I intend to post almost daily, and in roughly chronological order, the thousands of pages of daily love letters that my parents sent to each other during WWII and any other documents that pertain to these letters..
I'm overjoyed! Reason? Right! Not only did I hit a jackpot today, but it was a large one, consisting of no less than 9 letters, ranging in date from Jan. 23 to Feb. 4, inclusive. They were all nice letters and I shall try to answer each one herein.
I can't understand why half of your letter of 23/ Jan. was cut away. You had seen "Marriage is a Private Affair" and it had put you in a "mood". You got to talking about "love" and "affairs" and the like and I can't for the life of me, understand why Lt. Toms saw fit to cut half of the letter away. Perhaps he thought you were nuts or something equally similar - or he didn't want me to read it - or sumpin'. What struck me funny, you started your letter with the news that Jack N. had confided to you that he had fallen in love with Marjorie. I wonder how the news that he is engaged and fully intends to marry her affected you! I'm not sure he knows his own mind, since you wonder what made him say it. There's a lot about Jack that I could write about, but I'd much rather talk to you than go into detail here. Let's just save it for "the" day, huh.
You also mentioned the news that you told me in a previously received v-mail - that Frances and Mike are expecting their second. Good for them - but it's not for me. They're nuts, in case you're wondering what I think about it.
Phil, you've got me a little worried with your strong feelings and ideals. I think, honey, that you'd be a lot better off if you'd simply relax and forget about the "fitness of things". I wish you'd learn to let yourself go and simply have a good time. To hell with what other people say and do! Now I've said it. The only time that it bothers me is when it affects me directly, otherwise - (repeat of the above). However, honey, I love you because you are you and I shall try to remember that every time I feel like changing you or your views.
In your letter of the 27/Jan. you got the news that Syd was home. You also said that you felt you might be seeing me in the summer or fall of this year. As Lil would say, "allavie". Your letter of the 28th inspires no comment whatever.
The 29th of Jan. you spent the evening "sewing" - (yes I am surprised) (but I knew you could do it all along, if only you want to - or have to). On the 30th you learned of the arrival of Marilyn Drucker (yes, another girl) and the news of Morris. By some strange coincidence, you mentioned in this letter that you'd like to have a picture of Mom, Adele and myself. Funny, I just finished writing that I intend to have such a picture made in the near future yesterday. I almost forgot to mention in yesterday's v-mail that Goldie's cousin made a snap of Mom, Rae, Adele and myself and just as soon as he sends it along to me, I'll forward it.
You were C.Q. on 1/Feb. and wrote a two page letter, but nothing it in calls for comment. I'm glad you saw "Show Business" on the 2/Feb. I saw it a long time ago with my Mom and Dad and loved it. I was particularly glad to hear that you are in the clear financially and I hope you continue to stay that way from now on. You do not mention in any of your letters whether you received a bonus from S & D and I can't help wondering about it. How's about a definite reply?
The 3 and 4/Feb. also do not inspire comment. You apologize for not writing, saying I bawled you out in some of my letters. I'm sorry I bawled you out, but that's just how I felt those long draggy weeks and I couldn't help it. I can't tell you what these nine letters have done for me and well do I know what mail means to you, sweetheart.
It isn't your fault that the mail is being held up for so long. I don't care if you don't write daily, but whatever you do, don't let several days elapse between writing. Baby, I love you so much and it means so much to me to hear from you!
Tonight is Ed's birthday and the night that the 12 o'clock curfew goes into effect. I don't think I've told you, sweet, that my mother and dad now possess 4920 clear. My mother had to put $2000 right on the line to clear it and that's exactly what she did. There is still a portion of the estate due her, but it's a much too complicated business for me to go into at this time. Now if she fixes the place up she'll really have something - something that I'd love to have someday - after I have you and we're all together, and can work and plan for it. We will!
It rained all day long and was generally miserable. I got to work early and put in a hard day. I'm very tired and I'm going right to bed. Adele has a new habit, one that Mom loves. She rests her weight on one foot while she is standing and sort of sways while she's talking on the phone.
