Name/Title
Spalsbury: #11 Letters Home May 24, 1943Entry/Object ID
2021.2.255A-FScope and Content
Letter Home from US Army Pvt. Robert C. Spalsbury, 3rd Platoon-Battery C, 57th A.A. Trng. Bn., Camp Callan, California to his parents, Mr. & Mrs. George C. Spalsbury, 806 South Eleventh Street, St. Joseph, Missouri - Postmarked May 24, 1943, 10:30 AM San Diego, CALIF, 6 cent Air Mail stampContext
May 23, 1943
Dear Folks,
It's Sunday evening - getting close to 10 o'clock, and I'm down in the Rec. Hall writing this. I won't make it so terribly long, because I'm too tired to write very much. Beside, I have to wash a bit before bed check at eleven, and I should really get to bed before eleven, since tomorrow we're to devote the entire day to a field problem, and I imagine we'll hike pretty far in the process.
Luther Luckett and I just returned a while ago from San Diego. We left at about 9 o'clock this morning after getting our passes, stopping at the 52nd to try to persuade Bob Raidt to go with us. But he said he had so much he should do today - for instance, he had to write his folks - he said he hadn't written them for 16 days. We got a free ride down to Diego, but rode the bus back this evening for 25 cents. We tried to locate one of his M.U. friends at the Marine Camp there, but apparently he'd been transferred. We paid 10 cents and rode the bus into town, where we walked around the streets, looking in store windows and for a place to eat. I told him about Ye Golden Lion, where those other boys and I had eaten before, and so we went there. It's about the swankiest restaurant in Diego, I believe. We each took the turkey dinner, with various side dishes. Mine was as follows: Avacado Cocktail; Vegetable Broth soup; cracker, rolls, and butter; turkey with dressing; scalloped potatoes; green beans; cranberry sauce; lettuce salad; berry pie; and coffee. It was all really delicious. The price was $1.75, but by the time I'd paid the California tax (3 cents on the dollar) and left a 10 cent tip, I'd paid $1.90. But it was worth it, I think. After eating, we strolled around some more, and ended up at the movie, "Air Force." Luckett wanted to go to the Hollywood Theatre (Burlesque) but I'd already been there, and talked him out of it. Besides, it costs 80 cents, and the show was only 30 cents. There are many small cocktail bars and Malt Fountains throughout the downtown district, and we stopped at Sandra's and had a sundae. After waiting for half an hour in front of the Army-Navy Y.M.C.A., we caught a Pasadena Bus, which went right past Callan on Highway 101. Had a good time all in all.
Last night Conrad Haglund and I got a free ride to La Jolla, and a taxi back for 35 cents. We walked along the pretty streets, enjoying the civilians in their sporty (and I do mean sporty) clothes. We had a snack in a restaurant, a snack at a drug store, and went to the USO and St. James Episcopal Church Rec. Hall. A sign in the toilet at the latter amused me. It read: "Please do not throw whiskey bottels down the toilet." La Jolla is really an interesting, sporty town. Many of the citizens are artists and writers, and a lot of them, i think, are just professional loafers.
I was certainly shocked to hear of Mrs. Polk's death. I always felt sorry for her, because she had so much to worry about at the Library. the same evening I had the clipping from you I went to the P.X. and bought a sympathy card, which I immediately sent to Altha. It was only a 5 cent card, but it was the only sympathy card they had at the P.X., and the idea is the main thing, anyway.
Pop, the taffy came about 2 days ago, and I was really glad to get it. I haven't seen any taffy since I've been out here.
Mom, when I have more time to write - probably tomorrow evening - I'll answer the questions in you last two letters.
Yes, I've know all about Hubert Speer's money for some time. No, we didn't know that Jennings was operated on for rupture, but we found out he was in the hospital the other evening. Hubert got a weekend pass to L.A. last night.
Yesterday after Inspection our Battery was awarded our rifle medals. I got my sterling Marksman's medal and a package of Philip Morris cigarettes. I smoked the first one and gave the rest to Sgt. Davenport, my Platoon Sgt.
I think the roses are in this order. There are the first two rows, and 2 or 3 bushes to the east in the 3rd , aren't there?
[NOTE: look to images of letter to see where Robert sketched in pencil the names and location of roses from their yard in relation to the walk]
If I were there, I'd recognize the ones I can't remember now. Here's luck to you in the Flower Show, Marie.
Marie, you spelled Reichert wrong again! You put an "a" in the last syllable instead of an "e," but you did end it with a "t" this time.
Warren wrote he had duty this Sunday, but we plan on meeting next Sunday if neither of us has any duty.
Yes, send some white hankies, and some of my nice colored ones, and several rolls of film for a Baby Brownie Camera. I think it's 1-27, but I'm not sure. It's for 8 exposures.
Send me the $20, please, because I many not be paid if I'm shipped out of here before the 31st, and I have some things to buy.
Love, BobCollection
Marshall WhiteLexicon
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Category 08: Communication ObjectsArchive Items Details
Title
Letter Home from US Army Pvt. Robert C. Spalsbury, 3rd Platoon-Battery C, 57th A.A. Trng. Bn., Camp Callan, California to his parents, Mr. & Mrs. George C. Spalsbury, 806 South Eleventh Street, St. Joseph, Missouri - Postmarked May 24, 1943, 10:30 AM San Diego, CALIF, 6 cent Air Mail stampDescription
Handwritten letter home to parents back in St. Joseph after being called up to serve in the US Army during WWII. Pvt. Spalsbury, at the time of this letter, is at Camp Callen, California for Basic Training. The letter is two pages, front & back, written in ink pen on plain Air Mail stationery, with pencil sketch of flower garden on the final page. The envelope specifies Via Air Mail. A USO (United Service Organization) logo is on the back of the envelope. Above the USO logo, Robert has written a few symbols/characters/letters.Condition
Overall Condition
Very GoodRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Robert C. Spalsbury
