March 25, 1944

Dear Folks:                                                Mar. 25
            Fine day to-day, must be about 60° outside. The farmer across the fence is planting potatoes. He uses some kind of commercial fertilizer. The trees are starting to bud so guess spring is on the way.
            We went to London again Wed. and Thurs. Saw more of the town this time. Went thru Westminister Abbey. Was somewhat disappointed in it. It was dark inside and had a very musty odor. It would probably be better in peace time. Of course saw the graves and memorials of noted persons. Right next to the Abbey is the Parliment and “Big Ben” clock. In the square by the Abbey is a statue of Abraham Lincoln. We also went to see Madame Toussoud’s wax museum. Was a very interesting place. There are wax figures of many English, American, and French notables. The figures are life size and very real looking. On a casual glance you would think the figures were alive. We ate at Grovenor House Officers Mess. It is a large ballroom converted over to a cafeteria. The main floor is about as large as Huntress Park auditorium and covered with tables.
            Just got yours & Marvel Lee’s letter (Airmail) of Mar. 9 and Arlan’s V-mail of Mar. 12. I sent you $300 in U.S. postal money orders so let me know if you get it. I sent it first week of March. Ask the post master but I think the limit on dimensions is a sum of 36 in. such as 18 in. by 9 in. by 9 in. Wt. is 5 lbs. I think. Notice my new A.P.O. number. Some of the men moved out of our hut so now have more space, which was needed. I sent some pictures and negatives last week and hope you get them. Wish I could tell you where I took them but can’t for security reasons. They were taken on this side, however. The other lieutenant in the picture was Lt. Bye, the navigator we borrowed from A.T.C. to get us here. He was really good, a born navigator. He was back in New York a few days after leaving us over here. The pictures of Karen were good. Suppose Chris & Jo are moved by now. Be sure to slip some vitamin pills in the cookies. The only way we can get to-gether with anyone over here is to write them thru their APO and arrange a meeting in London. London is the only town we can mention in a letter because of security and most men are quite a ways from London so getting together is just luck. I got your birthday card but no telegram. I’m glad I’m not in India, too. You can tear this off.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

                                    Please send me some cookies.

                                                John D. McClurkin
                                                2nd Lt. A.C.
                                                APO 140, New York, N.Y.