It's a regular womanly habit, no not womanly, I should have said feminine habit. It looks like a "come on", if'n you know what I mean. Gosh but Adele is cute! I eat my heart out cause you can't see her. If there were some way I could see you - I turn that thought over in my mind whenever I get disgusted or dejected - but I always buck a brick wall.
You know honey, I haven't had the opportunity to sit down and really write you a birthday letter, much as I want to. I don't have any time at all for myself, or time to do some of the things I want so much to do. I'm not complaining, though, cause I know that day will come some time. When I think that you will be 30 it scares me a little. It will be six years that I actually know you in May, yet I've been withyou so little when everything is taken into consideration. I'm always with you as far as that goes, but I'm sure you understand what I mean. I can't help wondering how much longer it will be before we can take up a normal life. So much of our lives is passing by. I know there are many years before us, sweet, but you can't help but feel that way these days. I've been with my husband and daughter so little (you, too) that I want only you two once we are reunited That, too, is largely responsible for my not wanting to have another child for some time. But I think I've gotten off the subject.
So now you're 30. I'm glad you feel so young, for it's more than I can say for myself. I feel that I've aged about 10 years in the last two. That, incidentally, only applies mentally. You once said that you're only as old as you love and that you were a mere babe in arms because of your love. True enough, but I'm sure we'd both feel a lot younger if we had the opportunity to practice loving. Phil, I'm so dependent upon you for so many things! God grant that we shall soon be together forevermore!
Gosh, baby, I owe you three birthday gifts now. If you'd only hurry up and come home! I'll be glad to pay off on more than three scores. We must be together for the 31st! How can it be any other way?
God has been good to me. He blessed me with a fine, good-looking husband and a lovely daughter and that's a lot to be thankful for. Thanks so much for being what you are, dearest, and for making me so happy. I owe you a lot. Let me say "Happy Birthday, dear husband" and may your 30th year bring all your dreams into materialization. To me you'll always be that "one and only” good-looking fellow I married on March 20th. I love you so much, Phil. I think 31 kisses would cover you very nicely and I don't think you'd mind. Yum, yum, how's about a repeat? Yeh, I know the answer, So pucker up again cause here comes
Your Eve
P. S. Am enclosing two more pin-up girls from our latest blotters.
I am writing a v-mail tonight, though I should write an air-mail. I do not have sufficient time to write a lengthy air-mail nor do I feel up to it. I’m kind of weary after a full and busy day. I didn't write yesterday either, cause time did not permit. Last time I wrote to you I was about to visit Fay. I had a nice time at her place Friday evening. I also learned that Fay is related to a girl that I know and even lived with in South Philly. One of the girls present asked us all down to her house the following week and I agreed to come with Fay for two reasons: Fay doesn't want to go alone and we both want to see this cousin of Fay’s. Fay received a letter from the C.O. of Morris’ outfit giving her more details concerning his death, but it does not state how he was wounded and the exact cause of his death. He was killed when the Army advanced near Kaundorf, Luxembourg, and is buried in Luxembourg. They told her to contact a governmental agency in Washington for his personal belongings and information concerning the location of his grave. After I read the letter I felt very cold inside. What a feeling! Fay finally wrote the news to her brother and it nearly killed her to do it cause he was so crazy about Morris. Her brother is stationed near you, if you will recall. He opened some sort of a tailoring establishment and does work for the soldiers in his spare time. His father was in that business, before he died and her brother never knew he had it in him. I got home and to bed about 1. I was up at 6:30 Saturday and worked my usual five hours. After work Dad and I had lunch at H & H and met Ed. From there on we walked and walked and walked and shopped and shopped and shopped. Results: Ed got three suits ($42.50, 28.50 and 27.50) all beauts, two pairs of shoes ($11.95 and 7.95) I bought him 4 stunning gabardine beige sports shirt for $5, my dad bought him a white sports shirt, and he also bought socks and ties. In the meantime I tried three places for a pair of black leather d’orsay shoes that I want - but no dice. We arrived home, very tired, but very happy. I ate at my mother’s, and brought Adele right home, as it was after 8. Rae was here so I let Adele play a while. By the time I got Adele