August 3, 1943

Dear Mother,
          I will drop you an airmail
letter at this time. Writing on Vmail
makes to short of a letter and I imagine
it is hard to read. We have had
nice weather here. I received mail
today and your letter. Two from
Irene and one from Luella. It sure
seems good to receive letters from
home. It makes home seem a lot
closer by hearing from everyone.
I don't think incoming mail is
censored so you can write whatever
you want to. Send newspaper clippings
if you think it would be of any interest
to me.
          We have our own ration coupons
so we can had buy things in our
post exchange. Such as necessities
like razor blades, soaps and etc.
We have plenty of everything. The only
trouble I am haveing is figuring
out this English money. They have
to many coins and it really is
large. The pennies here are as large

as one of our half dollars. Another
thing that I don't like is transportation.
Last night I went to an English
village here. It is 3 miles away
and we walked both ways. I really
miss my car and awlful lot now.
It wasn't so bad when we could
hitch hike but now there isn't any
thing to hitch hike for. The people
and quite a few soldiers do have bikes
and they get around with them.
          Mother have you received any
of my allotments yet? By this time
you should have received $40 from
the government. I took out an allotment
for $20 a month, but I am quite sure
I won't need all my money here
so when I get a couple of month pay
ahead I will try to get to a postoffice
and get a money order to send it home.
Put it in the bank for me. I guess
it is the only way I can ever save
any of it. We can't buy much because
everything is rationed here. When you
write to me it would be best to send
it by airmail. It only takes about
6 to 7 days for it to come through.

          Tell Mr. Meyer I will try to drop
him a letter when I get a little more
settled. As for now I am well and
like it fine here.
          After this war is over I can tell
you a lot more but for now my writing
will be limited so don't expect to long
a letter from me and not to many.
It really is hard to write much. Maybe
this will be cut before you get it. I
don't think I have written anything out
of order though. Goodbye for now. Tell
some of my old friends and neighbors
a letter is always welcomed here.
                        Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on August 12th.

Background Information (and comments):

• If you want to know more about food rationing in England, here are two interesting websites:
• http://www.cooksinfo.com/british-wartime-food
• http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/war/rationing2.html