Well here I am again dear, I am at my usual place at the Beach Cafe, it is 5 o’clock. Percy is sitting beside me also writing. He is leaving at 6:30 tonight to go on board. The lucky guy, I would be one of the happiest guys in the world if I was in his shoes. We have had a couple of nights together at the shows and one night we lifted a few in a pub. He is a darn nice fellow and we get along quite well together. I really hate to see him go. I am just about the last one of our friends to be left here, oh well anything might happen at any time.
Well let me see what I have dome the last few days. Sunday night Percy and I went to the show and also last night too. Saturday night we went to a pub and then went back to Percy’s room and shot the breeze for the rest of the night.
I had a letter from you and Mom yesterday and was glad to hear you had a nice Christmas and you did not miss me anymore than I miss you darling and so our little girl did quite well. For Dolls she will be spoiled but I think you are doing a wonderful job dear and I wish I was only home to show you how much I appreciate you. There is one consolation dear and that is the weather will be better by the time that I get home.
Percy does not know what he and Jessie are going to do. You never answered my letter about whether you wanted to stay at the Royal York for a day or so when I come home but then we have Donna to consider about hadn’t we? I will leave it utterly up to you dearest, whatever you want to do it will be alright with me.
I was thinking that perhaps we could go to Montreal for a couple of days. I know the place pretty good and we could see all the sights together and something else, I am going to buy you a dress so decide what you would like because I really think you are a pretty sharp dresser and I am going to have to step lively to keep up with you.
Well I guess I will close now and so to my best sweetheart and wife,
All my love,

Bill

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Hello dearest;

Well to the swellest and loveliest little wife in the world how are you? I hope you had a real nice Christmas and New Years and did not feel too badly about not receiving something for Christmas dear, I have already told you that I had something but it was not finished and now they cannot finish it so I do not know whether to send you them they way they are or wait until I come home and get them done in Toronto.
I received your 2 very nice parcels dear, and since the other 2 fellows in our room received parcels our room looks like a grocery store. Do not send me anymore parcels unless I ask for them dear as I do not know where I will stand at the end of January.
Well, I am sitting in our club and it is quite Christmasy inside but outside it looks and feels like a September day, it is very bright and mild. They have a very lovely Christmas tree in here and it almost reminds me of home. Well I am on my Christmas leave and I do not know what to do with myself, boy if I was home with you I would certainly would know what to do. I would not ask for something to eat first anyways. If you know what I mean and I think you do.
I think of you all the time dear and pray that we will be together soon again and you never can tell. I received a telegram from my aunt yesterday saying that Dad arrived home. I was very happy to hear that as I was really starting to worry about Dad being over here as long as he was. I knew that my mother was alright financially but I knew they were both worrying about it and they are both are not getting any younger.
Well let me see now, have you sent away for those books of mine yet dear? I would like to have that book to read over here and study up in my spare time and I have got an awful lot I will tell you. They have dances, concerts and picture shows lined up fir us all next week but I can’t get interested in anything very much dear, except for thinking about getting home again to you and Donna. How did you little daughter enjoy her 2nd Christmas? I bet she was so excited and surprised, her little eyes were as big as saucers.
By the way is Donna’s hair still curly enough for you? I love to hear about her and what she does so come on dear, keep me informed and give me all the latest gossip and how about some pictures, especially that one of Toots sitting on the bench as I think that one is just great!
I am certainly lucky to have you both in my life but I will not say anything more about that except that I love you an awful lot dear.
All my love,

Bill

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Hello Darling;