to bed, washed, had a little bite and put myself to bed it was very late again. I awoke feeling very ill and tired this morning and it was just my luck that Adele woke at 7:30. She didn't nap all day. Goldie's cousins from New York dropped in to see her with a two year old boy and Adele had a great time playing with him. Goldie had made an appointment with some man who makes pictures in the house for today and he came just before dinner. He made four poses of Diana and one of Harry and Goldie with the baby. As an afterthought, the guy talked me into taking one pose of Adele at a cost of $2 for two 5X7 shots - and you get the pictures without proofs or a choice. So, I had him make one of Adele writing on her blackboard, full length, cause I thought you'd like that. I was promised the finished picture by Wednesday or thereabouts and I’ll send it right along. Even if it isn't a good picture of her (and I don't know why it shouldn't be cause she looked lovely) it will still be worth it. At least you'll see her in action in the house and that is something too. I was going to take a picture myself, but looked too peaked. I shall call him in about a month from now for a picture of Mom, Adele and myself. We'll see how this one turns out. No mail Saturday - should be some tomorrow without fail. I love you, darling, so very much. You know I am
Your Eve
February 25, 1945
My darling dear son, Philip,
I can write to you that we are all well. God should give us a good life. It was good to hear from you. I know that you are well. My dear son, from your letters we assume that our winter is worse than yours, but the amount of time between letters from the first to the second is too great. We need more letters in the amount of time between the first letter and the next letter. You should have written at least three, my dear Philip. We know that it’s not your fault, but only because the problem is with the mail service. It doesn’t go very fast, so it must be their fault, and because of that we understand and we will have to wait. Let it only be good news, though, my dear loving son. You should know why I have not written you for so long. I have no excuses, but I have been waiting for an answer to my letters, and now I have stopped waiting anymore, and I have found the words that I am writing to you in this letter. Because of my love, son, I am not angry with you that you have not found time to write to me. I know very well that you must be angry with me because you found time to write to my other kids, but did not find time to write to your mother and not upset her. Even if you wrote a little bit I would be satisfied, but you have not written at all. If you are very busy, just write a small paragraph for your mother. If you don’t, I will become upset and angry. Do you hear me, my son? I want to be proud to know that one letter is for me alone. Why must I wait for such a long, long time? I have not seen you for a long time. Have you found another love? My heart is faint and my love of this world has faltered and believe me that I have had it with your world. I was feeling very alienated, but I will feel better with just a few words from you, and I hope that you will come home soon. When you come home we will be able to sit, and will be able to talk about everything that has happened and that was in the newspapers. It will be easier to talk than to write, since on paper, it is very difficult to find the right words and feelings. But, my dear son, we have to have patience and already much time has passed. Continuing on, what shall I write to you about my health? I can tell you that I feel much better. The doctor has told me not to go outside of the house for the whole winter. So, I don’t go out at all. I have sat for the entire winter in the house and I am waiting and hoping not to catch a cold. There is no other news. I don’t have a lot to write and I don’t know what additional news would be interesting to you because I think that Evelyn writes to you about everything already. But, one thing I can write to you is about your daughter. There’s none other like her in the world. She is pretty, and intelligent, and good. May she live for many years and with much luck. She has loved me and because of this, she is my healing power and my heart. Harry and Goldie have also, thank God, a dear daughter who is finally learning some words. She’s also very wise and intelligent. On Sunday, perhaps, there will come a photographer to the house to take pictures of the little ones. If they come out good, then we will send you copies of the pictures and possibly go outside. If I’m not as well, then I will wait until summer. I think by summer it will be all right. Furthermore, another thing to worry about is that I have not heard from your brother, Jack, nor have I had any more letters from him. Only Gloria had written that she has gotten letters from you. I ask you, my dear Philip, to write at least a little note more often.
