Northern Ireland
Dec 20, 1943
Dear Mother and all back Home,
Will see what I can find to write about in order to complete a letter. When back in the states I never had to think about censorship so could write nearly anything that came into my mind. Here it is a different story. Still I realize that just a note with hello and goodbye means a lot for folks at home who are always wondering where and what will be next. A letter, as this one does, let's you know I'm still well and safe. All I ask is that you be sure to let me know how things are back at home.
I received a card from Grammie York with a little note, also one from Uncle and Aunt, ha, ha, just two big kids. (Uncle was Uncle Dave. His mother's brother who has got married again.) Guess it effects the old as bad if not more than the young. She wrote Uncle didn't have to worry about a deer because he said he was ahead of them all as he got his last June.
Gee, Mom, that must have been a gold cake to cost you 70 cents. You make my mouth water talking about cake, apple and squash pie.
In one letter from Pauline she seemed put out because she hadn't received more mail. I told her you come first then the rest after. I don't know how she'll take it and further more I don't much care.
You know, Mom, I had almost forgot about dad's light. I bet that comes in handy around the barn. It's hard to believe those batteries last for so long.
Did you ever find out why Jake was put in 4F class? Seems funny if its just because of his talking. Just the same I'm glad for a fellow that's married with children don't have to go. Seems to me this mess will break up a lots of homes.
Don't worry who I pick up with as far as that goes I'm not picking up with anyone. I've seen too many pictures, read too many books to get mixed up with anything over here. I've heard about too many boys that came home sorry from the last war. So don't you spend any time worrying about me.
The weather here is so damp it goes right through you. When you're on guard and stand still for a minute you can feel the dampness coming through your clothes. Everything will freeze up, be as white as a sheet, the moon will be out and then all at once with in a few minutes it will be raining, next thing it will snow, first thing you know the moon will be out and a cold breeze will come up then everything will start to freeze all over again. You just can't guess what the climate is like. You see the sun very little. It's light at nine, dark at four. In the summer it's just the other way around, dark at eleven or twelve light at four. (long day in summer)
This is just about the date when old man sun has completed his journey South. It should be just about behind the big chimney now.
Ha ha that's a joke about those tires. I didn't expect anything to speak of from them that's why I said "send stamps."
Tell Eugene, if I ever can, I'll send him something from here but you just can't find things. Ha ha maybe I could send Dad an Irish Potato.
How is the snow is it still with you. Gee if it stays on the winter sure will seem long.
Well Mom it soon will be Christmas and for me. I want you all to make the best of it and have a good time. I know it won't seem the same but we pray next Christmas will be different. I still have that box of candy to open Christmas Day.
Guess Mom dear I'll have to say cheerio for this time. Say hi to all for me. Love to all back home.
From the other side, Charles
1. It may sound strange for Uncle Charlie stating a cake costing 70 cents must have been made of gold, but we need to understand in 1943 70 cents had the same buying power as $10 in 2017.
2. Uncle Charlie was quite open about girls. When he told his mom not to worry about who he picked up with, he was telling his mother he wasn't going to get intimately involved with a girl and end up being sorry like some of the soldiers of the Great War as he had heard about.
3. "4F Class" was the term used by the Selective Service for any man not considered acceptable to be a soldier for reasons, such as, physical, mental, psychological, moral, or criminal reasons.
Since there was a great amount of patriotism in the United States being involved with the war after Pearl Harbor, a man being a soldier was considered an honor. Getting a 4F Class when you went to enlist either due to the draft or enlist before being drafted could make a guy feel inferior and even treated negatively. I had two uncles who worked very hard on their family farms but they were considered to be shirking their duty by not enlisting. One of those uncles had his brother already in the war. His brother was my Uncle Charlie. If he had also enlisted he would have left his parents having to deal with the farm all on their own.
Some posters to encourage enlistment.
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