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435th Medical Collecting Company - Separate, Chipping Norton (2026)

02/11/2026

Wednesday, November 1, 1944

The 435th is still operating a casualty collection station in Onville. They've been billeted in the houses and buildings of Onville since October 20th.

Corporal Clair Simpson wrote home to his wife Shirley.

"My Darling Wife:
I didn’t receive any mail from you today, but I received a Signal (Editor's note: This was their hometown newspaper - The Guide Rock Signal). It was July twenty seventy. It must have been lost for a long time.
How have you been getting along?
I don’t believe we would have to play cards for me to win. Would we? I love you honey & I miss you an awfully lot. The news is pretty good maybe it won’t last much longer. I sure hope it don’t. We will make up for this being apart honey. I Love you Shirley. Don’t work too hard.
Love,
Clair"

Back in Guide Rock, Nebraska, Shirley didn't receive any mail.

Captain Stanley Franklin wrote home to his wife and young son.

"Nov. 1 1944
My Darlings Gertrude & Jimmie:
I got some air mail envelopes today so now I can write a regular letter although there's not much to write about. I usually get about 32 envelopes at a time so that I can be sure that I have enough to last me for some time. Now that I'm writing a daily air mail they'll probably last the entire month.
There was very little mail today & again I was among the unfortunates. I had to make several trips today in the jeep and boy was it cold. Fortunately I have a hood on my field jacket which made me very warm & snug. I guess I'd be frozen to death without it. That was a good investment when I bought that coat. The hood itself is worth it.
We're having a movie tonite; the name of which is "Uninvited". I'm going to take in the second show at 8 P.M. They say its a pretty good story.
I'm enclosing a couple of prints of some scenery in this town. One of them is a picture of Coriale & me walking back from chow. The picture is not focused but I'm on the right (looking at the picture). The large building on the left is the church & our building is behind it, containing living quarters for men as well as our kitchen. Looking at the picture you can see the little house at the very end of the street on the left - in front of the truck. That's where we bring our food & eat. I wish you could have a better picture but this will have to do. If you still can't recognize me, I'm wearing the dark field jacket. The other picture is a view of the place where all the women (& G.I.s too) wash their clothes. It is a community washing stand. Everyone uses the same water which comes from a spring. Don't you start worrying about my having my laundry washed here because mine is done at a G.I. laundry which has all the equipment of a modern laundry.
Lt. Lindeman got some corn for popping from home & he's in the process of popping right now. He's doing it right beside me & every once in a while I'll have to duck to avoid being hit. You see, he has no cover on the tin can & then pop right & left. It smells delicious. We have some butter & salt & we'll have a grand time here soon. Maybe we'll take some popcorn to the movies. Remember the theatre at Ft. Oglethorpe (Editor's note: Before they shipped overseas, the 435th was stationed at Fort Oglethorpe in Georgia (about 9 miles south of Chattanooga, TN.) where we'd by popcorn before seeing the show? Same thing here except you're not with me.
Well my sweets, this is the last sheet of paper in this tablet so I'd better sign off before I run out. I'll start one of the boxes tomorrow, when I start the second box will give you the signal for more writing paper.
So until tomorrow my darlings, Good Nite and pleasant dreams. I love you.
Hugs & Kisses
Daddy"

01/11/2026

Tuesday, October 31, 1944

The 435th is still operating the casualty collecting station in Onville, France. They have been operating a Corps casualty collecting station in the vicinity of Onville since September 22nd. Initially, they were in tents outside the city, but they moved into the houses and buildings of Onville eleven days ago (October 20, 1944). During the 31 days of October, they treated 160 patients in the collecting station from various units of the XXth Corps.

While in Onville, the Station Platoon manned the collection station, the Ambulance Platoon transported casualties from various XX Corps units to the collection station, and the Litter-bearer platoon was sent out to work with specific XX Corps divisions that were going into the attack or otherwise suffering heavy casualties.

Today, Corporal Clair Simpson wrote home to his wife Shirley.

