MS 984 - Byron Armbruster World War II Papers Transcripts (October 1943)

October 6, 1943

6 October 1943

Dear Folks -

I've traveled by air, water and land and I still prefer the latter. I'd make a poor sailor.

We are now in another port and everything is O.K. Conditions have improved, especially the food situation.

How were the crops this fall? How did John Wright make out on his farm up North?

We usually get the world news here on board ship, but I haven't heard any for the last couple of days.

Best of wishes to all,
Love,
Byron

October 11, 1943

11 October 1943

Dear Folks -

We are on the high seas and this morning it is very calm, quite a contrast to yesterday. Yesterday I was O.K. as long as I remained lying down, but the minute I stood up, my neighbors had to beware.

Its been over five weeks since I have received any mail and don't expect any for about two weeks yet. There should be a goodly number awaiting me whenever I do catch up with it.

There is a lots I would like to tell but it would not pass the censors, so shall remain mum, until my return.

I'm hoping you received the two letters I sent, we were allowed to mail two letters containing only one sheet, on one side to let the folks know we were O.K. I didn't understand it that way and wrote two pages, so I took one sheet out and put it in another envelope. That is why you received the two, the same day and the one was a continuation of the other.

I'm sitting here, bobbing up and down, and can't think of anymore to write, so shall close, Sending love and best wishes to all
Byron

P.S. Mother, have Eloise take you over to Harrys and get those statuettes, while getting is good. Please.

20 October 1943

Somewhere-In-England

Dear Folks:

I am indeed impressed by the beauty of this country. The homes are beautiful.

We arrived yesterday and had twenty seven letters awaiting me plus several papers. The last one was dated October the eight. It was from Marilyn Ann. Continue to use V-mail as they come through photographed very well with the exception of one from Mother. Please use a well sharpened dark lead pencil or a pen or typewriting. Pleae inform the North-West News of my change in address. They are now going through my last camp and it takes for ever to get here. It even takes mail from two weeks to two months to get here.

Tell Emma, Fredia, F. Mary, Marcille and the rest that I appreciate their letters and to please keep them coming my way but I expect them to get the majority of the news from the letters I write Eloise and you.

The chestnuts here are plentiful and they taste pretty good. I haven't tasted any of the chestnut puddings as yet.

Time is limited and my pal wishes to use the typewriter, so shall close.

Keep your chins up and love and best wishes to all.

Byron

P.S. Also received a letter from Pastor Zschoche.

October 28, 1943

28 Oct. 1943

Somewhere-in-England

Dear Folks,

I received a letter from Henry the other day and I managed to answer it to-nite. I'm not going to do very much writing for several reasons. One I don't have much spare time and second, we just don't have much that we can write about.

If this was during peace time, I could certainly enjoy it here, as the countryside is simply beautiful, with its English Ivy, holly and chestnut trees. Civilian traffic is all in two wheeled horse drawn carts or bicycles. Can you picture Eloise and grandma Frease ridding a bike out home for a visit. They all ride here regardless of age. It seems I'll never get used to the traffic traveling on the left side of the road, and the handling of the English currency.

I wish I could tell you where and how I am living, but that is impossible at present. I'm sure its not like you think. Its to my advantage. I'll have plenty to tell you when I get home and it wont be about the Army. I'll never want to speak of that.

Assuring you I'm O.K. Tell everyone that I look forward to their letters, even if some are three or four weeks old when I get them, usually two weeks.

Love,
Byron

October 31, 1943

31 Oct. 1943

Somewhere-in-England

Dear Folks -

Last night the Red Cross gave a ballroom dance in town for the American boys. It was my first time out. We have been pened in on account of mumps. There certainly are a variety of uniforms worn in town, by both men and women. I have just finished building a shelf in out room. Several of the boys just left for London.

We have changed our American currency into that of the British and we no longer speak of dollars and cents but pounds, shillings, half crowns, florins, and pences. A pound has about ------ cents, florin - twenty cents, half crown - fifty cents, etc. Their pennys are about the size of the American silver dollar, and has about the value of two cents in our money.

The British people are rationed --------- severally. We are not supposed to buy food from any of the stores, as that would deprive some worthy British of that article. We get much better and more food than the civlians.

Everything is O.K. here. Give my love to all.
Byron