England. July 30, 1944.

Dear Mother & all,
       I have had two letters from you
this week so will try to answer
them now. I am glad you feel a little
bit better. Well mother, I found out
before it was to late. Maybe if the
war hadn't parted us it would have
been ok, but now things have
changed. I guess it is all through
with Irene and I. Oh well it isn't
to much a shock to me. I have been
away from her to long.
       The way your letters read you have
been having plenty of company lately. It
is nice to think people haven't forgotten
you. I imagine it has been rather
hot back in the states. There is hardly
a day that I don't wear my jacket to work.
     I sure would like to spend a nice
quiet weekend at some lake. Gosh it
sure is going to seem good to be your
own boss again. It seems like so

long ago that I have driven in a car. Although
I do get to drive a jeep once in awhile,
and an English lorry.
     The farmers are beginning to cut their
grains over here now also. One thing
about this country I don't see any corn
at all. It seems rather odd. Your last
letter only took ten days in comeing through.
     How is Freeman's leg now? Gosh I
sure hope it isn't broken.
     Don't mention those black bugs. They
sure are thick here. They almost
drive me nuts sometimes. I had a
letter from Pearl Myers a few day ago.
I guess when I get back home I am going
to have to take about 3 months and just
travel around visiting. I hope Harley has
arrived home lately. Gosh he must have
changed. Well this is about all I can
think of tonight. Must get my new
stripes on my sleeve. Goodnight for
now. Please write as often as possible.
                                 Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on August 2nd.

Background Information (and comments):

• If you've been following the posts, you know that Ralph entered the service on June 10, 1942 and spent the first year in the states (mostly Missouri and Texas), before being "sent across" in July of 1943. His letter from July 28, 1943 was the first one to inform his mother that he had arrived safely in England.

July 29

Dear Mother,
         How are you today? I hope you are feeling
much better by now. Well mother I have added
a little more to my official title now. I was
promoted to staff sargeant. That is four stripes
on my arm now.
         I guess it is all off with Irene and me
now. She told me she met someone esle. Well
if that is the way it is I am glad it happened
now instead of after our marriage.
         I had a day off today. I went into town and
stayed at the Red Cross Club. It was market day
here today. What a sight. You would think
there was a carnival in town. All the country
people came to town on this day. Wagons, buggies,
buses and cars. It is quite a sight.
         Well this is about all for this letter. I haven't
much news to write about. I sure am glad I
received another stripe. Hope this war ends soon.
I am getting tired of it. So long for now.
                                                         Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on July 30th.

Background Information (and comments):

• This was sent as a v mail.

England. July 22, 1944.

Dear Mother,
       Received your letter of July 5th just
today and I was really glad to receive
it. I haven't had much mail lately. I guess
Irene has even given up writing to me.
Well it was good while it lasted. Maybe
she will write after she gets some of
my letters.
       By you letter Harley must be home
with you by now. I hope his visit with
you will make you feel better. I sure
wish I could come home for a visit.
       Luella sent me some pictures today.
One was of the house. Gosh. How things
have changed. I really won't know what
place I live in when I get home. I guess
an American house looks good after
looking at these old English houses, with
their thatch roofs.
       You should have some of our weather
and you would feel better. I even put
my wool undershirt back on tonight.

       Lenore told me about Marilyn's and
Jim's operation. I hope they are feeling ok
by now. I had a v mail from Pearl this
week.
       They have cherries over here now. They
are selling them by the pound to anyone
who wants to buy them, and you can buy
a pound in a paper sack. They are 1 shilling
and 6 pence per pound, or in our money
.35 cents. I think that is rather high
price.
       This last day I had off I just went
sightseeing in the country. I was at one
place and it was pretty as the Irish Hills.
But there will never be a place as pretty
as home will be.
       I really am puzzled about Irene's actions.
She has been so faithful to me, and then
all of a sudden this happened. Maybe it
isn't as bad as I think it is. But in a
way she probably did get lonesome, and
it has been so long since I have seen
her. Luella said they were going down
and see her some day. But of course

