Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her sister-in-law, Olive Legendre, attempting to persuade her to come for a visit to Medway Plantation and discusses politics.
"Mementoes of Days in Service" details Lawrence Layden's service in World War II from his induction in June 1941, six months before Pearl Harbor, until his formal discharge in December, 1945. Part of the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Layden's squadron provided aerial reconnaissance for Operation Overlord and the assault on Nazi Germany. Through photos and text, Layden's scrapbook follows him from his initial assignment in Louisville, Kentucky to bases in England and continental Europe. The album contains reconnaissance photos used in the assault on Europe, photographs of Layden at various bases throughout the war and several photographs of Buchenwald concentration camp, visited by Layden six days after its liberation.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, lamenting the poor weather they had on his day off from the office, preventing him from going to the beach, and relaying his boredom with how routine his life has become.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding news of the war, relaying news of their friends, and providing him with a description of their daughter, Bokara. Gertrude continues in her letter to inform him that she sent her new puppy back to the kennel for training and things she has recently sent him.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, lamenting how long it has been since he last saw her, discussing the social activities she described in her last letter, and recounting he and Morris’s first trip to the Outrigger beach club. Sidney continues in his letter to describe the Outrigger club, their first attempts at surfing, and a movie they had just seen called “Holiday Inn.”
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, responding to the social activities she described in her last letter, explains why he has ceased to have indigestion, and laments that their telephone conversation was so short. Sidney continues in his letter to recount a story of him getting locked out of the apartment.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, thanking him for the gift of a silver and gold fish pin she recently received. Gertrude continues in her letter to comment on her brother-in-law, Morris Legendre, becoming a father.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing his Christmas, the gifts he had received, and the atmosphere of the office the day after Christmas.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding how busy she is at her war job, her social activities, her new puppy, and how much she misses their dog Clippy.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding news of the war, a boy who will soon be carrying a letter to him in Hawaii, and the improvements she’s making to the house she’s renting.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, recount the events of Morris’s birthday party, describing the stress of their jobs, and lamenting that their beloved dog, Clippy, had died. Sidney continues in his letter to encourage her to leave the office more for some exercise, describe a tennis game he and Morris had played with some acquaintances, and the confusion surrounding her late phone call.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, regarding a law suit they are planning to bring against the government, business affairs of Medway Plantation, and telling her of the drills they have to do on the Navy ship every morning. Sidney continues in his letter to discuss teaching their relative, Fifi, how to do the bookkeeping after her husbands death and a lunch he and Morris had with their Aunt Kate.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, informing her of an acquaintance he had made on the Admiral’s staff, describing a luau he had attended, and explaining his reluctance to be social as he is happy to just spend time with his brother. Sidney continues in his letter to discuss their business affairs, the lack of food shortage in Hawaii, and lamenting that he may be an old man before the war is over. He also describes the bliss of being away from the woes of Medway Plantation, his love of the island, and delivers the most recent news of Morris’s pregnant wife, Nancy.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, relaying her wishes to join him in Hawaii, discussing the last letter she received from him, and how she agrees that they should try to sell Medway Plantation after the war. Gertrude continues in her letter to describe how discontented she is with her desk job and ask him questions about his life in Hawaii.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, planning a telephone call with him in Hawaii, describing the events of a weekend she spent with friends in the countryside of Maryland, describing the house she has found to rent in Washington, and informing him on the business affairs of Medway Plantation. Gertrude continues in her letter to describe her daily life and delivering news of family and friends.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, asking him questions about his life in Hawaii, discussing her difficulty in finding a house, and describing her job and average day.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, relaying news of their friends and fires near Medway Plantation and discussing the progress of the war.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding a new scheme for her to possibly join him in Hawaii, discussions of the front lines of the Pacific and African wars, and descriptions of the outfits her courier wears. Additional pages are missing.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing an acquaintance’s house in Hawaii where he and Morris were invited to play tennis, lamenting that they are not together for their wedding anniversary, and reminiscing on anniversaries they had spent together. Sidney continues in his letter to inform her of his infections and illnesses and advise her on how to handle their business affairs. Portions of this letter have been removed by the censor.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, recounting a story of touring around Europe on a tennis tournament circuit as told to him by a new acquaintance and describing how their department is changing offices. Sidney continues in his letter to inform her that although Morris designed the office perfectly, he forgot to create an office for himself and Sidney, and as a result, their desks are in the hallway.