World War I Collection

and she thought that Joc could stay at his frat for a week or two, but we dont know yet whether he remains in college this term. Charlie Davis on Dayton died very suddenly last Saturday night, supposedly of pneumonia.

Wilfred Lion has sailed again for Calcutta he looked very well and enjoyed his trip.

In one of your letters you said that if the 40th Division went to France, you and the Officers school would go too. I believe Dame[crossed out] Secy Baker [Secretary Baker] in yesterdays paper, said that the 40th division were ready to go. We want to know, how many days ahead will you know, so that if possible we can come down to see you i.e. if you cant come up here. Mother was asking whether she could stay at the Y.W.C.A for a few days i.e. do they take people like her to sleep and eat. Let us know. When you need money, write me in plenty of time, dont wait until the last minute and telegraph. I had to pay 58¢ for your wire and 65¢ for mine to you. We are glad to know that you are feeling so fit, and with a Jocelyn appetite. He does not eat much now. No letters from either Nor or Dick but Helen wrote recently that she & Harriet were probably coming home together, and that if Nor was there still in the fall, that she would return and would like your Mother to go back with her. I think it would be fine. Lots of love to you my dear boy, and dont forget to let me know when you need money.

Your loving father

Henry Lesley Alexander Bates

and Jack & Ella dropped in later. We had to find things for Jos to pack, and got to sleep about 1 am, and up again at 6. Jos caught the train with about 1/2 minute to spare. Lesley writes that he is flying alone about 1 1/2 hours per day. They would not give any Sunday leave, and said flying would be seven days in the week.

We got a letter from Dick. I think the poor old Kid felt blue, over Miss Dowden. He thinks they ought to be heading for the U.S. before long but they dont know anything as to their future movements. Last Saturday Mother and Jos came over in the car, picked me up at noon at the office and we drove down to Palo Alto and spent the afternoon at the Cliftons. The Watermans were there to lunch, so they came home with us via Santa Clara and we stopped for dinner at the Estudillo House in San Leandro. It was no good. Dinner was over so we had a poor Spanish Omelette which took 3/4 of hour to prepare. We have all sworn not to go there any more. I wish you would find out if the Zoo in the Park would take Kinkajou and take care of him. We like the little mischief, but he ties us to house, so that we cannot go away over 24 hours.

There is little news around Alameda circles. I dont know what Mother and I are going to do with ourselves, but she ought to have a change.

Lots of love to you very dear old boy. God bless you always.

Your loving father HLA Bates

Ave between Paru & Sherman, and are then going to fix Paru, so we are getting very swell. I saw Kink the other day at Sargents, I think he looked pretty thin.

One egg and one banana, and a little bread & milk I don't think is enough. I may bring him back and look after him myself, but Harriet likes to do it and seems very fond of him, and she offers to keep him until Mother comes back. I have been wondering where Dick can be. I sent Mother a letter from him dated the 16th which reached us on the 19th. He could be in San Diego or on this Coast. I have wired him yesterday c/o Bureau of Navigation at Washington telling him Mother was in San Diego and you might leave before the end of the month. He might be at Galveston but I don't believe mail comes from there to S.F. in 3 days, though it may. I am asked about you and Lesley every day, all you boys have loads of friends. If there is anything I can do for you at any time be sure to let me know. I will try to write you as often as possible, but I am usually unable to find time for letter writing, but I will do the best I can. I suppose Les is now Lesley Rixon Bates U. S. A. S.? I hope you and Mother got to Riverside to see him or that Les was able to come down to San Diego.

I went to the Watermans last night for supper, and later to Leper's where I saw Eleanor, Edgar and THE BABY. They all seemed happy and well and of course Edgar is proud of having the only baby that ever was born. I like to see it in him.

If you leave before I write again, I wish you a fine trip, good luck and a safe and speedy return. God bless you wherever you go, and keep you happy, safe & well. Lots of love, hugs and kisses Snedward

from your loving father

HLA Bates

and took up the slack in the transmission.

Jocelyn went away yesterday, and I was sorry to see him go, as of course it will be lonely without him. I hope if you go back East that Dick will be able to see you. There is no news. I drive in the office all day, as we are terribly busy with a print of 3.600.000 of one form to be mailed immediately to 15.000 agents. I bought $710.00 of postage yesterday for the job. Every one asks after you, and wants to know how you are etc etc. Lots of love and good luck to you my dear old boy, and lots of hugs.

from your old Pops HLA Bates

an incentive for others to go and do likewise. There is no doubt that death in the performance of duty is the greatest way to go, but it is only a small percentage of those that fight, that get killed. You may not want to study medicine and take it up as your life's work when you come back; you may decide to stay in the Army. I think next year will see the end of the war. If we only had more men in on our side, it might be over this year. It looks as if the Germans were in a bad way right now.

I am glad Mother is in San Diego, and I hope the change and rest will do her good. I wired Lesley today for his birthday. He is 29 today. I had forgotten all about it until I got Mothers letter this a.m. He and his squadron have been scandalously treated, but I told him, that if they did not demand a Court Martial, to forget it. I know how furious he feels, but it does no good. I went to the Sargents last night to dinner, and saw Mr. Kink.

He was full of the old Nick, and would give a good deal to sneak off, for a parade on the telegraph wires if he could. Harriett looks after him entirely. Met Simonson has a son about two weeks old. Good for him. I wish I had a grandson.

Lots of love to you my dear old boy

from your loving father

HLA Bates