"My Darling Wife:
I received two v mails from you today one was written the sixth & one the eleventh. I kinda expected a air mail today, maybe tomorrow. My mail sure has been coming in slow lately. I hope you are getting my letters quicker. How are my darlings by now? I am fine. We have been having pretty good weather here lately. How has it been there? I still haven’t heard from Donnie so he must have moved. (Editor's note: PFC Donald "Donnie" Simpson is Cpl Simpson's brother who was part of the 36th Armored Infantry Regiment. Back in July, he was wounded near St. Lo and was evacuated to England to recover from his wounds. Cpl Simpson is surmising here that Donnie is on his way back to the front lines.) I sure have been missing you an awfully lot lately. I sure hope I see her before she gets much older. I wonder if she will be like her old man? I am quite a bit older. Did you notice it in those pictures that I sent? I love you Sweetheart more each day. . .
Love,
Clair"

Back in Nebraska, Shirley received his October 13th vmail. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E2j14pjYk/

Captain Stanley Franklin wrote home to his wife and young son.

"France
Tues. Oct. 31, 1944
My Darlings:
I ran out of envelopes today, so I'll have to write a vmail today. I hope to get some envelopes tomorrow so maybe an Air-Mail will be written tomorrow. Anyway, there's not much to write about so a vmail will do. It was a cloudy, cold day with the sun coming out at rare intervals, & I mean "rare". There was little mail today so naturally I was among the unfortunates. Yesterday some packages arrived for some of the boys and the sack in which they were was soaked in some gasoline and everything inside was ruined. One fellow got the most delicious fruit cake you've ever seen & it couldn't be eaten because of the taste of gas. He had to throw it away. We're still trying to figure out where the gas came from. Well my Honeys, as news is a rarity today I think I'll close here. All my love to you both.
Love & Kisses,
Daddy"

30/10/2026

Monday, October 30, 1944

The 435th remains in Onville operating a casualty collection station. Interesting note regarding the "three gas patients" treated by others from the 168th Medical Battalion. Apparently a civilian threw some type of incendiary/smoke/gas? device into a house where three soldiers were staying causing them significant pain in their eyes. I would imagine a simple smoke gr***de in an enclosed space could be the culprit, but at this point, they are uncertain as to the specific type of mu****on that was used.

Corporal Clair Simpson didn't write home today.

Back in Nebraska, Shirley received his October 17th air mail. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1a5UBua4d9/

Captain Stanley Franklin typed a letter home to his wife and young son.

"Monday October 30, 1944
My Darlings:
Thought I'd type you a letter for a change. I haven't done this for a long time, I guess its been since England. I received three letters from you today dated Oct. 14, 17, and 20. I also received letters from Milton Raskin and Betty. I have read a lot about the picture you saw with Edith Raskin. "Dragon Seed". I'm glad you saw it. I hope that I get the chance to see it also.
It was too bad about the death of a husband of a friend of yours being killed in action. There are many homes which have suffered that way, but that is the case in wartime. As they say in French, "C'est la Guerre" (Editor's note: the literal translation is "It is the war" but it was used to mean "Such is war".)
In regard to the point system, men with wives don't get the points, they must have one or more children; also combat duty counts. So I guess I can qualify in those respects. However, the way of using the point system hasn't been fully worked out. So its still a mystery as far as it seems. (Ed: Here, he is talking about the system used by the US Army to determine how much the individual soldier had experienced. At the end of the war, it was used to determine the order in which soldiers went home. The more "points" the soldier had accumulated, the sooner he would be sent home.)
I was surprised to hear that you walked to Kenmore Square with Jimmie. Did he walk too or was he in the stroller? I don't think he can be asked to walk that far, can he? Thanks for getting the shaving bowls and the shaving lotion. It hasn't come over yet, but I'll keep my eyes open for them as I'm beginning to need them. The mustard hasn't arrived either but will soon. . . Milton writes that he received his "railroad tracks" and now is a Captain. Will write him a letter of congratulations as soon as I can. There is very little news today. Its been a dull cloudy day and cold. Thank goodness we're inside houses. I'd hate to think of being outside in tents on a day like this, yet there are plenty of boys who are, poor fellows.
There is no movie tonite, so I'm really planning to catch up on my correspondence. The letters keep piling up and I don't do anything about it. Its getting really bad. But tonite's the nite. (I HOPE).
I'm hoping the scarf I sent you has reached you by the time you receive this letter at least before Christmas. I do want you to get it by that time. I'm still looking for something for Jimmie, but if I don't find anything I want you to get him something for me or even put some money in the bank for him. You'll have to be my agent for this present.
Well my Honeys, I think I've said enough for tonite especially since I'm typing and my typing is bad enough. So I'll say "Good Night" to my most precious possessions my dear wife and darling boy. I love you both more than life itself. Regards to the folks.
Love & Kisses,
Daddy"

