August 17, 1942
Dear Pauline –
I’m well
and fit. Received your parcel today, containing cigarettes,
but no letters. Parcel dated June 30, 42. [censored]
but we are still on the job. Some articles are hard to get; those we do receive
are American products and are received through the canteens and P.X. stores. Will
you send me some single edge blades and V-127 films?
Most
articles are rationed in Australian stores and are obtained with coupons. Civilians
will have quite a change in wearing apparel soon. For men there will be no more
double breasted suits, vests, cuffs, or pocket laps. Boats will be plain back
and allow three pockets and three in trousers. For the women the coats may not
have collars, pockets, buttons, ruffles or pleats. Boats and skirts will be knee length. Silk
stockings – try and get them. The girls that have them,
put them under their pillow when they go to bed. They don’t wash and hang them
on the clothes line to dry any more. Too many have been stolen; in fact,
hijackers sneak in the basement and take them out of the wash pan, and don’t
stop to rinse them out. Address all return mail as written above. Love and best wishes to all at home – Your
bro, Pete