Winfred to Folks

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.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written and sent home to the Folks on Jan. 28, 1944; one by Winfred, and one by Clifford. Jan. 28, 1944 (1)              1200      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred writes the Folks two days in a row; is still O.K., getting mail daily; Margaret expects a raise, acts more like a mother, and worries too much; Cliff still writes in a humorous way and has grown up in the army.

Jan. 27, 1944                     1190      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred tells the Folks he’s getting a lot of mail now and is a little happier; has heard from Cliff., Patsy and Margaret; asks about a check sent home and has plenty of money now; and quits now to write others – will write again soon.