More catching up with the home front since the new batch of letters

Sorry for missing a day, but it's bound to happen now and then.  Today I got some of Maj. Gillham's Japanese memorabilia from Emily, his daughter.  Included in the box:

1.  Letters from Frances and others (but none from 1945)
2.  Photographs, including Maj. Gillham in front of the Dai Ichi building, and Gen. MacArthur walking into the building.
3.  Maps of Tokyo and Japan
4.  Souvenirs from places he visited, including Nikko, Atami, and Hiroshima.

As soon as I can, I will scan some of the more relevant photos.

This letter was written 11 days after the previous one, which is the longest hiatus so far.  However, he probably wrote other letters in the meantime -- he has even written one earlier that day, which I don't have in the collection.

Tokyo, Japan
26 Nov 1945

Dearest Darling,

This is my second to you today, but I got some pictures back and wanted to get them off right away.  Since we got our big report off, we are not so busy at the office.  I took one roll of film to one place and another to a different one as a hedge.  One was more expensive -- and much better as you can see.

Guess who is on the court martial that is trying Gen. Yamashita in Manila?  None other than my old friend Gen. Handwerk!  That really serves the war criminals right, doesn't it?

Yesterday I went out into the country to scout around a little, and while I was gone, George Bull came to see me at the hotel.  He left me a note and I wrote him a letter.  He is stationed at Mito, which is only about 80 miles away so we may get together yet.  Mito is the town about which most of our theoretical problems involved at Charlottesville, so we all feel that we already know the place.

When I get the details of your plans, I will also try to have a letter for you at Memphis.  I will send it in care of Mother.  Do you know if she has moved yet and what her new address is?

Transfer of money into a bank in the states takes about three weeks, so if I send any I will send it to the Charlottesville bank, and advise you.

It sounds like Miss Martha is getting to be quite a cutter.  I imagine she will keep things from becoming too boring for you for quite a while.  We are very fortunate to have three such fine children.

You are certainly a smart girl, taking such good care of business and looking after the car so well. The best thing to do to the new paint on the car is to wax it, then you won't have to worry about the dew.  In fact it would make the car look more uniform if it were waxed all over.  I think that would cost about $10 in Monterey, but it is a big job if you do it yourself.

Is any of CASA left at the Presidio?  Is Ord still as busy as ever?

I ran into an officer that spent a month with Joe Mabey -- said he thought he had gone home.

As to what I want you to send me, I can't think of much.  The two padlocks I asked for once before would come in handy.  In the food line something like sardines and hard cheese would be fine.  If you have to show a request at the P.O., I will put a note at the bottom just to cover you.

Lots of love,

Bill

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Tokyo, Japan
26 Nov 1945

Dear Frances,

Please send me some food and some books, and a couple of padlocks.

Thanks,

W.T. Gillham
Maj. COC