arranged to meet you that duties prevented me from keeping that engagement.  Yes . . though I didn’t mention love to you untill that memorable evening, it was just a growing feeling.  You seemed to present the things that I liked most in a girl, though at first I saw you for the companionship and fun we had together it was very easy to learn to love you.

I think your estimate of “years” before we see each other again is rather pesamistic, especially in view of the developments on the Eastern Front in the last few days.  But untill then I’ll be seeing you, in my letters.

love
Harold

D.C.A.A.F.
Jan. 14, 1945

My Dear Joan:-

Having just recieved your very nice letter of 23-24 Dec.  I wish even more than before that we could be together now and always.  You were answering one of my serious letters; I think seriousness becomes you.  How any one in his right mind could not love you, after even the slightest chance to know you, is beyond my reasoning.  You spoke of coming to a strange country.  It is not so strange that you could fail to get on in it even without any one to help you.  Thousands of “Yanks” have come to your England and, though they may find it different, they have been able to get on.

To mention again the subject of conventions, etc. I was not sure, though I believed we were very much alike in that respect, but now I know that we are very much alike and there will be no adjustment worth mentioning for either of us to make.  Another subject you mentioned was the permanance of marriage.  I agree with you completely on that subject, both as to the stand point of age and that a marriage should be irrevocable.

You aren’t the only one with a new job.  I now have an office, a staff of 1 private, one corporal, 1 sergeant, and 1 civilian typist.  Though it sounds much more important than it really is, it is a job and that is more than I would have with out it.  The official designation of my job is Orientation Officer with further assignment as Assistant War Information Officer and Assistant School Officer.  The chief duties consist of keeping informed about the latest developments of the war, and imparting a summery of those developments to the rest of the personnel of this field.  We have a very powerful “short wave” wireless set that is the equal of any that I have ever seen.  We recieve London Paris, Berlin, Tokyo, and dozens of American stations on all of the “broadcast bands.”  My staff listens to the broadcasts and reports and my chief duty is to conduct the classes and deliver the lectures.  There are usually 12 one hour lectures each week . . . I have films to take part of the time so that my voice gets a rest . . . but as I said before it isn’t very much of a job.  It is just a temporary assignment while awaiting assignment to further training.  The fact that our training program is drasticly reduced so that each instructor has only half as many students as formerly, leaves me with no chance to instruct in flying.

Ah, mm . . . By the way . . You never did tell me just when your Birthday is . . . I met you in May and you implied that you had just celebrated your birthday, but, you never would tell me just when it came . . . . perhaps I was not clever enough to find out for myself . . . Maybe you you will forgive my stupidity and just tell me.

Untill next time, my Darling

love
Harold

D.C.A.A.F.
Jan. 6, 1945

 My Dear Joan:-

Another Saturday night has come, but this one is a bit unique in that it is the first of a new year, also it marks a new era in the operation of this field.  In that the group of students to arrive in the next few days will be rather small. . . Indicating that higher headquarters considers that the need for pilots in Marauders is going to be smaller in the future.

Another unique feature of today is that I recieved a letter from Tommie.  He wrote from his home that he will soon be released from the army.  He returned to the “States” 18, Oct. and spent a few days in a hospital before being granted a “convalesant leave” of 30 days.  The leave was from 1 Nov. to 1 Dec. So on 19 Nov. when his daughter, Ann Elisabeth, was born he was present to fulfill the role of worried father.  He said, “things are pretty good here,” but in a later paragraph about his attempt to get a civilian pilot rating he mentioned having only one eye. If so, after all the efforts of the doctors he must have come home with some impairment of vision.

Several more of the fellows from England and France have come in here in the last week, but as yet none of the fellows whom I know that you knew are here yet.  There are several from Maching Green, and Dunmow as well as Chipping Unger and Chelmsford whom I knew before “going over”, or met in Ireland.

In as much as your letters seem to come in bunches I only recieve them at intervals of two or three weeks. I hope that my letters are a bit more regular even if they do take more time than some of yours.  The army has a way of making time seem unimportant at times so if your letters take a few weeks to come it isn’t so important, just so they keep coming.  Because you have a position where the days and the weeks are marked for you, any delay or longer space between letters would seem of greater importance to you.

