Authors

Mary Metcalfe

Document Type

Personal Letter

Transcription

[Transcription begins]

March 19, 1944

Dearest Mommie,

Since I last wrote you from here I have traveled back + forth a bit. Last Sunday Bibby + I went back home, + it was a hectic trip. We left here about 6 o’clock + we were driven to Mrs. Chivvis’s house in a command car with the M. P. Lt. and a Lt. Gauge, who incidentally used to work with Humbert Tinsman in Kansas City. From there we had to get into the longest queue I have ever seen to catch a bus back home. It was raining + blowing like mad + aside from my suitcase I was carrying two coats. We finally arrived after getting off a stop too soon + having to walk into town + my hat blowing off + I had to chase that around in the dark.

It was so nice to find the box you sent me with the Kleenex, Kools + figs + prunes. Also letters from you + Jane. I loved Carol’s letter + the valentine she sent me. I wish you would send me some more Kools – they are so nice for a change.

We spent Mon. + Tues. just taking clothes to be cleaned + I took my new suit to be fitted, had my teeth cleaned + at night we went to the R. C. Officer’s Club + played records + laughed + played with Bud + Johnnie.

Since we didn’t have to be back here until yesterday we decided to go see Mrs. Chivvis and enjoy several nights in a warm room, comfortable beds – just solid comfort. Bud, Bibby + I left on a 4 o’clock train, checked in to a nice double room with bath. We had a few drinks in the American bar then went to see “The Sky’s the Limit” which was awful. When we returned Johnnie had arrived so we had supper, and a couple of drinks of gin + lemon from a bottle the boys had scared up somewhere. On Thurs. we went + picked up our kilt pictures + made the boys have their’s (sic) taken together + separately in uniform + they are awful as you can see. I think the one in kilts is not bad. I hope you notice my face has filled out from all the food I have been stowing away.

The boys had 2 days off so we spent Thurs. + Fri. just taking our time going to the PX + Sales Store, going + listening to records, having lunch at different places, and we went to see “Flesh + Fantasy” which I didn’t like, and “Lady in a Jam” – Fri. evening Les + Madge Higgins (she runs the R. C. Officer’s Club) came up + all of us went to a place called Rogano’s for dinner. After that we saw Madge + the boys off on the train. The three of us went back to the hotel. On the way back a couple of air corps officers somehow spotted us in the dark as ARC + asked us about a place to stay. We told them to come with us + they might be able to get a room at the hotel. Les went to bed + Bibby + I stopped in the lounge to have a beer before retiring. The two officers came + joined us + we had a few more with them. We had to depart for here Sat. morning so we were up + off on an 8 o’clock train after a very pleasant week.

Yesterday we spent the day rushing back + forth, working at one place then another. We went back + forth four different times.

Before I forget it you were right about the first + last letter you mentioned. Mac can probably describe the setup we had. That was the best assignment possible + I am lucky to have had a crack at it.

I wonder if Mac went to Adamton for dinner or any meals. That is where we usually ate lunch + sometimes dinner – also where we took our clothes to be cleaned, fitted + pressed.

We are really sorry that there is to be no more Clubmobile at our base. We still don’t know where we are to go next, but are hoping we can stay together as a crew. It seems that one of the Greenliners (1) (like in the Feb. or Mar. Life) was on its way to us + they made the driver turn around + come back.

As soon as we get a break here, we shall rush back again to get our clothes + things organized if possible. We are keeping our rooms until we know something definite.

This morning Judy Hunter, one of the permanent girls here, came back from a trip to London where she has been taking a weeks course in learning to drive a GI truck. She brought mail back to us + I had a nice haul. Your letter of Feb. 25th, Tantie’s St. Pats. card + a letter from Jane (Mar. 2nd) + one from Bud (Mar. 4th) – also one from my old friend Dave Pritchard who has tracked me down + is trying to make plans to meet someplace. You remember he is the young boy from service club #1 in Wash.

I forgot to tell you what good mail I got on Tues. Your two letters of Mar. 1st + 2nd, the wonderful red gloves (which I have worn ever since) + letters from Tantie + a couple from Dave Pritchard, and one from Bertha Loeb. I certainly can’t complain about mail – you all are doing nobly!! It sure is grand to get it + how I loved getting the pictures!! I do wish I could have pictures of Jane + Bud.

How is the sausage over there. Over here there isn’t one bit of meat in it – nothing but a lot of meal wrapped up in some skin. My mouth really watered when I read about the cream from Unionville. There is no such animal as cream here + we are not supposed to drink the milk thin as it is. We do have in our tea or coffee. On the Clubmobile we use only canned milk.

I was sorry to hear that all of you have been sick. What do you suppose it was that bit you? I hope you are entirely back to normal again.

How terrible that Mr. Longstreth died. I should think that would make ever thing look black for that family.

Any of the boys we talk to who have been Africa say you can’t believe until you see it how dirty, filthy, + smelly it is there. It must be really awful.

You still haven’t sent me Davie’s address. You spoke of not liking tea. Tea over here is so different from at home. They really know how to make it here.

Mr. Normand is the director of the Clubmobile Dept. – very attractive man. Who is Mrs. Lynch. I haven’t received Aunt Catherine’s letter.

Time for dinner. Lots + lots of love, Chichi

(1) Greenliners are the original Clubmobile vehicles made from London’s Green Line buses.

[Transcription ends]

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