22 April, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 578 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

22 April, 1944        1145

Dearest darling Wilma –

I’ll just start a few lines before lunch. How are you, dearest? I didn’t hear from you yesterday, but I ought to today, perhaps. A short while ago – after weeks of arranging – I got a photographer to come up to the Castle grounds and take a picture of the 3 officers and our medical detachment personnel. No darling, I could not get him to take one of me myself. They just don’t have the paper and they are not interested in taking single photos; they save the paper for group pictures. At any rate, we all got dressed up, posed and were taken. While we were all together – I got a few snaps of the group and I’ll try to have the pictures developed. I just got back one roll, sweetheart, and I’m having another set made. As soon as it’s back I’ll send you a set and my folks one. There’s so much damned red tape about photographs – but I guess these will be O.K. Gotta run now, darling – dinner bell is ringing –

1225

Hello again, dear –

As you can see – dinner wasn’t very much today. I guess it was really a lunch. But tonite we’re having steak and it looks as if the binge I mentioned is going to materialize. Some time this p.m. – after I clean up a little of my work – we’re going to start drinking beer (saving our Scotch for the last possible moment). We got hold of a piano – 10 shillings a week. Half the keys don’t work – but we gather around it and yell our heads off. Thru Special Service we get most of the popular songs.

Well – to date – I haven’t heard from anyone concerning our engagement, sweetheart – I mean from none of my acquaintances. I think I will soon, however, although it is conceivable I could come back from the war and run into a good many people who didn’t hear about it. But I’m interested in some of their reactions. I was reading your letter of April 2nd last night and it must have been great fun for you, darling, to have your old school friends etc. – calling you and dropping around to see you. Gosh it would have been so nice to be with you and meet them all. But it’s your family particularly that I want to meet. I keep thinking that I met so few of them – and I’m anxious to meet and know them all and have them approve of me.

I keep telling you I’m happy about our engagement; you can’t know how much because you’d have to see me and be with me to really know. I have so much to be thankful for, darling, that I find myself feeling very humble at times. First of all it’s because of you – and our love for one another; then – it’s because of your folks and relatives who have been so darned nice about things. After all – they don’t really know me or my characteristics – and you don’t go and get your only daughter engaged very often. I’m fully aware of it and that’s what makes me love them and their trust in me; and finally – it’s because of my own folks whom, I know, I’ve made very happy – and I’m so glad about that. They really are swell parents and I guess I had them a little worried at times. It’s a pleasure to feel that they’re genuinely in love with you and therefore happy for me. All in all, darling, I’m content with the world and what it has given me. My love for you, dear, is greater than I knew love could be. I hope only – that until you can see for yourself – you get some idea of it thru my letters. So long for now, dear – and love to the folks.

Yours forever, dear

Greg

21 April, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 578 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

21 April, 1944       1230

Wilma, darling –

Busy seems to be the word for things for me in the last couple of letters, but I’m doing my darn’dest to keep the mail going. I’ve just finished lunch and I’m up in my room. If I don’t finish writing now, dear, I’ll probably get a chance a little later.

I got one letter yesterday – a V-mail from you of April 9th. There was no other mail – but it has really been excellent these past 10 days or so.

Today, darling, makes 3 weeks that we’re engaged – but only 9 days that I know about it. I don’t suppose I’ll really get the real thrill of it until the day I actually see you again – but I know I am getting the maximum sensation possible – with us apart. It’s just such a satisfying feeling to know I have you, darling, and – willing to wait for me. You will be so nice to come home to – and just think of the real pleasure that awaits me – knowing that one day I’ll be heading for home and you. I wonder how much elation and joy a person can stand. Whatever the limit – on that day, Sweetheart – I shall approach it.

Back here it’s been reports and reports and running around – but I’ve welcomed whatever busy days or nights we’ve had because time does go faster – and that’s what I like. This town, though, still has me captivated with it’s quaintness, age – and nice class of people. Last Sunday, I forgot to mention to you, dear, the old housekeeper took Bruce and me through the locked portion of the Castle. I’ve been taking care of her arthritis – and she promised to show me around – as a reward. Well, sweetheart, it took most of the afternoon and you can’t imagine the store house of treasures that this place has. Before the war – every room in the house was in use and it wasn’t unusual to have 100 men on a week-end of a hunt – stay up here. Well all the furniture, lamps, clocks, draperies, rugs, oil-paintings are in one wing of the castle and it was like going to an auction or a gallery – seeing it.