For several reasons you seem closer to me tonight.  Tommie’s letter calls up memories, and for some reason it seems that in a few days or a few hours I will be off to Long’s or maybe off to Sawbridgeworth to meet you.  Maybe it is just a dream but it still seems to obcess me and I’ll admit it is a rather pleasant feeling.

If you haven’t guessed before. . the requested change of station which I mentioned once before was a request to be returned to “combat duty”.  As the mill grinds slowly and there is still some grinding to do, it may take a few more weeks to get started.  As I mentioned before, I will write to you the minute I learn where my next stop will be.

There is a party over at the club tonight so perhaps I will join the fellows for a while to see that they have a good time.  Parties will not be the same without you, so I’m not expecting to have the same kind of enjoyment that was possible at Stanstead.

Well, good night my darling,

with my love
Harold

D.C.A.A.F.
Dec. 31, 1944

My Dear Joan:-

You can’t immagine the thrill I felt yesterday when my mail contained three, yes three! letters from a very nice young lady.  They all carried British postage stamps and were posted in Bps. Stortford or Sawbridgeworth.  I sometimes wonder what could make such a person write letters to a fellow so far away and so worthless – – but who am I to quibble?  The more I think about it the more certain I become that my stay in England was one of the happiest times of my life.

The atmosphere and activity here are so discouraging.  Every one and everything seems to be so slow and so concerned with petty trivial things of the social life of the “zone of Interior”.  They are very perturbed by some of the things that some of the “Returnees” say when they have had a few drinks.  It is all so childish.  They make nice little speaches about what a wonderful thing we did in the “theatre of operations”, then they act as though we were all some sort of criminal . . . . It is all so discouraging. . It all makes me wish that I were back in a theatre of operations so that I could get away from all of this “stuff”.

Darling, your letters are such an inspiration, and when I read them it is so much easier to believe that some day it will be possible to make a life with the little things in it again; Tea with Moreen, a cinema on Wednesday, a party, or a dance, or maybe a new frock.  The things that are left out of a life amoung men who are about the business of trying to make war.  The things that have always made life enjoyable in the world will some day be available to those men again.  In the meantime the antisapation of sharing those things with you will make the commonplace life of the army a little more bearable and perhaps the lack of those things will make the appreciation of them even greater when that time comes when we can be together again.

A bit muddled and rambling I know but it is just the way it comes to my mind and just a bit dreamy, thinking of you.

Good night, my darling.

Harold

P.S. Letters 10 11 & 12 were the last three, all previous letters have been recieved.     H

D.C.A.A.F.
Dec. 28, 1944

My Dear Joan:-

Yesterday I returned to base after a three day holiday leave.  The trip was to the farm of my sister Zephyra (the eldest sister) whom I haven’t seen since 1928.  The weather was bitterly cold, so I was unable to do much to help with the harvest which is as yet incomplete.  It is about 100 miles from Dodge City to Holly and about 20 miles farther into the open country to the farm.  In as much as every one changes in 16 years and I have lived a life vastly different from the life on a farm in the “middle west”, It was almost like meeting strangers.  Their 9 year old daughter was quite a surprise to me.  She is so adult in some ways, she sews, cooks, rides horseback, is learning to drive the car and tractor; it is hard to believe she is only 9.  While I was there she baked a cake which was very good. One of the highlights of the weekend was the Christmas eve program at the tiny country school, (13 children with 1 teacher).  the children were very good, especially in their songs.  Untill you have seen such a performance you can’t really appreciate how the children enjoy the work they put into the hour or more of drama, pantomine, and songs.

I have Tommie’s address, which is his parents address.  He said that any letters sent there would be forwarded to him; I had almost forgotten about the baby and as yet I have not received any word from them.  I “phoned” early in October and assured his wife that he was in fine spirits and not too seriously hurt.  I also mailed a greeting card a few days before Christmas.  If no reply is forthcoming . . I shall write a letter and enquire of his wife concerning his whereabouts and health.

Your letters have come regularly in from 10 days to 4 weeks.  Since I have no way of knowing when I will leave Dodge City or where I will be stationed next, we can just hope that the last letter I write from here will be one of the fast ones so that there will be little delay in your learning of my change of address. I have already requested transfer to another station, but the ways of the army here are ponderous and slow.