she don't know this has come up. Maybe
if Luella and a few others see her once
in awhile she will change her mind. I
hope so. We were planning on so much
when I get home.
       Do you think I have changed any in looks
in my pictures? One of the other fellows, the
tall on is Bernard Blank from Virginia and
the other one is Vernon Pierce, or Stubby.
from Dayton Ohio. We have been together
since Patterson Field.
       Luella told me about Gerry Ziss. I guess
there are a few unmarried fellows at home
yet, and the bug is getting everyone.
       Well mother, I guess this is all for
this letter. I hope you are better. Please
try to get better. When I get home we
will take a trip down to Sharps. I will
need a rest also. Goodbye for now, and
don't worry about me. I am ok.
                                           Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on July 29th.

Background Information (and comments):

• Marilyn and Jim were the children of Ralph's oldest brother, Harold and his wife Lenore. Harold James Brown (Jim) was the oldest grandchild born March 14, 1931 and Marilyn was born August 3, 1937.
• I do not know who Gerry Ziss and the Sharps were.
• Here is information (from Wikipedia) about the Irish Hills:

The Irish Hills is an area of land located roughly in southeastern Jackson County and northwest Lenawee County in Southeast Michigan. Its name comes from the Irish immigrants who settled there from 1830 until 1850. It is renowned throughout the state for its beautiful scenery, especially in the summer, with its many rolling hills and larger kettle lakes surrounding the 654-acre (2.65 km²) Hayes State Park. It is also known for its chain of smaller kettle lakes along US Highway 12 (US 12, Michigan Avenue) that link to Cambridge Junction Historic State Park which adjoins the Michigan International Speedway.^[1]

Twin towers in the Irish Hills

The Irish Hills has a number of resorts including Evans Lake Resort. Real Estate marketers regard the Irish Hills as a resort area.^[2][3][4] Regarding tourism, the Irish Hills offers a modest amount of "tourist trapping," with its scenery, state parks, and lakes as significant attractions. It had several family-oriented locations, including an old west theme park known as Stagecoach Stop USA and a mock dinosaur exhibit named Prehistoric Forest.^[5] Both of which are now closed. In 2013 Stagecoach Stop was reopened as a resort, and is now called Stagecoach Stop Western Resort As of 2015, Mystery Hill,^[6] which is a gravity hill, is still in operation. Attempts are being made to save the observation towers known as the Irish Hills Towers. The Irish Hills is known for several family-owned restaurants and bars that offer a variety of different food. There are several places to lodge, mostly on lakefront areas. The Michigan International Speedway hosts NASCAR races with about 300,000 fans a year during the racing season of June and August, and the Faster Horses Festival in July visiting the Irish Hills.

Some towns in the Irish Hills include Brooklyn, Napoleon, Norvell and Onsted.

England. July 13, 1944.

Dear Mother & all,
         Received your short letter
with Audrey's letter yesterday. Also
one from Donna Staup and three
from Irene.
        Well it looks as if you
won't have to count on a wedding
very soon after I am home.
Irene asked me, if I cared if
she didn't wear her ring anymore.
She says it is so long since
she has seen me and she
gets lonesome and has had
chances of going out. I guess I
would be selfish not to break
our engagement. So I told her
to go ahead an enjoy herself. But
I think the end of the war is

in sight. We still won't quit
writing to each other and plan
to get together again after the
war. Maybe we both will
feel different about each other
when we do get together again.
It has me worried and upset
a little. Quite a few of the fellows
are receiving word that their
girlfriends are getting married to
some 4F guy. Well let them,
but someday they will remember
it was the soldier who fought
for a place for there peaceful
home. I don't blame Irene very
much though. I know just how
lonely it can get. But still she
has many more freedoms than
I do.
     How is everyone at home now?