Other than that there’s nothing new. For the past several Saturday nights we’ve tried to plan an old-fashioned 438th brawl – but always something has turned up to prevent the officers from being together. But at this moment, dear, it looks as if we may be able to have it tomorrow night. We’re going to have a special supper – which will include ICE CREAM. I’ve had that delicacy about 4 times since I’ve been in England. And best of all – we’ve rounded up some liquor. For the bar – we’ve got about 18 bottles of Scotch, rum, gin – together and in addition we’ve been able to get some Black Market liquor. I haven’t been ‘drunk’ or anywhere near it for so long – that I bought a bottle of John Haig Scotch (and lucky to get it too) for £3 ($72.00) and I’m going to tie one on – as they way in the U.S. I owe myself an Engagement Party and this may be it – if something doesn’t turn up. I’ll let you know, dear.

Meanwhile, darling, I love you and miss you more dearly than I can write about and it’s in the knowledge of our future happiness that I keep my spirits up. I know we won’t be let down. Love to the folks –, dear and

My love is forever yours –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about John Haig Scotch and "The Pinch"


1944 UK John Haig Scotch Whiskey Ad
"Dimple Scots" and "Gold Label"

Greg did not say which bottle of Haig Scotch he purchased, but the price may mean he bought The Pinch. The Pinch, known as "The Dimple" everywhere except in the USA, is the fourth most popular Blended Deluxe Scotch worldwide. Dimple Blended Scotch Whiskey contains a high percentage of malt whiskeys including Glenkinchie and Linkwood.

The story of Pinch is reflected in the spirit of over 350 years' of whiskey distilling and blending experience. In 1655 farmer/distiller Robert Haig was summoned before the church elders for operating his still on the Sabbath (Sunday). This marked the earliest documented reference to a distillery company which is still operating today. The art and craft of whiskey distilling were passed down through generations of the Haig family dynasty, and Robert's descendants operated distilleries in Scotland, England and Ireland. One of them, John Haig, opened a distillery in 1824 at Cameronbridge in the fertile and historical Kingdom of Fife, which lies across the Firth of Forth from Edinburgh. Around 1870, his son John was the first Haig to use the newly developed practice of blending. The deep understanding of product and their long tradition of whiskey making was realized, to perfection, in the early 1890s with the creation of Pinch.

According to marketing material, this deluxe blend of exceptional distinction is found in the world's most exclusive bars and elegant homes and is enjoyed by those who appreciate rare quality. Pinch is said to be the perfect international companion when friends meet in smart surroundings. In recognition of the consistent high quality of Pinch, the whiskey was awarded a gold medal in 1987 in the Deluxe blended whiskey category of the International Wine and Spirit competition.

Pinch is distinguished even further by its famous triangular, dimpled bottle wrapped in wire net. The whiskey has been bottled in this attractive container since its creation in 1890, with the hand-applied wire mesh originally designed to prevent the cork from coming out during export shipments through rough seas. The Pinch 'decanter,' after the precious contents have been enjoyed, has been put to decorative use around the world. To protect its exclusive use, the Pinch bottle was the first bottle to be patented in the United States, in 1958. It is a fitting and unique container for a whiskey that is said to have no equals.

For connoisseurs, it is described this way: At the first whiff of the nose of The Dimple Pinch, a bit of pepper and malt unrest the senses. Then comes hints of honey, fruits, and peat smoke. The light golden blend then finishes with notes of vanilla. The flavor brings back to mind some of the aforementioned scents, but the fruit becomes much more pronounced. After the initial peppery bite, heavy apple and pear flavor takes over the palate moving to a smooth smoky sweetness in the finish.

The Pinch is bottled by United Distillers (or UDV as they've become known). The distilling company is currently owned by Diageo. Also produced by Diageo are: Jose Cuervo (#1 global tequila), Bailey's (#1 global liqueur), Johnnie Walker (#1 global scotch whiskey), J&B (#4 global scotch whiskey), Smirnoff (#1 global vodka), Guinness (#1 global stout), Captain Morgan (#2 global rum), Tanqueray (#1 US imported gin) among other spirits, as well as Don Perignon and Moet & Chandor champagnes, 6 more wines and 8 more beers.

Diageo says that many of their brands have stories...  Click here to read some.

20 April, 1944 (to her Dad)

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 578 c/o Postmaster N.Y.

England

20 April 1944

Dear Dad B. –

I got your letter of April 2nd – yesterday and you certainly make me ‘feel at home’, so to speak. I sincerely hope that all your wishes came true, for all of us – and certain it is that my one ambition is to get home well – to marry Wilma and really get to know my other folks. It will all come in due time – I have not doubt about that.

As for being pals – I guess you can count on me – and I look forward to having some great time together. Meanwhile – I’m very happy about our Engagement – and all in all, considering circumstances etc. – I think I’m a pretty lucky guy. Love to the family and so long for now.

Love

Greg.

20 April, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 578 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

20 April, 1944       1330

My dearest sweetheart –

I’m at the Dispensary right now and if it stays quiet long enough I’ll try to get a letter off to you. I’ve got quite a few of your recent ones to re-read and answer because it seems to me that you mentioned a few things here and there that require some comment.