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, asking him questions about his life in Hawaii, news of the war, and her social activities. Gertrude continues in her letter to describe a fire that occurred at Spring Grove, one of their plantation properties, and relaying news of friends and family.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding the house she is currently renting in Washington, news of the war, items she will ship him, shortages, and news of friends and family.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, discussing war news, arranging to have a housekeeper come up from Medway Plantation, describing the house she is renting in Washington and her social activities.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, describing her new puppy, her frustration with small roles women are given, and a trip she made to Foxcroft school to visit their daughter, Landine. Gertrude continues to discuss the war, the possibility of renting Medway Plantation, and relay news of friends and family.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, regarding his transfer to Hawaii, Morris’s illness, and the people of their acquaintance he has encountered on the west coast.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding a scheme to join him in Hawaii, describing her social activities, and relaying news of her sister-in-law, Nancy’s, pregnancy.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, speculating how long the war will last and relaying news of one of their servants, Pearl, needing another surgery. At the beginning of the letter she explains that she has heard that Ensign J. Pulitzer is heading out to Hawaii and will be carrying the letter.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing the day off he spent swimming at the beach and playing tennis and recounting a story his friend, Teddy Burwell, told him about how he obtained the mounted moose that hangs in his study at home.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, regarding the business affairs of Medway Plantation, describing the events of their day spent attempting to ship twenty tons of Japanese books and hanging model airplanes from the office ceiling, and explaining his theory on the speeds of various types of mail. Sidney continues in his letter to inquire as to whether she has received the “aloha shirt” he had sent her yet and lament the poor weather they’re having in Hawaii.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, discussing the weather in Hawaii, their attempts at cooking, and the possibility of suing the government for seizing part of Medway Plantation. Sidney continues in his letter to list the letters he has written and ask her to identify which ones are missing and applaud her tirade against men.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, explaining his lack of transfer based on his skill set, advising her about her job, and day dreaming what their lives will be like after the war. Sidney continues in his letter to advise her on how to handle the possibility of renting Medway Plantation during the war.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing the events of his previous evening and his birthday, when they visited a new club on the beach and went swimming. Sidney continues in his letter to recount a story of them playing tennis with some friends, a ship that was recently sunk, and the new rules of the Bachelor Officers’ Quarters (BOQ) that prevented them from having supper that evening.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, commenting on the torrential rain thrashing Hawaii, requesting information about Medway Plantation, and discussing the battle of the Solomon Islands. Sidney continues in his letter to inform her of their potentially moving closer to the Navy base.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, discussing the possibility of not living at Medway Plantation after the war, explaining that his job as an administrative officer is more of a secretary position, and asking her if she remembered a gentleman they had met by the name of Hennings. Sidney continues in his letter to describe Morris’s illness, the mandatory black out in Hawaii, and the lack of censorship on her letters. He also discusses the war and attempts to provide her the information she needs to schedule a phone call to him.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, regarding the availability of whiskey, relaying the most recent news on her being able to possibly join him in Hawaii, and expressing his humor at a prediction a fortune teller had made. Sidney continues in his letter to update her on the news of their relative Fifi, rejoicing over their having milk again, and informing her had as a terrible cold. He also discusses news of friends, the weather, and their attempts at cooking.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, lamenting over the extra work that has been created for him after he gave his brother, Morris, the cold he had, recounting the events of an evening he spent having dinner at the Howard’s, and relaying news of some of their friends who have turned up in Hawaii.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, recounting the events of a Sunday they spent touring the airfields of the island in the rain. Sidney continues in his letter to tell a detailed story about he and Morris getting their car stuck in flood waters from the rain. He then relays events pertaining to Morris ruining a cake he tried to make for dinner and discuss the events of the war.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, expressing how much he misses her, giving his preliminary review of Tolstoy’s War and Peace, and applauding her decision to go to the country that weekend. Sidney continues in his letter to advise her to let their dog, Honey, be an inside dog, describe the changes in day and night shift that are occurring in his office, and not that her bookkeeper’s figures were incorrect.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing a dance he and Morris had attended at the Navy Yard, a game of tennis they had played with some acquaintances, and and delivering news he had heard of their friend and neighbor, Ben Finney. Sidney continues in his letter to explain that Morris has become the perfect example of efficiency and tell her about the acquaintances he met on the boat en route to Hawaii.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, lamenting the slow speed of the mails, describing the Hawaiian orchestra that he heard playing on the hotel lawn, and teasing her over her accusing he and Morris of having girls and a gay life. Sidney continues in his letter to ask her not to tell her entire office that he does not write her, as he does, and his letters are slow or going amiss.