Name/Title
Spalsbury: #14 Letters Home June 9, 1943Entry/Object ID
2021.2.258A-EScope 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 June 9, 1943, 1 PM Camp Callan, CALIF, 6 cent Air Mail stampContext
Monday, June 7th (1943)
(Written at the top of first page) P.S.- I'm sending an Antiaircraft Insignia which I bought at the P.X. for 9 cents, just a souvenir. (Insignia was not found in the envelope at time of acquisition).
Dear Folks,
Although it's just about time for the Rec. Hall to close, I'm beginning this letter because I think maybe after I'm chased out of here I'll be able to finish it in our latrine before bed check. I just finished rereading your last two letters, Mom, so I'd know of anything you want answered.
No, don't sell Joe Nash the book. Yes, I got Kathleen's nice letter the other day. She hasn't got a job jet. She told me about Mrs. Mary Meuer, who used to work at the Library. She's in the hospital now, and the doctor has given her but 6 months to live. It seems she has a malignant cancer which spread throughout her body. I don't know whether she knows her fate yet or not. Kathleen says she (Mrs. Meuer) is terrified of cancer because both her father and brother died of it. It's really an awful thing to happen to one, isn't it? Oh yes, I got a letter from Della Wiley today, and she also mentioned it.
I'm glad the candy reached you kids in time for your Anniversary. Was it pretty good quality? Just to let you now, I paid 84 cents for it at our P.X. - for that price it should've been very good quality, for the box was small, and articles at the P.X. are usually cut about 20 or 30 % in price.
I'd certainly enjoy seeing the roses. You must dust them with a mixture of 9 parts dusting sulphur, 1 part arsenate of lead, and 1 part tobacco dust to prevent black spot etc. The had a touch of it last summer, and the spores are probably there now.
Tuesday, June 8th (1943)
Well, as you can see I didn't finish this letter last night. I'm sorry I haven't written sooner - my last letter to you folks was written last Friday evening, - but you know how times flies, especially when you're kept busy. Tonight I was on a Stand-By-Gun Crew, so from 6 o'clock on I was confined to the Battery Area. I had one of the boys - Robert Horne from Lincoln, Nebraska - get me a box of Kleenex and two Hershey bars at our P.X. - Then part of the evening I went around in the other platoons getting fellows to sign the back of the Battery Photograph taken two weeks ago last Saturday, and which we paid 60 cents apiece for last Monday when we were paid. I just bought one, and I'm mailing it when I mail this letter tomorrow morning, together with an old Range Finder and a paper I picked up in La Jolla some time ago. They're not very important, but I thought I'd send 'em along, as long as I was sending the picture.
I saw by the Sunday News-Press, which I got from Hubert Speer, that Lena Kurtz is married again, and also Rhonda. Well, well.
I've a roll of film up at the P.X. and its' been up there since last Wednesday. It should be back in a day or two, and I'll send you a print of each when they arrive.
What do you hear from Duane? It's been some time since I've heard from him - I imagine he's much busier than he was at first.
Had a short letter from Leanna this evening, inviting me up there some weekend. She said I might bring a friend, too, if I wished. Maybe if I'm sent to the Star Unit at Pasadena I'll drop over to see them sometime. But I won't attempt it while I'm here at Callan. Weekend passes are hard to get, we don't have much time off, etc.
That would be a dandy trip if you could make it, Mom. It would be nice if Duane's sent to Santa Ava, too.
No, I don't need the other $10.00 yet.
I've gone to 3 P.X.'s in the last day or so, and they're all out of fountain pens, but expect some more in a few days.
The spring broke on my wrist watch. If I buy a new one, I'll have you get it in St. Joe, since they're so expensive here.
Love, BobCollection
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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 June 9, 1943, 1 PM 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 stationery. The envelope specifies Via Air Mail. The envelope is larger than the stationary.Condition
Overall Condition
Very GoodRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Robert C. Spalsbury