“I’m in love honey, no one else will do Honey” they are just playing it on the A.F.N program and boy does it ever make me think of you. I have got your pictures in front of me and gosh, I think you are lovely and I love you an awful lot. I kind of sound as though I miss you and I certainly do dearest. But I might be seeing you sooner than I expected, but do not count on me being home before the end of February.
Well let me see what I have done this last week. Sunday night I went to the show, Monday I stayed in and played cards with the boys. Tuesday I went to the show, Wednesday I went out with the boys in the office tot he oldest pub in England and had a night of drinking. I only had 3 pints of beer and a couple of brandies I was not in very bad shape. I guess Pop Booth has got his stock in, lucky guy.
By the ay dear, a year ago tomorrow I came home for my 5 days leave. I arrived in at 7 AM in the morning but gosh, has the time gone by very quickly. This time next year we will all be together and being separated will all seem like a bad dream.
Well, by the time you receive this letter Dad will be back home I guess, and you will know all about his adventures over here. I hope Mom does not hold it against him for too long, even though he was away for so long.
Dear, I do not mean to be a pest but what have you been thinking about where we are going to live when I get back home? I know it is practically impossible to get a place but see if you can locate anything. Dorris’ Moore might be able to speak to her landlord. Darn it, I wish Mom had not sold her house on Browning Ave that would have been swell for us.
By the way what is Percy’s last name? I will try and locate him if he is still over here. I am not looking too forward to Christmas over here so if I could be with someone who I know a little it would make it a little more tolerable to be away from you and Donna this Christmas.
I am missing all the little things that Donna is doing but you keep telling me in your letters about the silly things that she does and what she is saying and how she is climbing all over the furniture with no cares in the world. It means everything to me.
So for now, all my love to a swell wife and mother,
Your loving husband,

Bill

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Hi Darling;

Well here I am again, I am sorry I did not write you sooner, but I have been a little under the weather. I have had a touch of the “flu” for the last 3 days but I am feeling fine now. What I need is you to look after me and also to go to bed with you.
I have not heard from my Dad since last Saturday when he said if I did not hear from him within 2 or 3 days he would be on his way home. So I hope that he is on his way, if he is, he certainly is lucky with all those people ahead of him waiting to go. There are 30,000 brides alone but they have got 2 hospitals for them now and they say they will all be in Canada by the late summer.
Well dear, we will all be out of Bournemouth by the end of January, however that definitely does not mean we will all be going home. I think I will either got to Torguay or Topcliffe which is up near Birmingham. I am sorry that I can’t give you more optimistic news but it is no use to build up your hopes and then be disappointed darling. If you only knew how much I want to get home. I would do anything to get there.
I’ve got a new roommate now, his name is Armstrong, he lives on Carlaw Ave just opposite Withrow Park. He is pretty downhearted though, his wife has left him for some other guy and he cannot seem to get over it. I do not know how people can throw over their wives or husbands like that after being in love, but I do not think that they would love each other as deeply as you and I do, or they couldn’t.
Ross was down for the weekend and I had a little cat with him, nothing very much to report though, he does not like it where he is. I would hate to leave Bournemouth myself, it is a really beautiful place and when I walked down to the beach today, people were sitting on the deck chairs as it was so mild.
Well darling I guess this will be the last letter you have from me before Christmas. I have not sent you what I got for you and Donna yet, but I will be sending them after Christmas when the post is moving a little faster.
And so dearest all my love and a very Happy Christmas,
Your loving husband,

Bill

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Hi Darling;

I am sorry that I am a day late in getting your letter away but U could not get any air mail forms yesterday at all.
Well I received a very nice letter from you yesterday darling and was glad to hear that everything is OK and well under control including our little daughter. So she is sitting at the piano now, gosh it makes me wish I was home so much when you describe her little ways and what she had been doing. So keep me informed dear.
Well the people over here day that it is cold, but I think the weather is just great. It is like October weather back home and for me that is just dandy!
I had a letter from Dad dated Friday saying he thought he would be getting on board a boat for home on Saturday. I did not want to say anything but he sounded so sure I thought I would tell you. But if he is not home by the time you receive this do not say anything to Mom about it.
Well I got my Christmas cards to Canada away last Friday. I sent one to pretty well everybody I could think of but you can send one to anybody you wish dear and say it is from you and Donna. I received Mom’s yesterday.
I am afraid that I have led a very quiet life since you last heard from me. I worked nights up to last Friday. Saturday night I saw “You came Along” and what a beautiful picture it was. I enjoyed it very much. Sunday I went to a U.S.O show and it was really swell. They had an all star band. All the guys used to play with name bands in the states and also some dancers and comedians.
I am outdoors all the time now riding my bike and I am on my own. I really enjoy it as well as possible under the circumstances. I mean by that being separated from you and Donna dear. Gosh how I am looking forward to that reunion and darling I love you more than ever. That is one thing that our separation has done for me, it has made each of us realize how much we need each other and darling I do need you so very much.
Well still no further news on Repats, but if I am not home by April or May I am going to have you and Mom start writing letters to the R.C.A.F and raise a beef.
Well, so long for now dear and as always,
All my love,