29/10/2026

Sunday, October 29, 1944

The 435th is still in Onville operating a casualty collection station. Weatherwise, it was a very nice day today. Church services were held for the protestant and catholic soldiers.

During their "off" time, the soldiers play cards and watch movies if available. There is still a special services unit in the area playing movies, but I haven't determined which unit or where the movies were held. Often, they were held in large tents or perhaps buildings. Also interesting to note that the movie being shown in the battalion area (in Labeuville - about 12 miles northwest of Onville) today was "The Hairy Ape." The same movie that the men from the 435th saw three days ago.

Today, Corporal Clair Simpson wrote home to his wife Shirley.

"My Darling Wife:
I didn’t receive any letters from you today, we got quite a lot of air mail in, but I didn’t receive any. Maybe I will get some tomorrow I hope.
Today was a pretty nice day for a change. It’s a lot colder here now. I guess it must be quite cold there by now. How are my darlings by now? I am fine. I thought about you all day today. Sunday is always a long day. I guess its because we do less on Sundays if possible.
We have been playing rummy quite a bit lately. This is really a lonesome life each day is the same as the day before. But honey, one of these days this mess will be over & then Sweetheart we will have the rest of our lives to make up for this. Its going to be wonderful. . . I really miss & need you honey. Take real good care of yourself & our little darling & don’t forget that I love you more each day.
Get mothers recipe for those gum drop cookies & make some & send them to me. OK, put lots of gum drops in them. I mean more than what it calls for. OK?
I Love you Sweetheart.
Love,
Clair"

Back in Guide Rock, Nebraska, Shirley received his October 15 letter. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1MXxeQhCKp/

Captain Stanley Franklin wrote home to his wife and young son.

"Sunday Oct 29 1944
France
My Sweethearts:
I recevied 3 air mails from you today dated Oct 13 and 15. Needless to say how much I enjoyed them. I always do.
Its been a beautiful day here in France today. The sun was out all day long but there was a tinge of winter in the air. You know, those crisp, clear days. Very nice.
Tonite there's another picture at the movies. But I'm not going as I saw it. Its "Stars on Parade" the one in which Arnold. . . By not going, I hope to catch up on my correspondence. I have plenty. Will write v-mails if possible.
I think Jimmie is going to be a great help around the house . . . When you say that neither he nor I should be without each other, you should include yourself. None of us should be without the others. I hope that will be a fact throughout our lives.
Its funny how Jimmie understands now when you start to write that its to Daddy. Gosh, Hon, I wish I could be there to watch all those wonderful changes in him. But I'm thankful to know that at least one of us is there to see it. By your being there and telling me all about it, I feel as though I'm there myself.
I got another picture of myself playing the piano at our b**r party. Apparently many other fellows snapped me while I wasn't looking because the boys say that they've seen others floating around. This picture gives you a better idea of the appearance of piano. It was quite a nice little one. We got it in Oxford. I'd like to get a little spinet when we feel we can afford it and have a place to put it. Wouldn't you? Maybe Jimmie would like to study the piano some day, who knows?
I just got word that the picture is not "Stars on Parade" but "Jane Eire". So I think I'll go in and see it. It's just about time to go so I'll close here & get ready. I guess my correspondence will have to wait again. I love you my sweethearts.
Love & Kisses,
Daddy"

28/10/2026

Saturday, October 28, 1944

The 435th is still operating a casualty collection station in Onville. The battalion commander was in the area again today re-checking the casualty collection station, the soldiers' billets, and the 435th's mess hall. From the 168th's War Diary entry, it looks like the battalion is preparing to move locations again. Also interesting information about the S2 (the battalion intelligence officer) interrogating a civilian at Neufchef regarding a German "robot plant". "Robot" is how they referred to the V-1 rockets created and used by the German army. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-1_flying_bomb

Corporal Clair Simpson wrote home to his wife Shirley.