Yes, Darling, apre’s la guerre, we will see many of the beautiful places in California and I hope we can see some of the beauties of New England.  We will pass lightly over the vastness of Kansas and glance at the mountains of Colorado, and see many of the things which make the world a pleasant place to live.

love,
Harold

D.C.A.A.F.
Dec. 15, 1944

My Dear Joan:-

Tonight you were so strongly in my thoughts that I couldn’t think of any thing else. . . As I had set aside Saturday evening each week to write to you and this is only Friday I tried to think of something else.  As a result some of us went to the cinema (we call it a show). . . . . What should happen but that the film is “None but the Lonely Heart”.  A very authentic story of London about 1939.  It was some what Americanized but it was much more authentic than most Hollywood productions of English scenes.  It was a bit morbid but my main enjoyment was from the sight of a London taxi, of the chimes of Big Ben.  All of the reminders of the pleasant months I spent in England.  Underneath it was always the feeling that I had but to wait for the end of the film to walk out into the street of London and then proceed to the station to catch a train for Bps. Stortford.  Why I should have that feeling I don’t know, except that perhaps I wished to be there again. Really it was the most comfortable, at home feeling, since I was in Arcata on leave.

Darling, I guess I must be wanting to see you.  It would be so wonderful to see you, to hold you in my arms.  I was thinking of the things we did together.  The things that we both like to do, some that we did together and some that we will have to save for when we are together again; Tennis, darts, and some I never asked you about; Riding, golf, fishing.  If you don’t drive a car, I will have to teach you when you get to America.  Another thing, we will have to have an airplane to travel longer distances in.

Right now I think I am dreaming. . . It would be nice if some of the things I have been dreaming could happen right now. . . . However, there is a war and most of the time the army tells me where I will go and what I can do.  Some day though it will all be over and I can get into a neat Oxford grey suit, or a blue sports jacket and I can wear what I like when I like . . . Oh me . . such dreams.

You asked about the origin of “Limey”.  That term was first applied to British sailors in the times of sailing ships . . . Because fresh foods were hard to keep on the long voyages to the orient, the diets of the sailors were very low in vitamins . . the chief vitamin deficiency was in vitamin “C” which is found most abundantly in citrus fruits.  The English sailors found that limes remained fresh for weeks, therefore they always bought a quantity of them to take on their voyages. During the long voyages they remained healthy while most other sailors were suffering from “Scurvey”.  The term “Limey” was attatched to them because they were continually sucking a lime.  They were the first called “Limey”; then all Englishmen were included in the term.  Today it is just a term that might be paralleled with “Yank” when applied to an American.  Unfortunately it lends itself more easily to derision, and you probably will hear it prefaced by various adjectives.  The way you asked about its origin makes me think that you probably heard it as “Damn Limeys”. . . . The term itself was started over a hundred years ago as a form of jealous derision, but has long since lost its original signifigance.

It is really regretable that all Americans could not get along with all Englishmen, but I guess there were as many Englishmen who disliked the Americans as there were Americans who disliked the English.  I get along with most people, but I fail to agree completely with all of them.

Well, Darling, I think I will go to bed and dream . . I still have you on my mind so much that I’m sure I’ll dream of you.

Untill next time,

yours with love
Harold

D.C.A.A.F.
Dec. 7, 1944

My Dear Joan:-

This evening we had one of the beautiful sunsets that are very common in Kansas.  The sky was so clear and blue that it looked like a bright blue glass bowl with long streamers of flame clouds across it.  The clouds were like very brilliant flames . . . red, orange, yellow, some so bright that they were almost white.  The snow reflected the light so brightly that for a few minutes it was lighter than the noon sun.  The only thing that could have made it more wonderful would be, to have some one to share the beauty with me.

Once you asked about our presidential election and the policies involved. . . . the minor details that really make up the differences between the parties would take hours and hours to explain, however, the great differences may be summed up in a brief statement:

The “Republicans” are a rather conservative group who propose little or no government controll of business, lower tariff barriers, and a more sound economic operation of the government as a whole.  The “Democrats” favor greater governmental controll in all fields of industry and business.  The Government has never had a balanced budget during a Democratic administration.

The present defecit is in the neighborhood of £50,000,000,000 or more than twenty times the debit which the government was under at the end of the Republican administration in 1932.

