Evening star., 1943-08-22
Music
Notes
Letter From Singer
Tells of War Work
In England
BY ALICE EvERSMAN.

BY ALICE EfEKSMAN.
The disruption of the old order
of musical affairs is but one of the
many changes the war has brought.
It has taken away men who were
active in promoting the enjoyment
of music and who were instrumental
In drawing around them musicians
of various kinds and giving them
opportunities to pursue their avoca-
ton Among these was, Robert
Frederick Freund whose gay, color
full gypsy spectacles at the Sylvan
Theater were a feature of the sum-
mer season and whose clever ideas
brought forth many other events
out of the ordinary, amusing and
stimulating.
Recently we received letter from
Mr.. Freund from his overseas base
and concluded to pass it on to his
many friends through this column.
From time to time word arrives from
some of the local men now in their
country's service but few show the
pleasurable absorption in their job
as does Mr.. Freund Since he asks
that his friends be told his where
abouts the address is included.
APO BIT, in care Postmaster,
New York.
Dear Miss Eversman:
You probably have heard that I
am YonyrY tho o1,,h liropta,. ny,a nf
the American Red Cross clubs some
where in England, having arrived
over here in the latter part of De-
cember. I am enjoying every min
ute of my thrilling experiences that
this work offers. 1t is the hardest
and most interesting job have ever
done and the kick that comes back
to you from job we'll done in this
kind of work is tremendous. The
American Red Cross is really doing
a job over here and I know the peo-
pie in the States have no idea of the
size and scope of its activities, but
we know here and I hope you do
there that the enlisted men and the
officers are completely sold on the
work that we are doing.
These clubs are situated in large
hotels or famous old homes that
have been taken over by the Red
Gross through reverse lease-lend
agreement and they are well fur
nished and the beds for the men are
quite comfortable. The canteens are
very clean and offer delicious food
considering the ration laws, our
lounges beautiful and our recration-
al rooms places of real comfort. In
the club I direct, we sleep 600 men
and have 100 paid staff and so VOL
untary workers and by that you can
see the size of the clubs we run and
the club / direct is just one of the
many in the British Isles. My first
assignment in January was at one
of the provincial clubs and I stayed
there about three weeks and re-
ceived another assignment in one OF
the city clubs which, of course, I
like very much better.
am in love with this place and,
Of course, live on the premises. I
have very nice quarters and very
lovely Office. Quite a little enter
tanning is required in these positions
and you really have to be an old
diplomat. The hours are exceedingly
long, running to as many as 18 to
40 hours day at times, in fact, you
are always on call. Everything can
happen in one of these clubs in q
day. The roof can leak, the juke box
ra r, tf& <.f
victrola, the plumbing can stop up,
the chef can get mad and want to
quit, the manageress can fight with
the accountant, will want to mur-
der my assistant, Jump down my
stenographer's throat and wiring my
secretary's neck-such is the day of
q club director but it is fun and
wouldn't miss this experience for
anything in the world. We are all
working at a tension what with air
raids and whatnot and, believe me,
some of these air raids come just
too close at times! These people
over here have been through so
much of it wonder sometimes how
they can stand more.
The weather over here has been
delightful, it is considered to be the
finest winter they have had in years.
We have very long evenings, as you
probably know, 1t doesn't get dark
till II o'clock and is light again at
$50. The club direct is located in
q beautiful section: right across the
street from it is very beautiful
park in which is located a very
lovely old English palace, very well
known in history. Of course security
prevents me from telling you where
am or giving you the name of this
palace, but you will know when I
come home. The flowers in England
are so, very colorful and lovely; the
parks are full of them. have had
many interesting trips to London
and other cities in England includ-
ing Oxford, Cambridge, Salisbury,
Bournemouth, Stratford and Bath.
There are plenty of times I wish I
was back In the States among my
dear old friends but from the looks
Of things 1t will be some little time
before this happens. At times we
get homesick but there is not very
much time for it as we are on the 20
most of the time.
1t is difficult to find time to keep
up with my singing although I do
some solo work for the boys and
some community singing on occa-
sions such as Easter and Mothers
Day, but do have an accompanist
come in as often as possible so that
] can keep In some vocal trim.
Do write me when you find time
because letters from home help and
II you see any of my friends tell
them where am and what I am
doing. Best wishes.
ROBERT r. FREUND.