Maxwell's Letters Home

Feb. 18, 1943 (2) 0090 BMC

EDITOR”S NOTE: The letter below is the first of a few, sent to Clifford, Winfred’s younger brother, from his best friend Bob Merrill.  Bob went to IHS and was a first cousin to Clifford’s then girlfriend Patsy Merrill, younger sister of Daisy Merrill. He was also a friend of Winfred. Bob served in the Marines.  You will come to see he was a very expressive writer. Feb. 18, 1943 (2)              0090      BMC      San Diego, CA Bob Merrill (Clifford and Winfred’s friend from Irondale) writes to FIZZ (Clifford).  Hopes the letter gets to him before the army does. The marines keep him busy. He asks about Irondale and how Clifford is getting along was Bob’s cousin Pat Merrill.  Life is not bad, gaining weight and getting stronger, paper is scarce, staying in camp for 8 weeks then school someplace, probably Philly to do shoe repair. He needs Winfred’s address.

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Feb. 18, 1943 (1) 0080 WM

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written and sent home on February 18, 1943; one by Winfred to the Folks and one by Bob Merrill to Clifford. Feb. 18, 1943 (1)              0080      WM       ARMY TECHNICAL SCHOOL A. A. F. T. T. C./SIOUX FALLS, SD Winfred writes to his sister, Margaret. He comments on their younger cousin Erma (Irma Dickey); guesses their brother Clifford will like the army; mentions the names of several of their friends from Irondale and where they are currently posted; hears daily from his girl – Lois; will try to get his picture taken today and will send some ‘mills’ to their little cousin Eddie.

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Feb. 17, 1943 0070 WF

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Th1s letter is dated Feb. 18, 1943 but the postmark on the envelope was Feb. 17, 1943.   Feb. 17, 1943                    0070      WF         AAFTS/ Sioux Falls, SD (letter dated 2/18/43 but postmark is 2/17/43) Winfred asks the folks how things are in Irondale; he’s got his glasses. Says it’s nice there in SD – a littlle above zero!  Asks if his brother Clifford is in the army yet. Says he’s getting into the swing of things there now. Hasn’t passed his eight-word test yet. Chokes on the tests but still has a 90% average.  Received a letter from his Uncle Cleo and Aunt Bertha. Asks about the post office business. Has detail and needs to study for a test in theory. CLICK HERE to see lots of good pics of the base and town where Winfred attended Radio School.  The pics are from a 1943 class/yearbook from a class that attended the AAFTS in Sioux Falls, SD after Winfred’s. EDITOR’S NOTE: This was the first letter sent home from his new base in Sioux Falls, SD where he began his radio operator training.

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Feb. 5, 1943 0060 WM

EDITOR’S NOTE: The letter below was the first sent home by Winfred from his new base in Sioux Falls, S.D. where he began training to be radio operator.   Feb. 5, 1943                      0060      WM       AAFTS/ Sioux Falls, SD Winfred writes Margaret that he went from hot FL to ice covered SD in three days.  Went through Irondale at night. He likes the new camp; better food, no K.P. or guard, can sleep until 7:00.  He is going to radio mechanics school. The course should last 18-20 weeks. Afterwards, another camp or across.  Some will fly, the others will be on the ground. No chance for a furlough while they are there.  Asks about her work and their brother Clifford. Comments that is hard to work your way up in the air corps.  Brags about all the travelling he has done already.

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Feb. 1, 1943 0050 WM PC4

Feb. 1, 1943                      0050      WM       Clearwater, FL                  POSTCARD 4 Winfred sends a postcard to Margaret saying he’ll be on the move again to somewhere. He’ll let her know when he gets there.  Just feels lucky to get out of basic training early. This is the last postcard sent by Winfred from Basic Training in Clearwater, FL.

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Jan. 26, 1943 0040 WF PC 3

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third postcard Winfred sent home to the Folks.    Jan. 26, 1943                     0040      WF         Clearwater, FL                  POSTCARD 3 Winfred sends a postcard to the folks.  He is about over his cold and drills every day.

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Jan. 23, 1943 0020 WM

EDITOR’S NOTE: This first/oldest letter in the collection was sent to Winfred’s 24-year-old sister Margaret who was working in St. Louis, MO. and living with her Aunt and Uncle. Jan. 23, 1943                     0020      WM       Clearwater, FL Winfred writes his sister Margaret. He has had a sore throat and cold since he got there (FL); everybody does. He is writing on his knee because he can’t get a table.  He can drill and exercise all day now. He can lie on his back and hold his feet 10 inches off the ground for a hundred count.

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Jan. 19, 1943 0010 WF PC 1

EDITOR’S NOTE: The postcard below may not be the first letter Winfred sent home after his enlistment, but it is the oldest found in the box of letters. For Basic Training, Winfred moved from his enlistment site at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, MO, to the A.A.F.T.T.C. (Army Air Force Technical Training Command) in Clearwater, FL. Jan. 19, 1943     0010                     WF         Clearwater, FL                  POSTCARD 1 Winfred doesn’t have much time but writes to thank his Folks for the money and paper they had sent.  It will come in handy as he is almost broke.  It is almost time to eat so he will quit until later.  

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