Hello Darling:

I received your very nice but short letter, but darling I certainly look forward to them.
It is now Sunday night and I have just finished listening to Guy Lombardo who was on the Band Wagon and he was very good. Auntie Polly and Uncle Bill have just come in so I guess I want be going to my bed very early. Billy is in this weekend but he is up at his girlfriends, I think they are getting real serious.
Well dear, now lets see what I have done since I last wrote you. Thursday night Marg had a shower for Rena and there was about 30 people here so I was late getting to bed, it was about 1AM, but we had a very nice shower. Friday night Ann and I had a shower for Marg and there was about 14 people there. We had the shower up at Ann’s house and had a very nice evening.
Claude, that’s Ann’s brother is a regular jitter bug fiend and has 127 records, so you can imagine the fun we had trying to play all those records. He has all the new ones, so I was getting caught up on my music. He wants Irene, Jessie, Marg and myself to come up some night and have a regular old jam session but for the next 3 weeks I don’t think I will be having a free evening. I am working Monday, Wednesday and Friday until 8:30PM, including Saturday afternoon, which we started last Saturday.
Then I am staying downtown for supper and a show with Helen Allan on Tuesday as she wants to see me before I go down to Halifax. Then Thursday night is the lodge dance, and they are having a Christmas party for the children, so we are going to take baby Beverley and show her off. So there is my whole week filled up. I won’t be able to go over and see your Mom and Dad until next week. I feel awful, but I just can’t help it with my busy schedule. I do phone her every night.
Your Mom was going to come to our shower on Friday but she only dropped in for a minute as she was going up to see Aunt Mattie. I phoned her this afternoon to let her know that I had received a letter from you yesterday. I asked her if she had heard from you and she said no, but she was sort of hurt Bill dear because yesterday was her Birthday and she thought she might have had a card from you, but I guess it just slipped you mind. Its just too bad dear, that you didn’t remember to tell me and I could have sent her a card. She was going up to see Aunt Mattie because Bill darling she is going down fast. She went to there bed last week and has never been up since. Your poor Mother is terribly worried and she seems to be so terribly downhearted so Bill dear, please write her and sheer her up a wee bit. I was going to ask her to the show but I don’t know when. Marg was going to send Aunt Mattie and Aunt Agnes and your Mom and invitation to her wedding but your Mom said not to bother, but if Aunt Mattie was OK that your Mother would come to the wedding.
I bought you Dad a nice grey sweater, and I was going to get your Mother stalkings and underwear and also you Aunt a set of underwear. I was going to say they were from you and I but you could send them up something small if you wanted to. I was thinking about getting your Uncle Jack a pair of socks but darling, if you can think of anything to get them other than what I have suggested please let me know.
You were saying you were having cold weather where you are but I don’t think you could be having any colder than what we are having here because she sure is cold! Marg, Irene and I were down to Doris’ for our fitting and darling they look grand, mine is pale blue and I was just wishing that you were home here to see me in it, but I guess it will have to wait.
Bill darling, that room you have picked for us, it is furnished isn’t it? Be sure and let me know exactly what to bring down, you could maybe ask that Airforce fellow’s wife what she had to bring down with her, then I would know for sure what to bring down. That is the only thing that worries me, but I certainly am looking forward to taking the train trip.
You were saying that you 2 surprises would be better than mine, so I will take you up on that 50 cent bet, but darling I hope you like my surprises because your opinion means more to me than anything else, but you haven’t very long to wait, just 3 more weeks.
I am sorry dear that I had to stop for a wee while, as Billy McKenzie has just dropped in and he has brought his girlfriend in and I had to stop writing and go through and talk to her. She is a very nice girl and she also works at Easton’s in the cash office. They have just gone home as Bill has to leave on the 11:30PM train back to Camp Borden. He is looking good and is putting weight on or maybe it is the heavy uniforms they have to wear.
Mother has just gone up to bed and Dad is making the baby’s bottle up. Mom is awful tired, I don’t think she will ever be the same as she used to be, by 9 o’clock at night she is ready for her bed, but the baby takes an awful lot out off her, but perhaps when Beverley is walking Mother might feel a lot better. I guess that is what happens when you have a baby at 40.
I am fine though dear, but I think I have stopped putting on weight (for a while), but I am eating like a horse and that is supposed to be a bad sign. I laughed at Marg the other night, she was saying that I would have to give her a few hints because she said it would be just her luck to get caught the first time, so good o’l me gave her a few (HA HA) I don’t think Marg and Ted ever had real talks like we used to have and darling I am certainly glad we did have those talks. Marg was asking me if I was scared he first night and I told her I wasn’t, I was just thrilled. I don’t know why people should be afraid the first night especially if they are with their one true love.
Well my darling, I will close now because it is was past your wee wife bedtime and as you say I must get plenty of rest and that goes for you too.
So write soon dear and loving you very, very much;

