Hello darling;

Well dear I am sorry that I am a couple of days late writing this letter but when you read it do not think you will mind. I have waited a year to write this darling so I should try and make a masterpiece out of it so here goes. I sail for home on the 31st of this month on the Ile de France!!!!!!!
You might receive a telegram before you receive this letter as I thought you would get a kick out of receiving one. Well lets start at the beginning.
I thought that something was cooking when they cut my leave down to 4 days. we were planning on leaving earlier but the sate was cut back to the 31st. At least that was the latest news that they told us this morning. They have taken our unwanted luggage for the trip and you might even see it at home before I arrive. I figure that I will arrive in Toronto around the 10th of April, just a little late for Donna’s birthday but I will take it.|
We leave on Tuesday or Wednesday for the boat as we have to be on a few days ahead so this might be my last letter tp you dear. Thank goodness we will now be able to say what we want to each other instead of writing everything down. By the way you will be able to read in the papers when I will be arriving in Toronto but you will probable know more about that than I do. I think I will know about half the fellows on the boat as we all have been waiting for so long to get home.
I am doing practically nothing, I do not know what to do with my time. It is certainly going twice as slow since I found out that I was going home and it was the best news I have heard since I came over here.|
Well let me see now that I have been doing, as usual a couple of shows this week and a night in the pub and I spent an evening at the Canadian Legion playing cards.
Well dear as soon as I feet in the door I am going to put on my civvy clothes, so how about getting my black suit in shape. Gosh how wonderful it is going to be to see you again dear, and just in a matter of days now. I just hope you are in good shape for some real good loving dear. So you have got over a week to get in top ship shape condition. And do not forget to tell your boss that you are going to take an extended vacation and perhaps a permanent one.
Well dear I think that just about covers everything, so I do not think that you will hear from me until I get home unless I can get a letter fired away before the boat set sails. Tell Toots that her Daddy is coming home and he cannot wait to wrap his arms around her and give her a really big kiss for all the time that he missed.
So darling, for the first time in a long time I get to say see you soon and loving you more and more each day.
Your loving husband,

Bill

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Hello dearest;

Well darling here it is Wednesday morning at 9 AM a little early for letter writing perhaps but I am sitting here doing nothing so I thought it would be a good time. I have received your letters OK. I got 4 letter together on Monday, 2 from you and 2 from Mom and Pop. I really do not know what held them up, quite likely that they did not know where I am seeing as I am moving around quite a bit.
Well, I am still getting every afternoon off, boy I must be the highest paid guy for doing nothing in England, it is a disgrace really, the poor taxpayers.
There is certainly a lot happening next month isn’t there? Donna’s birthday party, your cousin getting married and maybe I will be coming home. Raymond did not take very long to decide to get married did he? I think I met the girl once, she seemed to be a pretty nice kid, and I guess he is no younger than we were when we got married and I have never been sorry about that a day in my entire life dear.
Now let me see what I have been doing. Monday and Tuesday nights I went tot he show by myself and was in bed by 11 each night. Boy, it is certainly boring trying to pass the time at nights for what I hope is my last 2 or 3 weeks! There are about 30 guys int he office that I am in and I have the second lowest number here which means I will be the 2nd guy to go home, so it looks pretty good. Although it could be tomorrow of a month from tomorrow.
I have just received another letter of yours darling, the one you wrote in the office. I am glad to hear that everything is fine and I know how you feel because I feel the same way darling. But as I said before it will not be very long now until we are together again.
Well I see from Dads letter that school starts in October. I would like to go back but I realize that it will not be easy, and that we will both have to give up a certain amount of good times dear. But it will certainly pay us in the long run. I think I will go back to S&V until school starts or until I decide what I want to do.
Well I am going in London for a week-end. I have a room booked at the Canadian Legion this time. It will be a nice change to get away from where I have been living and it only costs 50 cents for a bed and breakfast and it is quite nice. Gosh I would have liked to been home for Raymond’s wedding. I guess there would be lots of liquor refreshments. But we will have a big “do” when I get back. So catch up on your sleep dear because I think that I will have some good news for us soon.
Well to the loveliest sweetest little girl I know, all my love darling,

Bill

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Hello Darling;

Here it is Sunday morning at 11:45 and I have just finished reading the Sunday Scandal sheet but it was very respectable this morning and there was nothing spectacular to read about. But there was 33 people killed at a foot ball game yesterday when the crowd got out of control.
Well let me see what I have done. Thursday night I went tot he show and saw “Thrill of a Romance” and it was very good and streamy. Friday night I went skating at Wembley Stadium, but yesterday afternoon I really did have a swell time. I went through the Houses of Parliament and really saw everything, it was very interesting. I picked up a couple of pamphlets and post cards, but I went to Westminster Abbey after that and that was really something and extra special. There were 6 Canadians in our party and one of the ministers took us around and showed us all the historical things and places where everybody was buried, including 4 kings of England. It will always be something for this Daddy to look back on and tell his children about.
last night I just kicked around the club and played cards and billiards. Today we have not quite made up our minds what to do yet. But I am going to see as much as I can as rumours are flying around thicker and faster than they ever were. But I am not going to get your hopes up until I can wire you and tell you for sure when to expect me, but I can tell you that things are shaping up better than I thought they would by this time.
Well I think spring is just around the corner and about time too as you just cannot seems to get warm over here no matter what you do. Thank goodness that I will be able to sit in a nice warm house and take a nice warm bath once I get home.
Well dearest, how is little Toots this week? Have you been telling her that her Daddy will be seeing her again soon and as I told you before dear, she will consider me a stranger and I will have to start over with her, getting to know her and letting her trust me but I think we will be real good friends before long.
You know that I have told you over and over again in each letter that I write you that I love you more and more each day that we are apart dear, and that we will have a wonderful life together and have a long and happy marriage that I am sure of. And now that we have Donna and possibly more little ones to come along there is nothing int he world that will make me happier than to grow old with you and watch her grow up to become an amazing woman just like her Mom.
I better end things here dear as I am getting too sentimental and I just might start swimming home from jolly old England. So as always,
All my love dear,

