Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, January 24, 1945

Gee Honey, I received one letter from you today, the first since our arrival. You cant imagine how swell it makes you feel to hear from some one so dear to you. Was glad to hear you received the picture of we four fellows, tho’t it was rather good myself. They apparently did allow the boys to keep rings however I would be afraid of losing or breaking the cameo in mine so would just as soon you saved it for me. If I want it later I can write you for same. Speaking of our nite at the Guest House, you’re not kidding when you say it seems an eternity. We will make up for it though and the sooner the better. So the kids drank a toast for us at the Hotel, nice of them to remember us anyway. Hope nexttime we can drink our own. I wanted to send them a wire from New York and tell them to add our name on the cork but just didn’t get around to it. Am sorry to hear of Jack’s trouble with his ears. Hope it doesn’t leave him deaf.

Sounds as though you did alright on cash for your birthday honey. Think it would be nice if you bought your shoes with it as it would seem more like a gift.

Honey, I’ll bet your knitting every spare moment you have. Please don’t let it interfere with evenings off for a show or bridge game. I know how much you enjoy them both.

Incidentally, while I think of it, Sgt. Mireles would like very much to have one of those stoves from Durnils, also some extra heat tabs. I havn’t needed my stove as yet but know it will come in plenty handy   for heating rations. Any extra heat tabs I will use myself. You can send the above providing you have space, if not send any kind of canned goods or candy. So far we have been getting plenty of cigarettes. Today the company gave us each a carton of cigarettes, 6 bars of candy, package of cookies, 2 packs of gum, 2 cigars and 4 bottles of beer. Very nice of them don’t you think. Had a drink of some French wine yesterday but it isn’t too good. I understand you can get a quart of wine for two packs of cigarettes or champagne for 2 cigarettes and a bar of soap. Personally, I think I’ll save mine for a rainy day.

The weather here has been very cold. This morning when we got up it was snowing and sleeting. Later in the day it started raining and always the wind is blowing. I made a bed roll with 5 Army blankets and a mattress cover. Then throw my over coat and rain coat on top of that besides sleeping in wool O.D. uniform with wool sweater and wool underwear. Even with all that I got cold last nite. Just goes to show I need you to keep me warm.

They have finally installed some showers in a portable vehicle in our area and boy am I glad. So far all we could do is take a sponge bath out of our helmet which isn’t easy.

Had a bridge game last nite and surely enjoyed same, we played five rubbers and won by 290 points. Mr Tollefson was my partner and Sgt Stacy and Sgt. Besosa our opponents. Think we are going to play again tonite after we finish our work. We made a small slam once   and missed a grand slam by one trick after bidding it. Hope we can do as well tonite if we play.

I hear we may soon get passes to go to town. Would like to go once just to see the sights and the damage or destruction from war.

Honey I think after next payday I will send some money to you by way of PTA. In case you receive an extra check for a small amount you will know the reason for same. From all appearances I won’t be needing much money over here as I hear many cities are off limits to soldiers. I don’t know of anything I would want to buy unless I could find a gift for you. I understand food is very scarce and that would be about the only other thing I could want. Our food here is much better than I expected and I hope it continues. We have fried eggs for breakfast now and then I’ll have you know however so far we have had no butter.

Well darling thats about all the news for now.