Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection
Language Note: We recognize that items in this collection use outdated and/or racist language. Unless otherwise noted, this is the language used by the record creator(s) and not imposed by the Beulah Culbertson Archives and Special Collections. Visit our website to read our harmful language policy.
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Letter from Sonny Boy to Pauline Smith; January 22, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Letter from Sonny Boy to his mother describing the weather in England, his work shifts, playing "hillbilly" music at the pub. He talks about how the mail will be delayed for a bit and requests letters from home, as well as how he is getting used to English money.
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Letter from Sonny Boy to Pauline Smith; January 27, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
V-mail letter from Sonny Boy to his mother from a camp in England. He discusses rainy weather, a fuel shortage in his camp, and being given his first service ribbion.
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Letter from Sonny Boy to Pauline Smith; January 31, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
V-mail letter from Sonny Boy to his mother from a camp in England. He discusses waiting for payday as he is broke, and weekly inspection for which one of the factors is clean clothes but it is raining.
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Letter from Sonny Boy to Pauline Smith; January 8, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Letter from Sonny Boy to his mother describing how he made a watch and gifts he got from his mother and sister.
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Letter from Victor Ellard to Pauline Smith; January 12, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Letter from Victor Ellard to Pauline about his opinions on the war and the everyday happenings in his life, including Christmas dinner, hearing from his family members overseas, and conversations with other soldiers.
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Telegram from Sonny Boy Smith to Bernice Smith, August 12, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Sonny Boy, fighting in France, openly expresses how vulnerable he has been to men shooting at him and how he has experienced fear, but he frames these experiences within a positive perspective. He describes the jubilance the communities around him express towards the Allies.
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Telegram from Sonny Boy Smith to Bernice Smith; March 11, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Sonny Boy briefly expresses his experience with haircuts in the army and mentions that the soldiers fulfilled "Inspection." This letter also shows, through his friendship with Vick, how it can be difficult to arrange visits with other soldiers.
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Telegram from Sonny Boy Smith to Christine Faust; September 5, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Sonny Boy mentions having received the the harp Christine and Woody sent him, appreciating the effort Woody put into obtaining one. Sonny Boy speaks casually of the battlefield as if it is something boring.
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Telegram from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; August 12, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Sonny Boy exhibits a positive attitude about his life. He speaks of some people he knows.
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Telegram from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; June 25, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Sonny Boy receives mail from Christine, including a letter and photograph of her. He has scant news to provide but wants his mother to know he is doing okay.