Doreen

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Hello Dearest;

I am sorry that I did not get the chance to write you last night, but I guess you will forgive me (I hope)?
How are you darling? Well what can I tell you, gosh it is cold here tonight and I think today has been the coldest we have had. What a happy thought darling to think that you will be keeping me warm in just about 3 weeks time. Gosh the time is sure going fast but it can’t go to fast to suit me. Pardon me dear as I step away and have a cup of tea. Now I have had my cup of tea I feel much better except that I am so awful tired. I am just about dropping. I guess I won’t get any rest until I come down to Halifax (I only kidding darling) as I certainly don’t want to rest when I come down there.
I have just finished polishing upstairs, Dad helped me as Marg is having a shower here tomorrow and as she was working tonight until 9 she would be too tired to do it when she comes home so Dad and I did it. They are through in the front room putting the decorations up so as soon as I finish your letter I will go through and help them.
Last night the office had a a shower for Marg and she got some grands things we had to go away out to the west end of the city and what a night it was just pouring rain, We were in the most beautiful home, I think I was ever in. It was the home of Inspector Crosby of the police force and Bill you should have seen he recreation room, that is where we had the shower. It was grand, what a swell place for a party. Mr Simpson called for us, and for once the old so-in-so was is in good humour. I was sitting in front with him and Mrs Simpson and he was kidding me all the way home. As for Mrs Simpson, it looked like she was sitting on a piece of glass, as you can only imagine. Oh, something else I was going to tell you, poor Ted had another accident. It seems he was driving a truck or something and he fell off and hit his head and was unconscious for about 5 hours and he has a concussion and was int he hospital. As much as I dislike the old guy I feel sorry for him, he has had nothing but bad luck since he went to Newfoundland. I think he has just about lived in the hospital since he went there. Marg was worried about him but I guess he is OK now because his Mother had a letter from him yesterday.
I am glad darling that you have a place for us to stay not that I was worried but I feel better now. Be sure and let me know that I will need to bring down with me. Darling I can hardly wait to hear the good news you have to tell me, and I can hardly wait to hear it with my own ears and not imagine what your voice sounds like in my head. But gosh Bill dear, 3 weeks is an awful long time to wait to hear the news, but I guess I will have to wait and Bill dearest don’t worry about me enjoying the train trip down because I know I will. I am looking forward to it very much because it will be the first time I have travelled alone and I don’t care if I have to stand all the way as lone as I am on my way down to you.
Oh Bill, you will never guess who I ran into on the street outside of work, but Dot McGee! She threw her arms around me and gave my such a hug it almost crushed me. I was afraid to hug her back because she looked so skinny and gaunt, I think she has been burning both ends of the candle. She told me that she is now in another office, which is not the same as when we worked together, she is now working for one of the department heads, and she get along swell with him (I think we both know what that really means). She had to run off and do an errand for him but she said to give you her love and and that we should get together real soon. I would like that, as I miss that old broad.
I am having a shower for Marg on Friday and your Mom is coming to take one also, gosh she sure has been good at turning out for Marg’s showers.
You were saying you were talking to an old Wilkinson pal but you didn’t say what his name was. Gee Alex is certainly lucky if he gets his commission and gets posted back to Canada, but as you say I guess he deserves it. I wonder how Stan is making out?
I was talking to Helen Allen today and she was saying that a large number of R.C.A.F fellows had landed in England and she thinks Jack was probably one of them so she is just anxiously waiting to het a telegram from hime, I am going to the show with her next week as that will be the only chance I will have before I leave for Halifax.
I phoned Doris tonight but she was out as Bob is home for 3 days leave as she is being posted to Kingston so they are making hay while the sun shines.
Bill oh dear just you watch that those Halifax women don’t get too enthusiastic with you and if they are just watch out. Well dearest I really must finish now as I have a lot to do before I go to bed but I will try and write you Friday, but if not I will write you Sunday for sure. Oh I forget to tell you dear I got your cheque OK and it was for $75. I can see that is it unless to say that you shouldn’t give me so much.
But darling I promise I will give you a lot when I come down. Loving you with all my heart,

Doreen

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Hello Darling:

