Hello darling;

Well dear, it looks like it is all over, it took a couple of weeks longer than I expected but they should have sent me over a couple of years sooner. The war is over, we have won and I am so happy. We had a big dance and party last night and then everybody went down to the square for some singing but things were surprisingly quiet and orderly and I was in bed by 12 o’clock!
I received my mother and fathers letters yesterday and was very glad to hear from them but I was sorry to hear about Mr. Ingham, has Pop got any idea bout trying to get his place? You are right about the name of the place but you still have to address my mail as you have been doing.
I was glad to hear that you had a picture of Donna taken. Mom says she is really getting cuter than ever. I wish I could see you both soon and it really is hard for me to say how long they will keep me here, nobody seems to know but I would not be surprised if I was home by Christmas, but as I said you cannot really ever tell with the service.
I am still stationed at the place I was telling you about and by the way I received a letter from Aunt Annie and she would be very glad to have me stay at her place as long as I want. I think I will be getting some leave in either June or July, the weather is not very good lately so I do not mind waiting until it gets better.
I went to the show yesterday afternoon that was V.E. Day and saw “Meet me in St Louis”, it was a pretty good picture. I saw a good one last week, and English picture and was it ever smutty. I enjoyed it though, they sang a song called ” Sweet Fanny Adams” and the last line was ” And I don’t give a sweet Fanny Adams Anymore” so I think you get the idea.
I feel a lot better now that the war is over dear, as I can see a good chance of getting home for good, in the not far distant future. And now you have something to look forward to, whereas before you did not know how long it would be so I really do not mind another 5 or 6 months over here as long as I know you and Donna are waiting for me back home.
How does my Aunt like it at our place? Oh yes, when does Ted think he will be home, he should be there before me I am thinking, and Marg must be thrilled at having him home so that they can start a new chapter in their lives out from under that Simpson roof.
I am working today so I will have to close now and get back to work so for now dear, all my love to you and Donna and hoping to see you soon.
I remain, your loving husband,

Bill

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Hello darling

Well here it is Thursday dear and it is a very miserable day. It is raining quite hard and is rather chilly. By the time you receive this letter the war should be over and then it will be just a matter of months before I am home.
I have just written my Aunt in Birmingham telling her that I would like to go up there for my leave, so you can tell Pop.
I received your other pictures and thought they were the best yet, I would like an enlargement of the one with you and Donna alone so would you get the one made and ship it over to me dear as soon as possible. I think the one where she is holding your beads is the best because the other one has a shadow on your face.
Well I have been doing nothing very exciting lately dear. I have been seeing a lot of shows lately dear, the shows are not quite as bright as back home but they are not too bad. I usually pay 1/9 to get in, that is about 40 cents, so that is not too bad.
So we can get into the middle room at our place now, boy that is good news. Won’t it be a lot of fun when we are settled and able to use some of our things that we received. The only thing that I am worried about is that we have not got any where to go. In a way I wish Mom had kept Browning Ave house so we could have gone there. But we can worry about that when we are together.
I wish I could see “Toots”, I bet she will look real cute when all her hair grows in. I wish I was there to see her and you too of course because I think about you and miss you very much dear. But 5 or 6 more months will not make any difference now as long as we have faith.
How is our car holding up dear, well I hope.
By the way how is Ted and Jack Sherman? I imagine that they will be getting home sooner than I will but nobody really knows.
By the way dear how would you like the summer resort business? The Personnel Counsellor here had told me that there is a course being offered by the Ontario Government in that and I really think it would be a swell thing to get into.
Well dear that is all for now but will write you on Sunday again and so for now dear, all my love to you and Donna.
Love

Bill

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Hello Darling;

