Transcribed by Ray Rogers Nephew, Don Henderson,
I have tried to write the letter exactly as Uncle Ray wrote
it, grammar, spellings and all; His hand writing has gotten cold after more
than 70 years. This letter is written to my mother, Gladys Rogers Henderson Powers
and me, shortly after my Dad, Albert was killed in a car accident, April 1939.
It appears to me that Uncle Ray was in the service until he was killed ,
Four letters are transcribed. SCROLL DOWN TO READ ALL FOUR
LETTERS RETURN TO
RAY ROGERS LINK
Tuesday Night
S.C.S.19-a Co3840
“Dearest Shaddie and Don,
How are you by now fine I hope,
This leaves me ok I guess you think I am never going to answer your sweet
Letter, Shaddie I am working in the kitchen now and don’t have much time, work
Some at night, But I am taking time off
Now to write to you. Just had give me this
Time and I want Do it again.
I thanks this camp is going to move
Next mounth I don’t know far sure yet
Yes Shaddie I am goying to stay another
Six months, Daddie says he might not
Can send the kids to school if I don’t
Stay and you know I don’t want them
To miss school. I know what a good
Schooling will do you. I hope I will
Be satihade the next six months as
I have this six I know I will stay
Yes Shaddie I would like to see all if
If you I sure do get lonesome to see you (over)
Page II
But if its God will maby we can see
Each other nixt april when I get out
I wanted to come home on a leave but
It costest to much. So I don’t gess I
Will, It costest about $40 to go and come
Back my that is a lot of money isn’t it
Shaddie you said some about if me and
You could get us a job when I get out and
Rent us a house and live together. My Shaddie
That would with me if we can get us
A job, I would be willie to do it
But Shaddie I don’t know weather I will
Have any money when I get home or
Not. I have wrote home and said have
Them to send me some money and
Most ever time they say the owe it all.
So you know if they spend
It all this time at this year, you know
They will this winter, so it I don’t have
My money when I get home. I am going
To get the last check You see I will
Beat the last check home and I can
Get it maby, and I could pay down
On me a bed room suit.
III
That is if can and you can get
Me a job Shaddie it would just tickle me
To do it. I sure hope we can. I just hope
We can. You said litter Don was all
Most walking. I sure wish I could see
Him my will I be glad when next
April comes. I will be looking for
Picture of Gauld?? But Shaddie I don’t have
Any of myself now but I will have some
More made and send you the next one of
Them, I wish I could hear from sister and Andy
I haven’t heard from them
In aabout two months, I wish if you see
Sister tell her to write me, I am glad to
Here that Gran Shaddie is better. Tell Mrs
I am going to stay another six months
Well Shaddie iss yourself and little
Don for me and be good. Don’t wait as
Long as I did to answer. With all my
Love to my dearest sister and child.
Begood and answer soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Love to you two Ray Rogers
2ndLetter written to
Mother, Paul and Vivien when they were living in Pr. Neches
Sgt Ray Rogers
Inf
A.P.O. % P.O. Master
To: Mrs. Paul Paul Powers
Port
Dear Darling Sister, Paul & Viv,
This finds me sitting out on the battlefield of
Sis tell Paul little Viv & all sweet hello for & I am doing fine. I wrote Mama also.
Bye for now darling & write me often. May God be with us always.
Your bro
Love to all Ray
The 3rd
letter from Ray was sent to Mother, Paul and Vivien in Pt. Neches
Dearest Darling Sister Paul & Viv,
Just a few lines to say helo & to let you know I am still doing okay.
You have probably gotten my other letter by now so you know where I am. Sis its not much I can write but I want you to listen for the news. Don’t worry darling for I will be okay. How is Paul & little Viv now? Tell them hello & I send my love. I wrote mother a letter also today. Tell Glee hello & to be good. When is this other girl going to write me? Well sis I have got to say bye for now. I will write you again as soon as I can. Bye for now & may God be with us until we are together again.
All my love to all,
Your Bro Ray
The 4th
letter is dated 5 days before Uncle Ray was killed. I don’t know for sure, but
I would guess that the last letter came after he was dead.
“Dearest Darling Sis Bro & little niece”,
Well here I am again to say helo & to let you know I am still okay thank God. Hope this will find you all well. I am writing in a Jap dug out trying to write you so it might not be so nice. Sis I want you to write Sister & Pete & tell them what I am in & what I had written so they will know what outfit I am with. Will you do that? Thanks. Well darling guess you listen to the news so that’s not much to say except ?? & to let you know I am still in one pickle? Tell Paul & little Viv sweet helo & be good. Say helo to everyone for me. Write me when you can darling & I will do the same. So long for now & may God be with us until we meet again. My love to all of you
Your bro Ray