World War I Collection

Stationery: H. L. A. BATES 277 PINE STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. April 16th- 1919

My dear old Sned:

I suppose youwill think your old Dad has forgotten all about you, since he has not written you for so long a time. I have been very busy in the office for two months as this is assessment time when all of the Companies are assessed for the maintenance of the Bureau, and the annual meeting will take place next Wednesday which has required a pile of statistics to be computed. We were all delighted at your having received the D.S.C., and promotion. We knew about the D.S.C. on April 1st as it was published in the papers. Your cable telling us about it reached us last Monday, the 14th, but I suppose it had been two weeks on the way. We cabled you back at once, but the Lord only knows when you will get it. We said "First Lieut Bates A.P.O. 734? (I dont remember now the number) 126th Infantry Coblenz "Hurrah. Congratulations. Love. Well. Bates". Every one seems very glad of your deserved recognition, and Mother and I, and your two brothers at home are all very proud, and very chesty about it all. I saw a young officer on the street to day with three medals on and they looked very fine. We are now hoping to see you in yours at an early date. Last Sat Jos & Les, Mother & I went to the Marina on the old Exposition Grounds to see a flight of nine planes led by Colonel Shaw. There was a heavy wind blowing, but it did not bother them and they did some real battle stunts. Lesley