29 March, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 578 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

29 March, 1944        1100

Wilma, my darling –

At last we got some mail yesterday, and mine included four letters from you between March 5th and 7th. There must be quite a few more on the way. Gosh it was a wonderful feeling to hear from you. When I don’t hear, you seem so far away; when I do – you’re just sort of out of my sight temporarily. Your letters dealt with interesting subjects, sweetheart and I’ll try to discuss some of them with you.

The “Stan” incident, first of all, is closed as far as I’m concerned, dear. I suspected what was going on and honestly I think you handled it very discreetly. I never did write Stan what I felt like writing because it was hard for me to believe what he was trying to do. Why he’s so desperate is beyond me, dear, but I know that from my talks with him this past summer – his one goal is to tie himself onto some girl who can eventually make things comfortable for him – and it doesn’t make any difference who the girl is – to wit – Shirley, for whom I’m sure he didn’t have any love at all. Of course, darling, I don’t mean that as disparagingly as regards to you. I know he felt I had by far the better of the two girls when we went out together – but I never dreamed that he would operate like that. We’ll be friends, no doubt, but my estimation of him as a man will forever be low. That he would go so far as to try to weaken you by telling you that from what he knows of me I’m running around – was certainly hitting below the belt – especially when I wasn’t around. Sweetheart – you have only to read my letters to find out how much of that I’ve been doing. He apparently doesn’t understand that I’m in love with you for what you yourself are and that’s all that matters to me. He doesn’t understand that I was self-supporting before – and expect to be that – and more when I’m married to you. His own view of marriage – is parasitic, believe me, and he interprets everything from his own point of view. I’ll say this much for Shirley – she’s a very smart girl, because I believe she saw through him. He was an attractive man to be taking her out – and the temptation to have it continue – must have been great.

I always remembered your Mother’s warning to me when I first met you and Stan had been over to see you. She didn’t tell me much – but it was enough to let me know that I couldn’t trust him – much as I hated to believe it. I believe – before that – that your father had implied something about his character, too. They were apparently both quite right.

As for Irv and Verna feeling that you and I weren’t as suitable for each other – as was Stan for you – if it’s true, I’m sorry they felt that way. The fact is – they’re not in a position to talk because as I told you – they didn’t exactly hit it off themselves. Furthermore – I don’t know what they think Stan could offer you in life. Take it from me – and you know yourself – his worldliness is skin deep and what he has picked up from association with fellows like Irv, myself and others. I think you know what I mean.

The gang before the soldiers shipped out
Back row (l to r): Greg, Irv, Stan, unnamed soldier
Front row (l to r): Wilma, unnamed soldier's girl, Verna, Shirley

Anyway, sweetheart, it took a lot of courage for you to write as you did – and I appreciate it. The more I know you dear, the more you grow in stature in my eyes. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders and I’m glad. I keep feeling more and more that my wife is going to be the sort of woman I dreamed I’d marry and darling – you’ll be my wife!

Don’t worry about Stan and me. I’ve written a couple of times now – consolation in a way – for his breakup with Shirley, and more recently to tell him about the Zippo which I’ve already mailed out to him. So we’re still friends as far as that goes. I’ll never let him know what I know. It’s just you and I – and no doubt, your folks.

I’ve got to go eat now, my darling. It was wonderful hearing from you – and I can only say that each time I do – I love you more and more. By intent – or otherwise Sweetheart – you are showing me various sides of your character and I love them all. I hope I would get to know you by mail and I am – which means only one thing – it will take us no time to do what we want to do when I get back – Get Married!! Best regards, darling – I love you very deeply and always will.

My sincerest love

Greg.

28 March, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 578 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

28 March, 1944     1420

My dearest darling –

I am now at the Dispensary with some more spare time so I thought I’d at least get started. This morning was a fairly busy one. I had to go to the Hospital on some official business and I visited a couple of batteries to check sleep conditions etc. Later this p.m. I have an appointment with the Enquirer of the Water Department of this town – to discuss the water supply and check its drinking quality etc. These are some of the routine duties of the battalion surgeon when an outfit reaches a new spot.