Bill

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Hello my darling;

Well here is your very lonesome husband again dearest. It is Wednesday night and I am still on nights, the only thing that keeps me company is the radio and as usual, there is lots of music. It is 11:25 and I am not the least bit tired. I guess I am just getting to much rest at least I am in good shape (aren’t you afraid).
So you are reading some interesting books on sex. I am glad you are, but you know that we rally do not have to read now. We seemed to do pretty good didn’t we? At least I never complained and look what a beautiful little girl we got out of it! Seriously though dearest I certainly miss your loving an awful lot but I can at least look forward to it in the near future.
We have four boats taking the boys home now, the Duchess of Beaford, Monarch of Bermuda, Mauretania and the “Lizzie” so that should help out an awful lot.
I received a letter from Mom on Monday but I think I mentioned that in my typewritten masterpiece to you. Boy that took a long time to type and what a lot of words you can put on one of these airmail papers with a typewriter.
So Toots like to fight? Well I guess she gets that from the both is us because we both like a good fight don’t we and what a beating you are going to take in our next tussle, but you know I am just kidding around, or am I?
Well I got my Christmas Cards away dear, and a letter to the Caringorm, thanking them for their parcel. I am running short of razor blades dear so would you send about 6 or so packages. Send Minora if you can, they are only 10 cents a package and I like them best of all.
Well now let see what I have been sleeping every day to about 12 o’clock and then I usually just kick around one of our clubs here and play billiards. On Monday though I saw “Johnny Angel” and “Beside Manner” I am going to see “You came Along” on Saturday, they sat it is a good picture.
Well I have got a couple of pals here now to keep me company so it is not too bad with then and the radio.
Well dearest that is the “works” for now and so as always,
All my love,

Bill

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Hi Darling;

Well dear, here I am again finally writing you another letter. I received your letter yesterday saying you had got my parcels away. I hope you did not forget my ask for another bottle of shaving lotion as the last one that you sent over was broken by the time it arrived over here.
So little Toots has a cold, well so has her Dad. I really have a dandy but it is getting a little bit better now. The weather is very mild but a little damp and you know how that weather is for a cold. I really can’t get over it. I have never seen weather like this before. So Toots is still afraid of the Doc. I can remember her screaming the time we took her to him before. She is just like her Mom a very cute little girl.
How are you keeping darling, well I hope and getting lots of sleep so you will be in good shape for our second honeymoon, and that is what it is going to be for me darling, a bigger and better honeymoon.
Well I am doing just about nothing now. I have been seeing another pictures every afternoon. The R.C.A.F puts on motion pictures very day for us and real new pictures too. I saw “Rhapsody in Blue” and “Keep your powder Dry” this week and it is free and kills the afternoon very nicely so I enjoy them.
I go on nights for a week this Friday. I really do not mind as I do not know what to do with them anyway.
I wrote my cousin yesterday and told him that you can’t get a Ronson right but that you would send one over as soon as you could.
You have not forgotten my books have you darling? It will give me something to read and study in my spare time and I have got lots of that!
So poor Ted has to go to Montreal, I certainly feel sorry for him, having to part from Marg and baby Judy so soon after being back. I would rather take a $10 week job then leave you two when I get back.
Gee, I an going to miss you a lot at Christmas darling. We had a lot of fun last one didn’t we? And I am very much thankful for having as much time with you as I did.
Well nothing from my Pop. I think I will be home before him, and that is too bad, but he only has himself to blame. He would not listen to us when we told him that coming over here at the end of the war would be disastrous for him.
Well so long for now dearest and as always from the bottom of my heart,
All my love,

Bill

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Hi darling;

