November 19, 1944 - Belgium

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Belgium

November 19, 1944

Dearest Mother:

As you again see by the heading and also my new stationary.  I have moved and once again I have been able to reach one of the well stocked Belgium stores for this paper.

Our team has again changed locations and are now located at a different Field Hospital which is not in action at present.  Only this time we do not have Col MacIntyre with us.  The Colonel has been replaced by another Major while the Col has to remain in headquarters at his duties.

Have before me here your letters of Sept 26 and October 30, the previous one received yesterday contained the clipping of Geo Dewey’s Los Angeles speech, so now I have received two of his speeches: Oklahoma City and Los Angeles.

As I believe I mentioned in my last letter.  I was certainly glad to hear of you receiving the silver, but the stamp disappearance is still a big mystery and I am rather mad about it in fact.  Anyway the important thing is that you have received the thing.

No I have not take to smoking and in regards to your question as to when I get them.  They are given to us in rations and in England I could buy them at the PX.

Sgt Kupfer and myself saw a couple good shows while in headquarters and went to town a couple of times together.  Sgt Ryan is stationed not too far from here but I have not seen him since leaving Paris the first time.

I am going to try and see him some time soon.

We do not have bicycles here and would not have the time for them f we did.  England was in a way a pleasure resort for us.  And you certainly hit the nail on the head when you said being unsettled gets on my nerves.  I could do so much more if we were settled somewhere.

As to your question regarding the casualties.  Yes much different than Brooke General, otherwise no answers.

It seems surprising to me to hear of horse racing in the states while we here are in such a different world.  The horses we see here are the huge big percherons[1] with docked tails which they all have for farm work, and once in a while a smaller horse hitched to a carriage, and they are few and far between here.  They were thick in Paris.

I took a ride into the city yesterday on one of their trolleys which have resumed operation again in most parts.  We (soldiers) do not pay a fare as they tell us.  “The Bosch” (Germans) did not pay so neither do you have to”.

Whitney whom you have heard me mention is now in France with a General Hospital.  Received his change of address card one day and a letter the next.

Have spent most of the day doing a washing and am therefore tired, so will close now bidding you good night and asking you to take care of yourself.

All my love,

Stanley

November 21, 1944

Dearest Mother:

Hoping this reaches you all in one envelope and hope you like it. 

I sincerely wish I could do more for you, but all that will have to wait until another day.

The handkerchief is not a very nice one but you may wear it with your latest suit.  It would not stand close observation to well as you can see.

The cards are from England and Belgium. I thought the latter one very nice, so thought you would also.

In to town yesterday and came home with grapes (greenhouse) and delicious pears.  Also had ice cream  which was my first since the states.

Well all for now and more will follow.

All ways,

Stanley

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[1] http://ivancedeo.ifunnyblog.com/belgianpercheroncross/#

3 December 1944 - Germany

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Germany

3 December 1944

Dearest Mother:

Since my last letter was a V-Mail I will try and make this letter a little more interesting and somewhat longer.

I hope that yesterday being your anniversary was a very enjoyable one for you.  Only wish that I were home and able to do something more for you.

N regards to your question about the bonds.  The last bond you should receive will be for the month of October.  Beginning November 1 then should be the $50 per month allotment.  You should not of course receive the first $50 until about the middle of December or whenever the $25 check has been arriving.  I will, provided the bonds in question do not show up soon, write Ft Sam in regards to them.

Have here before me your letters of Oct 24 & 28 & Nov 13 & 15, all of which have been received during the last week.  So the mail is all off here also.  Also here are one from Nina and Nelson.  Received your Air Mail stamps also.

Your clippings in one of the letters makes me homesick for the rain.  We have had rain here but nothing like at home.  We have had some cold winds and a lot of mud unlike any we ever had.  I can easily see how a huge war machine very easily becomes bogged down.

Received a very nice box from Thelma and will have use for the things she sent.  Also a wonderful box of dried fruit from Jay and a nice one from Miss Mosher.  Perhaps I mean hers has a few more dates etc., in other words a larger selection.  Some of the packages are arriving here all wet and moldy inside.  Hope mine fare better than that.