As to the effect upon the war. . . . Though many people feared differently, and some really were concerned – – the only difference that would have been evidenced would have been an increase of efficiency and a decrease in cost.  Many items of war material are being sold to the army at two, three and sometimes four times the cost in normal times.  There is a constant cry for more workers, yet the political patronage, (giving jobs to families of office holders) is greater now than at any time in the history of the world.  This has come about because the administration has been in office for such a long time, (12 years) and now the “patronage” is so great that it controlls a large block of votes; possibly enough to change the election results.

I don’t know how much you will understand of our mixed up political system but it is really very simple.  We are all Americans, we think that a certain group of men would do the job better than another . . . We try to get that group into the position . . . if we fail we all keep on working and fighting just the same.  We know that it isn’t the way the president spells his name that makes the world go around so we just forget about the election and go on with our part of the war and the work of making the world go around.

Most of the younger people in the U.S. are inclined to favor the Democratic Party because it is more liberal and progressive, but those who study economics and government soon take a middle attitude and swing their weight toward the group they favor most.  They may vote “Democratic” in a local election, Republican in a State election and, split their vote in a national election . . . voting for the candidate they think better suited for the job.

You probably are bored by this dissertation on politics so perhaps I will change the subject.  Since there is little chance for mail to get through regularly some of the things I expect to send you in the next few weeks may take months to get there so just let the postal system take its time and I hope you get them some time.

Oh! by the way – do you remember the evening that I caused you to break your date with the handsome Corporal. – . .that was the last time I wore my Great coat till last Monday. . . In the pocket I found something which is of no value to me here.  Perhaps you can use it to some advantage.

There is another question I would like to ask you. — Does Moreen plan to stay in Bps. Stortford for some time or does she plan to come to New York?  I would like to send her a wedding gift but I will wait till you tell me how I can reach her. . . I could send it to you and you could give it to her . . or send it directly to her.

Your letters #5 & #6 arrived at the same time here.  #6 was 10 days to Arroyo Grande.  Sometimes the postal service can be very good.

Untill next time, Goodnight my darling

Yours,
Harold

D.C.A.A.F.
Dec. 3, 1944

My Dear Joan:-

At last winter has come to Kansas.  We have seen only a little snow but it is very cold most of the time.  The wind is rather strong and when it is several degrees below freezing it drives most every one indoors.  So long as there is no snow we fly, regardless of the temperature.  From now till March there will be much bitter cold weather sometimes going as low as -40º for several days.

A few days ago I received your greeting card and letter #4.  I had almost despaired of getting any more letters since the first three were so prompt.  The three letters were at Arroyo Grande when I arrived there Oct. 17.  #3 was dated 30th September – – therefore, it must have come in about ten or eleven days.  It has been almost two months since I wrote to you from Arcata, and other letters have followed from each place I have been.  I have not been deprived of letters nearly as long as you probably have been because the three that I got first came in the middle of the long separation we have been subjected to.  And now #4 has finally followed me here.  I know that the winter weather will delay air mail some times for weeks so it will be easier now to wait for your letters.

The month of September was almost completely cut from my mental calander.  All of September was spent trying to get home.  October was quickly used by my leave and the reassignments phase at Santa Monica.  The major part of November was wasted here at Dodge City.  Now I am left with the feeling of a useless appendage to the airforces.  “The Training Command” has served its purpose and is now of no value.  We will probably find ourselves without even a theoretical job before many months.  For that reason I expect to request transfer to some other command, probably one of the airforces.  The process will take some time, but if perserverance is of any avail, I will succede.

If Moreen really wants to marry her fellow she will enjoy the months of waiting; and it is my guess that she will be more sure of happiness if she waits a few months. . . . anything a person plans for and works for will be more completely enjoyed and appreciated than something that comes so easily or without effort.  Though England is your home and you will never really put it out of your mind and heart it will be possible to accept another home.  You will have to make a new life and a new circle of friends. . . but it will not be so difficult if you keep in mind that the world gives back to each person just as much as that person puts into the business of living.

We mentioned once about time and distance’s effect upon people. . . In that connection I would like to warn you, and Moreen as well; when people are together both the faults and virtues are evident . . .  When distance intervenes – – only the virtues survive the effects of time.  Too frequently when a man is away he is remembered for his good qualities alone . . . . when he returns his faults are so evident that disalusionment is almost unavoidable. Men are only human . . They love the girl they have chosen and they try to be as worthy of her love as they find it possible to be – – but sometimes romantic girls left to their dreams expect their men to be the Prince Charming they have dreamed of. . .