Last night, dear, was quiet. After supper I played the clarinet for awhile, alone, and then I was joined by the violinist and between the two of us we managed to kill about an hour and one-half playing some old songs. Practicing on the clarinet has become a daily occurrence and I certainly am glad I got one when I did because it has helped me pass away some pleasant hours – that would ordinarily have been dull.

After the “concert” – Charlie and I gabbed for awhile about things in general – the battalion, intern days, Med. School experiences and so on and then we read our old papers – of which we both have a stack. Tiring of that after awhile – I decided to answer a few letters. I wrote to both Mrs. Kerrs in Salem, to Barney Weinstein in Hawaii and to Barbara Tucker and then sweetheart, it was bedtime – and my time to concentrate on you and you alone. I really do concentrate, too, dear. It’s now over a full week since anyone in the battalion has received any air-mail – and why it should suddenly have clamped down – is unknown. It will probably start coming thru again soon. Meanwhile – just when I’ve been most anxious to have mail come thru – I’m left waiting. That’s the hardest part of the war – right now, I guess. I’ve been so anxious to hear from you and your folks – because there are rather momentous decisions kicking around on some boat or plane or post office depot – I believe. Well, maybe today, darling.

Anyway I keep re-reading the old letters and I find that I enjoy them more and more each time I read them. They sure do help my spirits, sweetheart, believe me – and I don’t know what I’d do without them. I like your style of writing. It’s straightforward and sincere and sounds as if you were saying words instead of writing them. And there’s nothing artificial about it either – which is what I particularly like.

You mention having seen “Lady in the Dark”. I’ll bet it was good – although it must be superb if it outdoes the stage-play. I saw it on a New Year’s Eve a couple of years back with Gertrude Lawrence – and Danny Kaye – and I’ll never forget it. Who took Danny Kaye’s place in the movie?

We haven’t seen any movie in our present set-up and the one movie in town shows some weird class B British films. I don’t know exactly what a class A film is like – but they don’t have any – at any rate. I don’t mind though, because we manage to have some fun just hanging around the Castle nights.

I’ll have to stop now, darling. I guess you’re up to date in my activities. I wish I knew what was what – but regardless, dear – we love each other and that’s really what matters fundamentally – in the last analysis. And that thought gives me a wonderful feeling, Sweetheart.

Until tomorrow, then, so long for now and remember, you have

All my love

Greg

P.S. Regards to the folks,

Love

G.

* TIDBIT *

about the Lady in the Dark

The answer to Greg's question, "Who took Danny Kaye's place in the movie?" is Misha Auer, as described in the moviediva web site:

Lady in the Dark (1944) Directed by Mitchell Leisen. Ginger Rogers, Ray Milland, Warner Baxter.

Lady in the Dark was the peak of both Ginger Rogers and director Mitchell Leisen's career. Neither of them would ever make as successful a film again. Ira Gershwin, who did the song lyrics, had not collaborated with anyone since his brother George's death two years before. And Kurt Weill had been in the US for nearly a decade. He needed a hit and was ready to compromise some of his compositional austerity to get it.

Playwright Moss Hart had been going through a long psychoanalysis with Dr. Gregory Zilboorg, who had analyzed George Gershwin and many other prominent show business figures. The result was a desire to end his successful playwriting partnership with George S. Kaufman and strike out on his own. Hart had been boring all his friends with stories about his analysis, and he finally decided to write about it. One critic was to remark jokingly after the show became a Broadway smash that it was one way of getting back all the money Hart had given to Dr. Zilboorg.

Gertrude Lawrence dazzled in the Broadway version as Liza Elliott, but was nearly upstaged by Danny Kaye as gay fashion photographer Russell Paxton, played (somewhat) straighter in the film by Misha Auer. In the circus dream, Kaye sang a patter song which became one of his trademarks, "Tschaikowsky and Other Russians" in which he speedily recites the names of 49 Russian composers. At the preview, thunderous applause greeted the conclusion of the song, and the authors worried that their star, about to sing "The Saga of Jenny" couldn't top him. But, Lawrence rose to the challenge, bumping and grinding it to the complete devastation of the audience. In the film, "Jenny" is the only song to survive translation to the screen.