"My Darling Wife:
I didn’t get any mail from you yesterday, I might get some tonight at our late mail call. I sure hope I do. I hope you are getting my letters quicker than I am yours. I should get several at once when I get some. I haven’t heard from Donnie for about two & one half weeks, maybe he has moved again, I sure hope he doesn’t have to go into action again. (Editor's note: Here, Clair is talking about his brother Donnie, a PFC in the 36th Armored Infantry Regiment who was wounded at St. Lo in July. He has been in England recovering from his wounds, but was scheduled to rejoin his unit and return to the front within the next few days).
I looking at some of the pictures I have of the baby & she looks like you did when you were a baby. She must really be a darling she will be like her mother I betcha. Has she learned anything new lately? She will be over seven months old by the time you receive this letter. She will be crawling all over by the time our anniversary rolls around.
Have you been down home lately? Who stays with you mostly, Tink? Won’t it be heaven when we can be together again? We will make up for all of this being apart. . .
Later. At our late mail call I received two v mails from you, one from Mother & one from Bub. I also got a Signal. There are sure a lot of fellows getting furloughs now, but they might be over here sweating it out after I am home.
I am sure glad that you found a jack knife for me. I see where the WCAU are holding their meetings, they sure are big deals, there was quite a write up in the Stars & Stripes about it.
I sure miss & need you honey, take real good care of your self & of Claire Louise & don’t forget that I love you with all my heart.
Love,
Clair
I Love you honey"

Back home in Nebraska, Shirley didn't receive any mail.

Captain Stanley Franklin didn't write home today.

27/10/2026

Friday, October 27, 1944

The 435th is still in Onville operating a casualty collection station. The 168th War Diary entry refers to making contact with someone from the "XX Armored Division" but I think from past notations and historical accounts, they meant the 10th Armored Division. The soldier they spoke with was trying to find adequate billeting for the soldiers of the 10th Armored Division which would arrive at their location in the next few days.

Corporal Clair Simpson didn't write home today.

Back in Nebraska, his wife Shirley didn't receive any mail.

Captain Stanley Franklin wrote home to his wife and young son.

"Friday Oct 27, 1944
France
My Darlings:
Again no mail today. Back in the old form again.
There's really nothing to write about tonite as its been a very dull day. Nothing doing at all.
The people at whose house we have our meals (they just let us use their table) gave Coriale & me a souvenir handkerchief. So I'm going to send it to you. I know you told me not to buy any more fancy hankies but this was given to me and I didn't refuse. Of course, I told them that they shouldn't but you can be sure they didn't have to break my arm off to make me accept it. I think its pretty. If you don't care to use it for an ornament it would be nice to keep as a souvenir or even in a frame. It would make a nice wall ornament to take some of the other handkerchief & incorporate them in a frame. Don't you think that's a good idea?
Coriale has been practicing to use the typewriter in the spare time of which there's plenty. He found some jokes that he typed up for practice & I had him make me a carbon copy. Some of them are pretty good so I thought you'd like to read them. I'll enclose them also in this letter.
Well my Darling, please forgive a short letter. The lights just went out & I'm using a match to finish. I love you both.
Love & Kisses,
Daddy"

27/10/2026

Thursday, October 26, 1944

The 435th is still in Onville operating a casualty collection station and doing the other mundane things soldiers do when they are not directly engaged in combat - washing clothes, pulling KP and guard duty. Or being the Charge of Quarters if they are an NCO. They are working out of and living in various houses and buildings within Onville. Usually, the home owners remained in the home, living in a separate part of the house.

