MilColl_WWII_118_ODonnell_John_B_Papers_B2F2_Corr_Apr_May_1944

Saturday 1 April, 1944

My dearest:

This Aprils Fool Day is typical of so many I've seen - all but the practical or otherwise joke. We have had our first wet day - that is, sloppy - in some time, and to make it so typical it is as cold as a wet blanket. I've heard that expression all my life, but had to live in England to get full shivver and meaning of the truism. You don't come near freezing, for the body temperature rises where you shake and chatter, but you wonder if there ever was a warm place anywhere in the world.

I enjoyed your letter so much which I recieved today. I am more in favor & the V for promptness and regularity - with yours of around the 20th was an air mail one from mother, mailed the 6th. And that usually is the way.

On my last few days leave which I mentioned in my letter I had a chance to get down to the city of Bournemouth - a truly lovely resort city in southern England. It was the first place I have seen that resembles our own cities, and ones which I readily confess would be most popular to us as Americans and would give any I have ever seen a race for its money. The [crossed out letter] view out over the Channel from the cliffs, with the nice looking resort hotels etc., of peace time living an attractive street- of memories I know & the glorious days before the war - which seemed to run for several miles

along the fringe or edge of the immensely high eminence that forms the coast line in a large, sweeping crescent. Away to the left could be seen the Isle of Weight, and to the right just some more cliffs falling or ending in the sea. I had only a few hours there, but had a great time looking in windows and trying to find something I've been looking for ever since I came over - but to no avail.

My telling of what I saw - in such a sweeping way - can't be contrary to the Censors idea of devulging too much information I hope. Everything is in clear view on any map. It is one nice city, and I hope to see it again sometime.

Hope you enjoyed the papers and copie of "Yank" I sent. Keep them for me, dearest. In a recent issue ^(of "Yank") was a picture showing my daily life for several months prior to my last few changes in address. Although the picture wasn't large or destinct, I easily picked out an officer and a Non. Com with whom I worked. I'll inquire and find out whether I can give you directions as how to find the picture, for it would give you in a glance more than I could write, and much more graphicly.

I sent you two little trinkets the other day which I hope you will like. I believe that at one time or another you and I argued that they weren't so hot, but immensely popular. I believe they are treasures by some Antique hunters, and I have been told that they are especially so by dealers. If you don't like them or want them I believe Margaret would

be thrilled with them. Understand me, darling - they are strictly a matter of taste, and I am not certain whether you (and I too) like those particular things. I am not mentioning what they are, for I would rather for you to see them - surprise!

Incedentially, the packing cases I used were obtained through the good wishes of our Camp Commander, A Cap't. Allen from Greensboro (an old schoolmate of Romies) who went with me to our supply tent and together we carefully unpacked the contents rebuilt the boxes, and packed the objects as carefully as possible. Just remeber that for the future. He was as interested and excited as I.

Where shall we spend our next Easter Sunday together ? This Lent and approaching Holy Week have certainly been under peculiar surroundings and conditions for me, what with the cold ground as a kneeling bench, a Franciscan monk whose habit is donned and daffed between jumps from a jeep to a tent and back again, his confessional being an isolated corner, and screen the good earth from which he raised his his eyes only in giving his absolution; with soldiers from the mess halls, work details and "office jobs" waiting their turn, with canonacle hours dispensed with so that the hoot owl (or its English complement) or my early friend the "Cheerie-o" serve equally as musical accompani - ment for the Stations of the Cross or the mass. Pen don't "set more relegion" but a finer sense & appreciation and their Thanksgivings are far and beyond the fundamental meaning ^(feling) of the expression, "there's no atheist in a fox hole." Good night, sweets -

I love you, John Burke

Saturday 8th April, 1944

Presh darling:

"Easter Time is the time for the eggs--" Do you remember the Walt Disney Comedy of a few years ago with the big rabbit strutting around singing that song? It has been running through my mind constantly for the past few days, and I guess it is because this is Easter Time and too because we have been enjoying a few fresh eggs foraged by some of the men and officers - rather bought on the sly from some of our country neighbors. They have to be "black market" for all such luxuries must be sold to the government.

I have just come in from a nice long ride with a friend who is new to these parts. I guess my imagination is keener than his, for altho' I have ridden over the same area several times, the hills, and fields, and checker board designs with their varied colors and shades still attract me greatly. I know that I have an advantage over him for I always have you with me whenever I see such things and this is where each little bit of green or rolling hill or strange and ancient looking cottage or town or clump of flower take on their personality or interest. Afterall there is such a thing as looking at life through rose glasses of happy memories and associations. But I want to take those glasses off when I may, and enjoy life through the

the other senses again. The day will come.

The seasons are late here. We are still watching for the first signs of Spring everywhere - not just a spot here and there. We are beginning to wonder will it be?

I hope that by now some definite word has been received from George Buchanan (?) I have talked to some who have been through some of the fights in Africa and Italy. It isn't anything to look forward to or to enjoy thinking of afterwards.

We have been at a standstill for a few days, and I haven't been able to see anything new. I did stop in an antique shop the other day and saw a beautiful old desk - the type Dot has. This was quite old and the most perfect thing I've ever seen. Beautiful wood and brasses. Everything original, even the glass. £65 - was all he wanted, which wasn't too high at $4.03 per. Much prettier than anything I have seen at home for there'bouts

But things aren't plentiful here, and you would be surprised how hard it is even to find simple things in the antique line. Hope the "little" items I sent you got there all right, and that you liked them. I haven't found what I really want yet.

Our camp has more or less adopted two little English boys who live nearby - One is ten and a perfect picture