Hal Cohen Letter - October 31, 1943
Item
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Title
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Hal Cohen Letter - October 31, 1943
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Description
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Sun PM Oct 31, 1943
Dearest Bevvy -
Just got back a while ago from visiting Belfast. I had a very interesting time. Bob [Gathercole?] had reserved two beds in the Red Cross building so we slept there Sat. night. They had a dance Sat. night so I went up to watch. There must have been about 300 girls there and just as many fellows. Since the Americans came the girls have learned how to jitter-bug and now would rather do that then most of the other steps. They really can dance too. Quite a few were wearing dancing tights below their dresses so they really went to town. I was surprised tho to see that most of the women in Belfast are rather short.
The dormitory we slept in was swell. The beds have springs, mattresses, a sheet to lie on, one above, seven blankets, and a pillow in a pillow case. All the linen was fresh and they are changed each day. Compared to what we have in camp it was like heaven. It was almost too soft for me to sleep on, but when I fell asleep I really slept like a rock. We woke up at 9:30 and since everything is locked in on Sunday we went back to the Red Cross canteen for breakfast.
By the way they also supply towels with the beds and you can get a towel any time you want to take a shower or wash.
After breakfast we borrowed to bikes and went for a ride. They have fairly new bicycles that are very light and easy to pump. They can be kept out all day and there is no charge. Boy I'd just like to meet some of those people who say the Red Cross doesn't do anything.
Anyway we rode out into the country. Everywhere we saw people riding bikes. Entire families
[page II]
be out. You'd see the children riding in front and their parents following. All were dressed up and in many cases were coming from church. Saw more than one elderly man wearing a bowler and top coat and pedaling along. Too bad the people back home don't do more of it.
We went out about 10 miles before we started back. The outgoing side was mostly uphill so it was a pleasure to roll most of the way back. The country is very pretty and the homes are too. As I wrote before, they are immaculate and they fairly shine. There are quite a few new homes on the outskirts of town that resemble ours in the states. Wish we had a camera along.
Got back to the A.R.C. to find that there was a Halloween dance and party. We ate lunch and then went to the dance. The orchestra was composed of American technicians and called themselves "The Jive Bombers." They were very good but too much jitter-bug music to suit me. Must be getting old.
Had supper (1 shilling - ($.20)) of soup, ham, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, bread, coffee and cake. Then played some pool before leaving for camp. It's a long time since I played so and I really was rotten.
So I had a pretty good time and now I know where to go and what to do the next time I'm there.
All the cinemas are closed on Sun. except for two that are open to service-men only.
What have you been doing? Did all you girls get to-gether the way I suggested?
I'm still wondering about mail. Do you think I'll get any before Christmas? Oh me.
Guess I'll close, not much room left anyway.
Love
Hal
P.S. If I can't get too much enough news in the letter remind me about it when I get home and I'll make up for it.
Hal
[page III]
Didn't recognize the handwriting did you? I ruined the original envelope so rather than hold up the mail I re-addressed this one - Sorry -
Censor Officer
[G.C.B.?]
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Contributor
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Young, Jackson
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Coverage
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World War II
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Creator
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Harold Cohen
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Date
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1943-10-31
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Format
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Written Document
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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Keene State College
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extracted text
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