[303rd-Talk] Christmas in England

[Gordy Alton]

Thanks, Maurice
You really are one of the stalwarts of this email ring.
Your recollections are the best. You were there for a long while. The
combat crews came and went, or regrettably, were lost or shot down and
imprisoned. You and your fellow ground crews were there for the
duration.
Thanks for all you contribute to this Ring.
You have a Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year. God Willing, we will
both be saying the same to each other next year.
I am just the son of a hero. To the members of this group that are still
with us, and are the real heroes, please know that we are so
appreciative of having you still with us.

I salute you all, and wish you the best.

Gordy.

PS: As a little bit of a Christmas present to all of you, I am including
the text portion of a book I helped to edit and write. I try to get out
to as many people as I can. It is printable in word, at about 108 pages.
I encourage you to print it out and get it to whomsoever that may be
interested.
I will offer a CD copy that I am just in the process of improving, in a
few months to those that are interested. It will cost a bit, just to
cover expenses, probably around the 10 or 12 dollar mark. In the
meantime, here is the current copy of "A Diary of the First Combat
Wing".

Merry Xmas.

Gordon Alton
Saltspring Island, BC
"Please remember those who gave so
much for the freedom you enjoy this day."

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	303rd-talk-bounces at 303rdBG.com
[mailto:303rd-talk-bounces at 303rdBG.com]  On Behalf Of Maurice Paulk
Sent:	Tuesday, December 19, 2006 12:00 PM
To:	303rd-talk at 303rdbga.com
Subject:	[303rd-Talk] Christmas in England

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Van Pelt" To: "303rd Bomb Group Talk Forum"
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 12:53 PM
Subject: Re: [303rd-Talk] "Christmas (Eve) of 44" Poem


>  TO ALL THE VETERANS:  If you were in theater for a Christmas,
how does that affect you today?  Do you have fond or bad memories
from that time?  Just curious.
>  Bob

------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------

BOB----I spent three Christmases with the 303rd. As a Supply Sgt in
the A/C Supply I was not subjected to any stress of combat. Like I
mentioned one other time we got passes every fortnight. [Unless
I goofed--& I did 2-3 times] The one Christmas I remember the best
was that of '42. -  a friend from supply ask me to go with him. Couldn't
undestand that as I knew he had a date. The reason came out---she
had a friend. Also an ATS girl. That was my introduction to my first
Enlgish lassie. [ 5' 2" honest!!!!!--I was 6'1"] We spent the holiday
going to shows and eating. Well before the '44 holiday I was well
established in a young man's home in Dudley Worcestershire.
Breakfast in bed on Sunday morning & on cold nights a hot water
bottle or a hot brick & feather ticks on the bed. I don't remember the
year but think it was not Christmas day. We had a plum duff [pudding]
 & Mom Parks apologized profusely for not having any brandy to
flame the pudding. As you probably have guessed I was treated as part
of the family in my home away from home. Harold [the son] & I had a
blast.
Believe it or not we were regular customers of the local coffee shop.

Maurice J. Paulk
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