Corporal Clair Simpson wrote home to his wife, Shirley.

"My Darling Wife:
I received a v mail from you today & one from home. I sure was glad to receive them.
Don’t send me a hunting knife we aren’t allowed to carry them. I hope you can find a jack knife. (Editor's note: Medics during WW2 were not allowed to carry weapons because that removed their protected status as "non-combatants" under the Geneva Convention. Apparently for the 435th Medical Collecting Company (Separate) that prohibition even included such things as hunting knives. Folding pocket knives ("jack knives") were allowed.) Send me a watch band one of these days, mine is about shot.
How are my darlings by now? I am fine. I have been awfully home sick lately. I don’t know just why. But I guess I have reason to be.
I feel just like you do honey maybe this mess will end pretty soon. When we get together again I am really going to stay close to you, we will be as one OK?
I washed quite a few clothes today. I sure don’t like that job. Corporals don’t pull K.P. or Guard. We have to pull charge of quarters though, it comes around about every two weeks. It is really nice not to have to do K.P. It isn’t hard, it just gripes a guy having to wash pots & pans & having your hands wet all day.
There are fourteen dollars difference in pay so I will draw around thirty six dollars now. Have you been down home lately? Has Claire Louise learned anything new?
I love you Sweetheart more each day. Keep your chin up & don’t forget that I love you. OK?
Love,
Clair
I Love you Darling."

Back in Nebraska, Shirley received his September 27 letter. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CBy3f8nus/

Captain Stanley Franklin wrote home to his wife and young son.

"Thursday Oct 26 1944
France
My Darlings:
There's nothing new that has happened since I wrote yesterday's letter so I'm afraid this will be a "quickey". However one never knows, after starting, it may develop into something bigger than I expected.
The mail was very light today, so I didn't get any. Maybe tomorrow, I hope.
The little boy living in our house came down with a heavy head cold and I've been taking care of him. He's about 5 years old & a cute kid. His mother does our laundry and boy, does she do it nice. This is the first time in France that I've had pressed pants & shirt except the time I got a new pair of pants. I'm almost tempted to wear a tie. I'll really be spit'n polish tomorrow. For payment, we gave her a large can of preserved butter. They only get about 3/4 lb per month so you can see she was quite satisfied with her payment.
There's another movie tonite called "The Hairy Ape with Wm Bendix. I've read about it in Time Magazine & its apparently a good movie. I'm going to the second show and find out.
We've been doing pretty good here with movies. You see we're quite a distance from our battalion, and they get only one a week. But with the outfit we're near we can see one every other night, sometimes every nite. These movies are about the only form of recreation available to us, so you can imagine how much we appreciate them. Even if the picture is lousy we thinks its wonderful. Funny, isn't it? I hope we'll be able to take in a movie together real soon. I don't know why, but I always enjoy a show better if you're there with me. I guess its true with everything thing. Things seem to be better whenever we're together. I think its because I know that you're enjoying it, which makes me enjoy all the more. I'm certain that those wonderful pleasures will be ours again.
The news in the Philippines is really good. The cannot hold out against our superior naval and ground forces. Who knows? Maybe the Pacific War will be over sooner than we think. I hope it is because I'd hate to think of having to go over there after being here. But as I always say, its something over which we have no control.
Well, Darling I hear men coming out of the first show so I will have to close now as its time for me to go to the second.
I hope you both are doing OK and are well. I love you my adorable things.
Love & Kisses
Daddy"

25/10/2026

Wednesday, October 25, 1944

The weather is improving. The 435th is still operating a casualty collection station in the houses and buildings of Onville. They either got a lot of mail today or no mail. . . See below.

Within the next few days, the 10th Armored Division is moving into Mars-la-Tour about 3 miles northwest of Onville.

Corporal Clair Simpson wrote home to his wife, Shirley.