Darling, I know you are sensable and can think clearly – – that quality is one of the reasons I love you.  Life is a serious business and love is such a wonderful thing, when the two are mixed in matrimony they can bring great happiness if they are properly handled. –

Untill next time

Yours
Harold

                                                                                                                                    D.C.A.A.F.
Nov. 18, 1944

My Dear Joan:-

Something happened today that brought you and England closer to my mind.  Waking this morning before dawn (as we always do here) we realized that, for the first time in months there were no stars visible.  After breakfast we reported to the “flight line”.  There we arange the schedual for the day and assign the ships to the people who fly them. . . Then as soon as it is light enough we move out and take off.  This morning there were reports of “mist”, before it was light.  However it was cleared away in time for us to take off.  We climbed to the bottom of the clouds and then just continued with our regular flying below them.

By ten o’clock the clouds had chased us down almost to treetop level and we were called in by the controltower.  The rest of the day was like so many of the days in England in the spring.  Much like the night we got wet, after the dance at Long’s, not a rain, but just enough so things were wet and the ground became muddy on top of the dust.  Because such weather reminds me of you I can even say I like it.

Darling, once you asked about some of the uniform combinations you saw in a moovie.  Specificly you asked about an officer with air force shoulder patch and engineer lapell insignia.  All such combinations are possible and probably will become more numerous as time goes along.  The engineers serving with the airforces build the buildings, the hangers, the runways, and the parking areas.  The medics serving with the airforces care for the airforce personnel who require medical care.  The ordnance section provides our bombs, our guns, and our airborn canon.  The Signal Corps personnel provide and maintain the radio equipment in the ships and on the ground.  All of these wear the shoulder patch of the airforces and the lapel insignia of their own service.

I don’t remember whether I told you what we do here.  This is a training base which trains Marauder Pilots.  We get the newly trained pilots from training aircraft and teach them to fly a B-26.  I am learning the technique of instructing as well as the system used here for flying the ship by training command specifications.  The students from this school have a very good record and we hope to maintain a high standard of training here.

Another of the topics which I think we should exchange ideas about is the different customs and conventions of our countries.  We are not very consistant in our conventions; many different nationalities are mixed together to make America.  Many of the old ways of doing things have been handed down from generation to generation with variations entering each time a new home was made from two families being joined by the marriage of their children.

Some people have very formal weddings, and anouncement parties, etc., while others disregard those things altogether; of course there are all of the in between people who do some of the things and not the others.  Some families require the men to wear a full suit for dinner, in others the men come in to dinner in the clothes they work in. . .   Stemming from a family of farmers and working men, I have never considered it necessary to dress for dinner, in fact if I am at the home of friends or relatives I take my coat off for dinner, rather than putting it on.

When I get myself a wife, I expect to conform to most of her ideas on that sort of thing.  Since you are a prospect for the difficult task of making a man of me I would like to know some of your likes and dislikes in the field of custom – and convention.

My training leaves a lot to be desired in manners and polish of a gentleman, perhaps other factors affect that deficiency, however, I have always thought of marriage as a turning point in my life, a time to put aside some things and take up others.  No one can change greatly, regardless of their desire to change– There for it is better to know the person with whom you are going to live and work and know where in you differ and wherein you are alike. . .Only people who are abnormal can long endure a person who is greatly different from themselves.  We are, after all, just a bundle of habits, customs, and conventions.

What I have tried to say is that . .  I am basicly a person who prefers to be informal but still conform nearly enough to the conventional way of doing things to avoid offending most people.  Because I lack the knowledge with which to do the things that may be required of me, please tell me of things that you want me to do or that I should do.  Love can overcome a great many things, but it can’t do every thing.

If this letter seems jumbled and meaningless just remember that I am trying to give you some idea of what I am and why I love you so that you can better understand the situation between us.

