Letters from World War Ii

By Lorretta Cutler Thompson

The contents of this fabulous read are the letters written between mother and son during world war II. we are privileged to see the love between mother and son during a time that held fear not only for Cuppy and Jimmy but for the whole world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781984587893

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Copyright © 2020 by Lorretta Cutler Thompson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 07/13/2020

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Contents

Letters from Cuppy

Letters from Cup 1942

World War 2

Gallery

Letters from Cuppy

1942-1945

Our hearts are with you darling—just as close as if I were beside you.

All my love—Cup

I hope you appreciate these treasures as much as I have. A lot of time and love has gone into these while translating them into English from the original Cutler jargon.

Looking forward to interpreting more gibberish as the saga continues!!!! part 2—3—4— still to come

All my love—Retta

Letters from Cup 1942

WORLD WAR 2

Darling Jibs —

We were all in such a state after leaving you that we nearly had three separate brainstorms at the same time! Even Chuck was yelling at everybody— Finally I grabbed a book — Chuck retired into the radio and Pa into Philosophy— By bedtime we were near normal!

Today Pa went to town to tend to frames and make up names for his pictures, and Chuck to buy new trousers— I took down the Christmas Tree and changed the front room around. By the time I had slung the Piano around the room a few times I felt better—

Seems Chuck wants to make off to New York right off—-He will go to the Barbizon Plaza for a week to give himself time to look for a place to live—I have written Grandmother that he is coming and she will tell Olin and I know Marion and Nancy will help him hunt and they all know all about the city— I think its possible Grandmother could fix it so he could have a small room in her hotel as cheaply as anywhere else— She did that for a student once I know— I’d like that— Maybe Chuckie wouldn’t—- and then a studio somewhere else—I’ll let you know what develops—Am sure the family there will look out for him—They know so many students and where and how they live—-

Dickie in this morning for a long talk on how happy a time he had in Gettysburg—-If it were possible, I think he would have taken a second extra year! Said when he was only a freshman, he knew every boy he met on the campus by his first or last name, and every one of his professors said Hello Dick when they met—

Julia in this afternoon— trying to find out all Don’s affairs! And this evening Dick and Don both in for a daily visit— to cheer me— such lovely nonsense they chattered! Chuck in town for dinner— Sent your shirts and trousers to be cleaned today—

Our hearts are with you Darling— just as close as if I were beside you—

All my love—

Cup

Wednesday night

Dearest Jibs—

So, Breckenridge is where you are! Ellie just called up—must have seemed very near to be talking to her— My gracious are we just glad so glad to know you’ve got there— and she said the inoculations didn’t make you sick—that’s marvellous- Wish we could get this letter to you in an hour! Just remember darling- you are not alone- Our hearts are all around you, and our thoughts making a clatter about your ears! When we knew that you had called- Tuesday night- from Morgan Field Kentucky "that was how it came to Ellie- I ran for a map and found where you are- The Ohio River is near- in case you haven’t found out, and the states of Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky touch very near you- St Louis- where Derry and Helen are, is about a hundred miles-There used to be a girl up here from Morgan Field Village that Carl and Mo - Mo used to know- years ago- I’m wondering if any of the boys you know landed at the same camp? And if you hear all sorts of different sounding talk down there? I think that everyone goes into the infantry for their basic training, and when that is over you may be put in what you asked for- I’ll be sending you the underwear and towels and wash clothes tomorrow morning- this is Wednesday night- Ellie told you Betty and Carol loved it and sailed along waving her arms as if she were a windmill- She cried all the time we were indoors!!! Saw all Ellie’s things up in her room- and met Mrs. Hooper and liked her a lot.

Antie is off on a vacation- a week- told Mo Mo that John M took her - Antie and Barbara went to a night club last Saturday night! Barbara knows someone in the Navy in Florida who wants his car driven down to him- If the family could get the gas the two girls were to take the car down, so for all I know she may be in Florida now—

Pa suddenly sends his love and he is eager to hear all about everything.

Now, I’ve been so excited by Ellie’s hearing from you and really talking to you that I’ve not said a word about your grand letter from Devens— It was wonderful and my oh me oh my!! Were we glad to get it— I read it aloud to Ellie and edited so skilfully!

