David Drummond letters
Collection — Folder: S383
Identifier: S0383
Scope and Contents
These five letters were written to David P. Drummond in the army during World War II. The authors were: Bernice (last name unknown), a girlfriend (unknown), his grandmother, and his father, David J. Drummond.
The two 1944 letters were typed on stationery with the imprint: Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, Indianapolis, Ind., Office of the Collector, District of Indiana. The lower left corner imprint is: For Victory, Buy United States War Bonds and Stamps. The letters were typed on November 18 (2 pages) and November 26 (1 page), with greeting "Sonny Boy" and signed "Your Loving Dad." He tells about his work for the IRS. On the 2nd page of the November 18 letter, Mr. Drummond wrote about David going to the Pacific Theater of the war, and stated: "from all the reports, Germany is about done and that Nation is bound to crack up soon, and that something has evidently happened to Hitler, the same as it did to Rommel, which will be made known eventually to the world, and it's up to the rest of the Nazi leaders to try and hold that country together. However, with the advance of the Allied troops, it just can't last very long in Western Europe. Then with what I hear, relative to the B29s being sent to the Southwest Pacific, and with what has happened to the Japanese Navy, that country, it is true, will fight to the last man, but they won't be able to take what this Nation is going to pour onto them in the way of Aerial bombardment being prepared at this time."
The three 1945 letters were hand-written and make reference to "your father," but were apparently written by a girlfriend. There is a Valentines Day letter from February 14, but it is partially illegible due to water damage. In the February 25 letter, she wrote: "Loads of luck Lovey and, Dave, always remember I shall wait for you to come home, if it takes 20 yrs. As ever and with all my love." The March 19, 1945 letter is from Bernice and written in ink, with one page in pencil by David's grandmother.
The two 1944 letters were typed on stationery with the imprint: Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, Indianapolis, Ind., Office of the Collector, District of Indiana. The lower left corner imprint is: For Victory, Buy United States War Bonds and Stamps. The letters were typed on November 18 (2 pages) and November 26 (1 page), with greeting "Sonny Boy" and signed "Your Loving Dad." He tells about his work for the IRS. On the 2nd page of the November 18 letter, Mr. Drummond wrote about David going to the Pacific Theater of the war, and stated: "from all the reports, Germany is about done and that Nation is bound to crack up soon, and that something has evidently happened to Hitler, the same as it did to Rommel, which will be made known eventually to the world, and it's up to the rest of the Nazi leaders to try and hold that country together. However, with the advance of the Allied troops, it just can't last very long in Western Europe. Then with what I hear, relative to the B29s being sent to the Southwest Pacific, and with what has happened to the Japanese Navy, that country, it is true, will fight to the last man, but they won't be able to take what this Nation is going to pour onto them in the way of Aerial bombardment being prepared at this time."
The three 1945 letters were hand-written and make reference to "your father," but were apparently written by a girlfriend. There is a Valentines Day letter from February 14, but it is partially illegible due to water damage. In the February 25 letter, she wrote: "Loads of luck Lovey and, Dave, always remember I shall wait for you to come home, if it takes 20 yrs. As ever and with all my love." The March 19, 1945 letter is from Bernice and written in ink, with one page in pencil by David's grandmother.
Dates
- 1944-1945
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
According to the 1940 federal census, the Drummond family was living at 502 East Maple Road, Apt. 10, Indianapolis. David J. Drummond and his wife Floy L. were both 49 years old. They had one son living with them, David P. Drummond, who was in his 3rd year of high school. David P. Drummond was born on June 20, 1922, and died on December 15, 1977.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
These five letters were received on February 24, 1970, by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from the Atkinsen Real Estate, owners of an abandoned farm house on Ditch Road and 116th Street, where they were found.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing and finding Aid completed 2014/05/08 by Nikki Stoddard Schofield.
- Title
- David Drummond letters
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
