438th AAA AW BN
APO 578 % Postmaster, N.Y.
England
9 May, 1944 0930
Wilma, darling –
The early morning’s work is just about over right now and I thought I’d start the day off right by writing you. Yesterday p.m. when I finished writing I called my men and had them meet me at the playground near the Castle. We had a pretty good game of scrub soft-ball. In the evening we had some visiting officers to entertain – a nice bunch of fellows. One of them, a Lt. Colonel, slept in my room. He’s from N. Dakota and a regular fellow. I’ll be seeing him again.
Today is just another day in the schedule, with perhaps a B.C. meeting later in the day.
Last night I got a letter from you dated April 29th and one from Doc. Finnegan and Lil Zetlan in Salem. Dr. Finnegan’s letter made no mention of our Engagement – it was written some time ago and he probably didn’t know it. Lil gave me the local news of some of the doctors in town, stuff about the hospital, recent golf scores at Tedesco etc.
Lil’s letter was one of congratulations, dear. It was very sweet. She said she was tickled about it and so pleased that she had already had the opportunity of meeting you – and looked forward to our return together – to Salem. I also got some news about the Kerrs – and as usual – it has to do with trouble. It seems that Joe Levine, son-in-law to the elder Mrs. Kerr – has had a “nervous breakdown”, has been treated by Myerson and is now living with his wife, Arlene, at the Sheraton – in Boston – upon advice of Myerson. There has apparently been some ugly talk about his cracking up because he was due to be called soon, and Lil writes that gossip has gone so far as to say that Mrs. Kerr allegedly gave Mr. Myerson $20,000 to keep Joe out of the Army – not that she couldn’t afford that much, but the whole thing is vicious. The fact is, darling, that knowing the family back-ground – it is easy to understand that Joe would eventually crack-up. There’s been constant conflict, sometimes subdued – other times not – between Ray Kerr, his mother, Joe, Ethel, separately and together. I don’t remember whether I told you much about it, dear, but altogether it makes a long story. As family physician – I was often in the middle of it – and believe me, it was a problem at times to stay friendly with all of them. Anyway, dear, Lil implies that all is mixed up for them right now. In addition – Ethel’s kids (Ethel Kerr – Ray’s wife) have scarlet fever and the house is quarantined – with Ray now living at the Hawthorne. It’s really a mess – but typical of the Kerrs, in a way.
Well, sweetheart, I’ve gossiped along and not told you how much I love and miss you.
But I want you to keep pace with what’s going on back in Salem – so that when we go back there to live – you’ll not feel as if you don’t know what or whom I’m talking about. Darling I love you very very much – remember? The moon was terrific last night, too, and that didn’t help either – but there’ll be others and we’ll enjoy them all – even, darling, on cloudy nights! Love to the folks dear – and Pete was asking for you, yesterday, and sent his love.
The early morning’s work is just about over right now and I thought I’d start the day off right by writing you. Yesterday p.m. when I finished writing I called my men and had them meet me at the playground near the Castle. We had a pretty good game of scrub soft-ball. In the evening we had some visiting officers to entertain – a nice bunch of fellows. One of them, a Lt. Colonel, slept in my room. He’s from N. Dakota and a regular fellow. I’ll be seeing him again.
Today is just another day in the schedule, with perhaps a B.C. meeting later in the day.
Last night I got a letter from you dated April 29th and one from Doc. Finnegan and Lil Zetlan in Salem. Dr. Finnegan’s letter made no mention of our Engagement – it was written some time ago and he probably didn’t know it. Lil gave me the local news of some of the doctors in town, stuff about the hospital, recent golf scores at Tedesco etc.
Lil’s letter was one of congratulations, dear. It was very sweet. She said she was tickled about it and so pleased that she had already had the opportunity of meeting you – and looked forward to our return together – to Salem. I also got some news about the Kerrs – and as usual – it has to do with trouble. It seems that Joe Levine, son-in-law to the elder Mrs. Kerr – has had a “nervous breakdown”, has been treated by Myerson and is now living with his wife, Arlene, at the Sheraton – in Boston – upon advice of Myerson. There has apparently been some ugly talk about his cracking up because he was due to be called soon, and Lil writes that gossip has gone so far as to say that Mrs. Kerr allegedly gave Mr. Myerson $20,000 to keep Joe out of the Army – not that she couldn’t afford that much, but the whole thing is vicious. The fact is, darling, that knowing the family back-ground – it is easy to understand that Joe would eventually crack-up. There’s been constant conflict, sometimes subdued – other times not – between Ray Kerr, his mother, Joe, Ethel, separately and together. I don’t remember whether I told you much about it, dear, but altogether it makes a long story. As family physician – I was often in the middle of it – and believe me, it was a problem at times to stay friendly with all of them. Anyway, dear, Lil implies that all is mixed up for them right now. In addition – Ethel’s kids (Ethel Kerr – Ray’s wife) have scarlet fever and the house is quarantined – with Ray now living at the Hawthorne. It’s really a mess – but typical of the Kerrs, in a way.
Well, sweetheart, I’ve gossiped along and not told you how much I love and miss you.
