DIY History | Transcribe | World War II Diaries and Letters | John William Graham letters, October-November 1944 | 1944-10-26 John Graham to Mr. & Mrs. W.J. Graham Page 1

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John William Graham letters, October-November 1944

1944-10-26 John Graham to Mr. & Mrs. W.J. Graham Page 1

October 26, 1944
Italy
Dear Dad, Mom & Grandmother:
Here it is only five thirty and it is pitch dark already, can't realize it is late enough in the season to be dark so early evenings.  I've already had supper, a good meal tonight, swiss steak, the first time since I've been here and it was well prepared.  This is the best time to write for the light is better, later on in the evening when there are a lot plugged in they get very dim.
Tonight we have a visitor one of our various camp dogs is paying us a call.  Rather to absorb some of our heat than our companionship or maybe in hopes we have something for her to eat.  The dogs have some crazy names, Shot gun, Eight ball, Early return, A.W.O.L., Salvo to name a few.  Some were brought over from the states and some are Italians but they respond very well to English especially when accompanied by a little food.
From someplace one of the boys dug up a rat trap so we have high hopes of catching our nocturnal prowler.  It's one of those affairs made on a board like a mouse trap but with a much heavier spring.  Perhaps it would catch a mouse too at least it would scare the daylights out of him.  Something chewed up the collars on a shirt & blouse belonging to a fellow in our tent and another fellow had a pair of pants ruined by the varmints.
Got your V-mail letter written the thirteenth in which you told about Bill Johnston going to be married.  I was really surprised almost as much so as if you'd told me Leo Stume was getting hitched.  I'm glad for him and hope he gets a nice girl.  Hadn't had any mail for several days so was very glad to get the letter.
Sure happy to hear you've been having such nice weather back home, there is no season nicer than the

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October 26, 1944 Italy Dear Dad, Mom & Grandmother: Here it is only five thirty and it is pitch dark already, can't realize it is late enough in the season to be dark so early evenings. I've already had supper, a good meal tonight, swiss steak, the first time since I've been here and it was well prepared. This is the best time to write for the light is better, later on in the evening when there are a lot plugged in they get very dim. Tonight we have a visitor one of our various camp dogs is paying us a call. Rather to absorb some of our heat than our companionship or maybe in hopes we have something for her to eat. The dogs have some crazy names, Shot gun, Eight ball, Early return, A.W.O.L., Salvo to name a few. Some were brought over from the states and some are Italians but they respond very well to English especially when accompanied by a little food. From someplace one of the boys dug up a rat trap so we have high hopes of catching our nocturnal prowler. It's one of those affairs made on a board like a mouse trap but with a much heavier spring. Perhaps it would catch a mouse too at least it would scare the daylights out of him. Something chewed up the collars on a shirt & blouse belonging to a fellow in our tent and another fellow had a pair of pants ruined by the varmints. Got your V-mail letter written the thirteenth in which you told about Bill Johnston going to be married. I was really surprised almost as much so as if you'd told me Leo Stume was getting hitched. I'm glad for him and hope he gets a nice girl. Hadn't had any mail for several days so was very glad to get the letter. Sure happy to hear you've been having such nice weather back home, there is no season nicer than the