Here's a version of Danny Kaye's song with lyrics:

27 March, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 578 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

27 March, 1944        1500

Dearest sweetheart –

The weather is almost intolerable in its fairness – as paradoxical as that may seem, dear. As usual – wherever this outfit has been – we’ve always struck “unusual weather” or so the natives tell us. I thought this was the usual thing for England right now, but we’re assured it’s not. At any rate – it has been lovely down here, darling, and if I never had Spring Fever before, I sure have it now. I suppose it’s a good thing I don’t have much to do these days, because I’m sure I’d never get it done. Balmy – is the best way to describe the days we’ve been having, just like those we get in early May at home. The cherry blossoms, daffodils and early Spring flowers are all out – and all in all dear I miss you terribly. We’re always going to enjoy the Spring together, I know. It would be so wonderful to walk hand in hand with you through this lovely town and its suburbs, only I wonder how long we’d be just hand in hand. Well Salem has it suburbs, too, and we’ll be able to walk there.

Sweetheart I’ve missed you so these past couple of weeks. I just can’t explain it to you. It isn’t merely a feeling of wanting to be with you, being married, being together, and so on. All that goes almost without saying. It’s more a feeling as if I had already spent part of my life with you and had to be separated from you because of the war. In other words, darling, I miss you more acutely because in my mind – we’ve been together for a long time and now we are not. I don’t know how clear I’m making myself, but the plain fact is, dear, that I love you so deeply and truly that being away from you all these months is punishment. I would so love to be with you getting started on life – but then, you know how I feel, dear.

The moon was new last night, and that didn’t help either. It used to be that I minded the full moon, but now it’s any moon; and when there’s no moon, it’s the myriad of stars that fascinate me and make me transcend miles of space to be near you – even for a few fleeting moments of unnatural realism. Wilma, darling, I could go on for hours telling you how I feel about you and how I miss you and how you’ve changed my life and made it something with a real, tangible, purpose and goal. I’ve never felt like this before, dear. I’ve been moderately ambitious in the past, but I often used to wonder just what I was heading for. I was really a lonesome fellow inwardly, although to my friends I know I seemed the opposite. It was when I was alone that I did my thinking and wondering. My meeting you and knowing you – our love for each other filled a space which I alone knew existed. Had I not gotten to meet you, that emptiness would still have existed. For your love and sincerity; for your thoughtfulness, good cheer, for your hope and patience – sweetheart – I thank the Lord daily – you, not often enough, I guess. But you must know that I do feel that way, darling. As I wrote before – I don’t see how I can possibly really show you until after the war, when we’re married. Then, dear, I hope to make your life forever happy with me – as you are making mine now – at a time when it would have been so easy to be unhappy and disillusioned.

I’m afraid I rambled today, sweetheart, but facts and things were not on my mind. I just felt like telling you what you mean to me. If you get the slightest inkling – then I’m satisfied. I’ll write again tomorrow, dear. Meanwhile so long and remember – my love is yours for always –

Greg

Regards to the family

Love

G.

26 March, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 578 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

26 March, 1944 1100

Sunday Morning

Dearest Girl –

Most of the fellows have gone down town to church. I was alone up in my room at about 1000 and so I took out my clarinet and played it until a short time ago. I was joined by a fellow – one of the officers – who bought a violin some time ago and between the two of us – Walter Raleigh must have had a tough time in his grave. Likewise for whoever occupied our room in the past. The name over our door by the way is “The Chintz Dressing Room”. I’m not sure what Chintz is – but I don’t think I find any in the room. All the rooms, by the way, are named.

CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE

This oil painting of Sir William Strickland
and his Family by Charles Phillips
once hung in the Chintz Dressing Room

When we have a piano available – Charlie Wright plays – and one of the boys plays the guitar and you should hear that ensemble! It stinks! But the boys sing loud and cheer us on – so everything ends up well, dear. After the war – when we end up having our own house (as soon as I can earn enough money to get one) we’ll have a piano in it, darling, and whether you like it or not – we’ll play together. Do you think that child psychology would frown on the effect upon growing children, dear?

