Letter to Mrs. Elton Newman – December 17, 1939
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Dear Sister:
Just a few lines to let you know I am fine, I did one guard last night from midnight until 6:00 A.M. this morning but didn’t intend a go on another one until tomorrow night at 6:00 PM. It really is tough guarding. You are plowing in white clay up to your ankles all around the joint. This sure is a good place for a barracks it is just like a mansion (inside) alongside of ours in Windsor.
Well say this I expect to be in Windsor Wed. night if nothing happens between now and then. I am not allowed outside the building unless on duty or with a pass which I won’t be able to get until Tues nite, but a kid in the Scottish that I know and one from the Air Force and I sneaked out this afternoon and over to the power house & they showed me all through & then we came back through the tunnel. There are seven miles of tunnels underneath the building running to different places and buildings which we are not supposed to be in but the other boys found the entrance and use it to sneak out at nites, by going over to the power house and out the door over there.
We’re about 1½ miles from Hepburn’s farm and about three miles from St. Thomas which is easy to thumb our way back in fourth with smart uniform. (tee hee)
There are about twenty of us Scottish down here now. I was the only private to come yesterday as there were three officers which made almost a carload with all of our equipment.
Well I miss being with you sometime this weekend, but expect to be there for about four days over Xmas next weekend.
Will we sure had a good time went on Wed. nite at the dance. Ruth was wishing she didn’t have to work so late next Wed. so she could go with me again, but I don’t think I’ll be there myself. Well I guess I had better close now and go to the canteen for some refreshments as it is 6.45 and then I am going to bed early and get a good nights sleep. Well say hello to everybody down there for me. Hope I see you all soon
Bye bye for now
I remain as ever
Harry
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