Name/Title
Spalsbury: #111 Letters Home January 11, 1945Entry/Object ID
2021.2.355A-CScope and Content
Letter Home from Pfc. Robert C. Spalsbury, 17135556, Co A - 216 Armd Engr Bn, A.P.O. 412, Cp Chaffee, Ark. to his parents Mr. and Mrs. George C. Spalsbury, 806 South 11th St., St. Joseph 10, Missouri Post Marked JAN 11, 1945, 3 PM, Fort Smith, Ark., free postageContext
Wednesday Night -
10 January 1945
Dear Mom and Pop,
At last I'm getting a chance to write you. I'm huggin' the fire down here in the dayroom, or recreation room. Some of the guys are playing pool at the big pool table we have. Also have a ping pong table, punching bag, exercise bars, etc. Really athletic, you see. Some of the guys are writing letters at the small writing table the carpenters built against the walls last month, when the whole dayroom was remodeled. They also built an artificial fireplace and some bookshelves. Quite homey.
I've been taking it fairly easy the last several days, which is quite a change after the rate at which I was being driven there for awhile. Not heavy work - just clerical. Pop, you oughta know how that can wear a person down.
I was sorry to hear of Mr Jamieson's illness. Mrs. Jamieson will be pretty lonely, I imagine, because I don't believe she had many contacts outside of her home and family. I'm wondering if the Xmas card I sent John has reached him yet.
Pop, the box came yesterday, and needless to say, it's plenty good. We finished the popcorn today, and also part of the chocolates.
Also, received a box from Laura Lee this afternoon - a Xmas present from her and Duane. It's a woolen khaki sleeveless sweater - really classy. I'll write her very soon (I say now). I do believe, though, I'll have a little more time within the next few days to catch up on a little of this letter writing ordeal.
Yes, I intend to write Kathleen very soon, too, thanking her for the Seaforth Set. Say, Mom, do me a favor, (No, don't bother. I was going to ask you to call Mrs. Morrow and ask her the date of Katie's birthday, but I'm sure it's the 17th of Jan.) - - Then too, it'd look funny if I didn't get a chance to buy anything and send it, after you'd already called her Mom. So, skip it.
We had a light snow down here last week, which lasted a couple of days. It was pretty, but made walking somewhat difficult, as we are situated on the slope of a hill, and have rubber soles on our shoes. It is still icy, where it has melted.
I'll be writing my brudder Duane soon too, mark my word.
That Special Service band deal that Bill Hillyard's in sounds good. Would I love to tour South America!!! (?!!)
Yes, the Reader's Digest arrived pronto. Thanks!
I rec'd a 5-dollar check from Aunt Esther last week, so must write her soon, too. She's really a good gal, Mom. - Naughty, but nice!
I'm sorry about Frank Gill. You know, Duane and I and you folks have a lot to be thankful for, considering how long we've been in the Army and in the states.
All my love,
BobLexicon
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Category 08: Communication ObjectsArchive Items Details
Title
Letter Home from Pfc. Robert C. Spalsbury, 17135556, Co A - 216 Armd Engr Bn, A.P.O. 412, Cp Chaffee, Ark. to his parents Mr. and Mrs. George C. Spalsbury, 806 South 11th St., St. Joseph 10, Missouri Post Marked JAN 11, 1945, 3 PM, Fort Smith, Ark., free postageDescription
Handwritten letter home to parents back in St. Joseph after being called up to serve in the US Army during WWII. Pfc. Spalsbury, at the time of this letter, has completed Basic Training at Camp Callan, California, was stationed for a short time with a STAR Unit for ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program) soldiers in Pasadena, CA then moved to engineering training at Loyola University in Los Angeles, CA. After flunking out of the ASTP program, Robert was briefly stationed at Camp Roberts, located in central California assigned to the Infantry Replacement Training Center. Then Robert was stationed at Camp Haan in southern California, a U.S. Army training camp for Coast Artillery Anti Aircraft gunners. During his time at Camp Haan, Robert was transferred from Battery B to Battery A and began working as an office Clerk in Battery A.
At the time this was written, Robert is serving at Camp Chaffee at Fort Smith, Arkansas. He had been working as a Clerk-Typist in the HQ Company then transferred to Line Company A. He now has the job serving as Mail Clerk for the Company.
This letter is one page, front and back, written in blue ink on plain stationery. The letter was sent in a matching plain envelope. The page is folded in thirds.Dimensions
Height
10-1/2 inWidth
7-1/4 inCondition
Overall Condition
Very GoodRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Robert C. Spalsbury