Last night – when I finished writing you, sweetheart, I wrote my folks and also Bea. I thanked her for her letter and asked her to continue to write. I hope she does. It was about 2020 when I got thru and just then my driver came up to my room to tell me there was a patient for me to see at the Dispensary. So I went down and sent the fellow in with a possible diagnosis of Measles. It was too early to say definitively, but you can’t take chances in the Army when so many men sleep in the same barracks. I’ll drop up to the hospital later today and see if the rash is developing or disappearing. Neither would surprise me.

While I was looking the fellow over – half a dozen fellows dropped in and wanted to know if I were going to have a couple of beers. Pete was there, and a fellow named Hughes, Poirier, Davey, Ray – and a couple of others. So we all went off to the Half Moon and had a few beers. No hard liquor (which is called “bitters” here) was available. We got back early – the pubs close at 2200 – hung around the room, listened to the radio – and went to bed.

  
Half Moon Pub Outside and Inside

Breakfast this morning was between 0800 and 0900. I got downstairs at 0845. We eat at a very long table – long enough to seat 38 officers around it and we have a lot of fun at meal times. It’s the first time in a long while all the officers have been together – and it’s enjoyable. This p.m. as I wrote yesterday, I believe – Lord Digby is going to take us around the Castle and estate and point out things of interest. That’s as far as our plans go at present.

This morning I was alone for awhile and re-read a very nice letter of yours written February 28th. It’s a sweet, thoughtful letter in which you talk of us being married and confiding in each other and sharing our problems. I’m glad that you do think of marriage as being a serious business. So many girls these days don’t. It has responsibilities for both husband and wife that are more than most people realize. I found that to be true when I was practicing and various married people came to the office with problems of all sorts. In addition, darling, being a doctor’s wife is no sinecure, believe me, and yet I have so much confidence in your ability to make a good wife. But there are compensations, too, and I know you’ll be happy too. Most important of all to start out with – is a good reputation, sweetheart, and I’m sure we already have that to start out with. I’m sure also that we will have the respect of the community, and that gives you a sense of responsibility and bearing that makes life worth living – and together, darling – we will make such a life. You have made me happy already, dear, don’t fear about that – and you will always keep me so.

I’ve got to get dressed and ready for dinner – so I’ll stop now dearest. I feel so fortunate in having you love me that the thought never leaves me and whenever I’m blue, dear, I think of you and me and the future – and I feel better immediately – because this separation is temporary – an interlude before we are together forever.

All my love for now, darling

Greg

Regards to the family

Love

G.

Route of the Question Mark

Page 19 and some of page 20 from The Route of the Question Mark are transcribed below, describing part of the life at Sherborne.

"Sherborne and Sherborne Castle... The pond with the lilies and the swans... The magnificent lawns and the elegant landscape... The deer on Jerusalem Hill... The rabbits... The colt... "Time Please!"... "Sorry, No Beer!"... The Coach and Horses... Mitre... Plume of Feathers... Digby Tap... Castle... Cross Keys... Swan... Queen's Head.. White Hart... Antelope... The George... Half Moon... and The Mermaid... The sweet English beer... "Any gum, chum?..."

Every pub visited by these soldiers is still serving beers as of this blog posting. Here are photos of them all:

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE

The Coach and Horses


The Mitre Inn


The Plume of Feathers


The Digby Tap


The Castle Inn


The Cross Keys


The Swan Inn


The Queen's Head


The White Hart


The Antelope Inn


The George


The Mermaid

25 March, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 578 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

25 March, 1944      1900

My dearest darling –

This is a real Saturday evening if ever I saw one. The boys have all gotten dressed and walked down town to go pubbing. I didn’t get around to dressing and besides I hadn’t the opportunity to write you earlier today. So I’m in my room where it’s nice and quiet and I feel close to you again.

Gee I had a swell dream about you last night darling; no plot, no story – all I was doing was kissing you and boy! was I kissing you! I’m sure it lasted several hours because I was even tired in my dream. Oh well – it won’t always be thus, Sweetheart. It’s bound to be real, one of these days.

