Friday evening

March 17, 1944

(4/4/44)

Dear Folks:

Hello oure mone from the other side of the world. How are all of you feeling? I am feeling fine myself and have no kicks or complaints at all. England is agreeing with me in every respect and I really like it very much. Weather is good, I eat well, sleep soundly, and am content in every way.

This morning I received a v-mail from Ma dated on the 5^th. That is the latest battered got so far so you see it takes about two weeks for your mail to reach me. From my observation regular air-mail is faster than the V-mail forms. However you can use either one as I am always glad to hear from you.

Ma told me that she had banked the allotment check for me and I was glad to see what my account amounted to. Just as a matter of curiosity just how much was I able to save last year any how? I mean since I joined the army. I believe that I will be able to save more money now- you know of course that we soldiers get a 20% bonus for service outside the states. I really don’t know what to do with the money over here so I am starting a soldiers’ deposit plan this month. That plan whereby a soldier can bank any extra money he has on hand at 4% interest. It is more or less of a bank run by the government where you can deposit any extra money you may have. Lots of times I find myself with a few pounds or shillings that I really don’t need- so this plan will come in handy for me. This plan as well as the allotment which will come every month will take care of my finances for me.

I didn’t mean to write so much about finances but I just seemed to keep on going. Please excuse me if it was boring.

Here is a bit or real news for you. On the 27^th and 28^th of this month I am going to London to see Simpson. What do you think of that! I haven’t seen Eddie in over 20 months but at last I am going to meet the old boy. He wrote me a letter about a week ago and asked me to meet him in London whenever I could get off. He said he could get off at any time and would meet me whenever I suggested. London, I imagine, is near to him so I wrote back and told him I would be in the city at that time and would meet him in the Rainbow Corners- one of the Red Cross Clubs in London. He had mentioned that club when he wrote to me so that is where I’ll be on the 27^th waiting for him. He should be writing back to me soon and I hope nothing will go wrong with the arrangements. He wrote that he could get off whenever he wanted to so nothing should interfere with his coming to London.

I know I am going to enjoy London and all the famous places to be seen there. There are any number of historical stops around that I read about in school and now I have a chance to see them for myself. I am looking forward to going there. Today’s mail also had a better from Clarke. He didn’t know that I had heard from you about Walt’s death so he told me about it. His letter was quite brief and not like his usual bright ones. He feels pretty bad about Walt, I know as they always got along swell together. I answered him tonight and asked him if he could possibly get off and meet me somewhere. Charlie is my best friend you know and I would like very much to see him- especially now since his brothers tough break. I hope he can get a pass long enough to meet me somewhere. I should know if there is any chance of that in about a week or so.

Don’t be confused if I run into Eddie Fereno, Pete Calucio or Philip’s son in law out of these days. England is a small place and you are apt to meet anybody over here. I’ll keep you informed if anything comes up along that line.

I was surprised to hear that Tom had been transferred from Fort Rodman. I hope he doesn’t go too far from Estelle and the baby. Tom wrote me that he was expecting to move but I was hoping he would stay put. I wish he would get rid of that crazy idea about feeling funny still being in the states. He’s worked hard for over three years in the army and has advanced himself without help or “pull” from anybody. He’s done more than his share already- now I’ll do mine.

I had some dental work done today. One of the fillings in my teeth broke off at the end and I had a new filling put in. The dentist did a careful job and I think he did a good piece of work. While I was in the chair he looked my other teeth over and said they were in good shape. That is always good news to me.

Speaking of teeth reminds me of Helen. Did she have that bad tooth taken out yet? It is too bad she had all that work done on it and then have it pulled out. The dentist should have told her before she spent all that money. (I am using my second pen know as you can see)

Did you get the pen I sent back to you, and the sketch? Wait until you see the sketch- it will hand you a good laugh I’m sure.

I got two Saturday Evening Posts this week so I still have it to read. Thanks again for giving the subscription to me. –I always enjoy reading it. In closing let me say that Jean still use containables that may fit to send to me. Candy (those caramels from Wieda’s arrived today and tasted like a million dollars) tooth-paste, soap are always welcomed. Also some brushless shaving cream if you can find any.

Goodby for now and don’t be worrying about writing a long letter Ma- our incoming mail is not censored.

Love,

Joe