Ted Cohen to his sister Miriam

My mother left a case full of wartime correspondence from my father and her two brothers, Ted in North Africa and Ronnie in Southern Rhodesia, as well as her brother-in-law Lionel.

I have just started reading and documenting them.

Transcript:

Dear Mimi & Phil,

This afternoon I received your air graph which you wrote on the 4th Jan & as I received one from Ida posted 14th Jan, it seems as if they are speeding up air mail at last. You must know by now that I have received most of your letters & am well informed in every letter I receive as to know you are faring. I am very pleased Mimi that you do write often & expertly. I look forward to your letters so keep up the good work, although in the near future I shan't expect many from you as you will have your hands full alright. Fancy trying to make a "sucker" out of my kid telling him that the new baby will cause his "shnoz" to go out of joint. You don't think he will take that in do you? not my kid. I bet he thinks up some snappy answers eh?! "A man is a toothpaste" gee! how would I love to hear him I'd bite him to pieces I'm sure. You ask about my "new squad" well Mimi (& Phil of course - poor Phil, how he must be suffering) I am with the Yanks & when one is with the Yanks the word "squad" is "taboo". There is no B-S- (ask Phil) & things are pretty easy all round. We walk around just as we please dressed in what we like. Some of the lads strut about in German & Italian officers uniforms. I myself have two jackets complete with badges & epaulettes & a "gery" shirt & many odds & ends. The Yanks clothing in style & believe me the food is good. They are all of a very famous squadron & on the whole are quite a good bunch of lads. I have made friends with quite a few especially with many of our compatriots who are among them. We are making plans to hold sabbath services among us & at times like these I am rather keen. Among my American friends there is Blacky who hails from the "Bronx", "Shorty" from Wisconsin, "Bebe" from Chicago & Walt from Illinois. There are quite a few more but these are my immediates. Unfortunately as wireless aps they are almost hopeless & the RAF (us) do the work for them. Our work is done in shifts (watches) & when we are off watch we could go to Timbuctoo if we wish so long as we return on time for our next shift. Believe me we haven't much time to get very far as we are much too busy. Out here it is very warm in the day time, at least it has been these last few days & once again I have downed my light clothing & become a sun worshipper. Do you know that flowers grow in the dersert. Well! I have gathered some & am endeavouring to press them & so have a nice collection to bring home with me. Well, you two lucky people, apart from all this I bring very little news for you. I can imagine just how you must feel especially you Phil. Believe me don't we suffer Phil! I only wish a man could have a baby so that his wife would know then what it is to suffer. I don't know if you have managed to sort out a name out of the lot I sent you but still - "what's in a name" anyway. I know Mimi that my Colin has set a fine example & a very high standard too, but he / she can equal it & only a Cam, a Goldman or a Kingsley can equal my Colin so far so why not your baby. I should say ours, because he wont be yours only, for long. Well as space doesn't permit (ration for weight you know) I will close. I shan't congratulate you in this letter because - - so! (what do we call it [unclear] or something. Lots & lots of luck & my prayers & blessings with you both. All my love - your brother Ted xxxxxxx

Tagged:
Africa

Contributed by:
Alan Goldman

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