"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, discussing his options of where and when to leave his Navy post and the post-war changes being made to the island. Enclosed is a letter from Robert F. Knoth to Sidney Legendre regarding the possibilities and profit of the timbering of Medway Plantation.
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 Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, recounting a story about the policemen they met at the tennis courts and describing how “secretive” his brother, Morris, has become.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his brother, Armant Legendre, lamenting Armant’s lack of release from the Navy and recounting a story he heard about the entire fleet chasing a single submarine around the Pacific.
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 a trip she recently took to Virginia with friends and speculating over whether or not she should join the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAACs).
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding her job transfer, whether it be to Hawaii or elsewhere. Gertrude continues to deliver news of the children’s summer on Watch Hill and news of their friends.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding where they should live after the war, life in London, England, and discussing her plans for the rest of the war.
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 Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding her social activities in London, England, a day she spent golfing with friends in the country, shortages of items in the city, and relaying news of their friends.
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 Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, recounting the events of his Christmas Day, thanking her for her gifts, and describing the gifts he received from their children and other family members.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, thanking her for sending pictures of herself with the children and for his Christmas presents. Sidney continues in his letter to recounting a story told to him by a friend who was rescued from the ocean after his ship, the aircraft carrier Lexington, sank, and relaying the events of a day off he spent driving around the island, going to the beach for swimming and watching the surfers.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing a report he had heard about a woman escaping the German guard to cross the border into Switzerland and asking if the escaped woman was her. Sidney continues in his letter to recount a meeting he had with an old friend and discuss what has occurred on his side, as it pertains to her capture and release. This letter was written to Gertrude when she was a prisoner of war in Europe and was likely to have been received in the package that was given to her upon her escape and return to the continental United States.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding her job in the Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S.) taking her to England and all the preparations she was making for the plantation and their children.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding a pair of earrings she recently bought at Cartier and her disappointment at already losing one down a subway vent.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, recounting the events of a Sunday off from the office that he spent lounging around the apartment as a result of the rain prohibiting him from going to the beach. Sidney continues in his letter to insist that he and Morris and hermits and lament their return to society after the war.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, responding to the accusations she made in her last letter about him withholding information about their social activities on the island, that they had purchased a house, and that he was not writing to her “APO number.”
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, recounting the events of a Sunday off that he spent touring the island and going to the beach.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding life in New York after her return from Europe, the return of a friend from the war, and the week she spent with their relatives, Katherine and Charlie. Gertrude continues in her letter to discuss a possible scheme to join him in Hawaii.
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 Sanford Legendre, discussing his life in Hawaii, recommending she find an assistant for her job and also that she uses the dictaphone machines for letter writing. Sidney continues in his letter to discuss plans for the children, the family dogs, and news of their friends and family.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Sanford Legendre, questioning her on how she was able to host a cocktail party, regarding news of Hawaii, and discussing plans for the children. Sidney continues in his letter to describe his Navy job and responsibilities.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, praising how she describes her social activities in her letters and how well she has positioned the children for a wonderful summer at the beach. Sidney continues in his letter to describe a house he and Morris had visited and providing her advice on various aspects of her life; from exercise to obtaining a taxi cab.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, reminiscing on their hunting parties at Medway Plantation, rejoicing over the photographs of Gertrude and Bokara he had received, and recounting the events of a Sunday off from work spent swimming at the Outrigger beach club. Sidney continues in his letter to describe a drive he and Morris took around the island, the game of tennis they played, and their cooking competitions at the apartment.
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 Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing the “plumeria” flower on the front of the card, discussing their plans for New Years Eve, and the difficulty to obtain wine in Hawaii. Sidney continues in his letter to describe the khaki clothes of their uniform and the transition period their office is going through.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, recounting the miscellaneous contents of their dinner that evening, discussing the progress of the war, and thanking her for the Christmas gifts she had their housekeeper, Rose, send. Sidney continues in his letter to describe the Christmas gifts she should have received from him.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding the weather, plans to attend dinner and a play with friends, and the dinner party she is hosting the following evening.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing a quarantine as a result of an outbreak of Dengue fever, an incident where a plane flew into a bus of people, and an afternoon he spent playing tennis with a friend. Sidney continues in his letter to discuss what soldiers will do after the war. [Copy]
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, describing a day he spent at the beach swimming and surfing, a beautiful house on a hill they had toured, and advising her on the business affairs of Medway Plantation.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, describing a weekend she spent hunting birds with friends in the English countryside. Gertrude continues in her letter to express how she wishes to join him in Hawaii and discuss his most recent letter.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding their daughter, Bokara’s, birthday party, discussing business affairs, Sidney’s dress shop in Hawaii, and his return to the continental United States.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding an outdoor concert she had attended, day dreaming of their lives if she could join him in Hawaii, and her war job. Gertrude continues to discuss the life he has described to her in Hawaii.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding her job transfer to London, England, s new scheme for her to possibly join him in Hawaii, and her social life.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding the weekend she spent at Watch Hill with the children and friends. Gertrude goes on to discuss business, her social life, and a few newspaper clippings she has enclosed.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding his social life in Hawaii and her job with the Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S.) in Washington.