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, lamenting the illness of their dog, Clippy, relating an incident he and Morris had with traveling difficulties, and telling her of the work they’ve been doing to help their relative, Fifi. Sidney continues in his letter to describe an afternoon he spent playing tennis with friends.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing the commotion the construction in the office is causing, lamenting the departure from the island of his friend, Teddy Burwell, and describing the change in climate on the island.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing the difficult process to send a cable, lamenting the slow speed of the mail, and rejoicing that he can swim every day after work. Sidney continues in his letter to detail his average day and request war updates.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, discussing his most recent letter, describing her social activities and their daughter, Bokara, relaying news of family and friends, particularly the progress of her sister-in-law, Nancy’s, pregnancy.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, asking where he is stationed if he has been removed from Hawaii, asking him not be upset with her for expressing her jealousy, and describing how much she misses him. Gertrude continues in her letter to discuss the last letter she had received from him and relay news she had heard from their friends.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing their life on the island, the construction occurring in the office, the shortages of clothing in the continental United States, and reminiscing on Christmases past that they had spent together.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding how the weather has effected agriculture and caused food shortages, her war job, a dinner party she is throwing, and discussing war news. Gertrude continues in her letter to inquire as to how he is going to spend his 40th birthday in Hawaii.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, relaying her unhappiness and how it feels to be separated from him, her war job in Washington, and the damage the government has done to their property on Medway Plantation. Gertrude continues in her letter to deliver news of family and friends, describe her new puppy, and reminisce on times they spent together.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding her war job, her search and inquiries for a new puppy, and delivering news of friends and family. Gertrude provides Sidney with a description of their daughter Bokara and an update on how his brother, Morris’, wife is doing with her pregnancy.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, lamenting his inability to return to the continental United States to be with her on Christmas, describing an exchange he had with a man trying to retrieve a multilith machine, Morris’s cooking, and the previous day at work.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, praising their housekeeper, Rose, discussing Medway Plantation business affairs, describing her job and general business affairs.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding family news, her job in Washington and her upcoming trip to Medway Plantation to hunt ducks.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, commenting on her weekend spent with a friend, the weather, and his brother, Morris’s, habits. Sidney continues in his letter to rant against the Bachelor Officers’ Quarters (BOQ) new rule that they will only serve 250 men per meal, thusly causing him to miss dinner, and requesting news for some of their friends.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing he and Morris’s Thanksgiving dinner and a party they attended on the west coast. Sidney continues in his letter to discuss what he believes their lives will be like after the war.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, describing a puppy she has purchased, discussing he war in Africa, her social activities, and a visit to Middleburg to visit their daughter, Landine. Gertrude continues in her letter to lecture him on how to care for himself better, so as to get rid of his cold, and relay news of their friends.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing Christmas in Hawaii and how slow the work day was on account of all the civilian workers having Christmas Day off from work.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, regarding his departure for Hawaii, his trip, and a book he was reading. Sidney continues in his letter to discuss their relative, Fifi’s, plans for moving back to New Orleans after the death of her husband.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, discussing the last letter he had received from her about her hunting trip to Medway Plantation and recounting his social activities, or explaining the lack thereof. Sidney continues in his letter to describe the current work atmosphere of his Navy job, discuss his Christmas plans, and lamenting her difficulties on the mainland.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding a visit to Medway Plantation to duck hunt with some friends. Gertrude continues in her letter to discuss the business affairs of Medway Plantation and news of the war front in Africa.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding a trip to play tennis with a friend at Chevy Chase country club, relaying news of friends and family, expressing how much she misses him, and discussing their plans for Christmas.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding her disdain for her current war job, a weekend trip to Middleburg, Virginia with friends, and describing her social activities. Gertrude also informs Sidney of the shortages of firewood and food.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding a lunch she had where she learned details of the atmosphere in Hawaii, going to see the Ice Follies show with friends, and an upcoming trip to Medway Plantation.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding the president limiting all incomes to $25,000 and the subsequent issues this causes for their business affairs. Gertrude continues in her letter to relay news of friends, describe a Sunday she spent picnicking with friends, and describe her war job.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, wishing him a happy birthday, thanking him for a gift he sent her, informing him that their daughter, Landine, has the mumps, and relaying news of their friends.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding a weekend she and Landine spent at her brother, Stephen Sandford’s, house, relays Landine’s excitement over starting school at Foxcroft, and delivers news of friends and family.