Clifford to Folks

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home on January 11, 1945; Winfred wrote Margaret, Clifford wrote the Folks. Jan. 11, 1945          2570          CF          Swanage, England Clifford writes the Folks since he doesn’t have anything else to do; is still okay; doesn’t like the weather; has grown tired of this ETO business; glad Winfred finished with such a high average – guesses he will be stationed on the West Coast; didn’t realize Pat (Merrill) was having so many heartbreaks but guesses someone has to keep the Irondale gossip rolling; tells mom not to worry; and tells dad he got and enjoyed the letter he had sent.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home to the Folks on January 3, 1945; one by each of the boys. Jan. 3*, 1945          2510          CF          Swanage, England Clifford scribbles a V-mail to the Folks; hauled ashes all day; has really enjoyed the rest since leaving Texas; thought it would be good if Winfred was still in Florida; hopes they got the letters he had sent before Christmas – didn’t want them to worry; may change before he is twenty-one; and asks for the latest gossip from Irondale.

1945 The year begins with Clifford and his 768th Field Artillery Battalion attached to the 30th FA Group stationed in Swanage, England awaiting deployment to the fight going on in France and Western Europe. France has been liberated, and the Allies have advanced near the German border. The Germans have mounted a major offensive to counter the Allies advance. This Battle of the Bulge will be the costliest battle of the war for the Americans. U.S. forces will suffer 100,000 casualties including 23,000 missing and over 19,000 killed. The battle lasted from December 16, 1944 until January 25, 1945. Winfred, having returned from his time serving in Europe, is still finishing up advanced radio training/navigation at R.A.A.B. (Reno Army Air Base) near Reno, Nevada. He awaits his assignment to the Air Transport Command where it appears he will be headed to the Pacific. EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the first letter/V-mail sent home by Clifford in 1945. Jan. 1, 1945          2490          CF          Swanage, England Clifford tells the Folks in a V-mail he is behind in his correspondence again; had turkey for Christmas and New Years; heard that his cousin James will be getting married soon; and needs them to send him a watch – right away.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the second of the last two letters sent home by the boys in 1944. On Christmas Day, Winfred sent a letter to his sister Margaret, and Clifford sent a V-mail to the Folks. Dec. 25, 1944          2480          CF          Swanage, England Clifford tells the Folks in a V-mail it is Christmas Day and he just finished a big turkey dinner; guesses all the relatives are together; this is the third Christmas he has been away from home – hopes it’s the last; hopes they have received some of the letters he has sent by now; hopes they don’t worry about him over the holidays; is sitting by the fireplace – it is cold outside; there are only 3 in a room with a bath; doesn’t seem like Christmas but it will be like that everywhere until the war is over; and enjoys the letters from dad. This is the Last of the 1944 Letters Home

Dec. 20, 1944          2460          CF          Swanage, England Clifford sends a V-mail to his Folks while he has a chance; it’s cold there; he’s taking it easy; received five letters yesterday; liked Patsy’s picture; asks for Cousin Jr. or anyone else’s address that may be there; tells mom he would sure like to be home for Christmas to get a tree and watch Patsy’s eyes bug out.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the only item sent home by either of the boys addressed to their mother. Clifford sends his change of address form to his mother Cressie. Dec. 18, 1944* Approx.          2450          CF          Swanage, England Clifford sends a V-mail change of address form to his mother Cressie.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home on December 17, 1944; one by Winfred to Margaret, and one by Clifford to the Folks. Dec. 17, 1944 (2)         2440          CF         Swanage, England Clifford writes his first letter home (that we have) to his Folks from England. Yesterday he received their letter dated Nov. 30th (the first letter he has received since getting to England). He had a pass to London, and it will be something to remember; wonders if Winfred got there very often; there’s a lot he would like to say but it will have to wait until he gets home (his letters are censored now). He is used to the climate as it is like Fort Worden, WA (where he was first stationed in 1943); Patsy Ann is in a Christmas play this year – reminds him of the swell time he had in school, seems like a lifetime ago (Clifford graduated 2 ½ years ago). He had always wanted to travel but has had enough; asks for Winfred’s address; closes asking Mom to write; will write when he can.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is Clifford’s first letter home since June 15th, (almost ten weeks ago.) Aug. 25, 1944          2380          CF          Camp Barkeley, Texas The Folks hear from Clifford at last; just got back from the field today; had to turn in some of their stuff; hears they are going to Camp Bowie, Texas for more training; has sure been on the move the past few months; gets a lick out of some postcards; hopes to be h home for a few days when Winfred gets there – but he better hurry; everybody dislikes their officers and hopes for new ones when they transfer; guesses Patsy will be starting school soon; time is going by quickly and news is scarce. EDITOR’S NOTE: Clifford’s war will be getting started soon!

Jun. 15, 1944          2200          CF          Camp Barkeley, Texas Clifford scribbles a ditty to the Folks before hitting the sack. He is getting along okay but a little run down; is off Fire Direction due to his eyes – back to Communications; is too lazy to be a sergeant; is desperate they send money soon; was sick all morning from something he ate; has forgotten about presents this year; Lois enjoys a book of poems; got a letter from Winfred today from before the invasion; tells them not to worry about Winfred too much, he’s quite a man; and hopes to see them soon.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Clifford’s letter home was written after Rome fell on June 4, 1944 but before FDR gave a speech about D-Day. Though the Yank magazine cover is dated June 6, 1944, it was likely sent out to GI’s the previous week Jun. 5, 1944  *Aprox                      2160      CF           Camp Barkeley, Texas Clifford writes the Folks that he is behind in his writing; that he is glad Rome fell; hasn’t heard from Winfred for a while – hard to get a letter out of England; is broke again and asks his Folks to cash one of his bonds; is listening to FDR; and found an article in a Yank magazine about his old fort in Washington state. EDITOR’S NOTE: Today. June 5, 1944, was to be the day for the D-Day Normandy Invasion but it was delayed a day due to bad weather.