Good night, and pleasant dreams,

your
Harold

D.C.A.A.F.
Nov. 12, 1944

Dear Joan:-

There has been little of interest to report since the last time I wrote to you.  However, I do have a new part of the United States to discribe to you.  Here at Dodge City we are in the middle of what is known as the great plains.  Sometimes refered to as the middle-western states.  The great plains slope gradually from the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River.  Here in Kansas the elevation above Sealevel is about 2000 feet.  The flatest and most barren of all the region is between here and a point some 150 miles west of here.  There is nothing to interupt one’s vision for miles and miles and miles.  It is usually possible to see a person 5 to 10 miles away and on a clear day as much as 20 miles away.  Flying at an altitude of 500 feet it is possible to see as much as 100 miles in every direction.  There are no trees, no hills, no lakes, and very few houses.  It is the misfortune of the world that this great plains is on the eastern side of the mountains.  Situated as it is, it is semi-desert.  However if it were on the western slope so that it would be watered by sufficient rain fall, the great plains could produce enough food to feed the world.  As late as 1900 there were great herds of the American Buffalo (scientificly classified as Bison) roaming these plains.  A “Buffalo” weighs nearly 3000 pounds and is as good as beef.  It is this country (Here and 500 miles in all directions) which was the scene of most of the “Cowboy” stories.

The first railroad that crossed the 3000 miles of the continent ran through Dodge City.  It was to a place about 100 miles west of here that my parents and the older six children of the family mooved in 1911.  After a few months of work and planning they settled on a, “Homestead”, a government grant of land.  The only perogative was that they should live on it for five years and build a house, a barn and fences. They stuck to it for ten years, during which six more children were added to the family, the last and most worthless of which was given the name, “Harold” (probably because there were no other names left). Then during a series of drouth years, with no crops, and little hope the farm was mortgaged and forfeited.

Thus, with nothing left to stay for we mooved to the small town of Holly, Colorado; and finally to California.  I hope you are not too bored with this tale because it is very insignificant, except that it is that background which made me what I am and what I will be always.  It is through this life that I have learned what I know and became aware of the feelings that make me what I think I am.  It was through these years together that our dependance upon one another and upon our own ability to work was founded. — As all people are different so is each of the eight boys of my family different, and so is each of the four girls different.  Even so we are enough alike that what each does is a reflection of the same things.  Whether they be bad or good depends upon how you look at them.

Some day I will tell you more about the individuals of the family but for now I think I have raved on enough.  It was just that Dodge City reminds me so much of that earlier “history” that I thought you could stand to hear some of it.

I haven’t heard a word from Tommie or any of the other fellows since early in September.  I saw one of the gunners from a crew that came home at the same time Lt. Harrison & Lt. Thompson came.  They flew home and arrived in the States the same day I did.  I haven’t seen Lt. Hayes since we arrived at New York.  Our gunners came home before we did so there is little possibility of us seeing them again.

Well, darling, it is almost a month since I got your letters and they were written six weeks ago so the element of distance is already trying to pull us apart.  I still remember you as I saw you the few times we were together.  I can truely say that I love the memory of you, if we never see each other again I will always think that I missed one of the best and finest girls I have ever met.

Once you said don’t say “if”, say “when”, – – – I really feel that it will be “when“, but war is such a strange thing and there seems to be little we can do untill the war is over.  I wish you were here now.  I guess it will be easier once we get letters started regularly arriving, but there is a strange quality about war that makes the men who are in it want to live for the present, and it is hard to look into the future.

Darling, please try to understand . . this is the first time in my life that I have been a problem to myself . . I honestly do not know what to do, or how I will feel when things settle down.  I would have been much better off to stay in the squadron . . . . Maybe I will settle down once I get to work here.

I no longer make sense so, Good bye for now, Darling.

Harold –

Rancho El Ray
Oct 20, 1944

Dear Joan:-

Perhaps I was a bit neglectful in not explaining Arroyo Grande to you. – Arroyo Grande is a town of about 800 people, where I lived from the time I was 11 to the time I went  to Arcata to attend college, at 17.  It has a nice warm climate . . warmer than any thing in England; so my mother has returned to Arroyo Grande to spend her remaining years, in an atmosphere of a friendly small town and a warm climate.  My youngest sister lives here on this ranch which is about 30 miles from A.G.  Her husband and his father are the ranch manager and farmer – the owner is in the navy now.

It is a different atmosphere here from any I have seen since I was just a small boy.  There are chickens, ducks, pidgeons, pigs, horses, cows; not just one or two but hundreds of them.  It is miles and miles from the pig pasture to the cow barn, and it is an industry in itself.