I received your very nice letter yesterday dear and I know I really should have written you yesterday but I’ve been so darn busy the last 3 days that I have not had the time to do anything. It is noon on Wednesday now and the wind is really blowing a sou’ western boy I’m certainly a real blue-noser now with all those nautical terms and everything.
So you are doing all your shopping dear good, and I hope that you bought something nice for yourself because darling if I was home I would be buying my darling wife something all the time because dear I really think that is what husbands are for. I am going to get my Mom and Dad and my aunts a little something from down here and you go and get whatever you want to dear for them as well.
I’m sorry dear that I confused you about when you should leave for down here but I was to start my leave on the 28th but it was changed to the 29th and so that is why I wanted you to leave on the 28th so darling if you leave on the morning of the 28th you will arrive on the night of the 29th. I am going to the accounts department this afternoon and get a warrant for you dear and I’ll send it down either in my next letter or the next week anyway.
I am glad that you are getting lots of rest because dear you are certainly going to need it. Oh dear, if you only knew how much I’m looking forward to being with the sweetest little girl in the world and incidentally the one I am very much in love with. Well it is only a few more weeks and then…..
Well let me see now. I’ve got a couple of places all lined up but I think I’ve got the right one picked out. It is $25 a month darling and dear I just want to tell you that someday I’ll make it up to you for starting our married life in one room because in the near future I hope that we will have a real nice little bungalow and lots and lots of children running around. It sounds swell to me darling how about you?
We are having a motion picture tonight and tomorrow night, we are having a wrestling and boxing show again on Friday night and that is our program for the week and that is the reason why I do not need any additional money dear so don’t worry about we getting broke. Rex is quite the boy eh? I guess he is winning the war all by himself well I guess he has seen a little more action then we are.
So you have a couple of surprises too well you tell me your and I’ll tell you mine. Oh I guess one had better wait until we see one another because it will be a lot more fun that way dopnt you think so dear? But I bet mine are bigger surprises than your and I will bet you 50 cents.
I saw by the Toronto Star that Michael Ayres and the Mondernaires and Paul Firman were all at the Royal York last night, boy we certainly would have bene out on the town if I was there wouldn’t we dear? I’m looking forward to doing a lot of stepping out with you when we are together down here.
I think that I’ll have to do my letter writing in the letter room from now on because the boys are certainly making a lot go noise right now and I can’t concentrate at all. So dear I just hop that you will overlook all my mistakes in this letter but darling I’m certainly not making a mistake when I say that I love you more than anything else in the world and look after yourself dear because I don’t know what I’d do if anything ever happened to you dear.
So darling with all my heart I remain you ever loving husband,

Bill

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Hi Darling:

Here I am again and it is Sunday night and I have just finished listening to the Band Wagon and gosh, it sure was good but I guess you heard it. You know darling this may seem crazy to you but every time I listen to the bands on the radio it makes you see me close to me and I can just picture the 2 of us dancing together and I always feel much better after I listen to music.
They all think I am listening to that “hot” music, but I think you understand me. I mean Mom, Pop and Marg think I am nuts.
Well dear what is new with you? Have you been behaving yourself, or have you been misbehaving with those Halifax girls. I just finished washing my hair and as soon as I finish your letter I am going to hit the hay.
Thursday night I went over to see you Mom and Dad and they are both fine dear. I think your Dad is going to write you today. I have just finished trying to get your Mom on the phone but the line was busy but I will try in a few minutes.
I gave your Mom and Dad a nice cut glass bowl with a silver band around it from us and a nice card for their anniversary and they were all thrilled about it Bill. Your Dad kept raving about it all night. Bill dear after the way Mr. and Mrs Simpson have acted towards Marg it certainly made me appreciate having such a grand mother-in-law and father-in-law because they are very good to me. Your Mother was asking me what I wanted for Christmas and I told her I really hadn’t thought much about it, the only thing I think is how soon it will be before I am down there with you. She was asking if I wanted something for the house that we will eventually get or something just for me. I decided that I wanted something for the house and she gave me the money to go buy it, and I decided on those bathroom hampers I always wanted. I bought a green on and it is just swell.
Oh darling just think of all the fun we will have once this awful war is over, planning things together, being together in the same place.
Friday night as I told you Auntie Lizzie and Mom had a shower for Marg and we all have a grand time. Your Mom and Aunt Agnes were there and there was about 45 people there altogether. Mrs Simpson sat in a corner with a sour look on her face, waiting for everyone to come to her. But I just smiled and never even spoke to her. Everybody was asking about my husband, but you would not know half of them if I told you.
Darling would you please make up your mind, once you said your leave would start on the 28th and now you say it will start on the 29th. I was all set to leave on the 27th, if I could get a train leaving then, but now I don’t know if I should leave on the 28th so be sure and let me know.
Last night I went to the show with Hazel Coswell . We went to the Oakwood theatre and saw “Holliday Inn” with Bing Crosby and it was a fantastic picture, but I guess you have seen it because you always seee the new pictures before they get here. Hazel was telling me that Rex won’t be coming home because he is flying spitfires. I think that guy strings her along. One minute he is doing one thing and then the next minute he is doing another. I was home and in bed by 12 o’clock which I think was very good.
Yesterday afternoon Dad had to go over to Auntie Lizzie’s and pick Marg’s things up, so Mother and I went with him and we took Beverley with us and went and saw Auntie Mattie and Aunt Agnes as they wanted to see the baby. Your Mother was also there and so was Miss Virtue and she told me to give her love to you. Aunt Agnes and Uncle Jack are fine. Aunt Mattie was in bed but she came downstairs when we came in. She is not looking too bad and she was asking for you. Oh I forgot to tell you your Mom got her teeth yesterday and they look very nice. I was just talking to her just now and she says they are hurting her a wee bit and she cannot eat that much. Your Dad is writing you tonight also so I guess you will get his letter the same time as mine.
Everybody is fine here except Mom is tired. She gets very tired because Beverley takes a lot out of her. Beverley was at the shower Friday night and she stole the whole show. By the time you get back here dear she will be a big girl. She is also getting so spoiled. I bought her a playpen for Christmas from us, is that OK with you dear? I didn’t think you would mind.
I am going to do all my shopping tomorrow because the 20% off at work stops on Tuesday. I am going to get you Dad as sweater. I don’t know what I am going to get your Mom but I will think of something.
Well dearest I will close now as I am going to have a cup of tea but I will try and write you Tuesday. I will not promise because I am going to the shower for Marg on Tuesday and Thursday night Marg is having a shower for her girlfriend as she is being married the same day as Marg.
With that then, all my love and loving you with all thy heart darling,

