March 6 and 13, 1944, a few short notes from Stanley to Dad. Stanley has settled back into life on base at Deenethorpe after seeing a bit of the countryside on a 48 hour pass. He’s been given additional help in the office so he is managing to catch upon his work and is taking some time to enjoy the on-base entertainment both on the radio and at the base theater. He also reflects on how long it’s been since he’s seen his brother.
He writes, “My boy who was transferred out…is back with me again. Now I have some help after working myself for three months. We are starting to catch upon our work. I’m glad he is back again.”
Apparently entertainment on base comes in the form of whatever the men can manage on their own as well as whatever is available on the radio and the movies shown at the base theater. Stanley mentions that he’s been listening to the radio having “just finished listening to Fred Waring and his choir” as well as “the Red Skelton program”. He also mentions seeing Princess O’Rourke with Olivia de Havilland and “tomorrow is a USO show. This week will be pretty well filled with activity. Each day is having some entertainment.”
Lobby card art for Princess O’Rourke. Image source www.filmaffinity.com. Image copyright Warner Bros. Pictures.
Stanley had also received Dad’s letters from when he was home on furlough specifically referencing a letter dated February 24, 1944. He writes, “I sure wish I could have been home the same time you had your furlough. That would really have been a happy moment to see you in person. It is somewhat sixteen months since we were together. I had my furlough ten months ago. Boy how time flies by.”
Other than that, things are fairly routine, at least as far as what he writes that passes muster with the censors:
- “I just got a haircut by one of the fellows at camp. He came over to the barracks and we had quite a chat and by the time we got through most of us got a haircut.”
- “The other day… I was charge of quarters…and if you ask me it sure is a monotonous job.”
- “…after supper I washed some underwear in cold water and my fingers were almost stiff when I got through.”
Well, that’s it from England for now.