DIY History | Transcribe | World War II Diaries and Letters | John William Graham letters, October-November 1944 | 1944-11-16 John Graham to Mr. & Mrs. W.J. Graham Page 1

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John William Graham letters, October-November 1944

1944-11-16 John Graham to Mr. & Mrs. W.J. Graham Page 1

November 16, 1944
Italy
Dear Dad & Mom:
Just came from noon chow and will write a bit while it settles.  That being the case this letter would be shorter even than usual for it was punk today.  However, I smelled pork chops frying so evidently will have a good supper.  Has started to rain so I'm in by the fire making myself comfortable.
We've been hauling some gravel around in our area filling in holes making roads, etc. and I helped shovel some this morning, it's good for a guy but I find I'm in pretty poor condition and don't think I would stand it very long until I had toughened up considerably.
No mail again the past few days, just comes in spurts, we heard that there was another big shipment of Christmas parcels coming in today or tomorrow but perhaps the guy didn't know.  I have some Christmas cards I should start sending out soon according to what they tell us.
Had to carry some fuel for our stove, it certainly doesn't burn much we burn it almost constantly and it only takes a couple of gallons per day.  Of course we don't burn it while we sleep - we only have a five gallon reservoir and it had burned two days and a half before it ran dry.
Nov. 19
I've had an awful time it seems trying to get this letter written both from lack of things to write and interruptions.  Every time I get started it seems something stops me.
There has been quite a little to do the last couple of days, but that's good for a guy I reckon.  Whenever

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November 16, 1944 Italy Dear Dad & Mom: Just came from noon chow and will write a bit while it settles. That being the case this letter would be shorter even than usual for it was punk today. However, I smelled pork chops frying so evidently will have a good supper. Has started to rain so I'm in by the fire making myself comfortable. We've been hauling some gravel around in our area filling in holes making roads, etc. and I helped shovel some this morning, it's good for a guy but I find I'm in pretty poor condition and don't think I would stand it very long until I had toughened up considerably. No mail again the past few days, just comes in spurts, we heard that there was another big shipment of Christmas parcels coming in today or tomorrow but perhaps the guy didn't know. I have some Christmas cards I should start sending out soon according to what they tell us. Had to carry some fuel for our stove, it certainly doesn't burn much we burn it almost constantly and it only takes a couple of gallons per day. Of course we don't burn it while we sleep - we only have a five gallon reservoir and it had burned two days and a half before it ran dry. Nov. 19 I've had an awful time it seems trying to get this letter written both from lack of things to write and interruptions. Every time I get started it seems something stops me. There has been quite a little to do the last couple of days, but that's good for a guy I reckon. Whenever