July 1943 - A Letter From Ellen Hall - Part One

At the end of the month a letter arrived from Ellen Hall.

Letter - Page 1

"July 28, 1943

Dear Sis,

Believe it or not but it is the early hour of 6:30am that I am writing this.  We have had breakfast and Grover is on his way to camp. 
Sounds like Waldo1 and his bride had quite the wedding.  If I had been the bride I would have been petrified having so many people watch me.  No I still think a small wedding is nicest, what do you say?  He has really done all right for himself in the navy though.

You asked me if Pat Hedkind wasn't here in George.  No, she left Hinesville (about 100 mi. from here) last March for Buzzard's Bay, Mass.  I got a letter from her not..."

Letter - Page 2

"...so long ago.  She said then that Bob would be at Camp Edwards at least 18 more weeks as he was helping to train a new company of men.  She said she thought he would be made Staff Sgt. (he is Tech. Sgt. now).  She is also working at camp and seems to like it immensely.

You also asked if Grover got to stay home at night - yes.  We got us an apartment last Sat. and now are eating our meals at home which sure seems swell.  The apartment itself was the dirtiest place I ever stepped into.  But it was the only thing we could get and we were lucky to get it.  The woman that did live here..."

Letter - Page 3

"...claimed that she was going to have a baby, so she did absolutely nothing.  Her husband when he got home from work did the cooking, sweeping, scrubbing, washed clothes and dishes.  So when we loved in the apartment was terrible.  But Monday and yesterday I got busy and cleaned it all spick(sic) and span and it looks pretty homey like now.  We have a kerosene (sp?) stove to cook on.  If you have never cooked on one don't try it unless you have to.  I'll have to tell you a joke on Grover.  Monday night he went down to get some kerosene for the stove.  The man filled the jar, Grover gave him the money, and the man said, 'Your ration stamp please.'  My hubby..."

Letter - Page 4

"...said, 'What stamp.'  He had to come back and borrow one from the girl next door.  So we have another ration book now.

By the way if we are still here in Sept. Grover is due a 15 day furlough.  If we are here and he gets it we are going to go see Grandma2 and on to Niagra(sic) Falls (Grover has never been there).  I sure hope he gets it.

Barbie wasn't the only one to have a good time when she was down home.  Her grandparents had the time of their life while she was there.  I got a letter from Mom after she got home and she said it was so lonesome without her.  

If you think it is hot here you should be here.  It is..."


1 Waldo Caufield - Jim Waning's maternal cousin
2 Nellie (Ellen) Carter Upton - Ellen and Margaret's paternal grandmother.

LETTER TO BE CONTINUED