A WESTERN UNION telegram on Dec 12th which says ‘I’m ok Letter soon’ The next letter, undated, is from America. David’s crew went over (probably sailing from Greenock in November) to pick up LCI-185 from Newark. It seems they spent the best part of a month in the States, leaving around January 13th 1943. He sent a typewritten letter from H.M.S. Asbury (a shore base in New Jersey) which dates from before Christmas 1942. He was also taking plenty of photographs and one of his albums has ‘New York 1943’ on the inside cover. The letter is particularly interesting as it offers a view of New York in 1942 - with lots of 'domestic' detail re tea bags, advertising etc. This is the first mention of LCI (185 not yet attributed - and which would eventually become LCH 185) John Henry Phillips book says that the crew travelled over on a luxury ocean liner launched as Empress of Japan in 1929. It was later renamed Empress of Scotland. According to Phillips they dock at 35th Street, Brooklyn at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. They are put up at the Monteray Hotel, Asbury Park, New Jersey which has been taken over by the U.S. Navy as an official training HQ. During the stay they go to Staten Island. FX 83787 (LCI)
H.M.S.Asbury Co GPO London Dear Mother, Well here I am over in the U.S.A and boy what a place. We had a good trip over with nothing to do all the time. It was warm too, not as cold as it could have been. I’m living in a swell Hotel [the best in town] and doing my self alright on top of it. The rooms in the Hotel, have a bath room leading of them, with H. and C. laid on. Also a shower. The grub is O.K (eggs and ham) as much as we please. The people here, are very kind too us. I’m going to some ones house for Christmas Day, most of the lads have invitations too. When we first came into this country, we were met by the most smashing sight I have ever seen LIGHTS every were. Loads of them. It was like a dream to see them again after all this time. You can walk into a shop and buy almost anything you want. Somethings they are short of (coffie etc) but there is Soap, Ham, Hats, Eggs, Tea, Buttons, Stockings, Underclothers, almost anything you need, that you can’t get at home. Things cost more over here, but the people get more money. Money runs like water. We get a Dollar or two extra a day, but that goes just as fast. A hair cut, for example, costs about 6/6. This includes a brush down (but I could do that myself). Anyway I’m having a grand time. I have already seen New York. It’s just as its made out to be. Tall buildings, hot dogs, soda fountains, and big Irish cops. If you ask for a cup of tea they dish it up in little bag, that hangs in your cup. Subways (Tube) you can go any distance for 5 cents. (1d) money goes in fives and tens, far simpler than our money. The people over here, are very proud of then selves, if they have any relations in our country. They pop up and say that their grandmother lived in England, and ask all sorts of daft things about Scotland or some other place. The radio to is mucked up. Every five minutes a voice shouts out ‘Do you Suffer from this or that’. ‘Buy a Coat from So and Sos’ or ‘Try our Pills’. Men dress very loud and slinky. They seem to set the fashion out here. Women do not smoke out in the open. It’s a crime to smoke in the pictures too. There is only one price in the Pictures, this is very high, but it obtains a seat any where in the house. Taxis are all couleres. A stranger will turn round and talk too like a long lost brother and think nothing of it. On the whole it’s a grand place to live in, but I miss my own home. What tales I’ll be able to tell you when I get home again. I’m in a small dump just now, for a four or five days, on short leave. It’s 15 below zero. Believe it or not if I put a bucket of water outside the door it would be solid under two minutes. But the funny part about it is, I don’t feel it, as I would in England, as it’s a dry could, not wet like it is home. This does not meen walking about in thin clothes, no. Big couats that you don’t ever see, that cover the hands and head. It’s fun. Trains to me, are like home now. As people think nothing of spending three days in a train or more. And I can tell you I’ve spent some time in them. There’s a picture of me in this letter which I had taken at a local fun fair. They are not much good as I had been out all night and the time was about 12 o clock, when I had them taken. What do you think of my typing. I’m filling in time while on watch, as I have not much of a head for writing to night. This does not mean I do not want to write home, but you know what my writing is like. Has Ding-Dong had any more news, about Jimmy’s leave yet? It would be fine, if she could have him back again. This letter will reach you some time after Christmas no doubt. I’m sorry if I have kept you waiting too long. I know how much you do worry about me. As it’s quite possible I’ll have to shift a lot before I’m home again. They certainly did not waste any time this time. It's about 1.30 am now. The radio keeps going all night so it’s not so bad. The room, which I’m in, is warm too, so everything is cosy. What size stockings do you take? Silk ones are very hard to get, but rayon will do. (I hope) I have already got Betty Boop a pair. I found a girl, who works in the shop from where I got them, who is about her size, so I matched them from here. If I get your size O.K. I will not have to chase some old dame around them !!!?? It’s about time I shook my relief now as my time is up. So I’ll say cheerio for now. Give my love to Jimmy (1) Jimmy (2) Ding-dong, Phil, Rose, Edie, Pop and Mar Westlake, Miss Savage and Cornel? And all the rest, with the cream of it for your self. Hope everyone has had a happy Christmas and wish them all the very best for the New Year. O.K for now David |
David SaundersBorn July 31st 1923 Topics
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