In the first place, darling, your trip to the Boston Public Library was very amusing to me – even if you did get drenched. I can’t tell you very much, dear, but you aren’t far from wrong. You know, though – what surprises me more than anything else is the speed with which you receive my mail – and on the whole – how regularly. I think it’s swell that you do and it seems to me that Air-mail must be arriving ahead of the V-mail. Again I must warn you though not to expect it to continue indefinitely that way. The chances are that there will be delays – and also – that there will be days when I can’t write at all. I don’t think it is breaking censorship rules to write that; I am merely implying that I expect to be busy –

Your having lunch with Shirley F. interested me – when you mentioned that Stan’s name didn’t come up at all. Apparently she means to forget him completely. I don’t know when she wrote me, by the way, but as yet I haven’t received it. And about a call from London – if it is being allowed, I’m sure it is from London only. If I get there again – that’s the first thing I’ll try to do, believe me. It would certainly be worth it to me to be able to actually tell you I love you and have you say the same to me. For the time being, darling, it will have to wait.

Your letters, sweetheart, re-iterate that you like your ring. You’ve really got me curious as to what it looks like. I’m so glad that you’re fond of it and I hope you’re getting as much kick out of telling people that you’re engaged as I am. My audience is so limited, though – just the officers – who, by the way, found it hard to believe, except for those few who really knew about us. I owe them all a drink – and maybe it’s a good thing that hard liquor is almost impossible to obtain here.

You make a very correct statement, darling, when you say that we owe our folks a great deal. The spirit with which they went right ahead and got things done to make us happy – was wonderful – and I shall always be thankful to them for it. When we first started writing about the possibility of an engagement, I honestly wondered how it would ever work out – not our being engaged – but the steps leading up to it. I too have never been worried about us – ourselves. It’s really wonderful to be so confident that things will work out well between us. As for providing for you – I guess I just don’t worry about it. We’ll go back to Salem, I’ll open my office, and people will just naturally want to see me when they’re sick – well, some people.

Sweetheart – I’ll stop now. I have a little job to do on one of the soldiers and he has just arrived. Remember, dear, that despite our separation – I’m constantly happy and contented now that you are my real fiancée. Love to the folks and for now –

My sincerest and deepest love

Greg

19 April, 1944

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 578 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

19 April, 1944

Hello Darling!

I haven’t taken much advantage of V-mail before but I have to today, dear or I won’t be able to get anything off to you at all. The plain fact is we’re quite busy and my days are full.

Yesterday I got your letters of March 31 and April 3 – very important ones to me, sweetheart, because I now have a pretty complete story of what was going on a few weeks ago. You certainly were happy and I guess you know you’ve made me that way.

I also received some swell letters from your Dad – our Dad, I mean, Jeannette Berns, my brother-in-law Irv, and my sister Ruth. All were congratulations, and very sweet and made me feel quite important. The first chance I get I’ll start answering some of them – but it will be a few days yet before I can do it.

Incidentally, Charlie and the boys got back yesterday and we’re all together again – and so I’m a little less lonesome. It doesn’t seem like a holiday at all here today – just another work day and a busy one at that. But I’d much rather be busy then to have to sit around. That’s all for now, darling. Love to the folks – and

All my love

Greg

17 April, 1944 (2nd letter)

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 578 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

17 April, 1944          2230

My dearest darling Wilma –

I haven’t written you at this hour for a long time, it seems – but I thought I’d better write tonite because I’m pretty certain I won’t be able to get a letter off tomorrow. I have to make a trip after some medical supplies starting early in the morning and since it’s quite a way off, I’m pretty sure of getting back quite late – and probably tired. Besides, darling, I got three letters from you, dated on the outside of the envelope April 6, April 11 and April 12!! Just think of it – 5 days later and I’m reading it! That is absolutely the best time ever – and there doesn’t seem to be any doubt about those letters having been flown over. Boy, it’s wonderful to read something you wrote less than a week ago – that makes me feel so close. I had to stop and wonder how I’d feel when I actually saw you in person. I know I’ll be beside myself with joy and exaltation when that time comes, darling.