Betty sends her love- she is here knitting- and says she will write- Chuckie will be so happy to know we have heard from you— He cheered up for the first time after your letter came from Devens and he knew those inoculations were over— Pa says for you to tell us if the air mail reaches you sooner than ordinary mail— Your clothes came from Devens all in good order—-

Remember, Darling, we are with you every minute— every single one- miles are nothing you a loving heart- and mine is close beside you now, and always

Call us sometime- if you have time- I know they’ll keep you pretty busy-

All my love Darling,

Your Cup

PVT. James F. Cutler

AT Co- 389- In.

A.P. O. 98

Dear Folks,

At long last some time for myself. I will try and begin at the beginning. Time and some things I have to leave out. Saturday night until Monday we were on the train, coach, we had our own mess car. Sleep was hard to catch etc., and we were hard to catch etc. and were all very tired when we got here. About 35 and very rainy. They have a funny kind of cold here, it goes right through you. We were given breakfast, which was good, and put into a barrack with no heat and stayed in there all day, to go out only for our meals. You can’t imagine what a funny kind of penetrating cold this is.

They finally told us that we were to sleep there. They filed us out at 5:30 for revelry, breakfast, and back into those cold barracks until afternoon, finally we were trucked off to our definite barrack

So, some time Eleanor will tell you about that.

The southern boys are funny however, they are very quiet, slow, and don’t seem to want to mix at all, they will answer yes or no and that is about all.

Of course, that only makes it all the harder for us. I am so damn sick of this already that it will undoubtedly drive me crazy if it keeps up. One might think that we were fighting the Civil War all over again in a feud of silence.

Tuesday, we got up at 5:45 A.M. breakfast and back to make up our bunks in just such and such a way etc. After that 5 only moved in that day, were taken over to see the captain of our Co. He talked to us etc. We were then ensued our gas mask, gun, pack, tent poles etc. Fatigue work etc. Finally, supper etc. After supper we were taken up to the P.X. which means Post Exchange. You can buy almost anything in here which you can think of. Safe back to our barracks and told to go to bed.

This morning the same procedure. After the bed business we were taken out to parade ground and taught, right face, left face, column right, column left, about face, solute, forward march, feel as if I had marched about as far as Boston to home three times. After that a lecture on military discipline etc. Supper or chow I must call it rolled 2 times. After that a lecture on military discipline etc. Supper or chow I must call it rolled 3 around. After supper we are allowed to go to the movies or px or most anything in a designated area.

The camp itself is immense frankly I have no idea how large it is. It is capable of holding 37,000 men, in barracks so imagine it. Confidential.

The best thing is that it is a new camp, new division, etc. Therefore, advancement should be fast. In our particular branch there are only 32 men and they expect I have forgotten how many. It seems to me as far as I can tell that personal dress, and courtesy are the most important. Keep your mouth shut and first so what you are told, and you will end up O.K.

When they told me, I was in the infantry or rather the anti-tank co. I could have laid down and died right there. It damn near killed me. When I think of it now, I could just give up the whole thing.

I still can’t understand how I ended up here, everything was so O.K. at Devens. I was accepted up there O.K. and everything, I passed all my tests, this damn Army is nuts. I guess it boils down to the old story of. It is not what you know, it is who you know.

The food up here on the whole is good but I find not enough of it. It is funny to see the whole camp grow up. Even in the short time I have been here. If I can’t straighten this mess out about the Air Corps, I may try and get into truck driving in the same outfit.

I will say one thing they use their heads in the way they break you in. We go through a shake down period then we join the rest in our company. They don’t expect anything of you but your best effort.

I will say if you are in the infantry and you get through your thirteen weeks of training they prescribe, you’re a real man.

I will write again, time is short, and I want to finish a letter to Eleanor. I don’t mind saying this is nothing like prep school and I miss you all more than I ever thought possible. Please write soon and often, damn inoculations tomorrow, one in each arm and I am scared.

Love you all,

Jim C.

Dearest Jibs—

We got thru Thursday somehow— Everyone’s mind so preoccupied thinking of you that our conversations were ridiculous no one being able to understand anyone else at all— You can imagine?

