Edward J. Thomas - World War II
Dear Mom & Harry, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1943
Thanks for the Christmas and birthday presents. This is the earliest I have celebrated both and at the same time. The cookes and chocolate were enjoyed by me and quite a few other fellows. The razor is great and better than the PX one. Thank Issy, Mac and Gertie for their presents.
So far I’ve received five rolls of film which is hard to get. I hope the snap shots won’t be too disappointing. I’m sending eight now, taken two months ago. Let me know how many the censors let me send.
I promised Stanley’s letter of Aug. 31 and here it is just as he wrote it to me.
Stanley’s letter: [Your letter came two weeks ago. My sister Mary, her husband and Mary’s mom came. Her mom will stay with us for now.
I wonder what your job is? Upon inquiry “Headquarters Co.” means group stationed at headquarters doing office work, driving trucks, ditch digging. I bet you’re doing office work.
My life is the same. I work, eat and sleep. I have a bronchial cough (Note: Stanley spent some time in a Tuberculosis center near Pontiac, Michigan, before he left for California, back in 1933.) getting worse. It is about time to have another check-up by the doctor.
At the shipyard they have changed from Liberty freighters to tankers which are more complicated and interesting. The will keep this operating even after the war, but at a normal one to three year build instead of 23 days. These are 10,500 ton freighters, 447 feet long.
A letter from home tells me brother Harry in radio school in Kentucky is now back at Camp White, Oregon after a home furlough. Brother Arthur has been ordered to report to his induction center.
I was surprised to see the Army censor’s stamp on your letter. I probably don’t know really where you’re at. If you are in a Placer gold region, get your pan out. I think of that. In fact after the post-war depression, I might. No peace time demand can keep our huge war industries going after the war is over.] End of Stanley’s letter.
Mom, in your Oct. 24 (Sunday) letter you reminded me of pelting season. Harry you asked if I would care to have a radio here. (Below is a radio belonging to the author, similar to a tabletop radio 50 to 60 years ago.) 
But there is already one in the hut, so I hear what you hear. Of course these programs are recorded and rebroadcast by the stations here. I may not hear what you do for a week. Getting programs direct from the stations is about as easy as it is for you to get from Europe. If atmospheric conditions aree all right for direct reception.
There is another obstacle to overcome and that is the big difference in time between any of the States and the place I’m is is greather than you imagined.
Will end and if time start to write Stanley.
So Long, Eddie
P.S. Discontinue the daily news & have only the Sunday paper sent. The dailies come in such big bundles it is hard to go through them. Tell Issy & Mac that their letter of Oct. 22 (Friday) reached me a few days ago and will be answered at the first chance.