The new water mains you speak of sound interesting.  I am interested in hearing about the results you receive.

Received a letter from Sgt Rapp now Pvt Rapp.  He is in England at a General Hospital.  He left our unit while we were still in England.  They had quite a fuss and he was taken advantage of.  He is better off where he is now.  He is the same person you have in mind.

Was glad to hear of the dividend check on the telephone stock arriving, as I seem to have lost all tract of that type of thing.  Again upon the accumulation of enough funds and the stock is again at the figure of my last purchase or lower, you buy one for me.  I still want more.  I was never able to find out much on Western Elec Mfg.

Forgot to mention receiving your package containing the stationary, shaving cup etc.  You certainly send useful things and I really want to thank you for them.

The shirt you speak of sounds interesting and you will never know how I long to once again go to the wardrobe and take out some of my clothes hanging there and put them on and wear them.  My clothing selection will very likely increase more than ever before merely as a mania, so be prepared for a change.

I can not say I would feel perhaps the way Tom Miner feels.  He is exceptionally lucky and I would certainly not stay home on account of it.

Enjoyed a lot in receiving the note of Dads on the back of your letter.  Will answer him soon.  Very pleased to hear of the slip which he speaks of.

Very pleased to hear of the perfumes arriving.  The Balloggia[1] I imagined would be liked as well as any.  The GI(s) have just about bought out Paris and what is left is high.  I tried to buy some prints, but the prices were beyond reason and I am not to be taken advantage of.  They are taking advantage of the soldier.

I keep expecting to hear of Muriel becoming engaged or something, but I am always quite surprised at the end of each friendship.  She must have changed a lot.

The calla lily bed on the West has something wrong with it and avoid taking things from there for other places in the garden.

Enclosed you will find fourteen (14) negatives which are some taken of a manor house in England which struck me as being very beautiful and another building there with an exceptionally fine drive.  Others are of Reims Cathedral and of myself in Holland.  There is one of some little wooden shoe wearing boys also.  Have 3 each made of the house and cathedral and other Arc.  The others you may have one of each made.  Send them to me and I will or may have more prints made.

The country here has certainly been a change as the building here told us we were in Germany without knowing it.  They are much worse than anything previously.  The people who are here all stay indoors and there is a penalty of $60 for speaking to any of them.  They would not interest me anyway.  I am not here for a campaign tour of any kind so therefore stay inside our buildings most of the time and tend to my own business.

You will find enclosed our Christmas card which I hope reaches you in time for Xmas and may you all have one of the nicest holiday season ever and my thoughts will be with you all.

Tell me more of Andre Allen changing his entire novel again.

All for now and take care of yourselves.

All my Love,

Stanley

NOTE from the transcriber:  AACHEN

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[1] Bellodgia

October 8, 1944 - Belgium

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York

New York

October 8, 1944

Belgium

Dearest Mother:

I will start again on a letter and hope to finish it this evening.

We are still here having a short rest and perhaps will start to work here soon.  Of course I am not complaining and am having a very nice time catching up on all of my mail and writing a little sooner in answer to some than usual.  Just finished a nice long letter to Joe and answered one to Sgt Rapp whom you have heard me speak of at Fort Sam Houston.

Our mail has been delayed a great deal because of our moving.  For that reason I have received very little mail here lately.

I am having a very good time here learning French and seeing the countryside which is perhaps some of the most beautiful since England.  It is entirely different from any previous.  The countryside is dotted with small groves of trees which are planted at periodic times and are cut down in time and used planted on another piece of land and the place where they had been is plowed up and used for pasture. After pasture they use the land for crops.  All the families here seem to all pitch in and help with the harvesting.  Most or a lot of the men here are gone since the Germans have had some of them prisoners for a period four years or so.  I was speaking to one of them and she told me her husband has been gone for four and a half years.

This one lady is trying her best to learn English.  They all want to go to the states some time.  They all like American cigarettes and will always trade apples, pears and French plums or prunes for them.  A lot of them just automatically give us these items.

