October 1942

Jan Palson

01 Oct 2026 — 1 min read

Mom and Dad get few days together as the month begins. Guess the big news are plans and negotiations for their own trailer. Buying your first “real nest” is exciting considering Mom’s condition. But that also means Mom will be in charge in managing the move while working and finding a doctor. This “baby boom” is just getting started. Healthcare is mostly the local doc who still makes house calls. Military healthcare will evolve into the most effective and efficient system anywhere but in 1942 there is nothing for spouses much less maternity care.

Note: We learn to spell furlough this month but “trailer” will remain phonetic.

Here’s the front page from the Boston Globe as the month begins:

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Oct. 23, 1942 - Dear Audrey

Are you really getting fat? Can you believe he asks her that? And throwing a young lady's bathing suit out a car window is exactly how you get in this situation. He's walking guard and playing football while Mom carries all the responsibilities. Their tire worries

Oct. 22, 1942 - Dear Sternsie

I’m lucky I have such a wonderful wife. How nice of the Little Nahant Women's Club to bring coffee out to the soldiers patrolling the beaches. Considering how it's in short supply. Really short supply. A sandwich wouldn't hurt though. It's

Oct. 21, 1942 - Dear Audrey

You Grala girls are a bunch of hot rocks. So they own their own trailer. Very exciting. It's only 5 days until he gets his pass and high-tails it out of there. Along with the furlough, it's a well deserved rest. Unless he breaks his

Oct. 20, 1942 - Dear Audrey

It is my tough luck this lad is in my barracks Get ready for some first class comedy. Then the Star Journal from Lansing, Michigan ruins his day. Nice short letter though. Fingers crossed for the 27th. Original Letter Transcript follows. Transcript For some context, War Updates follow the transcript.

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Oct. 23, 1942 - Dear Audrey

Oct. 22, 1942 - Dear Sternsie

Oct. 21, 1942 - Dear Audrey

Oct. 20, 1942 - Dear Audrey