Friday morning Ellie turned up- so woe-be-gone that I rose to beguile her. I rushed her off to Wellesley to help me buy Betty an xmas present of some wool that she has seen Betty admire once- and the hurry- hurry dinner, and over to Sherman’s to ask about the Raytheon place where Biffy used to work- Ellie went with me reluctantly, again: you can imagine! Little information acquired but I hustled her around into telephoning and so on- she made an appointment for Monday, but her Father proved to know all about the place—in Waltham this was I advised against it —all just served the purpose of something to do!—-

Not at all surprised not to hear from you Saturday— Your card, for which bless you many times— telling of the inoculations made me think they were sending your group out that night or the next morning— and we are just waiting to know where you are and when you left—By the time you get this you should be nearly over the effects of the beastly things— Just remember, no matter how sick they made you—you couldn’t feel one quarter as bad as the real disease could make you, and be thankful you are armed against them—

You’ll laugh! Kitty Moore called up yesterday— Seems her husband is in the Coast Guard and stationed at South West Harbor and she sought information- He has been in our village for two weeks-He says it is too tough and gruff for her there —-ship building gangs and so on. She determined to get there- I told her to write Ruth dear- expects a baby in the spring and is idle and lonesome here- holding her hand and comforting her, which is plainly what she wants! Natalie and Dickie were down last evening, both thoroughly upset by his being put in. Chances are he’ll be taken possibly for limited service only- so if he goes you can picture me as Buttercup, the supporter of lonesome females— they never suspect I feel the same way- except you, who understand me so well I never need to explain—

So proud of the way you managed, darling so thankful and big and sweet—

Dear Chuckie! By Saturday I coaxed him into eating something, by means of a roast duck— he felt better when he knew your inoculations were over, for he shares your felling about them, so do I! But to my mind I’d rather get anything over than wait around dreading it—

So eager to hear from you! Spose that postman never was watched so eagerly— we’re all well and fine— Pa being very nice to the Baby Kitty— now practically de-fleaed—-

Love

Darling—-

Your Cup

Sunday Nov 1, 1942

Dear Darling—

Pa is just mailing the package for me— 3 bath towels, 3 wash clothes— 2 shirts, 3 hankies, 4 shorts— and a tiny surprise! Hope it was shorts you wanted— if not, let us know— they make now warm drawers that come only to the knee— maybe they’d be good? Purchased them and ice cream at Brigham’s in Newton Highlands— by means of Pa— Carol has cut one of her big front teeth and now is all happy and smile again—she is learning to pat Kitty very gently—but who would trust her! Kitty likes it— 26 this morning— Chuck working the last two nights right under the flight deck— some sabotage cut a great cable—- caught at once and now T.B. all over the floor here— Pa thought it was funny and laugh and said I should never be allowed to use it— no one ever asked why the bottle was so empty when you and Chuck were thru with it, but a new one has appeared— Baby Kit just climbed up on the table I threatened it, and then tumbled over Carol’s picture, and is now curled up sleeping under the lamp beside me—

Son called up last night to ask where you were and has your address, so you "likely be hearing from him sometime— I wonder would you like the paper sent you? Guess I will— a Republican landslide here- Saltonstall Governor of Mass again— and Dewey of New York— and news of big English successes in Egypt— tho we haven’t heard yet, no one will be surprised if Kenny is there- wouldn’t he be tickled— he’s a bred in the bone traveller—-

So long, my darling— I am with you every minute—

Love Your Cup

Saturday night Nov 7 ‘42

Dear Darling—

Just a line- so happy, happy, to have heard your clear voice— my Jiboy- Papa so relieved- those miles just knocked to pieces- don’t amount to a hill of beans- I remember Kenny had to do all sorts of scabbing and running and so on- so I guess- I know- you can do it- and you don’t have to wait till you’ve finished that training to prove yourself a man- for I know already that you are! And I am so proud- I think it a magnificent thing to have grown to be a man drawn to defend his country that is sure proof you are no weakling, but ready to take a man’s place in the world—

Those slow southerns probably think you talk fast- remember Henry’s sister who couldn’t understand a word we said because you talk so fast

Wonderful that our letters travel so fast!