Well here it is Sunday morning and I thought I would drop you a few lines to let you know that I am fine and thinking of you all back at home.
It is quite chilly here today but it is bright and cherry out so it is not too bad. I think I will take in a cinema this afternoon, Bing Crosby is on in “Pennies From Heaven”, it is an old timer but I would like to see it again. I did not get up to eleven o’clock this morning, that is the latest I have stayed in bed since I arrived over here, so I really think I deserved it don’t you?
I received your letter of the 19th and was glad to hear that everything is well back at home. I do not know what could have happened to that letter that I wrote to Mom and Pop but I guess you keep them informed of all that is happening. We are still very busy men over here and I am really glad because the time goes so much faster.
The war news is very good is it not? I would not be surprised if it was pretty well all over by the time you receive this letter, at least I am hoping that it is.
Gee I wish I could have been there when Donna walks for the first time. She certainly looks cute in that picture you sent over to me of her and I noticed she still likes your necklace. Well I have been over here a month yesterday and it seems to have gone fast really. But that is because everything is new. I will have to wait another 3 or 4 months and I bet you it will seem to go really slow.
How does my Aunt like it at our place? She should be comfortable there and it would be easier then keeping that other big place going all be herself.
Have you sent a parcel off yet dear? Please do not forget the razor blades because I am really getting short on them. I have had one meal in a restaurant. I had spam and chips and a cup of tea and it cost me 1/6 or about 35 cents Canadian, so you can see how expensive it is to eat out. The service institutes are a lot cheaper though.
How is you dad doing at this lodge? Well I hope.
How is Mom doing with the house, has she started to get the kitchen done over yet? I do not know what we are going to do about getting a place when I get my discharge. But I imagine we will do alright but I better not worry about that until the time comes.
Well dear I guess that is about all the space I have left here for now and so you and Donna look after yourselves and so dear loving you very much,
I remain your loving husband,

Bill

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Hello Darling;

Just a few lines to let you know that I received your letter of the 14th, and as usual was very glad to hear that everybody is fine. So Donna was kicking up a fuss at the doctors? I received your picture on Saturday and thought it was the best yet, it really was grand dear. I received your air mail letter the same day they were both dated the 11th I think.
Well things are going very well here I think I told you I ran into Bob Hobbs well I have met about half of the old gang from Lachine over here. I ran into a lot of the fellows today and we had a lot of things to talk over. I certainly am working hard now but I do not mind because the days go faster and I do not get a chance to think about you and “Toots”.
The weather is a little colder now but it is still lovely. Our meals are very good as usual and I am quite happy but not as happy as if I were at home with you of course. I really do miss you am awful lot dear.
So my aunt is at our place now. I am glad to hear that. She should be happy there. I think it was a good idea to sell the refrigerator because my uncle can get us another one when we need it. I am glad to hear also that the dining room suite looks so well but do not get it marked up dear or I will have to spank you!
I read in the Air Force Orders that a C/O by the name of J Gibbs was killed. I was wondering if it was Jack Gibbs, so would you see if you can find out dear. By the way have they heard anything on Jack Aitkens yet dear, that certainly is too bad if he is a goner.
How are Marg and baby Judy doing, well I hope. It must be nice to see her as often as you can even though she is not allowed out of the house with the baby unless the Simpsons allow it.
By the way has my Pop heard anything from Mrs. Henderson yet? I wish he would take a holiday for a month this summer, it would do him a lot of good.
I am writing this in the Y.M.C.A and as soon as I finish I am going to take a walk and work up an appetite for myself for my 10 o’clock tea tonight.
But I have never had such a good appetite as I do have here. Well I will close now dear, but will write you on Wednesday again.
All my love,

Bill

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Hello Darling;

Well dear here it is Thursday so I thought I would drop you another letter and let you know that “Pop” is in pretty fair shape. I received a letter from my Mom just after I finished writing a letter to you so it was lovely to hear from someone in the family.
Things are just the same as usual here. I am pretty well here, settling into the routine. I guess I can put up with it for 6 months or so, it really is a lovely set up though in fact I think it is the best since I have been in the services. We live in a place that is like a luxury hotel and it is great place for the boys to come and relax after they have serviced. Some of the fellows are happy and others seem to be very low regardless of the nice surroundings and I can only imagine some of the horrible things these boys have seen.
The weather here is just like June weather back home. I guess you have read in the papers that we are having a heat wave over here, it certainly is warm.
I certainly wish that I could see Donna in her little red overalls. I bet she is cute. Can she walk yet dear? I am just sorry that I was not there when she will walk for the first time. Oh well, we will have lots of time together when I am out of this. I am not sorry that I had to come over because it really is an education, but I am sorry that I had to leave you and “Toots” dear because I miss you both so very much but as I think it is just a matter of weeks before this is over. We can’t be separated more than a year more dear it seems so very long but it will go by soon enough.
When you decide to send me a parcel just send it the same as my letters. You can send we chocolate bars dear as I am almost finished with mine already.
I have been getting a good tan in my noon hour, With the work hours that I am keeping I have about an hour and a half to sit on the beach. There are a lot of people here already and guess it will be a lot more crowded in the summer and when the war is over and the boys come here for rest and rehabilitation.
Oh yes, do not forget my razors in the package dear, sandwich spread, cheese, tea, spaghetti etc. are all very welcome but use you own judgement dear.
Well darling I will have to close now but give Donna a big kiss for me and have her give you one for me.
Goodbye for now darling,
Love,

