Authors

Mary Metcalfe

Document Type

Personal Letter

Transcription

[Transcription begins]

I shall no. my letters from now on. This one would no. 2 since I have been right here.

Feb. 6, 1944

Dearest Mommie,

I am now back at my permanent station. It was nice seeing the other girls again, Sally, Jane Philips etc. Three other girls besides myself were sent to help. They were Jean Hacker from Detroit, Pat Hurley from Arkansas (she worked in St. Louis for 2 years) (both of these girls came over with our group) and Katherine Marshall from Charlottsville, (sic) a very nice + attractive girl.

I have sent you The Sinker, the Clubmobile paper. Read the article by Eliza King and that describes better than I can what our work was like. It was hard work but we had such a nice warm cozy living room to come back to and they fed us well. A couple of nights when we came back from working we had snacks which consisted of cheese melted on toast + hot chocolate.

Since we had some time off we were very fortunate in getting to see Edinburgh. It is a lovely city and I want to go back again when I have more time to see everything. I think Bud has some movies of the castle + palace which we saw; if so you see what it was like. I bought Jane’s birthday present there + hope she can use it. I wanted to get some kilts for the children but having no coupons (1) that is impossible.

I did not see or meet Mrs. Bland, but the next time I am back there I shall see if I can find her. We were told we could say we were visiting “where Mrs. Bland is” but apparently it was changed to places. The RC is supposed to wire you when we arrive but many of the girls say their families received no wire.

A funny thing happened last night. I was at the RC Officers Club talking to some officers. One of them said his mother used to live in St. Louis. Then he said, “I know some people in St. Louis. Do you happen to know Bud Culver?” Whereupon I told him that my sister just happened to be married to him. His name is Charles Stone and he was at Yale with Bud. Also said his mother and Mrs. Culver were friends when they were girls. He seemed very nice. I think he is in the Ferry Command and he said that Bert Lambert is in their crew. Also in their crew is someone named Gundlach from Belleville, ILL. He was not so attractive but he said he would be back there before long and would call you up. He may not remember however.

I love getting clippings + any pictures or things I might be interested in.

It was wonderful to get my first mail the other day. Letters from you written on the 22nd, 27th, + 28th of Dec. + the 13th of Jan. Letters from Jane on the 27th of Dec. + the 13th of Jan. It was interesting that her air mail and your Vmail both of the 13th arrived at the same time. It was such fun to read all about what has been happening at home.

Leslie leaves tonight to go to headquarters for several days so Bibbie + I will be working alone for several days. It is hard work because it is so cold. Our hands get so cold it is hard to keep doing things. My clothes especially my topcoat is going to be ruined if I don’t get my battle dress + other things soon. I hate to wear it now after work because it smells so doughnutty and it has flour all over it which so hard to get off.

This is an interesting place to be as you never know who might come through. Our Clubmobile is parked right where they must go when they land so we are quite liable to see most of the ones coming in during the day.

Bibbies brother arrived yesterday. He is on leave and came up to see her for a couple of days. This afternoon we drove over and saw the memorial + cottage of a famous poet of these parts. Too bad it was So Carter is now a Lt. Col. which reminds me you know his father’s name, and I am just below where he was. I haven’t had a chance to write + congratulate Carter on his promotion and I received his letter telling me about it at Xmas time.

I have been writing this letter in the sitting room I told you about which is just off my bedroom; and there are a couple of old ladies and an old gentleman, all of us sitting around the fire. They are new arrivals having come while I was away. They are to be here a couple of weeks. It is fairly difficult to write with the talking and Mrs. Andrews comes in every now + then, also Andrew showed one his stamp book and then about 9:45 we have tea with bread + butter and little cakes. Mrs. Andrews really knows how to bake. Isn’t that a wonderful custom, having high tea about 5:30 or 6, then tea again about 10 o’clock. At this rate it won’t be long before I grow completely out of my clothes. Still no footlocker or bedroll. I am still wearing the same dirty suit.

Yesterday Andrew came out on the Clubmobile with us. He played the victrola and introduced the records over the PA system. He was quite funny + entertaining. One record he introduced by saying “This next recording is dedicated to the Americans “These Foolish Things.” He is especially funny because he has such an accent. I have seldom seen a 15 year old who knows so much about all subjects or who is so quick to learn.

If you have had small pictures made of Davie’s picture by himself and Davie + me together, I should love to have them. Also I should love a picture of Jane for that little frame, and a picture of Jane + Bud + the children. Everyone admires my pictures and says what a nice looking family I have. They remark especially on how pretty + young looking you are and I tell them you are a young, gay little bird.

That scotch you received for Xmas sounds just wonderful. I have had just a few drinks for a long time now.

It is almost 11:30 and since I must get up at 7:15 I had better start to bed. There are always so many things to putter around with when I start for bed.

I haven’t received the long letter you spoke of writing, but I am looking for it any day now. What’s the news about Davie? What is he doing now.

When we reached headquarters which is where Mrs. Bland is located (I wonder if in a club there or in what capacity) I saw Mary Pitcairns name in the State Register book which we all sign. That would mean that we left from the same place before coming over. I don’t know where she is now. How thrilling about Mini + Ruth. I would love to know what they are doing and how they like it over there.

Carol’s room must be darling. I wanted to get her something for her birthday but there is so little we can buy that doesn’t take coupons. Tell Jane I loved her letters and I shall write her the next chance I have to settle down. Everyone is gone from the sitting room now so I can undress in front of the red hot coals that are left instead of in my ice boxy room. Ask Louella to read you the letter I wrote to her + Mrs. Strong.

Lots + lots + lots of love, Chichi

(1) Having a coupon book would allow you buy certain things that were rationed, like sugar for instance, but having a coupon did not guarantee the product would be available.

[Transcription ends]

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