J.P. Pilley
Maneels, (sic) Calif.
July 17 ’18.
Mrs. A.E. Cole
Ash St.
Baraboo, Wis.
Well by this time I have gotten down to real business. Gun on shoulder and long hikes. It is doing me a lot of good. I am getting strong and look real healthy. Give my regards to Elva W. if you see her.
As ever. J.M. Pilley
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(Letter from his sister)
Adams, Wis.
Sept. 11, 1918
Dears Sirs
Please find enclosed money order of three dollars for the paper. I will also enclose a letter from my brother to have printed. Kindly return the letter.
Yours truly, Mrs. John Howard
Adams, Wis. Box (162 or 62)
(Postcard) 61. CANNES- Palmiers, Promenade de la Croisetta.
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June 13, 1919
Dear Mrs. Cole
I must answer your letter before I put it off any longer. I have been having such a good time lately I have neglected all writings.
I suppose by the time you receive this you will have received my cards telling you of my leave. Yes I was granted a furlough of ten days to visit England. I was surely glad to get it as I heave been trying for it for the last month or two.
I went to London first and just stayed there a day. I was to the service Sunday at Westminster Abbey. Saw the Kings palace and many other interesting places. I then went to my dads old home town St. Helens (sic) Eng. It is a manufacturing town about in the middle eastern part of Eng. Then I went to Warrington (sic) where my great uncle has a large business also my cousins are in business there. My uncle happened to be at Southport at the seaside for a vacation, so as it was not far I went there to see him and had a very nice time. I am at Liverpool for a few days now, but will go to London again and spend my last few days of the furlough.
I have enjoyed it all so far and have seen some very interesting things. I will have a great deal to tell about when I get home.
I suppose you read how they decorated all the soldiers graves in France on decoration day. President Wilson spoke at a cemetery not far from Paris and I was one of the Marines choosen to be on his Presidential guard of honor for the day. There was sixteen of us. It was a fine day and everything went off swell.
You make me just a wee bit homesick when you tell me about those nice drives you have been taking through the country. I have been to all of them and they recall good old times never to be forgotten.
It is nice so many of the boys have arrived home. I’ll bet they are a happy bunch.
Well Mrs. Cole I have a few more points to my credit, a few days before I left Paris I was made 1st class private so you see I haven’t been laying down on the job. It isn’t much and as promotions are hard to get in the Marine Corps I just look at it as equal to corpral or sergeant in the army, anyhow it is just a step up the ladder. I also have been decorated with the allied victory metal, a metal that is given all American boys who have done duty in France.
I must be on my way to London now as it is nearly train time, so will close with regards to all.
Respectfully,
Master
P.S. You may still write me at Paris.
(This is very likely J.M. Pilley as the handwriting seems to match the postcards)
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U.S. Marines Mail
13 June or July 1919
The Promenade, Southport
From Pvt. J.M .Pilley
U.S. Marines
Amembassy (sic)
Paris
Southport, England
I am spending part of my furlough here at the seaside with a great uncle of mine. I am having a grand time. Will be back in Paris next week.
Regards to all.
Master P.