My mother and I have come here for a few days to rest and visit.  You certainly can’t call this place “urban”.  None of the places that we think of here as “home” are as “urban” as Sawbridgeworth.  In fact, we are a rural family and might even shock you with our rural nature.

You asked about the grammar in America . . as far as I know there is no difference in the set of rules used here and in England.  However, there are so many foreign language groups in America that there has grown up a mixed usage of all grammers here.  The schools may try to teach the right grammer, but the teaching is soon forgotten when mixing with the French, Spanish, Portugese, Swiss, German, Swedish, Mexican, and Russian, just to mention a few of the people that I worked with on one shift of the mill I worked in at Arcata.  There were dozens more in the schools, and in the towns.

I really admire the English for their ability to learn grammar, but it seems to go quickly out of an American mind when we bend our backs along side a big Swede or a fat little Frenchman.  If I split an infinative they never know and I hope you will forgive me.

                                                                                  love,
Harold

over

 P.S.

Arroyo Grande will be my address till I can find out where the army will send me.  My mother will take care of the job of getting the letters to me.

H.

Arcata, Calif.
Oct 12 1944

Dear Joan:-

At last have got myself to a place where I can write again. The day after I wrote from Chorley they told us that we could not write from there. We were in the Replacement Controll Depot for nearly three weeks and then traveled by boat for a long zigzag course across the north Atlantic. Finally we saw New York and we were in America again. Then followed more camps and trains and finally we were released from the “troop movement” and were free to go as we wished.

I came straight to Arcata and will stay here only a few days then go on to Arroyo Grande, where my mother is now. If this letter takes too long to get to you it may be because the army has all mail transport busy.

It is certainly good to get home again even if it is just for a few days. Everything is so much the same as it was when I left. Everyone is working so much of the time and there is never much to do, it is a little cold to swim now and the winter season of snow sports haven’t yet started.

We came through a big snow storm in the Rocky Mountains as we were coming across from New York.

As far as I know now, I will have no millitary address for at least six weeks more so you can reach me at Arroyo Grande, through my mother untill I am settled.

Untill next time

Harold

Joan my Darling:-

Slanting across the low hills tonight the sun slid down behind a thin band of red clouds.  The clouds changed from yellow, to orange to flame red then as the light began to fail, the red dulled to purple, and finally to a dull grey. . . But still other clouds were yellow, orange and red . . the sky is ready for the stars and finally a thin moon.  Sunsets like this are rare in England, at least I saw few of them.  For some reason I wished that you could be near me to share the beauty of it.  The greater part of beauty is in the sharing of it with someone you love.

You have mentioned the fact that you would have much to learn if and when you come to America.  Words are difficult to find to explain just what I wish to say- – lets put it this way – – You are what you are – – that fact cannot be altered – – to adapt that personality to any situation requires some adjustment – – My observations indicate that you can make those adjustments with little difficulty.  In one way your life in England will make that even more simple.  In America women have retained, or gained, a higher value to their men than the men of England seem to put on the women around them.  The home is in most cases a more nearly equal partnership between the two than appeared to be the case in British homes.

Please forgive me if the things I say sound uncomplimentary . . . they are not  meant in that way – – I simply hope to better explain what I mean when I tell you that you will like America and that particular little corner of it that you choose to favor with your presence, will like you.

We hope that our turn will come soon – – so probably by the time you get this we will be off.

If you decide to write to me in the next month you can write to

Arroyo Grande,
California
U.S.A.

I will either be there or have contact with that point so that I can get any letters that may come for me.

International postal service is a complete mistery to me – – I’ll find out some way how it is arranged . . The reason I used the 2½d stamp is that it is the only stamp available at our post office. British postal rates are also an unknown field for me.  Until the present supply is exhausted you will receive letters with the 2½d stamp whether it is sufficient or not.  Perhaps by then my education will have included a brief study of postal systems and postal rates – – untill then . . I’ll just be “dumb, but happy”.

good night,
I’ll be seeing you,

Harold

My Dear Joan:-

I will just write a little note this afternoon to assure you that every thing has gone according to plan and with out undue excitement.  The greatest problem was to get from Liverpool St. to Euston Station in London with the pile of luggage that is incidental to the movement of 28 men who are not equipped for mobility.