But I want you to keep pace with what’s going on back in Salem – so that when we go back there to live – you’ll not feel as if you don’t know what or whom I’m talking about. Darling I love you very very much – remember? The moon was terrific last night, too, and that didn’t help either – but there’ll be others and we’ll enjoy them all – even, darling, on cloudy nights! Love to the folks dear – and Pete was asking for you, yesterday, and sent his love.
All my love for always – dear
Greg
* TIDBIT *
How the wreck of the Ship Tedesco
gave its name to a Country Club
The Bark Tedesco
How the wreck of the Ship Tedesco
gave its name to a Country Club
The Bark Tedesco
When Greg mentioned golf scores at Tedesco, he was referring to the Country Club in Swampscott. Here is how it got its name.
The most famous shipwreck in Swampscott was the Tedesco. On January 18, 1857, the bark Tedesco of Portland, Maine wrecked in waters close to the Swampscott shore, after the ship struck a boulder when a blizzard swept the coast after an unusually calm day. The boat's cargo was sherry wine, salt and raisins. All 12 aboard, the crew and captain, were lost. Their bodies came ashore at Whale Beach and were buried at the Swampscott Cemetery. According to the book Storms and Shipwrecks of New England
Today, you can find what is believed to be one of two Tedesco anchors near Fisherman's beach. The anchor is a memorial to Swampscott mariners who lost their lives at sea and is in the park above Fisherman's Beach near the boulder dedicated to Marine Corps Lieutenant General John C. Chaisson.
An article in "Golf Course Trades" magazine tells of the sinking of the Tedesco, and this story of the naming of the Country Club.
The most famous shipwreck in Swampscott was the Tedesco. On January 18, 1857, the bark Tedesco of Portland, Maine wrecked in waters close to the Swampscott shore, after the ship struck a boulder when a blizzard swept the coast after an unusually calm day. The boat's cargo was sherry wine, salt and raisins. All 12 aboard, the crew and captain, were lost. Their bodies came ashore at Whale Beach and were buried at the Swampscott Cemetery. According to the book Storms and Shipwrecks of New England
"The day had been so clam that fisherman returning to shore had left their dories only a little above the high water mark. In the morning splinters remained."
Today, you can find what is believed to be one of two Tedesco anchors near Fisherman's beach. The anchor is a memorial to Swampscott mariners who lost their lives at sea and is in the park above Fisherman's Beach near the boulder dedicated to Marine Corps Lieutenant General John C. Chaisson.
An article in "Golf Course Trades" magazine tells of the sinking of the Tedesco, and this story of the naming of the Country Club.
—Swampscott, Massachusetts, 1899 The summer home of Mr. H. O. Houghton, Jr.—
The three were in splendid agreement. The two ladies from Cambridge and their gentleman friend would commission a few holes of golf along the Swampscott shore, 65 acres between Little’s Point and Puran Road. 15 local residents had pledged the princely sum of $500.00 apiece, and construction would soon begin on a clubhouse, a bathhouse for beachgoers, and a shed for the members’ horses.
“What shall we call it?” asked Mrs. Arthur Little.
Henry Oscar Houghton, Jr. scratched his aquiline nose. He looked around the drawing-room. On one wall hung a portrait of his father, the founder of Houghton-Mifflin Publishing, and later, the Mayor of Cambridge. Across the room, the wall was dominated by an enormous map of eastern Massachusetts. On another wall hung an oil painting of a three-masted ship floating on the waves, its sails full and billowing.
“Tedesco,” Houghton said, nodding. “We’ll name it after the ship that wrecked upon Long Rock.”
“Tedesco Rock,” corrected Mrs. Little.
“Tedesco Rock,” repeated Houghton, ignoring the minor social faux pas. Correcting a gentleman was a lady’s privilege. “In memory of those who lost their lives,” he concluded.
The ladies agreed, it was a glowing tribute and a worthy foundation upon which to build the club. It was done and handsomely done at that.
The three were in splendid agreement. The two ladies from Cambridge and their gentleman friend would commission a few holes of golf along the Swampscott shore, 65 acres between Little’s Point and Puran Road. 15 local residents had pledged the princely sum of $500.00 apiece, and construction would soon begin on a clubhouse, a bathhouse for beachgoers, and a shed for the members’ horses.
“What shall we call it?” asked Mrs. Arthur Little.
Henry Oscar Houghton, Jr. scratched his aquiline nose. He looked around the drawing-room. On one wall hung a portrait of his father, the founder of Houghton-Mifflin Publishing, and later, the Mayor of Cambridge. Across the room, the wall was dominated by an enormous map of eastern Massachusetts. On another wall hung an oil painting of a three-masted ship floating on the waves, its sails full and billowing.
“Tedesco,” Houghton said, nodding. “We’ll name it after the ship that wrecked upon Long Rock.”
“Tedesco Rock,” corrected Mrs. Little.
“Tedesco Rock,” repeated Houghton, ignoring the minor social faux pas. Correcting a gentleman was a lady’s privilege. “In memory of those who lost their lives,” he concluded.
The ladies agreed, it was a glowing tribute and a worthy foundation upon which to build the club. It was done and handsomely done at that.
