Week 16: Letter to Tiny from Charlie "Somewhere in France"

This week's topic for the 52 Ancestors Challenge is supposed to be "Oldest Story" but I've covered my family's oldest story many times and have nothing new to add. Instead, I'll share another family letter.

My grandmother Helen's ex-boyfriend, Charlie Knight, wrote this letter to her mother, Blanche "Tiny" Ladd during WWII. The two kept up a correspondence. Though none of Blanche's letters to Charlie survive today, Charlie's nephew has shared all of Charlie's letters from WWII that he wrote to his mother in his incredible blog, Camp McCoy In the Words of My Uncle and he mentions Helen, Tiny, Helen's father Dana, her sister Mildred, and even Helen's grandfather "old Mr. Ladd" as well as her Aunt Ione. Many of the Ladds wrote to him and sent him care packages during the war. Blanche adored Charlie and the feeling was mutual. Just look at those smiles!

Blanche (Laberge) Ladd and Charlie Knight taken in Westbrook, Maine

Somewhere in France

                                                                        Aug 30, 1944

Hello Tiny

Just a few lines to let you know everything is well.  I’ve seen and been through a lot, but here I am, still looking for that day when I’ll be sailing home.  I sure have some stories to tell. 

Sorry I haven’t written before this but you realize how things are. Still think of you and hope you are gaining in health.  Don’t forget to keep that chin up.  I’m still keeping that show date.  We might let Dana Dee ride in the back seat.

Well Tiny, not much time but I will write later.  Say hello to all.  Wish I could sit down at your table to-night and enjoy some good chow.  Life will sure seem different to me when this is over.  Hope to see you all before the end of forty five.

                                                                        Charles