TRANSCRIBED FROM THE MALVERN TIMES JOURNAL OCTOBER 31, 1918 P. 1
Aug. 30, 1018 Somewhere in England.
Dear _____ Papa:
At last its “over here” and not “over there.” We have been on the road weeks. The places I have been and the things I have seen, I would like to tell you, but censor will not allow it. Any way, I have seen some of the large cities of England, and have traveled through a great deal of the rural sections. It’s a beautiful country, with it’s meadows, grazing herds, villiages and the picturesque homes of the use-to-be aristocratic land lords. The English people are all as one now, no classes. The physicial fit are at the front. When I was burning that midnight “juice” studying English history, I did not know that I was to see the remaining effects of the Manor system of William, the Conquorer, and travel over the same country, traveled by the Roman in the 6th century, when they conquered England. There are many things in the rural ports that still picture the time of King Alfred, the Anglos and Saxons of early England.
Our trip across the sea was in general, a quiet one. The biggest job on the way over, was wearing a life preserver. Can you imagine how you would feel to be called out on deck, ready to hit the water, and the chasers booming away at an U-boat? Really its not scarry. When you are out at sea, you get so anxious to see something that you would not care if a sub did appear. That may sound like soldier’s talk, to you, but its true.
There are plenty of American soldiers here. It would surprise you to know how many landed the same day we did. The people back home have no idea how fast they are getting over. With the God of all guiding the Yanks will soon bring victory.
I don’t know how much money I have. These English coins keep me guessing. When I buy anything, I pile out all I have and let the shopkeeper get all he wants. We get plenty to eat here, its American, but we don’t like the English cigarettes much. You should see the English “pullman” cars. The whole railway system could be put in an American box car. They make pretty good time, however.
Several of the home boys are still together, Chas. Mathews, Chas. Lankford, Hugh Williams and Martin Green. Martin got up with the mumps this morning.
Write often. My letters may be far between, for we move often.
With love to all, I remain.
Lod M. Goza,
15th Camp Pike A. R. D., American Expeditionary Forces.
NOTES: Loderick Mark Goza was born on January 2, 1890 and died on January 7, 1961. He is buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY KAREN PITTMAN
Aug. 30, 1018 Somewhere in England.
Dear _____ Papa:
At last its “over here” and not “over there.” We have been on the road weeks. The places I have been and the things I have seen, I would like to tell you, but censor will not allow it. Any way, I have seen some of the large cities of England, and have traveled through a great deal of the rural sections. It’s a beautiful country, with it’s meadows, grazing herds, villiages and the picturesque homes of the use-to-be aristocratic land lords. The English people are all as one now, no classes. The physicial fit are at the front. When I was burning that midnight “juice” studying English history, I did not know that I was to see the remaining effects of the Manor system of William, the Conquorer, and travel over the same country, traveled by the Roman in the 6th century, when they conquered England. There are many things in the rural ports that still picture the time of King Alfred, the Anglos and Saxons of early England.
Our trip across the sea was in general, a quiet one. The biggest job on the way over, was wearing a life preserver. Can you imagine how you would feel to be called out on deck, ready to hit the water, and the chasers booming away at an U-boat? Really its not scarry. When you are out at sea, you get so anxious to see something that you would not care if a sub did appear. That may sound like soldier’s talk, to you, but its true.
There are plenty of American soldiers here. It would surprise you to know how many landed the same day we did. The people back home have no idea how fast they are getting over. With the God of all guiding the Yanks will soon bring victory.
I don’t know how much money I have. These English coins keep me guessing. When I buy anything, I pile out all I have and let the shopkeeper get all he wants. We get plenty to eat here, its American, but we don’t like the English cigarettes much. You should see the English “pullman” cars. The whole railway system could be put in an American box car. They make pretty good time, however.
Several of the home boys are still together, Chas. Mathews, Chas. Lankford, Hugh Williams and Martin Green. Martin got up with the mumps this morning.
Write often. My letters may be far between, for we move often.
With love to all, I remain.
Lod M. Goza,
15th Camp Pike A. R. D., American Expeditionary Forces.
NOTES: Loderick Mark Goza was born on January 2, 1890 and died on January 7, 1961. He is buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY KAREN PITTMAN