27 November, 1943

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 515 c/o Postmaster N.Y.

Nov. 27, 1943    0905

Somewhere in England

Darling –

Note the new APO 515. I am now permitted to write that we are in England. I wrote it before it was permitted, unknowingly, and I think the mail must have been held up. I repeat these things in several letters so that if some letters are held up – one of them that gets through will explain.

How are you, Sweetheart? I hope well – and missing me just enough so that I’m always in your thoughts, just as you are in mine, dear. Gosh we’ll have a lot to talk about after the war! Not only will we have our close association then, but I will insist on re-living at least verbally – the time we spent apart. We’re going to be awfully busy, dear!

Darling, I am at present playing more contract bridge than you are, if you can believe it, and furthermore I’m enjoying it. I started in by filling in some hands during our trip, and I soon became a steady partner. So far, hardly a day has gone by without a rubber or two. By war’s end, dear, I may be able to keep up with you, and perhaps we’ll be able to hold our own against our townspeople.

Can’t write much more, Sweetheart. Take care of yourself and always remember that I love you very very much. So long for now and all my transoceanic love –

Greg

(I mean deep more than across)

Regards to the girls –
    All of them

26 November, 1943

[Note from FOURTHCHILD: This is a continuation of the previous letter.]

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 515 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Somewhere in England

Nov. 26, 1943     1120

Darling –

I was right. By waiting another day, I was able to get our new APO number duly marked above. This should be ours for some time I presume. Also I know definitely now that we can say we’re in England. My earlier letters didn’t allow that – although I did write it. It is because of that fact, dear, that I fear some of those letters did not get to you. It seems that it is not so much the strictness that causes the trouble as much as the time element – and that is why our letters are held up – so that there will be no association of time and place.

Anyway dear – we are somewhat settled now and everything is quite fine. I may say that the scenery and background here are everything I imagined them to be, and all British soldiers with whom we have met are extremely friendly and apparently glad to see us. We are allowed passes I’m told and have very little trouble getting to the big cities.

Sweetheart – that’s all for now. I do hope that some of these letters are getting through to you, dear, and I hope also to hear from you soon. Be well, darling, and by the time you get this – you should be doing some hard studying for those big exams – so hit them hard and good luck.

So long for now and all my love

Greg

25 November, 1943

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 4916 % Postmaster N.Y.

Nov. 25, 1943    1120

Dearest Sweetheart –

Today is Thanksgiving here too and I can’t help but wondering dear what it would be like were I back home. The idea of distance and space has not yet left a deep impression upon me, darling; I still can’t seem to realize that getting to the nearest phone won’t help very much. So if I muse a bit, excuse it dear.

I imagine we’d eat at one of our houses – but not until we had spent the morning together somewhere – maybe even at the Boston Latin – Boston English game at Fenway Park. I used to take that game in, as did many of my old high-school friends. It was always a good place to meet up with an old pal.

Anyway, Sweetheart, I wonder what you’re doing, or if you’re home. I imagine you are – if so, I hope you called my folks. My own day is something I can’t talk about – and that reminds me, dear – I haven’t been here long, but we’ve already had 4 or 5 versions of censorship and at this point I’m all confused. The very latest is that about everything we’ve written so far shouldn’t have been written, and that undoubtedly everything was held up to be returned or merely confiscated. If that is so, darling, I don’t know what letters you’ve already received from me, dear, – if any. If you haven’t received very many – remember that it wasn’t because I didn’t write.

Perhaps in a few days, dear, we may be able to get an SOP (standard operating procedure) as to what we actually can or cannot say. At this particular time it consists of nothing in the line of news.