I hope you feel much better now.
You were telling about haveing
fresh tomatoes to eat. I have had
them quite a few times now. We
have had fresh cabbages, lettuce
peas, radishes and also new
potatoes. I guess we are eating
rather well for being away from
home.
      On my day off I just took a
bus ride to see the country. At
this time of year it is pretty. It
is rolling and everything is so
green. The grain is beginning to
turn and if we had some warm
weather it would soon ripen.
      From all letters you folks
must have all the heat. I have
wore a jacket almost everyday
over here. It is a cool summer.

   I suppose everyone is greatly concern
about all the news from this
side of the world. It all looks very
favorable from where I can see it
and all of us are hopeing this
summer is the end of it.
     Well not much more to write
about tonight. Hope you feel a
lot better now.
                        Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on 22nd.

Background Information (and comments):

• If you don't know what 4F means, here is a chart that shows all the military classifications for draftees during WWII:

WORLD WAR II [through 1947?]

[From Selective Service Regulations. Volume Three. Classification & Selection, 1940 (see Subject File: Conscientious Objection/Objectors -- Government Documents); also "Memorandum Of the Rights Of Conscientious Objectors Under the Draft Laws As Of December 1, 1942" (see Subject File: Conscientious Objection/Objectors -- U.S. Sources, 1942)]* all males between the ages of 18 & 65 were required to register for the draft; those who became 18 after January 1, 1943 were to register on their 18^th birthday

I	Available for service
I-A	Available; fit for general military service
I-A-O	Conscientious objectors eligible for military service in noncombatant role
I-B	Available; fit only for limited military service
I-B-O	Conscientious objectors available for limited service [not used after Aug. 18, 1942]
I-C	Members of land or naval forces of the United States
I-D	Students fit for general military service; available not later than July 1, 1941
I-E	Students fit for limited military service; available not later than July 1, 1941
I-H	Men deferred by reason of age [not in effect any more, as provision deferring men over 28 years of age had been repealed?]
II	Deferred because of occupational status
II-A	Men necessary in their civilian activity
II-B	Men necessary to national defense
II-C	Men necessary to farm labor
III	Deferred because of dependents
III-A	Men with dependents, not engaged in work essential to national defense
III-B	Men with dependents, engaged in work essential to national defense
IV	Deferred specifically by law or because unfit for military service
IV-A	Men who had completed service [not considered in time of war]
IV-B	Officials deferred by law
IV-C	Nondeclarant aliens
IV-D	Ministers of religion or divinity students
IV-E	Conscientious objectors available only for civilian work of national importance
IV-E-LS	Conscientious objectors available for limited civilian work of national importance
IV-E-H	Men formerly classified in IV-E or IV-E-LS, since deferred by reason of age
IV-F	Men physically, mentally or morally unfit

England. July 9, 1944.

Dear Mother & all,
         Sunday evening and not
much to do. Gee it is hard
to realize that I don't have
any place to go on Sunday
nights. That use to always
be my big night.
     The day started out like
a very beautiful July day.
At 11:30 it was very hot
and one o'clock we were
wearing our raincoats. Now
you would think it was a
perfect day again.
     We had a very delicous
dinner today. Fried beef steak
mash potatoes, gravy, lettuce
and fresh tomatoes for salad

and fruit cocktail for desert.
And hot chocolate to drink.
So you can see we are eating ok.
But still your meals would
really taste good to me.
     Today I attended church
services. We hold them in
the new thearte now as we
have outgrown our former
place. They have just finished
remodeling the place. It has a
grand stage, so may we will
have some stage entertainment
now.
     Today our former comanding
officier bid us farewell. He
is retiring from army life.
Gosh I wish I was with him.
He certainly has been a swell
officier to be working under.

