Letters, two telegrams and a postcard written by Marcia 'Marcie' Doyle to her mother upon arrival in the USA, 1946 - Part 1

"Mariposia"

P.S. Please excuse the 

writing but I've only

got a few minutes before
the Red Cross women leave with the mail

and I'm just sitting writing on my knee.

Dearest Mother,

Well I'm finally settled

and am prepared for the "big
open spaces." Right now I'm just

sitting on a long deck chair, right

along side the rail so excuse the

scribble, I don't want to move

from here cos I've taken up a

front position so I'll be able

to get a good look at you this

afternoon, I had a huge

breakfast, so I wouldn't need

to go for lunch and lose my

place its now 10 o'clock so my
"posteria" will probably get a
"wittle" sore by 3. AM. I'll have
to give it a massage - or
something? I wish so much
you could come aboard and
look the boat over its something
 

2.

that just couldn't be described its
like a huge floating hotel every
facility possible. The meals are
really first class, last night it
was funny of course you know
how much I think of my stomach
well, I wasn't through the
customs until about. 3 A.M yesterday
So I missed out on lunch, so
the menu was brought around
I ordered first soup, then fish
and was all ready to order
roast etc and the steward got
in before  us and said "What

sweets would you like" so I
didn't have the hide to say
"Roast please" so I just said
"peaches and Ice cream", but
instead of peaches and ice cream
being a combined sweet he
 

3.
brought it in two seperate dishes
and put the both in front of me
gosh did I look a hog, everything one

had a crack at me about it
but I didn't mind, as it was
real nice and soon as I
finished the peaches I just pushed
my plate aside and got stuck
into the ice-cream- Trust me
hay. Now about breakfast
well the other two lasses I'm
with and I decided to eat
enough to last until dinner
tonight so we could get
a front view for the afternoon
and the way I feel now, I

think I've eaten enough for
the whole trip: I started off

with grape juice, then cereal
 

4.  

baked cod-fish onions, potatoes
followed by ham, two eggs
three pieces of toast, two cups
of coffee. what do you think
of that effort I'd certainly have
a hide to back up for
lunch wouldn't I. We eat
in three sittings I'm in the
last;- breakfast at 9.30 A.M. lunch
2. p.m. Dinner 7.30. They must
have known how I like to
sleep in of a morning.
Well Mum, there was a lot
of things I wanted to say to you
but I just couldn't say anything
but you understand don't you.
I'll never be able to repay
you for all you've done for
me, and I'll never forget it
 

5.

Perhaps someday there will
be something I can do for
you  to help repay you. I want
you to promise me that you'll
let me know everything that
happens, if things are going
right or wrong. Its not that
we'll never see each other again
because it will be either one
of us that will make the
trip again. Its too soon to
make definate plans just yet
but there's one thing that I'm
certain of. if Arthur and I
make good and you can
stand up to it the first thing
we'll do will be to get you over
I'm sure that Arthur will
do alright, it won't be from the
 

6.

want of trying on his part if he
doesn't. Mum promise me that
you won't worry about me, I've
met some lovely girls on

board, there are only four
in my cabin. Three of us stick
together the fourth has friends in
another cabin. She isn't so nice
but the other two are really a
nice type and they are going
to states close to Indiana so

if I have to travel by
train I'll have company right

through.  I must say bye for 
now the Red Cross women are
waiting to post the letters, I'll
write to you from Suva again.
Give my love to Valerie Eddy
Basil Alf and [[Dorda?]] & family
and tons and tons of love to yourself
Take good care of yourself
 

7.

and don't worry about me
Bye for now Mother dear all
the best and take good care
of yourself.

Always
your loving
daughter
Marcia
XXXXXXX
P.S. I got a telegram on board
last night from Barbara & Tom.
It was a lovely surprise I
xxxx didn't bother to go over to "mail
call". I was just sitting talking and
I heard the postmaster call out "Marcia
Doyle" and there was a telegram
Wasn't it nice of them
Lots & lots of love

Marcia
 

[FRONT OF ENVELOPE]

M. Doyle

SS Mariposa

BRISBANE

QLD/AUST

5.30PM

5 10 APR 5

1946

POSTED IN

COUNTRY BOX

Mrs. A Drew

Carberry SV.

Grange,

Brisbane Q'ld
 

[FRONT OF ENVELOPE]

M. Doyle

SS Mariposa

BRISBANE

QLD/AUST.

5 5.30 PM  5

10 APR

1946

POSTED IN

COUNTRY BOX

SIGN

FOR

Mrs. A. Drew

Cacherry SV.

Grange

Brisbane Q'ld

 

[FRONT OF ENVELOPE]

M. Doyle

SS Mariposa

BRISBANE

QLD/AUST

5 5 30 PM 5

10 APR

1946

POSTED IN 

COUNTRY BOX
 SIG

FOR

BUY

Mrs. A. Drew

Cacherry SV.

Grange

Brisbane Q'ld

 

[BACK OF ENVELOPE] 

AMERICAN RED CROSS

PR03809