Saunders Family Collection

1941-1945
Manuscript Collection #964
Portions of this collection are digitized (1 item)
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Creator(s)
Saunders family
Physical description
0.01 Cubic Feet, 12 items
Preferred Citation
Saunders Family Collection (#964), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
Access
Access to audiovisual and digital media is restricted. Please contact Special Collections for more information.

Administrative information
Custodial History

October 23, 2003, (unprocessed) 12 items, 0.01 cubic feet; Collection (1941-1945) of war ration books and letters from Pvt. Bernard W. Saunders, a Japanese prisoner of war in the Philippines, and from Staff Sgt. John James "Jack" Mitchell, from England prior to the invasion of Europe received by the Saunders family of Bedford, VA. Donor: Ronald L. Saunders

Source of acquisition

Gift of Ronald L. Saunders

Processing information

Encoded by Mark Custer, February 13, 2008

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Metadata Rights Declaration
Key terms
Personal Names
Mitchell, J. W. (Jack W.)--Correspondence
Saunders, Bernard W.--Correspondence
Topical
Soldiers--United States--Correspondence
World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons, Japanese
Container list
Box 1 Folder a Item 1 Pvt. Saunders letter (11/17/1941), dated en route from Guam to Manila, P.I. To his mother, Route #2, Bedford, VA. 1 item. 3 p. Photocopy holograph. Letter describes recent stay in Honolulu; the boat trip from the mainland; expected arrival in Manila on 20 Nov. by boat; 6-hour stop in Guam, 16 Nov.; future possibility of war with Japan
Box 1 Folder a Item 2 Pvt. Saunders form letter (c. 1943), dated Imperial Japanese Army Philippine Prison Camp #4, to his father Joseph. J. Saunders, Route #2, Bedford, VA. 1 item. 2 p. Photocopy. Letter is a printed form indicating that his health is "good." Typed text: "Am getting along fine. Hope at home are the same. Give my regards to all my friends. May you all have a greata Christmas. Don't worry; my chin is still [up] Answer through International Red Cross. Your son, [Signature]."
Box 1 Folder a Item 3 Pvt. Saunders form letter (c. 1942), dated Imperial Japanese Army Philippine Prison Camp #1, to his father Joseph W. Saunders, Route #2, Bedford, VA. 1 item. 2 p. Photocopy. Letter is a printed form indicating that his health is "excellent," "uninjured" and "well." Typed text: "Hope to see all of you soon."
Box 1 Folder a Item 4 Edward F, Witsell, Acting the Adjutant General of the Army, Telegram (9/17/1945) dated Washington, DC, to mrs. Janie Gray Saunders, Route #2, [Bedford, VA.] 1 item. 1 p. Photocopy. Telegram informs Mrs. Saunders that her son returned to U..S. military control 9/10/1945 and is being returned to the U.S. within the near future and will be given an opportunity to communicate with her upon arrival
Box 1 Folder a Item 5 Pvt. Saunders letter (9/23/1945), on American Red Cross stationery, to "Dear Mom and Dad," Route #2, Bedford, VA. 1 item. 2 p. Photocopy holograph. Letter discusses hardships endured, joy at freedom, receipt of letter from them, anxiety to learn of family
J. W. Mitchell Letters
Box 1 Folder b Item 2 Staff Sgt. J. W. Mitchell, V-Mail letter (9/26/1943) to Mrs. Jack Mitchell, Box 200, Bedford, VA. Photocopy. Letter is a cartoon showing the head of an American serviceman [possibly Mitchell himself] and of Winston Churchill smoking a cigar. Signed: "Jack." Cartoon by "LAZ" A.R.C. 21/9/1943
Box 1 Folder b Item 3 Staff Sgt. J. W. Mitchell, V-Mail letter (12/25/1943) to Mrs. Jack Mitchell, Box 200, Bedford, VA. Photocopy. Letter is a cartoon showing an American serviceman in combat gear holding a censored letter: "Somewhere in Britain December 25, 1943. Dear [Blank] Merry Christmas and [Blank] a [Blank] [Blank] Happy [Blank] Year! [Blank] [Blank] From. Signed: "Jack." Cartoon by Lt. Dave Breger
Box 1 Folder b Item 4 Staff Sgt. J. W. Mitchell, V-Mail letter (ca. Christmas 1943) to Mrs. Jackie Mitchell, Box 200, Bedford, VA. Photocopy. Letter is a cartoon showing a party scene with dishevelled American serviceman sitting on the floor and opening Christmas presents, watched by an assortment of British servicemen and civilians. Text: "Greetings from Britain." Signed: "Love, Jack." Cartoon by "Wingert."
Box 1 Folder c Item 2 Joseph James Saunders, Jr. (age 25) War Ration Book One (5/6/1942) 712 Longwood Ave., Bedford, VA. 1 item. 1 p
Box 1 Folder c Item 3 Joseph James Saunders, III. (age 20 months) War Ration Book One (5/6/1942) 712 Longwood Ave., Bedford, VA. 1 item. 1 p
Box 1 Folder c Item i Frances Ruth Saunders (age 23) War Ration Book One (5/6/1942) 712 Longwood Ave., Bedford, VA. 1 item. 1 p