I know everyone will miss him
a great deal. He would do
personal things to help a soldier
out of trouble, or try to make
life a little more cheerful
for him.
     Not much mail is comeing
through lately. It has been
sixteen days now since I have
had a letter from Irene. I sure
hope nothing is wrong. I don't
believe I will ever want any
other girl but her. I really don't
know why I waited so long. We
should have married soon
after we meant.
     I suppose by now the straw-
berry season is about overwith.
I haven't had an fresh straw
berries this season at all.

    In one way the seasons are
so different here and one just
doesn't think about what month
it is or day of the week. We are
just wishing the war would
soon end. Then when we get back
our seasons will mean something
to us again.
   How are you feeling now? I hope
this letter finds you much
improved. I don't want you to
worry over me, mother. I am ok
and will be there with you
when this war is over. I know
that Audrey is there with you.
Is Glenn and Audrey getting
settled yet? I guess I won't know
the place when I do get back.
    One of my buddies and I were

talking the other evening on
how things will seem so
different to us. I bet Duke won't
even let me near the place.
I would just like to see how he
would act when I do come home.
    Well this is about all I can
think of for tonight. I will write
later on in the week. Goodnight
for now. Tell every one I said
hello, and tell them to write.
                           Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on July 13th.

Background Information (and comments):

• Duke was the family dog.

England. July 6, 1944.

Dear Mother,
      Received your letter of June
22 and was very glad to know
that you were able to attend
the wedding. I sure wish I could
have been able to attend it. Maybe
the next one will be mine.
      I also had a letter from Luella
yesterday and today. Also her
package for me. She sent me
the clipping about the flood you
folks had and Freeman wrote
to me about it to. Hope it
didn't spoil the crops.
      Say, from what Freeman
writes he is stepping out with
Jean Dennis quite a bit. Gosh
how things must have changed

since I have been home. I can't
hardly feature those kids even
going out yet.
      From the sound of your letter
everyone around home are sick.
I guess I will have to come
home and cheer up the neighbor
hood.
      Gee it is almost a year isn't
it now that Morgan Ford has
been in the Army? Well I miss
home and the U.S. also. We have
lost the best commanding officer
of any outfit in England. It is
our Major and he is returning
to the states and becoming a
civilian again. He is overaged.
We had a farewell party for
him last night. Everyone hates
to see him go. He seemed

just like one of us, and always
did things for the outfit. We
will all miss him, and I don't
believe there will be anyone that
can fill his shoes.
      This is about all the news
from this side. I guess everyone
figures on my moveing out of England.
Tell them I have plenty of work
here to do. So don't worry about
my moveing. Hope this finds
you much better. Please don't
worry about me. I am ok.
                         Love Ralph


The next letter will be posted on July 9th.

Background Information (and comments):

• Freeman was Ralph's youngest brother. He had turned 19 on June 10, 1944.
• I found information about age requirements for being drafted during WWII, but I could not locate any information about how old the major must have been to be considered "overaged".

England. July 4th.

Dear Mother & all,
         I have spent quite a few
fourths of July's at lakes, and
picnics but this is the first
and I hope it is the last one in
England.
   This morning I attended church
services in a nearby town. It
was really a grand service. The
church is 1200 years old. So it
was quite an honour to attend
an old English church. I will
send you the program of it.
     My mail has been slow in
comeing through. I hope I will
get some soon. Haven't received
a letter telling me about the
wedding yet. I hope my letters

have been getting through to you.
    What is everyone doing today?
I suppose Cliff's and Myrl's are
haveing a picnic somewhere.
     We have been excused from
work for half a day. This is
the 1st half day off for all of
us since Christmas. Maybe we
will be haveing all the days off
soon, when this war ends. I
have a feeling that it won't last
very much longer.
    I haven't very much to say in
this letter. Hope I receive one
from you soon. Goodbye for
now.
                         Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on July 6th.

Background Information (and comments):

• The two families he refers to are his brother Cliff (and Marie & daughter Donna), and his sister Luella (and Myrl and their children Richard (Dick), Myrlene, and William (Bill)).
• Here is the church program (notice that the location is blackened out):

(front cover)

(back cover)