TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DEQUEEN BEE MARCH 1, 1918 P. 2
On Active Service With American Expeditionary Force.
Dear Folks:
Suppose you wonder what has become of me. It has been a long time since I wrote you, but I have a good excuse this time, for I certainly have been very busy and haven’t had time to write anyone.
Wrote Clyde a letter last night and told him I would try and write you a letter tonight. Am writing this on a little Corona typewriter which is furnished by the government for field service. I use “the hunt and hit it” method but you will notice that I miss it sometimes.
I am not allowed to tell you anything much as our letters are nearly always censored. But I can at least let you know that I am well and getting along fine. Was made a Master Signal Electrician some time ago which is the highest I can go as warrant officer. I think that is something to be proud of, but I am going to try again for a commission as a lieutenant on a non-flying status for physical reasons. I have hopes of getting through this time but expect the technical exam. to be a pretty hard one for a non-flying officer.
My salary now is $96 per month and everything is furnished me as before except laundry. I am sending Clyde an allotment of $25 per month, paying $20 per month for Liberty Bonds and am sending you an insurance policy for $10,000, which you should receive in the near future. We get insurance for about one-fifth what it costs in civil life so thought I had better take it while I had the chance.
I suppose you think I am on the front by this time, but it seems as though we never will get where we can see some actual fighting. Will probably have all I want before I get home again. Have been in several places that have had air raids a long time ago but that’s as near as I came to smelilng smoke.
I came here in charge of a detachment of 36 men and when I arrived here had to take charge of two other detachments until a short time ago when a lieutenant arrived and took charge. I have a lot of time now to nose around and study the type of machines they use over here. The people here treat us fine and seem to be glad to show and tell us anything we want to know. I see lots of interesting things and am enjoying myself in spite of a few little hardships. Hope when this fracas is over I will have a chance to travel around a little and take some pictures before going back although I may want to go home so bad by that time I wouldn’t stop if I had a chance.
Well, I had better quit for this time. Hope this will find you well and everything going nicely.
Aunt Lulu was asking about me in a letter to Clyde. Will try and write them a letter as soon as I can.
With love.
M. S. E.. Russell R. Cantrell,
9th Aero Squad, A. E. F. England
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY KOBE HEAGERTY
On Active Service With American Expeditionary Force.
Dear Folks:
Suppose you wonder what has become of me. It has been a long time since I wrote you, but I have a good excuse this time, for I certainly have been very busy and haven’t had time to write anyone.
Wrote Clyde a letter last night and told him I would try and write you a letter tonight. Am writing this on a little Corona typewriter which is furnished by the government for field service. I use “the hunt and hit it” method but you will notice that I miss it sometimes.
I am not allowed to tell you anything much as our letters are nearly always censored. But I can at least let you know that I am well and getting along fine. Was made a Master Signal Electrician some time ago which is the highest I can go as warrant officer. I think that is something to be proud of, but I am going to try again for a commission as a lieutenant on a non-flying status for physical reasons. I have hopes of getting through this time but expect the technical exam. to be a pretty hard one for a non-flying officer.
My salary now is $96 per month and everything is furnished me as before except laundry. I am sending Clyde an allotment of $25 per month, paying $20 per month for Liberty Bonds and am sending you an insurance policy for $10,000, which you should receive in the near future. We get insurance for about one-fifth what it costs in civil life so thought I had better take it while I had the chance.
I suppose you think I am on the front by this time, but it seems as though we never will get where we can see some actual fighting. Will probably have all I want before I get home again. Have been in several places that have had air raids a long time ago but that’s as near as I came to smelilng smoke.
I came here in charge of a detachment of 36 men and when I arrived here had to take charge of two other detachments until a short time ago when a lieutenant arrived and took charge. I have a lot of time now to nose around and study the type of machines they use over here. The people here treat us fine and seem to be glad to show and tell us anything we want to know. I see lots of interesting things and am enjoying myself in spite of a few little hardships. Hope when this fracas is over I will have a chance to travel around a little and take some pictures before going back although I may want to go home so bad by that time I wouldn’t stop if I had a chance.
Well, I had better quit for this time. Hope this will find you well and everything going nicely.
Aunt Lulu was asking about me in a letter to Clyde. Will try and write them a letter as soon as I can.
With love.
M. S. E.. Russell R. Cantrell,
9th Aero Squad, A. E. F. England
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY KOBE HEAGERTY