Doreen

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Hello Dearest:

I received you letter yesterday dear and as usual I was very glad to hear from you. Well at long last the winter has hit us down here and really with a bang too. There is about 60 M.P.H gales blowing around and you can bet little Willie won’t be sticking his nose out today.
Well darling I’ve made reservations at the Lord Nelson Hotel for us darling beginning on the 29th of December so if you leave on the morning of the 28th you will get in here on the night of the 29th because that is all it takes , only 2 days to come down. I’ve also got a wee little place lined up darling. There is an Airman there now but he is getting posted out and he is going to speak to the landlady about us but he says that is will be OK for us, and from what he has told me it is not bad at all. The lady who owns the place said that we can use the kitchen anytime we want. So darling it won’t be long now and I don’t think I’ve look forward to anything so much before, not even getting married.
I was talking to the boys in the accounts department and they said I would not need to get the warrant for another couple of weeks and I will pay for everything down here and all you will do is take it down to the station and turn it in for a train ticket and make your reservations. I don’t think you will need to bring so much more than what we have already discuss and I am sure you will do just fine packing but I will leave it up to you.
Well dear I’ve certainly got a lot to tell you (and show you and give you) when you come down here and I heard something today that if it comes true it will be the sweetest thing I have ever heard. But I cannot write it down in my letter so when I see you I will tell you all about it, and I will be waiting for you at the train station when you arrive at 5PM. The only thing that worries me is that the train can be a little crowded so dear, take lots to read and take along some apples and fruit and candy to nibble on in between your meals. Because I want you to enjoy the trip and consider this a vacation or even a second honeymoon and darling I’ll do everything in my power to make it just that.
I was talking to an old Wilkinson school pal, and you know him yourself, he used to chum around with Jack Aitken and he is on General Duties going up to Newfoundland and I don’t envy him one bit but we can’t pick our stations. Well anyway he was saying Jack told him that they boys up there in Newfoundland are pretty wild and are going crazy with the all the gals in town, so I hope Ted knows how to behave himself, but that is all his business.
I have not done very much lately. I went to the show Tuesday night, Wednesday night another concert, Thursday night another show and last night we had a dance. I went for an hour but I got so fed up that I left and went to bed. Honestly darling these woman down here aren’t nearly as sweet and loving as a certain little girl back in Toronto that I love very much.
Well all the boys have finally gone out and I can get a little peace in here and I’ll be able to write a little more than you can understand. They are all going down to do their Christmas shopping, boy I’m glad I can leave that to you. By the way dear have you got your cheque yet because I want you to use that for everything that you need at all and as I said in my last letter don’t worry about me because I’ve got all I need to keep me going.
Well now I’ve got something really good to tell you do you know what I had on my radio last night? C.F.R.B and Bert Niosi, boy do I ever feel proud. But it brought back a lot of nice memories darling do you remember all the nights we used to go down there? Oh well we will be able to have a lot more fun when we go out together as a very happy married couple and they way I love you dear we certainly will be happy. Just think in another 5 days we will be married 4 months. Yes sir, this little holiday of ours next month will be a mother honeymoon and boy, what a honeymoon!
I’m expecting a little letter from my Mother soon so I’ll write her as soon as I hear from her. I’m sorry to hear that she is not quite up to par and I really feel badly about not being able to see her and Pop at Christmas but I’ll be getting my leave in 2 or 3 months if I want so I will be getting home then.
Well darling I want you to get lots of sleep in the next three weeks as you will certainly need them and so darling until then as usual I’ll end by saying I love you so very, very much and I’ll be seeing you very,. very soon.