No mail today, except two letters from Jack N. and Dot. Jack N. is engaged. Marjorie accepted his ring. They plan to marry in April or May. Jack's ear isn't coming along so well, but the doctors expect his condition to improve within another month. Jack seems delighted with the whole setup and I hope, for his sake, that nothing happens. She has accepted him, but her folks do not know of their serious intentions as yet. He's hoping they will accept him she did. I wonder if you two will ever get the opportunity to go into business as you had hoped. So much will probably happen before you two get together again, so you see, honey, how hard it is to plan at all.
Dot's letter was short and since she wrote you a long letter I guess you know all of what's cookin' with her.
Did I tell you that when Syd went back to camp after his five-day pass, they issued him another ten day pass? I didn't! Well, that's exactly what happened. Ain't It wonderful! It should happen to you!
I finished Paul's vest last night, all but the trim around the neck and arms. Boy am I glad that it is finished! I had been promising it to her for so long. -
Fay is having some company over to her house this evening and asked me to stop over. I’m just about ready to leave and decided to knock this off before going. It just struck me that I haven't been telling you what I wear. Well to fill in space this evening I’ll give out - I'm simply wearing a white blouse, my black skirt, my black d'orsay shoes and my hair is very full.
Eddie had a terrible time getting your package wrapped properly and to weigh the proper amount. He had to take out most of the chocolate and one can of tuna to get the correct weight, so I'll make up another package of what’s left over plus whatever else I can get a hold of next week.
Speaking of Eddie - he received his discharge the other day and part of his mustering out pay. He's going downtown tomorrow to shop and he's going to buy three suits at one time. (That's exactly what we're going to do - someday). Today is Ed’s 20th birthday and we're all figuring out what to gift him with, to be sure each one gives something different.
Well, darling, I must run along now, so I'll close with a hug, a kiss and the usual I adore you, sweetheart. Adele was a good girl and keeps telling everyone that she "posed" for a picture. My sister went down to Lorstan today and took a picture. Only it cost her $5 for one picture. That's Lorstan's prices. Good night, baby, I glory in the title of
Your Evvie
Feb. 23, 1945
Dear Phil:
I still haven’t received any more of your mail since the last one you wrote me, but I guess you are pretty busy these days. I’m feeling fine, & hope this letter finds you the same. What’s new with you, & how are you getting along these days. I hear from Evelyn quite often, & I manage to write her around twice a week. From the reports I get from everyone, all are fine at your home. Received some pictures today that were taken at your home, & everyone sure does look good. Your daughter, Adele, sure is growing up fast, & sure does look cute. Syd sure has put on some age on his face, but I guess that’s only natural these days. He left back to Fort Dix, N.J. the 14th of this month. I sure hope he got to get home from there a few times before they shipped him out to Italy as he is returning back to his old outfit. (sure wish he could have gotten stationed in the States somewhere, but that’s the way things go these days. The war news sure sounds good from both ends, and here’s hoping that it won’t be too long now before this mess is over with. Well, we moved again, only this time for the better. We are still on the same Island though. We are back at the base camp and that sure does beat that outpost. At least here we can see a show at night, and buy a few things from the PX that we need. We don’t have to pull no guard here at night, so we can get some good sleep. It’s fairly dry here also, but that outpost we were in sure was plenty moldy. It rained there off and on for about 17 straight days. Went to the movies the past few nights and it sure felt good seeing a show again, after not seeing any for quite a while. Tonight I’m staying in though, & writing letters, as I’m behind a bit. We sure were plenty busy the first few days around here fixing up our new home, but we don’t mind that too much as it’s home to us for the present time. It sure does look good to us now, though. We even have electric lights at night, which makes us feel more at home, and sure does beat that candle light. Well, Phil, that about winds up the news for now, so I’ll close. Drop me a line when you have a few moments to spare, & I’ll do the same.