I am trying to get a small pair of wooden shoes for my collection.  I wonder if Clive (or Olive) and Elizabeth Chapin would like a pair.  I saw a whole wagon load of them the other day.  Some of them have some carving on the toes, especially the children’s shoes.  They will stuff straw also for warmth.  They would very soon tire my feet if I had to wear them.

I found enclosed in both of your letters the “Air Mail” stamps.  And I do want to pay you for them.  Charge them to me and deduct the amount from my monthly allowance.  You can also send me a statement of my bank account as it stands now. Also send me the prices (average) of American T&T stock for the last few months.  I have not seen the stock quotations for about two months.  Do you think it wise to buy at present time?

Back to the stamps again.  Send me about five once a week.  I will manage the other from here.  We are able to get the ready stamped envelopes here sometimes.

Have you found out as yet what the operation Thelma Chapin had as yet?  Give her my regards and I will write her soon.  She owes me a letter since I was the last to write her.  I have gotten away from writing too many people unless they write me.  There are a few of course who deserve better attention.

I can not think of much more to say this evening other than to tell you all to take care of yourselves and I will write you when I can.

All my love,

Stanley.

Marbury Hall, Northwich, England - August 1944

The top three are of Marbury Hall, in Northwich, England
the bottom left is labeled "Budworth Mere, Northwich, England, August 1944"
bottom middle, is of Stanley Safford, in front of Marbury Hall
bottom right of a "neighboring hall" is marked "Confidential until reclassified by censor"

7 August 1944

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York

New York

(Excuse this awful stationary – better later)

7 August 1944

Dear Mother:

Received your letter of the 27, the day before yesterday and yours of the 24 yesterday. Why the great difference in dates and the date of arrival, I do not know.

I have as yet not accomplished too much in the way of writing, but am a little more settled in a mental way now, so will start in very soon.

In answer to your question of writing on both sides of the paper? As far as I know, you may do as long as it is not being censored.  That rule only applies to we here. I did although forget and write on both sides of my last.

When I left Fort Sam I put into my portfolio envelopes which I had already put stamps on so that I would not be wondering where the stamps were etc when I had the chance to write.

While on the subject of mail, you are putting too much postage on your Air Mail. You need only put 6¢ Air Mail on your letters to an APO and the same applies here.

Your mention of the time and hours of darkness reminds me that it does not get dark in the evening here until around eleven o’clock, but of course the winter will be just the other way around. 

Yes I am looking forward to being able to vote in the November elec. And I want you to express your views or ideas to me about the lesser things on the ballot, in one of your future letters.

You perhaps have gotten the new APO by now.  If not it is APO 339 in care of the same Post Master.

You may be right in selling the business at this time. But what will he do if he does, that is unless he intends to retire for good.  He has worked long and hard enough for so many years, so a good rest would do him a lot of good.  If not this, it may be immense doctor bills at a later date.

The other evening we went to a little town nearby and obtained some very beautiful postcards which the shop keeper, after hunting around a good deal, found.  There are some very attractive and colorful flower prints which would be nice framed.   I will send them on at a lat(t)er time under separate cover,

While there we had some very good “fish & chips” which are quite the thing around here it see(a)ms.  I have had the chance to also have tea, bread, butter and jam which was also very good.  As a rule there is really very little we may buy as everything practically is rationed and b(u)y rights should be saved for the civilians who, from what I have seen need it more than we do.

I have taken several nice walks out into the country and find the entire amount of which I have seen to be extremely beautiful. They tell me that this is the peak of their summer, which all makes me wonder hat their Spring is like.

The Rho(do)dendrons here are all setting seed and they look rather seedy, but some of the cottages here are very beautiful with their beds of dwarf dahlias, snapdragons and larkspur.  And the hedges here are all much nicer than any we have.

I am certainly getting a lot of new and wonderful ideas which will do me some good after this affair,

Even some ideas for my own garden.  Here we find examples of some of the finest landscaping in the world.  It is of course all rundown but there is still a plan which is the same regardless of condition at present.