There was no mail again today and the boys are kind of put out about it. There’s a good reason, no doubt – and soon we’ll get a bunch of it. There would be one of those periodic delays – just when I’m most anxious to receive my mail promptly. Maybe tomorrow.

Today, dear, Saturday – was the routine inspection day and Charlie and I inspected all the kitchens. We walked – because it was so nice out and spent the whole morning doing it too. It was a kind of busy day in town, today. A very famous boy’s school is situated here, the equivalent of one of our better prep schools. The boys – anywhere from 12-17, I should say, wear wide brimmed hard straw hats with colored bands, and neckties to match – and every one of them wears the inevitable gray flannel suit. The school ranks next to Eton and Harrow in exclusiveness, was founded in the year 705 and was attended by King Alfred the First – so you can gather something about the age and background of this whole area.

Saturday is a half day now, for us, but I went back to our Dispensary and finished my map board. It came out fine and now I can get lost by the map – instead of asking my way. When I returned here to the Castle it was about 1500 and I was going to write you. But the fellows had rigged up a Volley Ball court on one of the lawns and I was called on to fill in one of the spots. We played until 1730 and then I had time just to bathe and dress. The bath-tubs in this place, by the way, are big enough to hold about 3 people and deep enough to sail. When I got into one of them today I yelled “man overboard!”, and 3 fellows ran to my rescue. The result was that we all got wet.

When I get through writing you and my folks, darling, I may dress and walk down town to meet the boys. The town has about 30 pubs – two of which are for officers only – so I know I’ll find them in one of the two places. That’s the height of excitement to be expected – but we sing and manage to have a little fun. The names of the pubs are “The Plume and Feathers” and “The Half Moon”. All thru England you see very quaint names of pubs – usually with a fancy painting of the title on the sign. There are names like “The Green Man”, “The Proud Peacock”, “The White Horse”, “The Bird Dog” – and a million others.

I’ve received several Boston Heralds recently and Charlie gets the Philadelphia Inquirer – so we have plenty of old reading material. In addition – I’m now getting my New Eng. Journal of Medicine – and that keeps me up to date somewhat.

So, darling, there you are again – up to date with my activities – but unfortunately – not so with my love. Boy is that mounting up too, dear! My love for you, sweetheart, just keeps going up and up – and since yours I know must be doing the same – well, we’ll be up in the clouds when we meet once again. And what’s more – we’ll stay there – because if ever I was sure of anything, I’m sure of our love for each other and therefore of everything that goes with it. And to think, darling, I once was considered almost too practical to be able to love! Just you wait and see! Fondest regards to the folks, Mary and everyone else you see. So long for now, dear and

All my deepest love

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Sherborne School

Postcards of Sherborne School Enclosed in Letter

CLICK ON POSTCARDS TO ENLARGE

Some historians have speculated that a school must have existed in Sherborne since the 3rd century AD, but that is mere speculation. The school's definite origins date back to 705, when a tradition of education in Sherborne was begun by St. Aldhelm at the Benedictine Abbey. According to legend, Alfred the Great was one of the school's early pupils. The earliest headmaster known was Thomas Copeland in 1437. After the Dissolution of the monasteries, Edward VI refounded the School in 1550 as King Edward's school, a free grammar school for local boys. The present School, which has gone through various changes of fortune since the Protestant Reformation (and no doubt before), stands on land which once belonged to the Monastery. The Library, Chapel and Headmaster's rooms, which adjoin the Abbey Church, are modifications of its original monastic buildings.

The school stood in for Brookfield School in the 1969 film Goodbye, Mr. Chips. Here is a more current photo of Sherborne School, with the Abbey in the background.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SCHOOL'S WEB SITE.

24 March, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 578 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

24 March, 1944          1715

Dearest sweetheart –

Another beautiful Spring day, darling, and what I wouldn’t give to be with you these days! It’s so beautiful and mild here, dear, that it’s very hard to concentrate on anything except you and me and the future. I walk to and from the Dispensary – a distance of perhaps 3/4 miles – merely to get the exercise and see the view. As you leave the Castle – there’s a large driveway to the right which skirts the pond.