Love Bill

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Hello Darling;

Well dear here it is Wednesday night, I know I should have written you last night but I honestly did not het the chance.
Now lets see what I have done since I last wrote you. Sunday night as I think I told you I was at Auntie Bessie’s and as usual there was a crowd there. Monday night I stayed home as that was Ian’s last night here so we all stayed in. He left Tuesday morning on the 9:15 train so I guess he is well on his way. I didn’t go down to the station with him but Marg did. Mr Simpson drove them down. Marg was feeling pretty bad about him leaving and between you and me I think she liked him an awful lot and I think he liked her as well. I gave him your number just in case he got the chance to come and see you.
I was talking to your Mom last night and she wasn’t feeling so good but I phoned her tonight and she is feeling a lot better. I think she is worrying a lot about Aunt Mattie. Mother was talking to Aunt Agnes tonight and Aunt Mattie is just about the same. She called in her own doctor, I think his name is Dr. Cormack, and he gave her some medicine to take and he is going to come back tomorrow to see her.
You were telling your Mother darling that you had 2 surprises for me, are they nice ones, now you have me all curious but I haven’t much longer to wait before I will be down there to find out for myself. I hope you haven’t become a Father while you have been down there!
Darling you were asking my opinion if you should come home or not, well I was telling you Mother and she agreed with me that it is too much money for such a short time so dear, I guess you had better not come home because if you are lucky you should be getting a leave in February or March.
I think that would be a grand idea having 5 days together and staying at a hotel, it will just be like our first night darling and that was one swell night that I will keep in my heart forever. I will try and get the first train on the 27th, but won’t it take me longer than 2 days to reach Halifax? So darling as soon as you send me my Transportation Warrant I will go down right away and get my ticket.
Bill dear don’t forget to let me know what to bring down because I will probably need a large suitcase and I could send that down ahead of me. But I will guess you have lots of time before you get a room yet but gosh the time will soon be here.
I am going to get your Mother’s anniversary gift tomorrow and take it over tomorrow night as I won’t be able to give it to her on Friday as that is the night of the shower over at Auntie Lizzie’s for Marg. Both your Mother and Aunt Agnes are going. I don’t know what I am going to get you Mom and Dad but I guess I will see something tomorrow.
Oh Bill I forgot to get the address for your friends in Philadelphia but I will get it from your Mother tomorrow night and when I write you either Friday or Sunday I will send it down to you.
There is some excitement around here tonight, they had a shower for Marg over at Mrs. Collards and Marg, Mother and Aunt Jessie have just came in, and I had to have a look at everything, she got some lovely things. I didn’t got to the shower because I was down at Irene’s finishing Marg’s Bride book, gosh it sure takes a long time to make one. There was Irene, Jessie and Auntie Bessie and myself all working on it but we finally got it finished so it is all ready for Friday night.
I was talking to Helen Allen today and she was saying she hasn’t heard from Jack for 2 weeks so she thinks he is on his way overseas as she was just waiting to go over. So I guess he didn’t get the chance to see you. I was also talking to Hazel Coswell last night and she was telling me that Rex is training to be an instructor overseas and she says there might be a chance for him to get home in March but he told her not to build her hope up in case he doesn’t so she is all thrilled about it.
You were saying Bill dear to let you know if I wanted the lower or top berth, well I don’t know seeing as how I have never travelled on a train by myself but I think the lower would be better because I might fall out and if I had the lower it won’t be so far to fall but I don’t care what I have in fact I would be just as tickled to sit up all night because I won’t sleep anyways because I will be too excited.
Bill darling will you be able to get off and come and meet me at the station in Halifax because I think I would die if you were not there. But then again you can send along one of those handsome boys that was int he picture you sent me, (I am only kidding, honest I am).
Well dear I will close now as it is way past my bedtime and I must be sure to get lots of rest so I will be all set to………..you know what for.
So darling write soon and as always loving you very much,

Doreen

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Hello Darling;

