Winfred to Folks

EDITOR’S NOTE: In addition to the journal entry made on Feb. 25, 1944, Winfred wrote a letter home to the Folks. No mention was made of the bombing mission he was on that morning. Clifford also sent home a letter. Feb. 25, 1944 (1)              1510      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred writes the Folks. He says everything is still O.K. – feeling fine – his cold doesn’t stop him; just finished dinner and has 12 letters to write; hears from Cliff often and thinks he is O.K. not wanting to move; was chopping a little wood this morning because they are out of coke (fuel) for the heating stove; asks about Irondale and if any of the ‘boys’ have been home; is anxious about the picture; has a pass coming and will get to see England; there’s always a big argument going on in the barracks; and hopes all are well.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Three letters were written on Feb. 21, 1944. Winfred wrote one letter to his Folks and one letter to his sister Margaret; Clifford also wrote a letter home to the Folks. Feb. 21, 1944 (1)                             1450      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred write to the Folks the day after his third mission. Apologizes for not writing but has been very busy; is getting along well and feeling fine; heard from Cliff who got K.P. for chewing gum; gets a kick out of Cliffs letters; says Cliff is lucky to be where he is; missed the fuel truck so no fire; got an axe and some wood from a secret place; big poker game tonight and is just watching; needs a ration card to buy stuff there; and is pretty worn out.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Three letters were written on Feb. 17, 1944. Winfred sent one letter to his sister Margaret, and one to his Folks. The third letter was written by one of Winfred’s aunts and sent to another of his aunts which was then forwarded to G.D. Maxwell (Winfred’s dad) by G.D.’s brother Norman. Feb. 17, 1944 (1)              1380      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred asks the Folks how every thing is; has a little more spare time; just been to the P.X. for his weekly rations; is use to the lines; is glad they are taking care of the picture enlargements; has little he can write about; and encloses a clipping from the ‘Stars & Stripes’ about Calais being hit 43 times. (He was a part.)

Feb. 16, 1944                    1370      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred guesses he has missed several days writing to the Folks. He has received mail from them, Margaret, and Clifford; is well but busy; says Cliff expects to transfer soon; received the County Paper with the picture and Old Pearl; asks about “the Irondale front”; must close and get some sleep; never knows when he’ll be awakened.

Feb. 14, 1944                    1350      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred writes the Folks before going to bed; big poker game in the barracks; taking things easy; mail is scarce; asks about Irondale news; been sewing on his shirt; weather is warmer; nice climate; hasn’t heard from Cliff; gotten over his cold; only problem is finding something he can write about.

Feb. 12, 1944                    1340      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred tells the Folks he is writing a letter that will tell them little.  He got a letter from Margaret (not a V-mail); gets into ‘bull sessions’ with the boys (arguing is their favorite pastime); mud is ankle deep from the rain; eating whatever is handy; writing all the (Irondale) boys at their home addresses; asks about Pat Merrill. The censor says Max is a good boy and the best R.O.

Feb. 9, 1944                      1320      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred apologizes to the Folks for missing a couple of days writing; received a letter from Louise but couldn’t read the V-mail she sent; is aware his letters are being censored by the officers on his crew; hasn’t heard from Clifford so asks if he has shipped out; asks about his little sister Pat; and would like a copy of the enlarged crew photo to tack up; and needs some sack time.  PS Heard from Uncle Norman but can’t decipher it.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written by Winfred on Feb. 5, 1944; one to the Folks, and one to his sister Margaret. Feb. 5, 1944 (1)                1250      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred just got a letter from the Folks. He says it is cold there like MO. He has been getting the papers they send; comments about Cliff being on the move; did not figure on being there so long but will be. Winfred goes into detail about the scenery – it’s nice but a little old-fashioned; everyone rides bikes; there are pubs, picture shows, restaurants, etc.; people treat ‘yanks’ nicely. He got a promotion and is now a staff sergeant. EDITOR’S NOTE: Tomorrow is Winfred’s crew’s first bombing mission.

Feb. 1, 1944                      1240      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred is getting along swell; got the Folks letter yesterday; asks if Cliff writes often and short; nothing to write about; mail call is now; hoping to get some; it’s been scarce lately; is using air mail now because it is faster; tells the folks to keep the mail going.

Jan. 29, 1944                    1220      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred tells the Folks he has quite a bit of writing time these winter nights but not much to write about; everything is going fine; he has heard from Cliff who writes even less than he does; still not getting mail direct; and is receiving the Wash Co. News.