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding Landine’s return from Foxcroft for Thanksgiving, news of a friend killed in Africa, and discussing the progress of the war. Gertrude continues in the letter to discuss their plans for Christmas.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, recounting the difficulties he had trying to connect with her for a telephone call and discussing their telephone conversation. Sidney continues in his letter to compare his life on the island to what he has heard of the continental United States, relay news of his brother, Morris’s, baby, and tell her about a book one of their Medway Plantation workers wrote.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, relaying news of friends and family, discussing the last letter she had received from him, and how busy she is at her war job. Gertrude continues in her letter to describe the improvements she’s making to the house she’s renting.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding a visit to Foxcroft school, discussing the business affairs of Medway Plantation and the possibility of getting a night job in addition to her day job.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, praising her work ethic, explaining the difficulties when trying to get a phone call in Hawaii, and rejoicing over the beauty of Hawaii. Sidney continues in his letter to express his wishes to see his brother, Armant, stationed in Hawaii soon, informing her that he is not being transferred, and describing his trip to the osteopaths for his back.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, regarding the liquor shortage on Honolulu, how out of shape he is, and a faux secret mission he was sent on to obtain a request for an officer to marry.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing a woman he had met and a dance that occurred at the hotel the previous Saturday. Sidney continues in his letter to discuss events of the war and comment on social stigmas, the general public’s attitudes, and things he had noticed.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, listing the dates and numbers of his letters, asking Gertrude to send him a pair of tennis shoes and garters, as there is a rubber shortage, and describing the horrors of playing tennis with the “victory balls.” Sidney continues in his letter to tell her that he has caught a cold and lament the shortage of milk.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, alerting her to keep an eye on the mail for a gold clip he has sent her, ranting against the people who think it is a good idea to buy houses in Washington, D.C., and relaying his frustrations with his job as he feels he is not doing anything to truly benefit the war.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, informing her that Morris is the epitome of efficiency, the deportation of women from the islands, and lamenting that he and Morris had not learned to fly. Sidney continues in his letter to describe the wonderful meals they have, the peaceful and tropical atmosphere of the islands, and his and Morris’s job.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, responding to her most recent letter about her social activities, which puppy she should purchase, and their daughter, Bokara. Sidney continues in his letter to recount the events of his day rushing to get a chart prepared for an admiral, discussing how they have made their jobs more efficient, and describing an evening spent swimming at the beach.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, regarding business affairs of Medway Plantation, expressing the advantages of he and Morris having their own apartment off-base, and rejoicing over her joining Chevy Chase country club. Sidney continues in his letter to inform her that Morris’s wife, Nancy, had given birth to a girl, discussing arrangements for Christmas gifts, and relaying news of their friend and neighbor, Ben Finney.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, discussing their work, how she could possibly join them in Hawaii, and Morris’s work success. Sidney continues in his letter to reminisce on time they had spent with their beloved dog, Clippy, lament over how much coffee and Coca-cola the officers in his office drink, and describing their meals.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, recounting the events that lead up to their eventual telephone call, discussing the business affairs of Medway Plantation, and relaying the attitudes of people in Hawaii regarding the war. Sidney continues in his letter to discuss news of their friends moving to Washington, D.C., informing her that the newspaper clippings she is enclosing in her letters are not arriving, and speculating over how nice it must have been for her to spend with her brother, Laddie.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing their average evening, recounting the events of he and Morris playing tennis, and updating her on changes in their office personnel. Sidney continues in his letter to tell her a story of a few men who bought a car together and inform her that all telephone conversations are recorded and sound hilariously disjointed on paper.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, regarding the discrepancies between the censorship of their letters and what the media is reporting, his tour around a submarine, and the cooking he and Morris do with canned goods. Sidney continues in his letter to recount his end of the story of their difficulties trying to connect on a phone call and his irritation at being told they have to move offices again.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, relaying news of family, friends, and the war. Gertrude continues in her weather to discuss the atmosphere of Washington and how much she envies his post in Hawaii.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, asking his plans and placement for the rest of the war, updating him on her plans for their daughter, Landine, to attend school in Middleburg, Virginia, and an event she attended at her alma mater, Foxcroft school. Gertrude continues in her letter to describe the house she has rented and ask him questions about his job in Hawaii.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, discussing his previous letter and asking questions about his life in Hawaii, describing their daughter, Bokara, to him, and telling him about her social activities.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding scheduled phone calls with Sidney every other week, plans for the children, her job, and her social activities in Washington.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, praising their housekeeper, Rose, discussing Medway Plantation business affairs, describing her job and general business affairs.
