WW II Letters: July 20, 1944

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WW II Letters: July 20, 1944

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uploaded by Terri Potratz

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  uploaded by Terri Potratz | add comment

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  uploaded by Terri Potratz | add comment

A look into the past in honour of Remembrance Day 2008.  Hopefully my family can dig up some more letters, press clippings and other memorabilia relating to World War II to share.

This is a personal letter written to my grandmother during the Second World War by her friend Corporal Ralph Moore.  He was stationed in Mississippi.

UPDATE: My uncle contacted the 63rd Infantry Division because we couldn't find any record of a Ralph Moore in the 253rd Infantry.  Here is the reply:

"We had two soldiers with the name Ralph Moore in the 253d Infantry Regiment.  One, Pvt Ralph L. Moore was not assigned to the 253d Infantry Regiment until August 1945 so I don't think he is the one.  The other a Sgt Ralph W. Moore 36684866 was in the 253d Infantry Regiment during the war, so he is probably the Ralph Moore you are seeking.  He is currently a member of the 63rd Infantry Division Association."

"Thursday A.M. 20th July 1944

Dear Marion:

Congratulations on the marriage and you know that you and Pat both have all my best wishes.

I had a clipping from your newspaper handed to me yesterday by Cpl Laurence Witte, who works with me!  We discovered we knew someone in common a few weeks ago and I was wanting to hear from you, so I could tell you that.  He sends his congrats also and is sitting here beside me now!

Am leaving for Chicago on my furlough on Monday and am very anxious to get there as you might know.  I am thinking of my own marriage, as I am being married the 8th of August, so you see you are one step ahead of me for only a very short time.

My wife will live in Baton Rouge which is only 53 miles from here and I can get a pass twice a week and of course on Saturday and Sunday I have a weekend pass!

No other news, we are still on our advanced training period and it is really rugged training - I've lost 48 lbs since I came here!  It's terrifically hot down here and miserable to say the least - guess the war is almost ready to be finished as far as the Germans are concerned - the Japs are different!! but we'll be home before long even at that!

My regards to Pat and to you both the best of everything - you'll have that always.

As ever,

Bill"

Note: not sure why the letter is signed "Bill" as the return on the envelope is marked "Ralph Moore," my uncle suspects William was his middle name and he prefered to go by Bill?

Many thanks to Barbara McPherson for sharing letters written by her father to her mother during the war, I never would have thought to post this otherwise!