Your letters, dearest, are very sweet and give me the uplift you imply mine do for you. Being actually engaged to you is still like a dream for me – and when you refer to our first meeting each other – I have to stop and recapitulate events and wonder how I was so lucky to have reached this state. I can’t believe it possible – and yet you write me of your ring and I see in print – that everyone else can see too – our name linked in engagement. I was thrilled by the newspaper clipping sweetheart – and thrilled isn’t even the word. There in print it says that Mr. and Mrs. Etc. announce the engagement etc. – and this time as I read it – it concerns you and me and not some other couple. It almost startles me, darling – but oh! so pleasantly! Darling I’m so proud of you and so happy that I was able to become your fiancé in every sense of the word.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
   

I loved your picture, dear, and I’m so glad you included one of my Mother and Father B. – my family. You have – shall I way – a wistful look on your face – and sweetheart, I love it. And the one of yourself is swell. I’m going to try to get both into my wallet. You mention not calling my folks Mother and Dad. Darling – if they haven’t mentioned it it’s simply because they’re modest and haven’t wanted to impose anything on you you might not want to do. Knowing my mother A. as I know you are beginning to – you can understand what I mean, I’m sure, dear. Everyone thinks his mother is about the best ever. I know this about my mother – and that is that there aren’t many just quite like her – and I know you’ll agree. Anyway, dear, I know they would like to have you address them as Mother and Dad. Incidentally – I yet haven’t received a letter form home telling me about our Engagement – except for one from Lawrence – that I’ve already mentioned. There must be a couple on the way, no doubt.

In your V-mail which I received today you mention a Dr. Alexander. Yes, I know him – he’s Ben A. – a very brilliant M.D. who has done a lot of research work at the B.I. He’s very well known in his field, too.

I saw the picture “Lassie Come Home” and at the time never dreamed I would ever visit a Yorkshire. It’s actually as you see it in the movie – just as quaint and fresh and green. I wish you could be here to see some of this lovely countryside – dear.

Well – Sweetheart – it’s getting late for me – and I have to get an early start in the a.m. – so I’d better stop. I’m very happy, dearest, despite the war – and it’s because of my love for you – which is certainly becoming fuller and richer with each passing day. I am just living for the time when we can materialize that love, darling – and that day will surely come for us –

Love to the folks – and good nite – Sweetheart

All my love forever, dear

Greg

17 April, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 578 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

17 April, 1944           0820

My dearest sweetheart –

The start of another week and Charlie and the boys should be back tonight or tomorrow. I’ll be glad to see them again – because although it has been quite restful here – it has also been very lonesome. The weather hasn’t been too good either – but the natives say that around this time of April there’s always a 10 day period of cool, raw weather – which is then followed by real spring.

Yesterday, sweetheart, I wrote you early – and that was about the only active piece of work I did all the day. I read and dozed and dreamed and listened to the radio. Incidentally it has been announced here that one game a day – baseball game – will be broadcast directly from some ball-park in the States. They are certainly trying to make us feel at home here in the E.T.O. The game will be heard here at 2130 – corresponding to 1530 at home and will mean we’ll hear a full game minus the first few innings perhaps. I think it’s wonderful except for the undeniable fact that all these radio programs from home make you fundamentally more homesick. Lying on my bed yesterday p.m. and evening, I would close my eyes – and it was so easy to imagine myself at home – and so disappointing to realize you weren’t. Well – we shouldn’t kick – because there are so many fellows in such tough set-ups.

Gee – in two days – you’ll have your Patriot’s Day Holiday. I always liked that one. For one thing it always heralded the end of another school year; and there was usually a double-header at the ball park – with a chance to see the end of the Marathon. I haven’t seen a recent Boston Herald – but I assume the B.A.A. is still putting it on. Here of course – Patriot’s Day is not even known – and incidentally – it’s surprising how little most of the British know about the Revolution etc. Apparently it just isn’t studied here at all. And in discussing it at all – they always say that the King didn’t really want the colonies and planned on giving them up – a little different slant from ours.

I was re-reading a letter of yours from March 23rd (there was no mail for me yesterday) in which you mention sending snapshots, darling. I too, get mixed up in sequence, – it’s natural with the mail delay. I got some of you as a child some time ago and I believe I mentioned receiving them. Incidentally – I have them in a safe place – but would you prefer to have them back home? Now am I to expect more snaps – darling? If so – to date – I have not received any. In another letter you mention having sent a poem on “Love”. I haven’t received that either – but it will probably catch up with me. Oh – by the way, darling, I sent off another parcel the other day with a couple of pieces of junk. I really don’t know why because we’ll never use some of it probably. But I pick it up here or there and then it collects around the room and rather than throw it out – I mail it. But I guess we can always use the ash-trays. Oh one thing in this parcel – we will be able to use – on our front door. I liked it because it was odd, and incidentally, very old. Maybe you’ll think differently, dear.

Well, darling, I’m going down to the dispensary now and get things organized for tomorrow. I hope I hear from you today, dear. Now that we’re actually engaged, it seems as if I miss even more – not hearing from you regularly. It’s as if you belong to me and I want to know everything that you’re doing and thinking. You don’t mind the possessive feeling on my part – do you sweetheart? I do love you, though, dear – so very much and it’s natural to feel that way, I guess.

Darling – I’ll close now. My best love to the folks and to you, dear –

All of my “extra special” kind of love

Greg.

P.S. “extra special”cannot
be put into words.
   Love
               G.