I’ve just finished reading your little letter and it was certainly swell and 10 pages too! I’ll be lucky if can whip up 5 pages for you my dear.
The weather down here has turned a little colder but it is great for sleeping at nights. I know that when you come down I will have someone to keep me warm in bed, and I hope you feel the same way too.
I guess I didn’t make it too clear about my leave dear, we are supposed to be getting 5 days either at New Years or Christmas but I thought it would be such a long and expensive trip to go down there to Toronto that it would not be worth it for 2 days, but I am waiting to hear what you think is best before I decide finally. However dear I mentioned in my last letter what I thought would be a grand idea for New Years. My leave starts on the 29th so if you could leave Toronto on the morning of the 28th you would arrive here on the night of the 29th and we could spend the 5 days leave at some hotel here. I think that would be really swell dear. Even though I certainly wish I would get home so let me know what you really think is the best idea.
You asked me why I did not go to the dances, well I will tell you. I went to a couple of them as I told you and believe it or not I don’t think I ever spent a more dismal or miserable evening in my life. It wasn’t the music or the floor or anything but just the fact they remind me of those swell times we used to have together. So darling, hurry down here and cheer me up a bit. I guess the while trouble is that I really love you so much. Also, it is just a reason for the boys to find some “loose” gals to meet up with, and darling, that is something I have no interest in.
Last night I went to the show as usual. It was Abbott and Costello in “Hold that Ghost”. I think I saw it before with you dear. Well anyway it wasn’t bad. Tonight there is a dance so I don’t know what to do. They have 2 dances a week here darling. Tuesday and Saturdays so keep those dates open for your husband when you come down. Now don’t forget that darling.
A couple more of the Toronto boys got married on their leave and one of them got a place after he had brought his wife down. He was certainly taking a chance but everything turned ok for him.
I’m sorry that I forgot to enclose the bill for the radio in my last letter but I’ll put it in this one dear and I sure can get the Hit Parade. I can get practically every station in eastern U.S and Canada. I am sorry I forgot to put a lot of kisses in your letter dear and I will put some extra in this letter for you.
You won’t need to worry about any blackouts here dear, because when we have them when you are down here we will turn off the lights and then……..and then since you are so worried about the dark, I will make sure that I am right by your side.
You also said that you could dance circles around me (oh yeah) well they dance just he same as they do back home.
Now darling if you have to come down by yourself I don’t want you to worry about anything. You are going to come down first class and you will spend one night on the train, so let me know what berth you would like, upper or lower and upper is better darling and it would be safer but there won’t be any soldiers on the train, but you will have to make your reservation early, but hold everything until the first of the month. I think it is going to cost around $45 for your meals and everything. So that is not too bad at all, in fact darling I’d spend 10 times that to bring you down here.
Bob is working all night this week so I don’t see much of him, but he had been taking things easy lately. I think he is afraid of those Halifax women. I don’t blame him either, after what happened to him.
Pardon me for a moment dear, one of the boys just came in with a pair of skates to raffle off at 10 cents a draw. They have skating here by the way dear at the Forum. I haven’t been there yet, and they say it is not too bad. Well I’ve drawn #25 so heres hoping it is lucky.
Well dear I’ve got to be closing now, I’m on duty watch this week so I got to get up to the Fire Hall for the role call. So I’ll just close by saying that I love you more than anything darling and I can’t wait until I see you in only 4 week.
Until then I remain your ever loving husband,

Bill

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Hello Darling:

I received you very nice letter on Friday and I am sorry dear I did not get a chance to answer it sooner. It is now Sunday afternoon and I have just finished listening to the 8 hit tunes of the week. Can you get that program on your radio?
As usual dear nothing exciting has happened here since I last wrote you. Last night, being Saturday I went to the good O’l show with Irene. We went to the Lamew on Pape as we had seen all the other shows around here. The 2 pictures we saw were not bad. After the show we went up to Auntie Bessie;s where the whole family was. Please excuse this wee pad of paper O’l dear but as I have finished all my paper in my pad I have to use Marg’s and she always buys these little wee ones, but beggars can’t be choosers.
Bill darling, I don’t understand what you mean when you say you are taking New Years off instead of Christmas, does that mean you are coming home for New Years and then I will go back down with you? Or that you are not coming home at all but will take New Years off when I come down there? Please be sure to explain what you mean in your next letter.
Your Mother is going to be disappointed that you are not coming home for Christmas and so will your Aunt Mattie. Of course I will miss you too dear, but then I am going down to see you. Gosh darling the time is sure going slow but it will not be long now.
By the way since when have the censor department told you to cut out all the kisses at the bottom of your letters? Gee Bill they may be unimportant to you but they certainly mean a lot to me. I guess you gave giving out too many kisses down there and cannot remember to put them in my letters, just wait until I get a hold of you.
I was talking to your Mother today and she has not yet heard any word form you, she has been looking for a letter for some time now. I told her you were going to write her and your Aunts so do not make a liar out of me. They are all so tickled when they get a letter form you. I wonder darling if you really know how much they all do really love you. They were all hoping that you would get home for Christmas. Your Mom and Dad are going to your Aunts for supper as Aunt Mattie has not bene out for some time now, and she is not able to go out really.
I will try and go up and see her this week but gosh I have been so busy with showers for Marg. Last Friday night I was up at Auntie Bessie’s and Irene, Jessie and I were all working on Marg’s brides book as we have to finish it by Friday night as that us the night of Aunt Lizzie’s shower for her and there is one next Wednesday over at Mrs. Collards. We had a blackout here last Wednesday. It was supposed to be a surprise blackout but I was over at Mrs Simpson’s getting some pictures and she told me it was that night as Mr Simpson had to be on Fire Duty. I was the lucky one to go over and get some pictures from the Simpson house and let me tell you that I walked in, hardly said a word and picked up those pictures and walked right back out. After what they did to poor Marg I have nothing to say to them, and I think they got the picture.
Bill dear do they blackouts in Halifax every night? Oh the redhead that worked in the office with me was put out of the office last week. My boss gave her a transfer to some other department. He said she was keeping the other girls form their work by gossiping and talking all the time. I felt sorry for her because a lot of the kids just used to talk to her because she would tell them all the gossip from the office, among some other things! It was not entirely her fault and she told the boss that but he did not listen to her. I wonder if I will ever see her again?
Bill dear you were saying that Tuesday night was dance night but you just stayed in and listened to the radio. Bill you should go with them because darling I am out of practice and will have to learn all over again and I was hoping that you have learned some new steps to teach me. I guess I will manage as I used to dance circles around you (HA HA).
You were saying that you had an offer to sell the radio and am I glad you didn’t see it because as I told you the man that sold me the radio said that is another months time we would not be able to get a small radio.
We have Ian home this weekend, he just received his wings last Friday afternoon and he got leave until Tuesday morning then he has to report to Moncton, New Brunswick on the 25th and he hopes to be there for just a few days. Oh Bill do not forget to send the bill for the radio, because I might need it.
Everybody in the house is sleeping so after I finish your letter I think I will have a wee nap. Boy what a life. It is a lovely day here, I am just debating if I should put my spring coat on when I go out. I only hope it keep up like this.
Well dearest I guess I will finish now as I am getting a wee bit short of news, but I will write you again on Tuesday. So darling loving you very, very much.
Love from your wee wife who is missing you an awful lot,