The following letter is missing quite a number of pages which I have not been able to locate at the present time. I suspect there is a folder containing them somewhere here as dad mentions that he divided the pages into several packets so that it would not be too heavy to mail under the circumstances. Quite a few years ago, I had all the pages and transcribed this very long letter so that it could appear in a newsletter written for the community, Saltburn-by-the-Sea. Having read the letter, I googled the community, ran across the e-newsletter and contacted the editor. She was delighted to print the letter if I would transcribe it, and requested photos of my parents at that time and a copy the first page in my father’s handwriting so everything could be displayed in an artistic manner. Luckily, I still have the entire transcription and, at the end, I have included a link to the newsletter if you wish to see how they displayed it there.
Feb. 22, 1945
My dearest sweetheart,
Well, today I did it. Even though there was a slight drizzle I kept my promise and took Adele down to have her picture made. It was quite an experience and one which I shall try to relate this evening. Adele wore the outfit Ruth bought her for her first birthday - her aqua pleated skirt and white pleated blouse, both of which are trimmed with multi-colored flowers, her little locket, aqua socks and white shoes. I combed her hair plainly; parted in the center and pulled up, curls in the back (hanging down). Ed went down with us and took Adele back (he arrived back just before pouring rain came down). At the studio, which, by the way, is one of the loveliest I've ever seen, Adele ran around, saying "It's alright, Mommy, I can run around." If Adele looks as well on those two poses as she did in person, well, honey, all I can say is that she'll look positively beautiful. No one there could take their eyes off her and she had a grand time. The photographer is a foreign fellow, who knows his stuff. There were two poses - one standing, the other sitting, with one leg under her. He gave her a medium sized leather ball to play with and took her pictures with her holding it. She was most cooperative (for which he was most thankful) and smiled prettily. To catch her attention, he’d poke an ostrich feather, at her and she'd reply, rather indignantly, "top It!". I told them that I intend to send the proofs overseas and it's okay with them, but for one exception: Do not expose them to the light! It will take plenty of time for you to get the proofs and to return them to me, so please adhere to their wishes, honey, when the proofs arrive. I expect them within a few days and will mail them to you straightaway, but pronto! They charged me an additional $1 beside the $1 I paid for the coupon in order to get the full pose. If they do not turn out well, I still have the other coupon and we'll take another stab at it. However, I fully expect those pictures to be beauts and if they aren't I’ll be very disappointed. One more reminder - when you get the proofs don't waste any time getting them back to me. I'm entitled to an 8x10 colored photo for the coupon and you may advise what sort of picture you would like. I think Lorstan has very fancy prices, if the studio Itself is any indication.
It's true, Seymour is at Iwo Jima. In his last letter he told the folks not to expect any mail from him for some time and did not say why. A girl from Jack's place gave him a clipping from the Bulletin stating that the U.S.S. New York is one of the battle ships shelling Iwo.
I got to work at 12 and was quite busy all day. It just poured all day long and almost all of the snow has disappeared. It does my heart good to see it go for I'm tired looking at messy snow. I’m going to try to finish Paul's vest this evening and get to bed early for a change. That, dear, just about covers the day.
There was no delivery of mall today and so I'm expecting to receive a few letters tomorrow. There are many overdue letters and I don't have to tell you how I'd enjoy getting them. Did you hear about the curfew ordered by the gov’t? All places of amusement must be closed by 12 sharp! They certainly are clamping down. Good night, darling. I adore you! A kiss from
P.S. I’m splitting this among several envelopes in order to get it to you as quickly as possible. Hope they all get there at once. — ’Bye now, darling‚ — here’s a kiss for you, and one for my punkin.
P.P.S. Enclosed is a snapshot showing Mrs. Davies in her garden.
With thanks to Phil’s daughter Marilyn who contacted us recently with this wonderful story. saltburnbysea.com https://medium.com/@SaltburnbySea/an-american-in-yorkshire-1945-e8764392bce2
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