World War I Collection

[Imprinted writing paper:

[top right corner:] GEORGE L. MAYNE, MANAGER

[illustration of building] ABSOLUTELY FIREPROOF

HOTEL CHURCHILL AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN NINTH AND C STREETS

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, ]

we can go up to see you. It takes six days for a letter from here they say to Key West. Can you write him? I mean would it be allowed – I should think so – not wire but write –

Dearest love, we must all be brave and we will try. I am ashamed of my weakness –

God bless and Keep you always and bring you Safe home to us Soon – Bowers of love

Mother.

Dicks address is U.S.S. Cincinnati. C/o Postmaster New York. or by wire c/o Bureau of Navigation. Washington D.C.

I hope he is not the same Grimes.

Nothing to add, except, I'm doing my damndest to get over there & help you. We're fearfully slow but just you dig in and carry on. The papers speak very highly of the American forces and the Germans are nearer collapse each day. Carry on and God be with you, old doughboy.

Isn't my writing fearful. Well, I'm on a cot in barracks, writing on my knee. I admit its better than a dugout.

Now be a good sojer and don't run out into No-man's Land just for curiosity. Save yourself for the swim across the Rhine. Lots of love, Lesley

P.S. Have not had the Flu yet. Dick just recovered from it at Key West.

he expects to come. It will be a blessing to have two[underlined] of you — but we want all[underlined] so badly. I hope you are well & happy dearest.

Dick writes that his Captain has given him 4.0 which is the highest mark possible we think in every thing as 4 executive officer which is better than nothing, but of all the wretched holes he has ever been in Key West is about the worst he thinks, their

so near & yet so far. "But Les is a Reserve Officer whereas I am an Officer of the Navy (regular line) & I rate a little more consideration than he does. The Government worked on the principle that anybody who had a commission was satisfactory so I lost. I am rather interested in Siberia if the Government did not see fit to send me to Europe then there is a possibility that they might send me to Siberia. Many good people have been exiled there — & any where is better than Key West"

This is almost all the letter I have copied for you .

Fondest love dearest -

Write when you can. I hope you can get new changes of sox & underwear. Do[underlined] try to keep dry feet if possible.

Your devoted Mother.

Mr. S. M. Haslett came yesterday & had seen Les who had called on Doris Allen ? in New York, & he saw him also.

Edith has Influenza & is quite sick but is doing well is not considered dangerously ill — it is a wretched disease however even in its mildest form — I trust you escape it dear but we hear of it in every direction from Europe as well as all over the U.S.

Dick still near Key West & not very happy — worst place he ever was in he says — his only consolation is that he