Yet, dear, despite the fact that the other fellows insist there’s no sense in writing now and consequently don’t – I feel that I want to commune with you as much as I can, and somehow, when I sit down to write you a few lines, I feel just that much closer to you, darling. I haven’t been away from you for a very long time – as time goes, but I miss you, dear, like I didn’t believe possible. It’s a healthy longing, though – which creates many many pleasant thoughts about the future. My love for you, darling, will be saved and stored just for you. Of that be certain, because I am. The thought of you never leaves my mind for a moment dear, and for that I am very thankful. It’s easy to get lonesome out here – but when I think back to home and you I get a wonderful lift. I pray dear that the reverse is true.

Right now – I must be on my way. I won’t close this letter – because from experience I’ve already learned of the changing censorship rules. So long for now, Sweetheart

Greg

[Note from FOURTHCHILD: This letter is continued on 26 November.]

24 November, 1943

Greg's first V-Mail to Wilma was censored only
with regard to the date, which was inked out.

Written 24 November, 1943.

Postmarked 15 December at 10 pm.
Received 23 December, 1 month later.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE


[Note from FOURTHCHILD:
V-Mail images have been edited to keep them anonymous.

The letter is transcribed below.

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 4916 c/o Postmaster N.Y.

Nov. 24, 1943

Somewhere in England

Darling,

Arrived safely. The trip was very pleasant dear. I have written you more about it, but I wanted this to get to you sooner.

Have not yet received any of your mail, but expect I will very soon now. Hope you had a happy birthday. I had no way of celebrating while aboard ship, Sweetheart – but I was thinking very hard.

I believe we’ll have a new A.P.O. soon, dear – but so far this is the only one to use. Will write more as soon as we get settled. That’s all for now.

All my love

Greg.

The following telegram was sent the same day
and received on the 6th of December, 1943.

23 November, 1943

[Note from FOURTHCHILD:

This letter was begun on ship on November 17th, 1943.

It was continued on November 20th
and completed in this portion, on the 23rd.]

Darling,

Since this won’t be mailed until the trip is over I believe I can say that it is almost over now. Someday, Sweetheart, I believe we ought to take a trip of some sort on water – perhaps a honeymoon, although I won’t insist on water of course. Really, if the ocean could be as calm always as it has been for us – I would never mind ocean traveling.

What lies ahead for our outfit no one knows, although various suggestions have been offered. We’ll just sit back and see.

I should be celebrating someone’s Birthday today, dear – but instead I’m riding the waves. Well – if I were celebrating something I couldn’t be any closer in mind even if I were right next to the party involved than I am right now – and regardless of distance – my sincerest wishes for a long and happy life.

I’d better stop now, darling. I wasn’t going to seal this until I got a new APO number, but no one is sure when we’ll get it, and if it is changed – the APO officials will forward mail anyway. I’ve been told that it takes as much as 3 weeks for regular mail or air mail to get to the States – but I’ll find out from you, dear.

Meanwhile – all I can say is that I miss you terribly dear and yet if it weren’t for our love – I don’t believe I would be facing the future with the feeling of hope and desire to get a job done with so I can get home and –

you know what.

My deepest love

Greg

22 November, 1943

No letter today.    Just this:

* TIDBIT *

R.M.S. Aquitania Menus

Greg's collection of Officers' menus from the Aquitania looks like a collection from a cruise of today. But what about a midday meal?

CLICK ON A MENU TO ENLARGE

21 November, 1943

[Note from FOURTHCHILD:
This letter was begun on ship on November 17th, 1943.
It continues as his passage continues across the Atlantic...]

Still at Sea –

(as to what to write)

without having it censored

Well, dear,

The voyage is still a pleasant one, the food is still good and everything seems safe. I haven’t done a thing but relax and I guess I needed it, because the last month or so was one of tension. So far I’m writing only to you and my folks. I’m not using V mail yet because there really isn’t much room to write.

[Note from FOURTHCHILD: These images are edited to keep them anonymous]

Below are a few things Greg sent home from the journey.


Aquitania Room Assignment - B Deck


Aquitania Mess Assignment - Second Sitting


Aquitania Berthing Assignment for
Greg's Medical Detachment - Section A11