Doreen

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Hello Darling:

Well here it is Sunday and I’ve just returned from having dinner and boy what a dinner. Cream of Tomato soup, boiled ham, carrots, potatoes and ice cream and apple pie for dessert. Boy oh boy will I be putting open weight for you.
Well dear only a couple more days and it is the end of the month and then December, and then you will be here. My boss, Sergeant Weldon asked me about going home to Toronto on my 5 days leave and he said that he didn’t think it was worth it because for one thing the train would at least 2 days to get home and it would cost about $45 anyway. Then I said I was mainly going home to bring you down, well then he said why don’t I get a room at the Nova Scotian for my leave for 4 or 5 days. I really think that would be a lot of fun darling don’t you? Just you and I together for 5 days. I really do think that would be best even though I would like to come home very much. I would only be home for 1 day anyway. But darling I want to find out what you really think is best before I decide finally.
I will have 5 days starting on the evening of December 28th until the morning of January 3rd so darling if you could leave Toronto the morning of the 27th you would get in here he night of the 28th. I’m going to go to the accounts Section and get your transportation warrant. I will send it down to you and you will have to bring it in to the station for a train ticket. Dear, I would like you to make your reservation early so that you will be sure to get a good berth and seat. Let me know whether you want an upper or lower. I think an upper would be awful. Well anyway darling I won’t make any definite arrangements until I hear from you so you let me know what you think would be best.
I can hardly wait to see you again dear and thank goodness it won’t be like last time and I won’t have to leave you after 2 weeks. It will be just like another honeymoon darling and that is why I thought it would be very,. very nice to stay at a hotel for the first 4 or 5 days.
Well let me see what has happened since I last wrote you, nothing very much as usual. I’ve been doing a little painting and drawing. Friday night I went to the station theatre and saw a funny pair of pictures. Saturday night I went downtown and sae “Flying Tigers” boy, now that really is a great picture. Have you seen it yet dear, it is certainly worth seeing. Tonight I guess I will go to the show again. I don’t know what the picture it bit it is the only thing to do on a Sunday night.
So you are still worried about not getting enough money, well dear you say that now but I have more than I know what to do with down here, and I want you to spend that $75 that you will be getting this month on yourself. I’ve got so much myself that I didn’t even go up at the middle of the month and get my pay. I’m going to let it total up until you get down because I’ll need it then. You had better bring our bank book down with you and if you need any loose cash let me know because you will have to buy your meals on the train.
I’ve ordered a dozen Christmas cards dear so if there is anybody in particular that you would like me to send some to just let me know. I figured I would have 2 or 3 people I would send them to myself. Maybe you can get some addresses from my Mom and Pop, specifically anyone who is the states that we should be sending the Christmas cards to.
Well dear I’ve got to hurry because I want to get this int he make by 2 o’clock. I should have written you yesterday afternoon dear, but I had to work for a while and I did not get a chance.
I guess Marg is getting excited. I would have liked to see the wedding for Marg’s sake but after the way Ted acted I would not go across the street to see him married, but anyways darling I know you will be the loveliest girl there anyways. Just you make sure that the other guys know that you are my wife, and my one true love. I think what you had in mind for Marg’s Christmas gift is very nice and you go ahead and get it. You can get my Dad a pipe for me dear and I do not know what to get my Mother and for your Mom and Pop something very nice and do not forget baby Beverley too and from the bottom of my heart I just wish that was our baby we were buying presents for.
Well darling loving you very, very much and hoping to see you soon dear.
I remain you very loving husband,