The Sherman girls are here talking to Betty and Pa- Baby Kitty watching carefully- she is learning- if she does have kitties I can give some to Will and Dudly Tomlinson- for they have bought a great house over on the other side of them- has as only barn attached and land and maple trees- they said they could have any number of miles and plenty of room for them- Pa and I drove this afternoon to see if we could find it- out 12 and threw Waltham on to Lexington to Tripoli Road -up by an insane asylum on a hill- an old house all in disrepair- Willie up on the roof shingling- they will be busy repairing for two years at least- room in the barn for seven horses! Dr. Sykes and the rest of them plan to move in in a week- still waiting for Pro Mission from Washington to connect the electricity- coal stove in the kitchen- three wood stoves in the other rooms- kerosene lamps- all looks difficult and lots of fun-

Try la! Will and Betty here last night and I produced chocolate- in leu of coffee- Betty being helpful, poured in lots of vanilla- to discover she had the wrong bottle and had poured in extract of lemon! We tried to bail out the flavor and served it just the same- Pa declares he knew something was odd about it but supposed he could drink it if we could. Will and Betty both had two cups —

I am accounting at your desk now- the mirror is just right before me to see me! Think of you and feel very near whenever I sit there, mostly wondering what the dickens the lamb and the ham and the beef and the pig’s lives really did cost.

A card from Antie- she didn’t get the gas to take the car to Florida, but is in Virginia and will see ‘Bill’

- Their names change fairly often! Just one was "George’— Ellie called me up when she got your letter and is coming over with it tomorrow to see if there is anything- any information she left out- she won’t read me the secrets, I promise, I could not be other than nice to her for she has been so fine and sturdy about all this- I have admired her very much - with me she has never uttered a whimper— she jokes with Pa and teased him- and all in all has been very sweet-

The boys who drove you down were so delighted to know we had heard from you- your letter come this morning- Saturday- listened! Just a line here’s four pages! So long, beautiful my hearts singing cause we talked with you- good you reversed those charges-

Love

from every one of us. Your Cup

Sunday night 9:10 p.m. Nov 8’42

Hey Welder,

I sure wish I could choose two words again. It’s a similar case as mine last night. While up at the P.X. asked a fellow where he lived, what he did etc. He was a welder, and I guess a damn good one too from the way he talked. He signed into the Air Corps etc. couldn’t get a release from his board, almost an identical, case. I noticed a lot of our large and small equipment is welded perhaps we well end up welding after all, can’t say. How is your work going on, Cup or Betty told me about the sabotage but I didn’t get the details. I hope that when you write you will enclose the details actually the Army isn’t bad. By that I mean, you get three meals a day, clothes, good bed, (too short) what else do you need. I am afraid it is the more educated that take it tough. The needle is no fun at all and the drill I suppose is worse. The actual tools of war are a shame. When I think of getting those three-edged knives, and corrugated knuckles mashed into my guts, and a bayonet in me I almost die with fear.

I really am a softie. Are you still riding with Everett etc. are you working for Steve?

I will explain later all about the mail or information that comes to you from here. I apologize for the short letter, but I have one more to write and wash my pretties. Love to Betty. Be so glad when we go to Maine together.

Your only brother

Jim C.

Sunday Nov 8, 42

From the Pits,

Wretched Eeeesopp—

It is brewing at the yards. Already some scum has severed 2 sizable cables of utmost importance— did $123,000 dollars damage he did by golly and obtained 20 years jail trash for his pains. He is now rotting in the pits- some as a rat in there every night. For the last 4 nights I have been under the gallery deck on that sickening staging over the main deck — to make matters worse it has been below freezing every night—, and me in my thin, thread here, seedy red burnt rags- be damned lucky iffen don’t obtain old nominee. Before I went under gallery deck, I had been doing S.T.S. pickup for 2 weeks in the STS shafts etc. where it was hot as hell. So next day wore one thin shirt and no undershirt ner nothing and immediately was put outdoors. Yesterday purchased work shoes, new rags etc. and wore 3 undershirts and 3 shirts and coat etc. and was crammed indoors where it was so hot nearly swooned. To make matters worse I was leaning against the bulkhead nibbling on some goodies I had obtained at the wire shack (now on the boat) and gabbing with another fool (swine) he- wears glasses, is thin, scabby etc. and always drops his fire extinguisher etc… ——— when he goes on board) for about 15 min. and when I turned around whom should I see but Greggar the swine I had trouble with at EB office the nite I tried to obtain his face— old Hugo Johnson, it was by years- who can hire and fire. I guess he’d been there for some time and didn’t relish my idleness much. - However, I told him to make off post haste lest I kill him where he stood as he smirked and sheepishly sidled away. Well so much for that ill. After I left youse at the hall I went straight to Gath’s where I overdid