Bill

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Hello Darling;

Just a few lines to let you now that everything is just fine and is going “according to plan”. I am pretty well settled down in my new work and it really is interesting, but it is more like a holiday. I work from 9-12 and 2-5 and most of that time I am not doing much, less all the paperwork I need to complete.
Well I had quite a day yesterday. You will never know who I bumped into, Bob Hobbs, he is over here from the continent on a bit of leave and I just happened to meet him on the street and so we went to the K of C and talked things over a cup of tea. I also meet Bill something or other, the fellow that Irene took to the Palais Royale and we there too. He is a sergeant. I did not get much chance to talk to him however.
Bob looks about the same, he is sleeping in a tent, but he does not seem to mind too much. He is looking forward to going home though but aren’t we all. The war looks as though it is just about over but I imagine we will be here for a few months after. You can’t say anything definite tough because I do not think anybody knows.
The weather is just like summer, it is about 80 degrees right now. Some of the boys were in the ocean swimming yesterday but I decided to sit on the beach and take in some sun.
Well darling I am putting on weight again. I really have am awful big appetite. I feel fine and getting a tan. I hope you and Donna are as well as ever dear. Do not forget to have a photograph of her taken darling, but I know I keep reminding you and I am sure that you have so many other things on your mind.
How is your new job going? Have you got our refrigerator, piano and stuff yet? Because we might be using it sooner than you expect. I certainly hope so anyway because I am already to settle down and start raising little “Lewis” what do you say about that dear?
I guess you are starting to look forward to your holidays. I wish I was with you dear but we will really have a holiday next year. Have you received the drawings of mine yet? I thought they were not too bad especially the profile one. So hold on to them will you dear. I received the snaps and liked them very much. I have not finished my roll yet but will send them home as soon as I can.
Well dear I will have to close now but will write on Thursday and so for now dear, all my love,

Bill

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Hello Darling;

Well here it is a bright lovely Sunday morning. I am at work today as there is nothing doing this morning as yet. I thought I would drop you a few lines.
I am pretty well settled on the staff here now and it really is wonderful. I am in the best hotel in town with tiled bathrooms and showers etc. and I just hope I stay here for the duration. Our meals are really excellent. But I would like nothing better than to be with you dear in our own little home getting breakfast, that certainly sounds better than anything.
I have another dose of that stomach trouble of mine, and I went on sick patrol, the M.O told me not to worry about it too much dear as it was just caused by the changing conditions food etc. But he said to come back and see him if I had it again. He gave me a dose of castor oil and an enema so I feel just wonderful now. I found out the best way to take castor oil is in water you really cant taste it all all that way.
I am glad to hear that everyone is fine back home and that out little daughter is coming along so well. I certainly miss you both an awful lot darling and do not forget to have a nice picture of you and Donna taken and forwarded over, you can get those leather frames for them, you know, that would be a real nice birthday present from all of you to me.
So Mom have not made her mind up about the house yet, well I think she should sell it. It would be nice for us to have a place to go into when I get out of this outfit but I would not worry about that to much. But it is her own business so U will not butt in. I guess Marg has not heard whether Ted had a nice leave or not yet. I imagine that he had a good time if we know Ted as well as we do.
The people here are very sociable, especially those from Scotland but you already know that don’t you dear. I have borrowed a bicycle of one of the boys on leave and I have been having a real good time seeing the country. I went to the show on Friday night and saw the latest “Thin Man” picture. It cost 42 cents that is the cheapest seats in the house here. But we can get a cup of tea and a beer over here for 5 cents so that is not too bad.
I will have to cut it short darling but I will write Tuesday again and so for now dear, all my love.
Your every loving husband,

Bill

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Hello Darling;

