Editor’s note: My grandmother and Cy’s sister, Nena Montgomery Stafford, had married my grandfather, Charles F. Sharrard, and gave birth to my father, Charles F. Sharrard, Jr. Nena and Charles divorced and Nena later remarried to John T. Shaw, who became Cy’s brother in law. John, in his 40’s, enlisted in the Army in 1943 and went through basic training at Camp Crowder, Missouri. He was trained to serve in a Chemical Mortar Battalion. The name originated in WWI when chemical weapons were used extensively. These weapons were not used in WWII, so it was really a basic mortar unit. The shells were 4.2″ in diameter and could travel up to 4400 yards. The mortars were referred to as “Goon Guns” and the operators were known as “Four-deucers”. John’s unit, the 92nd Chemical Mortar Battalion was activated February 9, 1944 at Brockley Combe, England, in preparation for the Normandy Invasion. He served in the rank of Sergeant and because he was about twice the age of most of his men, they called him “Pop”.
John was raised in rural Missouri and his letters reflect a simple style of speech and a paucity of punctuation. Like Cy, he could not say much about where he was or what his unit was doing, for security reasons. I have chosen to include his letters to Nena in order to reflect the extent that the family was involved in the war effort, and because all these people are referred to at various times in the letters.
3/30/44 England
From: John T. Shaw, Co. D 92 Cml Bn
To: Nena Shaw
Hi Honey:
I have received your V Mail letters one No. 10 the other dated March 18. So you can see how the time is on these. I also received your No. 2 Air Mail letter that did not take but a few more days on the way. So you can write either way you want to but you can get so much more in Air Mail that it is worth the difference in time it takes.
I had a letter from Opal [John’s sister] also a few days ago but have not had time to answer yet. We have been plenty busy but it is all very interesting. So I don’t mind in fact it is welcome as there is not much else to do except work and sleep and time goes by faster.
It is good that you are having such good business and all is going so good. Your article in Am. Rest. Magazine should be a surprise to Al. B and maybe wake him up to the idea that his employees are not as dumb as he thinks at times. I sure would get a kick out of it if I was there so you can mail me a copy of the magazine or the article in a letter. Tell Chuck [Charles Sharrard/Nena’s son] the beer or bitters here are not so hot but in time I may get to like it as nothing better can be had very often. I did have a few shots of good Scotch whiskey the other night but not often. And the money is a bit confusing for a while as it is divided into 1 pence—3—6 pence—12—24—30 pence coins instead of our system of 1—5—10—25—50 cents and the paper money is 10 Shilling (about $2) then 1 pound note ($4.04) then 5 pound note, but I am catching on pretty fair at making change.
I too saw that article about Nora and the children but didn’t expect it to make news back there but I don’t think it happens that way very often at least I have not seen anything that looks that good to me yet they are all much rougher looking than there. So you were right. You wanted to know if I wanted anything, getting packages here is like X-mas. Some of fellows have been here long enough to be getting packages regular and it is a big occasion when one arrives. Candy is hard to get here also cookies in fact anything to eat is more than welcome. I am not sure if you have to have a request to send a 5# package but I think you do so I will send you one and maybe you can use it anytime later when you want to send anything at least you can try it. If not I will request things as I need them and you can send them when you have time to do it.
I need a shoe polishing cloth & brush if you can get one at the dime store. Also a few packages of Model pipe tobacco and a few cigars not many but a few, cookies any kind and fill the rest up with candy. Better make it a kind that will not melt as it takes about a month to get here also a flash light if you can get one.
March 31
We got paid today and for once I have more money than I can use so am sending you $20. Use it as you want but let me know if you get it O.K. as they send it thru the government some way and it don’t cost us any to send it.
Well I will quit for now remember I love you even if I don’t get the time to remind too often. Yours John.