Northern Ireland
Dec 25, 1943
Christmas Night
Dearest Mother,
As you can see at the top of this letter, it's the sticker from your Christmas box of candy to me. I told you I didn't intend to open it until Christmas morning so I kept my word. I will say I was tempted a few times.
Well Christmas is nearly over. I'm well and had a good dinner of turkey. Remember the menu I sent a year ago. Gee that was some feed. Still I wish I could sit down to some of your cooking. I suppose you remember what happened a year ago Dec 22. {The date he entered the service.}
So dad's back on the job squeezing the chickens to make them lay. He sure has a way with them.
Gee I see no reason why the state farm has so many acres of beans not pulled. That seems a sin with so many other boys giving all they have in this war. What's the trouble?
So George and Edith are still at Wisconsin (seems funny spelling Wisconsin). I thought he was about to be moved. Did you see them this Christmas?
Be careful Mom. By what you write seems you've been on the go quite a lot lately. I like to see you get out when you can.
Yes I received a card from Mrs. Goodwin. She's just as you found her, a real mother with a broad mind, careful what she says. She's always asking about me.
As for your dress, oh well even I have to wear red around my cap.
About the Christmas tree all I can say is this,- it's sure lucky for you. They all were right I don't know what I'd have said or written if you hadn't had one.
The day before Christmas they brought in quite a few children for dinner. We had about 50 of them. That many boys, each of us took one with him, went through the chow line with his mess kit and gave them a big time. We saved up some candy and gum to give them, gave them rides in jeeps and trucks from about eleven until two. We then fixed up a show room in one kitchen and mess hall and let them go to the pictures. The place being small we couldn't go in with them. After the show some older people took them home. I guess it's something they'll never forget for years. I had a little red head. Ha, ha. Maybe you'll read it in the papers.
Well Mom I just couldn't do anything this Christmas. I'm glad it's almost over. Mother don't you put yourself in a spot for me. You know what I mean in regards to the three you were telling me you got handkerchiefs for. I wrote in one letter how I got heck. I can see it'll never be a go for more reasons than one.
So Joe tried to find out where I use to go hunting. He was almost in the right place but should have kept a little more up that old tot road and then went in to his left. With all the deer they took this year, it sure must have been swell to the number taken before. He'll have to try again someday.
I just had a notice from the mill saying there was a bond at the Westbrook Trust Co. for me. I filled out the blanks and made you co-owner. They'll hold the bond there but if you ever need it you'll know where it's at. Said they were looking for all the boys that left the Company to come back. Seems good to have some job to look forward to.
Guess this is about all for Christmas. Best Wishes to all for a Happy New Year.
Love
Son Charles
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I can't even fathom how it must have felt to be away from home in a strange country, not knowing what the future held on Christmas day. You couldn't call to even hear any familiar voices. It must have been a trying time as you were training for battle but still was in a "safe" place and having plenty of time to think about home.
From Prime Minister Basil Stanlake Brooke
to the American Army in Northern Ireland
Sir
Basil Stanlake Brooke, 1st Viscount Brookeborough,
Knight of the Order of the Garter,
Commander of the Order
of the British Empire,
Territorial Decoration, Privy
Council of Ireland-
Prime
Minister of Northern Ireland 1 May 1943 – 26 March 1963.
Sample of my uncle's writing from page one of this Christmas Letter
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