July 23, 1944

Dear Folks:                                                July 23
            I got your box last week, the tin one with candy and film in it. We had some pictures developed. Horridge sent the negatives to his wife and she will have some prints made and send them to you. It was the only way since we have an awful time getting prints made over here. I sent 2 rolls in to the Signal Corp over 2 months ago and haven’t heard a word so am not sending any more there. The little camera Horridge and I borrowed has a very clear lense so pictures were good. About the pictures (when you get them), the individual picture is of Horridge, the hut, fence, & yard is ours, the man sitting on the bed is Capt. Hollis (he is facing my bed) the man at the radio is Lt. Talton. We have a print here so you will have to ask anything else you want to know. I also had Lt. Rugg have his wife send you a couple of color pictures he took on way over. The one of the beach was on that island. Clair lives in New York and Ruggs wife in California & pictures are paid for. The color pictures are expensive but I think you’ll agree they are worth 10 times as much. (40¢ a print). I have heard the buzz-bombs but am always to lazy to get out of bed to look. They sound like an airplane. As long as the engine runs its OK, but when it stops they make an awfully “rough” landing shortly thereafter. The English kids have a song, “Praise the Lord and keep the engine running.” I used shoe polish on my bike and it did a good job.
            It sounds like the wheat did O.K. Got a letter from Jo and their’s seems to be alright too. How is the corn doing? Did you get a picture of the blower and Wrights combine? I see Roy Fowles is over here. It was a good thing it was dark when Cappy caught the pigs. I’ll bet the next day the men found they had 2 three-legged pigs. When we walked into the mess hall this noon there was a large birthday cake and a big white candle in the center. A card said “Happy Birthday, Lt. R.M. Horridge”. We sang “Happy Birthday” and ate the cake. The Special Service officer looked up Dick’s birthday & arranged the cake. Probably get a cake a day now.
            We have a new wagon now, all silver. I was mail censor for the squadron again last nite. The cocker spaniel “Mr. B.” is getting fat as butter. I don’t now why this letter is so long. Must be inspired by the rumors coming out of Deutschland to-day. We haven’t gotten any mail written between Jul. 1 and 8. Just got a letter from Marvel Lee saying she had moved. All for now.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John