Clifford to Folks

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.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The 768th Field Artillery Battalion (Motorized 155 Howitzer Tractor Drawn) was activated on May 9, 1944 at Camp Barkley, Texas per General Order No. 2, Hq 418th FA Group Camp Barkley, Texas dated 8 May 1944. The enlisted men cadre was made up from the 248th Coastal Artillery Regiment, 1st Battalion which had previously been stationed at Fort Worden, WA. This is the first letter Clifford sent home since March 28th, over two months ago. June 1, 1944* Approximate          2110          CF          Camp Barkeley, Texas Clifford tells the Folks he is really sunburned; it hasn’t rained and is really dry; the climate is hard on the fellows that were at Fort Worden before the war; hears they are to be reserve field artillery in case anything goes wrong with the invasion; went through the filtration course at 10:30 last night – tracer bullets looked pretty but he really hugged the ground; has 155mm Howitzer now; will probably never get a rating -doesn’t really matter; is with soldiers of the old school and will follow the old-timers any place.

Mar. 18, 1944          1680          CF          Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford writes to the Folks; has it pretty easy lately; got letters from them and Winfred; glad Margaret got to visit them; asks about Patsy Ann in school and her long division; not much else to write about.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written home on March 17, 1944; one from Winfred and one from Clifford to the Folks. Mar. 17, 1944 (2)          1670          CF          Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford tells the Folks he got back from a pass to Seattle yesterday; will not be going to California but will soon leave; Winfred told him coal was black gold there in England; got a letter from an old schoolmate – Loretta; weighs 176; left home a year ago today; and will close and go to a show at the camp.