We were able to make quite good connections on trains all of the way.  We were billeted for the first night in an assembly hall with some 15-20 other men with nothing but canvas cots for beds.- – However, we were all ready for sleep and didn’t mind too much.

Some of our worst fears have been substantiated here since nearly every one here seems to have been here nearly three weeks and there are shipments moving in and out all of the time. Presumably it is a matter of waiting one’s turn and then moving quickly.

Untill we started our trip we had been fortunate enough to be established members of an organization now we are just “Casuals”.  The proper term would be more like Cattle. . . but we are on our way home so we will have to take the bitter with the sweet and let it go.

Now I sound like some one who has been mistreated – – I guess I’m just “bitter”. .

Goodbye for now, darling,
I’ll be seeing you,

Harold.

Sqdn “C” 12th RCD
APO 635

Dear Joan:-

After deep and profound thought- – (really not very deep nor profound) I have decided that, if we begin writing letters now and see each other when we can- – the final parting when our orders come will be less sudden and we will be able to easier accept the prospect of being unable to be together for awhile.  (What an involved, mixed up sentence).

In many ways it might have been better if I had not mentioned any thing to you about how I feel about you- .  We would have been spared any difficulty that may arize – – however, if we are able to survive the difficulties and surmount the obsticles we will have a greater happiness for having done so.

You gave me a very pleasant surprise when you mentioned religion in your letter. . You do not seem to be deeply religious but the mere fact of your mentioning the subject seems to indicate an interest in the subject.  Perhaps you have heard the statement. .”there are no athiests in the Sky,” . . . You may have wondered why I was so confident that our crew would have no difficulty in flying over France and coming back . . that was a part of my religion . . entirely disconnected from any church . . there is a personal element that does not concern the people who sit in a church. . religion is a thing between a persons soul and his creator.  I will probably be less regular in church attendance when I go home than I was before I left . .  because flying has given me a greater insight into what religion is. It will take years and volumes of words to tell just what the effect of a few seconds of close harmony with our creator can do to a man. . . I hope you do not misunderstand me . . never in all our flights did fear enter any of our minds . . although all or most other fellows spoke of fear on nearly every trip . . . Something about the thing defies words to explain it.

I hope you will be satisfied that you know me from what contact we have through letters.  I have always been able to write my thoughts better than I can speak them.

Goodnight, and happiness be with you till we meet again,

Harold

Dear Joan:

Although we may see each other between the writing of this letter and the time you read it, I think it advisable to begin now a process which will give me a great amount of pleasure in the coming months.

In all probability most of the letters I shall write will be a brief chronical of my activities mixed with bits of opinion and conjecture.  Any questions you may ask will be answered as completely as it is possible for me to answer them.  You will find that the things that are written will be more easily understandable and more believable than some of the things I have told you in person. . .

In addition to other things there probably will be occasional mention of the fact that I love you.  Your knowledge of Americans and America greatly exceed my knowledge of England and her background. – – of course my history books record some of the things that have happened in the last thousands of years – but the things that make up the real character of England and Englishmen are not evident to any one who has not lived among them longer than I have.

There are many more things which come to mind that I would like to say to you. . . I could never possibly gather the courage or the words to say them in person and they will serve to pad some of the less interesting letters that I will write.  Do not by any means judge that all of the letters which I write will be as literary or as well written as this poor attempt. . . most will be far more personal and less readable.  Please help me to know what you wish in letters from me.

Goodnight, my sweet,

Harold

Hello Joan:
We are now reporting from Scotland. You would never guess what trouble we had getting here. After waiting till Sunday to start, we flew part way then had to turn back because of weather, then traveling by train we missed our connection in London and spent the night in Ned’s apartment.
The train, tram cars, more trains, more trams, and finally a tiny steamer brought us to Inverneid Hotel on the east bank of Loch Lomland, far to the north end.
We will probably get back to camp some time Sunday, after a long trip by train. We have had a good time but wish we were back home with out the travel that is going to be necessary to get there.
You know, of course, that we would like to get back for that party Saturday night but we probably will have our own party on the way (if we can find some good whisky).
The people here will never be the same after we leave here. There are some Fortress boys here that are very different, they seem to be here for a rest, we are here for something we haven’t found out yet what it is geting to be.
Well, untill I see you again & tell you more about it.
Goodby and good luck
love
Harold

(This note was mailed in an envelope address to Joan in her own handwriting)