"My Darling Wife:
We had a large mail call today. I only received one air mail from you. It was a nice long one I sure was glad to get it.
How are my darlings by now? I am fine. My cold is nearly gone now. You have the same idea that I have about what we will do when I get home. Its really going to be heaven to be in your arms again. I sure hope this mess ends soon as I am really needing my darling.
Did you mean that you don’t want to live in Guide Rock after I get home? Maybe I will feel different after I am home awhile, but right now I feel like I want to go home and stay there always.
How did Chuck’s rib get. Is he still playing?
Don’t work too hard honey & take real good care of yourself & Claire Louise & don’t forget that I love you. We will make up for this real quick after I get home.
I am going to love you to pieces just about OK?
Love,
Clair
I Love you Sweetheart."

Back home in Nebraska, Shirley didn't get any mail today.

Captain Stanley Franklin wrote home to his wife and young son.

"Wed. Oct. 25 1944
France
My Darlings Gertrude and Jimmie:
Today was a beautiful day here in France for a change. The sun shone most of the day. I thought it would be a good day for a shower so I set my mind on it and went and took one. It was swell & invigorating.
There was no mail today I guess we got our share a couple days ago. But still we're always looking for more. Greedy, aren't we?
I made a purchase for you today, and I'm sending it to you in the morning. It is a beautiful hand-painted silk scarf with a handkerchief to match. I think its beautiful but you'll be the one to judge it when you receive it. Coriale (Editor's note: Captain Arthur Coriale - one of the other medical officers in the 435th) & I got the last two in the shop. He got his for his his mother it is a printed one in black and white but mine is a painted thing and very colorful with flowers and fruti - every color seems to be in it. Don't know how you'll take to it, but for my money I think it's the nicest thing I've ever seen.
So at last I've gotten something for your Xmas present (or Chanukah present if you wish). Now I've got to find something for my Jimmie Boy. Am still trying as you can see.
Our mess hall is near houses which are occupied by civilians and one family offered us (Coriale & I) a table to sit at while we ate. She tries to do everything for us to make us comfortable & we in turn bring various items of food. She was the one thru whom I got the scarf by the way. Today we brought her a pound of sugar and she made us a liqueur. She had an extract of orange and she added alcohol and syrup (made from sugar). The liqueur is called "Mirabelle". (Ed: Mirabelle is a tradional fruit liqueuer from the Lorraine area of France - usually made from mirabelle plums in alcohol and sweetened with sugar or honey syrup). We haven't tasted it yet as it must stand a few days, but it smells nice. Will let you know what it tastes like. Maybe I'll send you a little, if its good enough.
There's another movie here tonight & I think I'll go to the second showing at 8 0'clock. I think the name of it is "The Girl in the Case". Will write you all about it tomorrow. No I guess I'll tell you about it now as I just came back from it. It is a short picture and ended at 7 o'clock so I stopped at that last sentence & went & here I am again. It was a picture with Edmund Lowe. It is definitely a class "B" picture and is probably used at home as an added feature to the main picture. It wasn't too bad though. Funny in places, but not too much to tell about. Its about a lawyer who is interested in locks as a hobby. He gets involved in many difficulties including a N**i spy ring who have a formula for an explosive. Sounds like a dime book novel & its not much more than that. Doubt if you'd enjoy it too much.
Darling, I hope you enjoy wearing the scarf and handkerchief as much as I enjoy giving it to you. Be very careful with it as its quite a piece of work. At least I think so. . .
The lights are going to be shut off pretty soon so its my signal to sign off. So I'll say "So long" for now, my sweet. I'll be dreaming of you both as always.
Love & Kisses,
Daddy
P.S. I'm enclosing a picture that was taken of me playing the piano at a b**r party the company had at our last home in England. One of the boys sent the negative home for developing & gave it to me today."

I'm unsure why there is a discrepancy about receiving mail today. It could be that either Corporal Simpson or Captain Franklin misdated their letters. If I had to guess, I'd guess that Corporal Simpson wrote this letter on October 24th, but erroneously dated it the 25th. Corporal Simpson's air mail envelope was postmarked October 25th and the airmail was typically postmarked the day after it was submitted to the postal unit.