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 the atmosphere of the island now that the Pacific war was drawing to a close, the issues on the island with workers unionizing, and his new assignment in the Navy to present men with medals. Enclosed is a second letter from Sidney Legendre to Gertrude Legendre, regarding the business affairs of the dress shop and describing a house where he had attended dinner.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, recounting the events of a day off spent at the beach, boasting that he knows all of his brother, Armant’s, movements with the Navy, and telling of how Morris brow beat their captain into applying to have Armant join them in Hawaii. Sidney continues in his letter to describe their work with the Navy.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, regarding her trip to Lisbon and his speculations as to how the war will progress. Sidney continues in his letter to describe an account of the atmosphere of the continental United States he heard from a friend and compare it to what lives they are living “in the lap of luxury” in Hawaii.
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 Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, reprimanding him for describing so much of Hawaii when she is miserable in London, England and describing her social life.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding her social life in London, England, a cocktail party she hosted, and reminiscing on times past they had spent together.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding her war job in London, England, and expressing envy over his station in Hawaii. Gertrude continues in her letter to describe a weekend she spent golfing in the country with friends.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding her despair at not being allowed to join him in Hawaii, she describes the climate of Washington, and writing about the condition of Medway Plantation.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding her social life and activities. Gertrude continues in her letter to discuss news of the war progress.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, discussing the last letter she received from him, lamenting that she can’t join him in Hawaii, and reminiscing on times they were together. Gertrude continues in her letter to contemplate where they should live after the war, should they sell Medway Plantation. In her letter, Gertrude also informs Sidney of her social activities and invitations to dine.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding her attempts to join him in Hawaii and an upcoming trip to New York City with friends.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, recounting the difficulties he was having with obtaining his discharge papers, expressing his frustrations over her accusations that he does not want to see her, and requesting her opinion as to whether he should come to the continental United States or if she’d rather join him in Hawaii. Sidney continues in his letter to describe a picnic he attended with friends and the work they’ve been doing on their apartment house.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his brother, Armant Legendre, lamenting that they were unable to find a way for him to join them in Hawaii, describing their lives on the island, and reporting Gertrude’s laments over being unable to join them in Hawaii, as well.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, regarding news of their friend, Henry Luce, a conversation he had with the chief of staff about the best way to heat a house, and his transfer to a school in the continental United States.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, relaying one man’s opinion regarding the war, teasing Armant for his lack of skill in tennis and surfing, and describing his failed attempt to learn how to ride a motorcycle.
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 Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing a few possible schemes to have her join him in Hawaii, discussing how he anticipates the office to change under new leadership, and recounting the events of his day spent swimming and surfing at the beach. Sidney continues in his letter to lament the poor food they had been served at the Outrigger beach club and describe his and Morris’s first attempts at playing volleyball.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing what it was like to share the apartment with his two older brothers, Armant and Morris, the orders they gave him, and praising her description of a duchess in her last letter. Sidney continues in his letter to speculate how they will live after the war, lament that she has not been playing golf, and attempting to dissuade her from her idea to get a dog.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding her job transfer to London, England, her current life in Washington, and discussing where they should live after the war.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing the family who sat across from him at a luau, expressing his concern for her safety in London, England with all the bombings, and discussing plans for their children. He continues to explain his lack of leave to Gertrude and lament that he does not know when he will next be able to return to the mainland.
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, regarding a walk back from work during a black out, without a flashlight. Gertrude continues in her letter to describe a Sunday spent golfing in the country with friends and her other social activities.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding a weekend she spent at the Watch Hill cottage with their daughters, her social activities, news of friends, and discussing 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, regarding her job transfer to London, England, relaying news of the children’s summer at Watch Hill, and delivering news of their friends.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding a scheme to join him in Hawaii by way of the Red Cross and details what she has done since returning to the United States.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding her arrival in London, England. Gertrude continues in her letter to describe the atmosphere of London in war time and deliver news of their 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 Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding her plans and meetings with various officials in her attempt to join Sidney in Hawaii.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding her social life, news of their friends, and describing shortages in the United States.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, discussing a speech made by Churchill, her war job, and delivering news of friends and family.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, describing a “buzz bomb” raid and a weekend she spent golfing with friends in the country.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, regarding her social life, plans for the children to stay with his sister-in-law, Olive, for the winter, and her war job.
Letter from Sidney Legendre to his wife, Gertrude Legendre, describing what he now looks like and trying to dissuade Gertrude of her ideals on how he looks. Sidney continues in his letter to discuss the war and Gertrude’s trip to their friend Polly’s.
Letter from Gertrude Legendre to her husband, Sidney Legendre, relaying the bad news that she has lost a pin of three gold fishes that he had given her, informing him of her trip to the continent soon, and an upcoming trip to hunt birds with friends in the country.
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.