Well here it is Friday. I received your 2 letters dated March 31st and April 2nd on Wednesday so that is rather good isn’t it? I was surprised to hear you had not heard from me because I sent you a telegram as soon as I arrived. But I imagine you have received a letter or so from me by now.
Well dear I have some news for you. I am going to be stationed where I am now, it is considered the best place to be in England so I am quite happy about it.
I was quite surprised to hear that Jack Aitkens is missing. I had not heard anything until you mentioned it in your letter, that is really too bad. Do you have any details, as in did his plane go down or is he missing somewhere in Europe?
I am looking forward to receiving those snaps of you and Donna, is her hair just as curly as ever? Gosh I miss you two already. But the war news looks good so who knows how soon I may see you all again.
It is rather a damp miserable morning today but we have been getting real lovely weather so I can’t complain. I have been working at night for the last 2 days. So I have been taking it easy more or less.
So Pop is still working on the cellar, busy little boy isn’t he?
How do you like your new job, well I hope, but do not work to hard dear. It is not worth it. I guess Ted’s leave is just about over now. I hope he had a good time. I am rather looking forward to mine but I do not know when I will be getting it.
I been to a few shows since I have been here, they are pretty well, all American pictures and just as new as they are back home and I went to a stage show which I thought was very good. They don’t have strip tease over here, the girls start out with nothing on (oh boy!). I have my tea in the morning now, it is getting to become a bit of a habit. They make nice jam and bread but it is hard to get a nice piece of cake and you know how I like cake, oh well I will get lots when we are together again and I am certainly looking forward to that. We are still young and we have a lot of married years ahead of us so even if I am over here for a year there are still lots more ahead.
Well dear I am afraid that is about all for now and so I will close but I will write you again on Sunday or Monday dear and I should have received another letter or 2 from you and then I can answer them.
So for now dear all my love to you and Donna.
Your loving husband,

Bill

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Well here it is Tuesday afternoon and we have just finished some range work so I thought I would drop you a few lines and let you know how everything is. I am fine and putting on weight, I do not seem to be able to eat enough, the meals are really wonderful.
It is really a beautiful day today, it was just like a June day today.
I still have not received any letters from you or my family and I am desperate to know if everything is fine, and I am hoping and praying that I will get some correspondence from you soon.
I have been going to a lot of shows lately and a dance or so but I told you what I thought of them in my last letter and nothing has changed there.
This course that I am on and that we are all taking is really good but we are pretty tired when we are through.
I guess you can send me a parcel anytime you want dear. I would like a razor blade sharpener if you can get one and some blades. I think I told you a lot of those blades that I brought with me did not fit my razor. I can get chocolate bars over here dear, but a 1/2 pound of tea or canned meat or spaghetti etc. would be appreciated.
I am wondering if you are thinking of getting a job, but it is certainly up to you though and if you do not like it you do not have to stay on. I am also wondering if you have decided to go away for some vacation like we were talking about when I was home. I just wish that I was with you if you do decide to go away, but next summer we will really make up for lost time won’t we?
I will be looking forward to receiving those pictures of Donna and do not forget to have a large photograph taken. Have you had any luck getting films yet? I do not really need them but you could forward me one or 2 in your parcel. Boy don’t I want a lot but you told me to tell you what I needed.
Has Ted gone on leave yet? I imagine so. I would liked to have been able to go myself but I will not be getting mine for a month or so yet. But I would rather have to all another station than here because so far this has all been a bad place anyways.
Well dear I will have to close now but take good care of yourself and Donna and pray that we will be together again in the not too distant future because I really miss you very much dear. I will write you another letter on Friday or so and by then I should have a letter from you to answer and so for now dear,
All my love,

Bill

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Hello Darling;

Well here it is Friday and it is a very nice day. We are taking the same course that Percy did and I really feel fine. The meals are really goo and I have certainly got an appetite. I have taken in quite a few shows and they get them over here as soon if not sooner than back home.
I certainly miss you all very much and particularly that little girl of ours. How is she doing, well I hope. She will be a year old tomorrow. How well I remember a year ago and I still, I certainly was a proud father and I still am. In fact ore so seeing what a lovely girl she is growing up to be. I have not received any mail from you dear but I expect some any day more. I hope you are receiving my letters alright.
I do not think I have drank as much tea in all my life as what I have had lately nor have I ever eaten so many buns!
If you are thinking of sending any parcels dear, sugar and such are very heavily rationed over here and a 1/2 pound of tea is very acceptable in regards to pricing. But you send what you think I di not know what to say in this letter really until I receive your first letter. I wrote my mother and Aunt so I hope they receive them OK.
The girls are certainly having an awful time with clothing over here from what I have seen. The girls back home would not wear what they do here and their legs are all sore and red from not wearing stockings. It is to bad but I think it will be all over in a moth or so and I think I would stand it for a year over here but I would like very much to be home with you very much darling. I went to a dance last night and had a pretty grim time. I managed to stagger out three numbers, gave it up as a bad time and spent the rest of the evening having tea and toast.
The bands was not too bad, but the girls seem to have an awful time learning to dance with our boys and our girls back home have really got it over them as far as looks.
We get 2 chocolate bars a week but I have still got about 12 from the boat as I am alright as far as that is concerned. I went swimming at the baths the night before last and had a really good time They are very nice and clean and it only cost me 9 pence.
Well darling I will have to close now but write often and soon and let m eknow all te news and so for now, from the bottom of my heart all my love,

Bill

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