Fellow Bryantites:

I received your swell letter of Nov. 9th, '43 just about a month ago but since then have been on the move so much I just have not had the time to write. the letter went all the way to Panama and back to the States and then over here to England which is why it took so long in reaching me.

The old saying that it is a small world is certainly true. About a month after I had been here in England I ran into Frank Budlong who was in my class at Bryant. It sure seemed good to talk over old times with someone again. I for one am always glad to get a letter from the Bryant Service Club as it helps to keep us in touch with some of our friends both at home and stationed at the other end of the world. Just so that your next letter will not be so long in reaching me I will give you my latest address:

T/Sgt. John L. Champlin, 11011020
322nd Station Complement, A.P.O. #149
c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y.

Here's hoping the Club will continue its good work and that we may all be home soon.

Very truly yours
John L. Champlin
[Transcription ends]

Somewhere in France
December 28, 1944

Dear Sirs:

Many many thanks for your X mas package and the kind thoughts and the work behind this gift. It arrived just a few days before Christmas. My correct address is now:

T/Sgt. John L. Champlin, 11011020
440^th Q.M. Plat., 86^th A.D.G.
A.P.O. #374, c/o P.M., N.Y., N.Y.

There is very little in the way of news that I can tell you. I am well housed, well fed and well clothed. I have a good job in a good outfit and all in all, I’m content with my lot. My name has been submitted for return to the U.S. under the army’s rotation plan. I don’t expect to get back to the U.S. right away, but it is something to look forward to.

We did very well this year on our Christmas diner. Turkey and everything; even apple pie and chocolate ice cream. The only thing that gets us down is the mail situation. Very little seems to get through and what little does takes an awful long time.

Here’s hoping that Bryant has a banner year and that we’ll all be home in ’45.

Respectfully yours
John L. Champlin

[Transcription ends]

Bryant College Service Club
1 Young Orchard Avenue
Providence, R. I.

Fellow Bryantites:

I know you are interested in what we who ae overseas are doing, but censorship allows us to say but very little. However, I can say that after three years in the tropics I am now stationed somewhere in England. So far, I've met one other Bryantite, T/Sgt. Frank Budlong who was in my class ('37).

We are paid in English money and therefore of necessity, had to learn this monetary system in a hurry. Although I was only in the U. S. a little over two months before coming overseas again I saw the rationing in the Middle-West and the East and it can't begin to compare with that over here. Even in the Army we are rationed to 7 pks. of cigarettes, 2 bars of candy, one pkg. of cookies, 1 bar of soap, 2 boxes of matches, 2 razor blades, and 1 pkg of gum a week, if it is available. We save, and do get the Stars & Stripes (Army newspaper) every day and the Yank once a week.

Please let me know what the cirriculum [sic] and tuition are for the 2-year accounting course are [sic]. Thanking you for this, I remain, Respectfully yours

T/Sgt. John L. Champlin
[Transcription ends]

Fellow Bryantites:

Here’s the letter the Service club asked for. The spelling, punctuation, etc. will be poor, but the hand is willing.

I’ve been in foreign service for over 2 ½ years now. In that time I’ve seen service at several different stations. I’d like to tell you a few of the things I’ve done and some of the places I’ve visited but censorship prevents same. I can say, however, that we have excellent recreational facilities for the service men here on the post. Most important of these is the post theatre, then the bowling alleys, then the gym, we also have a baseball diamond, handball and tennis courts, a rifle & pistol range, near by on another post there is an excellent golf course and there are 4 or 5 swimming pools all easily reached from the post.

It’s a poor soldier that doesn’t gripe about something. Well, I’ve only one gripe. I’ve been here [censored] and never had so much as a 3-day pass. If I could get a furlough I’d be more than willing to come back for the “duration.”

How about checking up on a few of my old classmates and let me know how they are getting along? You know, Frank Budlong, John Devine, Virginia Knaver [?] and a few of the others?

Don’t bother to send me any packages. Whatever you might send, the chances are I have it or can get it cheaper and easier than you can there in the States. If you could enclose a few snap shots of the buildings and grounds in the next letter I’d appreciate it an awful lot.

Respectfully
S/Sgt. John L. Champlin
[Transcription ends]

A.P. O. 831
December 30, 1942

Dear Sirs:

Many thanks for the kind thought behind your Christmas gift. Your gift arrived today, and I am sorry to say in not a very good condition. When sending packages of food stuff, I have found it much the best to have them packed in a tin. This gives protection from the climate and also reduces greatly the damage suffered in handling.

My correct address is now S/Sgt. John L. Champlin 11011020, 48th A. B. Hqs. + A.B. Squadron, A. P. O. 831, c/o Postmaster, New Orleans, La.

I am seriously considering Bryant College as the school in which I will resume my studies after the War is over. In the meantime, I would greatly appreciate it if you would try to have an official transcript of my record sent to me. If it is possible, please have it sent Air Mail. If you will inform me of my expenses incurred I will be more than willing to pay for the same.

Thanking you again for your gift and the thoughtfulness it represents, I remain

Respectfully yours
S/Sgt. John L. Champlin [Transcription ends]