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE

This photo shows the "new" castle and its driveway skirting the
pond in the foreground, the "old" castle remains across the pond,
and the town of Sherborne beyond.

After a while you pass out the main gate and walk along a road which leads down a hill to the town.

Sherborne Castle - Restored Main Gate

While on the hill you overlook a good bit of the countryside, darling, and it’s a pretty picture to see. It’s really prettier than most of New England – with the possible exception of some parts of Vermont. It’s a good deal like Upstate New York and Tennessee.

A view of the countryside around the castle

I’ve just returned from a busy afternoon, dear, and one I didn’t enjoy. You remember I once wrote you I was going to prefer charges on one of my men. Well – I never followed it through and let it drop. I must prefer charges now on another one of my men, because I’ve warned him about different things before, but he has persisted in getting into trouble. Now I’m going to have him court-martialed. Maybe if he’s fined some money and confined for a few months – he’ll really learn. This will be the first charge I’ve followed through since I’ve been with the outfit – but I think it will help some of the other boys toe the mark, too. This particular fellow was supposed to be on duty and came in 2 hours late – and drunk – really a disgrace to the medical detachment. Nevertheless I spoke with him, warned him and told him to go back to quarters and sleep it off. In the evening he asked my sergeant for a pass and was told to see me – Instead – he went off and didn’t show up until early morning. He must be disciplined or all the men will get ideas. He’s now under arrest awaiting trial.

Other than that, Sweetheart, I’m fine – but terribly lonesome. No mail from you today. No Air-mail seems to have come through – for some time now – to all the fellows. Every now and then they do that. I got an announcement of a marriage of a girl – non Jewish – that I once knew, just a good friend. She married a Lt. In the Navy – and in Oregon, for some reason or other. The announcement was mailed from Boston. Also I got a Salem News Letter from the Salem Police. I don’t know why I didn’t get one before – but apparently I’m now on their list. I haven’t read it yet – but it’s a one page printed affair and I suppose I’ll get one weekly now.

But, darling, it’s you I want to hear from more than anything else and my day isn’t a complete one – unless I have heard from you. You know, I’m sure, how I feel and particularly the past couple of weeks have been so long and stretched out. There must be some mail on the way for me from your folks and mine, too, and that’s what I’m anxiously awaiting. The upshot of it is that I love you and now that everyone knows it – especially you and I – I’m impatient – but no doubt you too, are – so I guess I’m not much help – am I, dear? Well anyway, you know how I feel – don’t you?

That’s all for now, darling. Take good care of yourself for me, have your Dad give you a terrific hug for me and best regards to the family. All my love for now, dear.

Greg

P.S. Happy Passover

Love,

G.

23 March, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 578 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

23 March, 1944        1725

My dearest sweetheart –

Gosh I love you, darling, and my being away from you seems like terrible punishment. I desire so much to be with you, close to you – all the time – that I know I will never be satisfied, content or relaxed, mentally or physically, until that day when our wishes are really fulfilled. In that connection, dearest, I guess I don’t tell you often enough just how much you mean to me. By that I mean I want you to know how much you really hold me. I want you to be sure you understand that no one ever can possibly mean anything to me except you. You must always tell yourself that, darling, and if it makes you more happy – then I’m glad. It’s just that I’ve come to feel that you are mine alone, waiting for me and wanting me only; you must feel that way about me and get the same satisfaction I get. Do you, darling?

Well – we’re getting settled here – and things are really comfortable. Today I did a lot of inspecting, running around – etc. In the p.m. I bought some heavy celluloid and spent a few hours making a permanent type mapboard. I really don’t know why – because up to now I’ve always merely asked where I was supposed to go – and managed to get there – while others with elaborate maps and colored pencils, got lost. Nonetheless – it looks nice if you have one – and it’s something to fool around with anyway.

I’ve just returned to the Castle and am waiting for supper. We eat at 1800 now and it gives me a little time more. I found some mail for me – but none from you, darling. I got one from my father, Part I from Stan (I had received Part II of a V-mail a few days ago), also a second V-mail from Stan, a letter from Bea, one from Barbara Tucker and one from a Major M.C. friend of mine – stationed in Hawaii. He practiced in Peabody and when he went into the Army, I took over his practice part time (or did I tell you already?)