Has Mrs. Hall acquired any more pets as yet to bother you? We certainly have quite a time with our neighbors!

Well most of my time has been spent in waiting for crates so will close now to do some more waiting.

I heard from Marvin Arnold, noted on return address that they have moved.

Did you (k)now of it?  He did not mention it in letter tho.

Well all for now, so will close until another time.

As ever your son,

Stanley

NOTE from Transcriber: Can't figure out the code any more... )=  Could they have discussed this and changed it?  No idea!

October 3, 1943

Sgt Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

Dodd Field

Ft Sam Houston

Texas

October 3, 1943

My Dear Mother:

Here it is again Sunday and another letter to you.  For the first time in quite awhile the sun has come up in the morning nice and bright.

Will the story is now that the First Auxiliary Surgical Group was flown over to England when they went over.  I am still waiting for a letter from the boy that I knew in the group.

Last evening the clerk in HdQ and myself went up town and he bought a couple things to take home with him when he goes this coming Monday night.  He is going to be there in LA because his aunt lives there in Hollywood.  He is the one who is Jewish and has only been here in this country about four or five years.  Don’t be surprised if he calls you up, he mentioned doing so.  He bought a couple of those hand painted wooden trays and also a couple day hand painted piggy banks which were both exceptionally pretty especially the bright colors on the trays.  I think that I will send Ann Reid next door a little bank for I think that she would like one of them although they have to be broken when you wish to get the money out of them but they are so inexpensive.  While down there I also bought a couple of those very beautiful feather picture cards which I am going to enclose one of in this letter.  You will like them. I am going to get some more and have you keep them for me. So that someday I may frame them.

Well Major Skinner kept his promise this time as you have noticed by this time by the return address.

The clipping which you enclosed in your last letter about the heat in L.A. was a nice one, but I believe that it was about Thursday that I heard they were having a heat wave in L.A.

 I wish that I had had a lot more time at home when I could have enjoyed my phonograph and the records which I have and also those which you brought while I have been gone, and I could have had a lot more time for the garden also.

I received a card from Jay the other day and it was one of Luccas(?) so evidently he had eaten there for he spoke of not having the same waitress and of also having more olives.

The ointment is spelled Whitfeilds[1] I believe but I will get the correct spelling later.  Also I will get those things sent to Aunt Nina (Blue glass) before long.

I did accomplish the writing of twelve letters this last week-end and still have a few more to write although nothing urgent.  I will write Cousin Gertrude in the next couple days since I received a letter from her before I came home so it is about time that I write her one.

If you get a box of wild pecans one of these days don’t be surprised for one of these days I am going out down along the creek and gather a few.  They are just beginning to ripen and they should be very good for the wild ones always have a task which is entirely different.

The trees around here are now beginning to look as tho winter were really coming because they have shed all their small leaves and all that is left is the large one.  And the lawns around the large homes are beginning to become covered with them.  No longer is the Crape Myrtle in bloom and they are also beginning to look quite ragged.

I went down also yesterday and looked for some more elephants for Aunt Maibelle but they had none which were different than what I had already sent her. SO I will look somewhere else and try and find some that are different but not too expensive.  Could you sometime when down in Chinatown get a hold of a small package of Jessamine tea and sent it to me.  I was telling Mrs. Tedesco about it and she said that she had never tasted any of it.  What brought the subject up was she asked me if I liked hot tea and I told her yes.  She then said that she was going to have me and a couple others over some rainy afternoon for tea.

The picture of her in the blazer which I sent you, are very poor of her.  But you know what some of these amateur photographers are.  While on the subject she has a very pretty set of Blue Glass wine bottle and glasses which she bought down at the same place which those of mine came from.  She also has a wonderful lace table clot which is very old which she used at one of the buffet suppers I went to.

Well the afternoon drags on and I shall soon run out of news.  Major Kuhns was just in and is on his way out to pick up his father who has never had a plane ride out, at the airport for when he heard of the baby’s arrival he decided to fly down.

Give my regards to Aunt Nina and I will close now with lots of love,

Your son,

Stanley

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[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitfield%27s_ointment