Letter, Frank T. Jackson to Parents, July 18, 1944

Correspondence from Frank T. Jackson to his parents, Mr. & Mrs. William P. Jackson. In the letter, Frank expresses his deep shock after hearing of his brother, William, dying in action during World War II.

World War, 1939-1945

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Somewhere in Normandy
July 18, 1944

Dear Folks,

I got your letters today and of course it was a great shock to me to hear about Billy. He certainly had a lot of bad luck, but you can certainly be proud of him. After what I’ve seen here, I know a little bit about what he went through. Also being here makes the news easier for me, because you can get more used to that kind of thing here. I hope you will try to take it in stride as well as you possibly can, because it worries me a lot when you are not well or when are worrying and blue. I want to see you both in the best of health when I get home.

I’m only sorry Billy didn’t live to see the start of the invasion. The boys down there certainly waited anxiously enough for it.

I’m not denying myself anything by sending money home. The more I have saved the better off I will be when this is over. There will be another $45 coming home at the end of this month. Besides, all the sightseeing I’ll do here will be on Uncle Sam. I hope he shows me Berlin pretty quick now.

If you want to follow the war more closely just read all the news about the 4th Division. That’s where you’ll find me. I wonder if Vernon Pace isn’t in the same? Quite by accident I found out he made the same moves in the States this division made.

I got ten letters from you today, the first mail I have gotten in six weeks. Of course only the last two had the new address. Also I got one from Sibber, two from Dave Cluley, and one from Dan Self.

You were right about me changing camps in England. I was in three different camps there.

Mother, it has suddenly dawned on me that you wrote me one letter I haven’t gotten yet. It leaves a few things blank, but I can just about fill in all the spaces. I appreciate the clippings very much, and hope you will continue to send them, even though I’m getting more news now.

James Sloan didn’t come over on the same ship as me, because I knew all the soldiers on board.

One thing about the lawn, Mother. I don’t care if it grows up to your neck, I don’t want you out cutting on it. Forget what people think. There’s plenty of time to mow the lawn later when the negroes will be glad to mow it. Don’t forget, if you need any of the money I’m sending home, go ahead and use it, a part of it or all of it.

If you don’t hear from me regularly you will know it is because the mail system is a little irregular. Just be patient and don’t worry. The letters will come.

And don’t worry about me. I’m taking care of myself, and never felt better in my life. You’re the ones who’ve got to be careful. I adjust myself pretty fast. Write as often as you can. It helps a lot to hear from home.

Love,
Frank