Well darling, here I am again but with not very much news I am afraid. I had a very nice letter from you on Monday and was very glad to hear that you are all fine.
Well I have not done very much this week except see a couple of show and I will more than likely see another one tonight. There are certainly lots of boys around, all waiting for a boat, they expect to send around 1300 home at the end of the month but they are pretty slow taking our boys home compared to the Americans. I certainly hope they get cracking a lot faster as I do not get home until they do. That’s all everybody talks about over here, rumours, rumours and more rumours. The only thing to do is stay patient and keep cool, it is awfully hard though when you have go as much to come home as I do.
Well I am still on my outdoor job. I really enjoy it though, as I am my own boss and I have a lot of time to myself. I go around town checking and inspecting out hotels just to make sure they are clean and have hot water etc. I know that a lot of guys het women in their rooms for a night or two, but our hotel is the best and is right in the middle of town so they do not get away with that in here.
The shops around town have hardly anything for presents so would you buy Mom something and my Aunt from us both. It is certainly going to be a bleak Christmas for a lot of people over here.
Dear, would you drop my Dad a few lines, e said that he had written you and you never answered him. So if you get a chance write him and let him know how Donna is getting on. I hope your Mom and Pop are well. I guess Pop Booth is getting his Christmas stock in, gee I wish I was there with you all. Well dear I pray every night for it so if that means anything I should be home soon.
The weather here is still great just like late September back home. I just put my maroon sweater on.
I hear that the job situation is pretty bad back home. I wish I know definitely what I wanted to do when I return home. I still am considering going back to school, but we shall see about everything when the time comes.
Please make sure that you look after yourself and of course Donna,
All my love,

Bill

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Hi Darling;

Well ddear, it is Sunday morning and I am working just for the morning so I thought I would answer you last letter.
I received the pictures and the cheque yesterday. I think the pictures are just wonderful, both you and Donna are lovely and they only make me want to get home sooner. I am so darn proud when I show your pictures around and all I can say dear is that I have got a pretty grand wife and daughter and I am certainly going to try and make you happy and make up for all the time that we have been parted.
Well darling I just put 10 pounds in the bank that is about $45 so I will have a little reserve in case anything comes up. I do not know whether we are going to get any leave at Christmas. Well here it is almost the middle of November already the time seems to go fast when you look back at it but it drags by everyday when you are away from those we love.
I hope you do not get fed up with me telling you how much I do love you dearest. I have found out just how hard it is to get along without seeing you. All I do in my spare time is go to the shows and sleep. I can’t seem to get interested in dances anymore. Oh well I have figured that I am past the half way mark of being away from you.
So Nan had a little girl, that is very nice. They are both very nice and I hope that they will be as happy as we are darling. We will just have a boy next time with all these girls that are floating around. We are going to have a lot of good times together when we all get out own homes.
I am glad that you are buying clothes for yourself and the baby dear and you go ahead and get anything you want. I would give anything to be able to buy them for you and Donna. But we will do the next best thing and let you buy them. Boy I can’t wait for the day when I go out on my shopping spree.
Oh by the way dear will you get my suits repaired. The pocket on my all weather coat is ripped and also my pockets in my black suit.
As always darling, I love you very much,
Your loving husband

Bill

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Hi Darling;

Well dear, I received your 2 letters today one for the 29th and 31st. I was very glad to hear from you as usual. I am working until 11 o’clock tonight so I thought I would write you while I was not busy.
Well dear, I have not done anything very exciting lately except pull a few bank jobs so we have lots of money now. I got paid today and a few of the boys paid me back some of the money they owed me. So I will put your money in the bank as soon as I receive it.
I went to the show on Sunday night with George Kirk and Monday night went to our station club but I was a little bored and then went to bed.
Last night I saw 2 good pictures at the show, one was Divorce with Kay Francis and I really enjoyed it. HIs wife in the picture reminded me of you darling and I almost got homesick. I think of you an awful lot darling and I only wish for the day we are together again.
The boys are pretty restless here and as most of them have been over here for a couple of years anyway. I hope they get them home soon. Oh darling I remember you just as well as the day I left and we know each other so well that this parting will only bring us closer together when I am back home. I think I love you more since I have been away if that is possible dear. I look at your pictures at least twice every day and do you remember the one we took out back at my folks place, that is the one I like best.
We had some very beautiful times together in Halifax and I will always say that they were the happiest days I have ever had in y life darling, thanks to you.
So, Ted is still out of work, boy he is having some holiday, but he is getting bored of it I guess. I figure that we should be able to go for our second honeymoon when I get my discharge. So you had better start getting your second honeymoon outfit lined up sweetheart. It will be just like a honeymoon to but a lot better than our first because we will be together for good this time.
I am glad to hear that my mother is getting around and darling I want to thank you for going over as often as you do. I certainly appreciate that. I have just finished writing my dad a letter. I do not think that he will be home until the new year. Well my aunt is taking good care of him as it has been many years since they lived under the same roof.
All my love darling,

Bill

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