Bill

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Hello Dearest;

I received your very nice letter today so I thought I would answer it right away. I see you received my wee letter, I know it was shorter than usual but I still don’t think it was wee, gosh one of the girls in our office was writing her husband down at work and she wrote him one page. She was saying she never writes him much more so I don’t think you do too bad.
I have just came in from the show and as soon as I write your letter I am going to hop into bed. I went to the show with Irene and saw 2 swell pictures. I was talking to your Mom before I went to the show and she was at the dentist today, but she did not get the rest of her teeth pulled. She just got he impressions taken. I was going over to see her tomorrow night but Mom and Dad have to go to a meeting so I have to stay home and watch Beverley, so your Mother said she would come over and say with me.
Yes darling I know you were getting a parcel from Mrs. McCombie as she was telling your Mother that she was going to send you one so be sire and write her Bill because I think it was very nice of her, and I’ll just her those boys enjoyed those cigarettes.
I am glad you told me about your Mom and Pop’s anniversary, have you any suggestions what I can get them dear? Auntie Lizzie is having a shower for Marg next Friday so I thought I would give your Mother her gift there, but let me know what you think. There is also another shower for Marg on Wednesday over at Mrs. Collards and another one on the first Wednesday in December and Ann Noddle and I are having one for her the 2nd week in December, oh boy what fun.
I was down at Auntie Bessie’s cutting out pictures for Marg’s brides book last night and I will have to go down on Friday night again, poor Marg I am telling her so many lies.
You were saying Bill that if I wanted any Ari Force Cards you would send them to me. I think they would be very nice, but I have 2 boxes here which I bought about 2 months ago, so I am well ahead of you. Bill dear I am going to get mad at you, I told you not to sign any more money over to me, because I said before you will not have enough for yourself. I see that I am going to have to give you a talking to when I come down here so just watch out.
You were also saying that if I wanted to I could come by T.C.A, that is nice of you Bill, but I think I would rather wait until you were with me on my first trip and anyway we can use that $10.00 because it is going to cost us quite a bit and darling here is the good news. I finally went in and asked Mr. Court for my months leave and he was very nice about it and said I could have it off as long as I did not leave him for Christmas. Boy was I relieved when he said I could.
Marg went into her boss yesterday and asked is she could take 5 weeks off, but he told her he would only allow 2 weeks leave as it was some new government order that no one can have more than 2 weeks leave. So I guess I was lucky because Mr. Court did not know about this new rule.
Boy you sure have fun down there, only why do they always pick on poor Bob? I think I will have to take him under my wing when I come down. Have they played any jokes on you yet?
Ok Bill darling I am getting so excited, you had better wear a red rose on your label when you meet me as I might not know who you are. Another thing Bill, maybe you had better send my bill for the radio up in your next letter as I might need it, I don’t think I will bust just in case.
Auntie Bessie had a letter from your Uncle Stan today saying that he was coming home as an instructor as a Sergeant Major, but she got a telegram last week saying that his leave had been cancelled. Wasn’t that a shame, so poor Auntie Bessie was feeling pretty blue tonight. I do not blame her because it has been 3 years since Uncle left here.
Bill dear I thought we would buy Beverley a play-pen for Christmas. I thought we could get Marg a coffee table for a wedding present as she and Auntie Jessie have us our Tea Wagon. So I am going to take Marg with me when I buy it because I might choose something she did not care for, so we will go up to College St Eaton’s on Saturday afternoon and get it. Do you think that is OK?
Mrs Collard was telling us that Ian was recommended for his commission, but we have not told anyone yet in case it is a lot of talk and I am not sure if he will like that or not because he wanted to be back home in Scotland for Christmas. But if he gets his commission he might be kept here as an instructor and he always said he didn’t envy anyone who became an instructor as it is a tough job. I think Bill that is a lot of talk, you know how people make more out a small thing to make themselves feel important.
Well darling I am afraid I will have to close now because it is getting late and I have to do a lot before I go to bed. But darling I will write you again on Thursday or Friday.
So dearest loving you with all of my heart and just think dear it won’t be line before I will be able to have you in my arms and kiss you for real. Love,

Doreen

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