My father’s letter didn’t contain any information about a ring, dammit, but he hadn’t received my letter about it I guess. He told me he hoped to have you over the house – some part of Passover – if not for the Seder and again reminded me how much my mother and he loved you, dear. You really fit with them, darling, and I’m glad.

Part I of Stan’s letter told me about his breakup with Shirley. He made it sound casual and said they were still good friends. He gave no reason. He also said he was going out with about 8-10 different girls now and was having fun. His other letter was to ask me if I could get a Zippo lighter for Y.D. Markson. He heard they were easy to get in the PX’s here and were unattainable in the States. Why Markson should want a Zippo is beyond me. The fact is – they’re not easy to get – as you know. They allow 7% of an outfit to get them and I waited 4 mos for the one I have. I just wrote Lawrence the other day that I’d send him the one I got – but I’ll tell him I can’t and send it to Stan, instead. The Lord knows he did enough for me in the past and if he can do Markson a favor – it won’t do him any harm. I’ll write him later.

I enjoyed Bea’s letter – tremendously, sweetheart – and it was swell of her to write so friendly and warm a letter to me. I know I’m really going to like her a lot. I’ll write her soon too. Barbara T’s letter was news about Mrs. Tucker and Salem – and there you are, darling.

I’m going to eat now, dear, so I’ll stop. I’m still sitting tight waiting for important news and I do hope it comes soon and is what I want to hear. It must be! Until later, Sweetheart, my sincerest love is yours and will be so forever. I love you, darling, and mean to tell you that over and over again – Do you mind? So long for now, dear

Yours – for always

Greg.

Regards to everyone

Love G

* TIDBIT *

about The Secret Kept about Company "C"

Greg took up lodging at the "new" Sherborne Castle on the 21st of March, 1944. Just a day earlier, an incident occurred which was kept secret for many years. He may never have known of it. Here the story is told by Joe Izzillo, a member of the 294th Combat Engineers, Company "B".

We did all of our training with mines and bridges on the property formerly owned by Sir Walter Raleigh, and now owned by the Digby family. Raleigh's castle was in ruins and on a large lake and that is where we did our training, building and blowing up static and floating bridges and working with mines. The Digby family were living in the relatively new castle at the time. One of the daughters, Pamela Digby later married Randolph Churchill, Winston's son. Later, they were divorced and she had a series of lovers and, at one time, became America's ambassador to France. Late in life she married Averill Harriman. She dissipated his fortune and after he died, she was sued by his children.

On the grounds of the Digby estate was the 228th Station Hospital, which consisted of a bunch of Quonset huts. The winter of 1943 was brutal. One day I woke up in my foxhole covered with frost and I realized that I had lost most of my hearing. This was not surprising since we were constantly working with explosives. I was taken to the 228th for treatment.

On March 20, 1944, I was lying in bed when there was a huge explosion and I was blown off my bed. The other patients and I raced outside and we saw the carnage. Company "C" had just finished an exercise with mine laying and then picked up the anti-tank mines and placed them alongside a truck to be taken to a safe area until the next exercise. The truck accidentally back up over some mines and about 90 mines exploded. The truck disappeared and 29 men were torn apart and their bodies were scattered through the trees. It was horrendous. Naturally, we were warned by security to keep quiet or we would end up being taken to Leavenworth Penitentiary in Kansas. The story was put out that two German saboteurs had set off an explosion. I understand that this was done because placing a hospital near explosives was a violation of the Geneva Convention.

It was many years after the war that a local reporter, using the Freedom of Information Act, wrote the true story.

The 228th American Hospital was built in Haydon Park in 1943 and treated over 22,000 patients both Allied and POW before it was disbanded in 1945 when its equipment and medical supplies were donated to local hospitals. Here is a picture of the Entrance Gate of the 228th Station Hospital in March of 1944:

Entrance to the 228th Station Hospital,
Sherborne, Dorset, UK