Bill

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Hello darling;

Well dear here it is Thursday afternoon and as usual I am doing nothing and thought I would write you and let you know the latest and I have certainly done a lot since last writing you.
Well I am working, or should I say hanging around another place now. I am out in the R.C.A.F Tobacco depot now and what a joke it is. I do about 10 minutes or work a day and we have every afternoon from 12:30 off. I figured out that the government pays me about $53 a week for that 10 minutes every morning. I reported out here on Tuesday morning and applied for a leave as soon as I arrived. They said you are not wasting any time so I more or less told them I am not the least bit interested in the R.C.A.F and just want to get home.
At any rate it seemed to work and I start my leave on Friday the 1st of March. I was only told that this morning so I have not had time to tell your Aunt and Uncle that I will be coming and since I will be leaving on Saturday I thought I would phone my Aunt in Birmingham and tell her to expect me first for a couple of days and then I would be off to see your Aunt and Uncle.
Well I am living at a place that is about a 10 minute walk from work so that is really handy. They are certainly swell to me and they give me the run of the house, there is the lady and her husband who own the place, a girl about 9 or 10 and a little boy who is 3. She is quite a good cook and I really think I will do alright until I come home which cannot be soon enough for me. I figured that this would be my last leave anyway.
Last night I went to the local show as there is really not much to do around here, but I am going to take things easy from now on until I get home and I spend most of my evenings here in front of the fire. They want me to learn bridge so I can play at nights with them and since you and I will no doubt be entertaining ourselves when we get settled I figured I should learn how to play.
I received 4 of your letters, one from my mother and 1 from Percy all at once so had a great time reading them all. Percy certainly thinks Donna is quite cute little thing and thinks that she takes after you which tickled me pink darling.
Well how is the weather back there as it is rather cold here but nice and bright today. We had a little snow 2 days ago but it has already melted. I went into town yesterday morning to pick up my bag and saw quite a bit of London. By the time you receive this I will be in ” Bonnie Aberdeen” Tell Pop Booth that I plan on sampling some real old Scotch whiskey in the near future.
I am going into town this afternoon to get my suit pressed and to pick up my laundry. By the way dear, I was thinking that we could go to Montreal some weekend when I am back and on my leave, you have never been there and I think it would be a wonderful trip for us.
So keep the old chin up dear as I hope to be home soon and from your very best husband as always,
All my love,

Bill

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Hello dearest;

Well here I am again, Friday night at 11 PM and I have jus come in from a walk, there was Marv, Kenny and myself, they are the other 2 fellows that I came to London with. We went downtown to see what it was like at night. I was rather disappointed as it was almost as quite as Toronto (the good). We went down Piccadilly which was supposed to be pretty wild but it was like Danforth Ave.
What has surprised me about London is the number of taxis, there are literally thousands running around and most of them are about 10 years old, ou take you life in your hands every time you cross the street. We see free pictures at the Canadian Legion every night. Wednesday night I saw Wonder Man and last night I stayed in at the club. Tomorrow night we will take in a free stage show, they say they are pretty good and there are as many stage shows as there are theatres in London. Sunday morning we are taking a conducted tour around London and in the afternoon we are going to a museum. There is lots to do and see and I am going to make the most of my short (I hope) stay here.
Did you know that I have not had any mail for 14 days. I know that it is not your fault, as they have just lost track of me and where I am. But I am going to smartem them up on Monday and also try and get some leave. Oh by the way I have an address of a firm in Scotland that makes kilts, they cost 5 pounds each or about $23 and also you can order them by mail, all you have to do is give them the measurements so let me know what you think dear.
Gosh I hear more rumours around headquarters then I ever heard in Bournemouth. I do not listen to any of them and I am not saying anything to you about when I should be coming home as I frankly do not know. If you were only here with me dearest we would hvae a wonderful time.
I am still living int he Salvation Army hostel, but I expect to get a place to live on Monday or Tuesday. The weather here is quite mild but it is not bright at here at all. I have not seen any more than a couple of hours of sunshine since I have been here. It has been a year since I started my embarkation leave and I cannot believe where the time has gone. I hold on to the idea that we will all be together soon and that lovely idea is what keeps me going through these cloudy days.
Well dear, I will leave it here, so as always I love you from the bottom of my heart and please give Donna a kiss from her old Daddy.
Love as always,

Bill

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Hello darling;

I am sorry dear that I have not written sooner but I have been trying to get hold of some of those air mail forms and I just managed to get one at this club. Darling the transfer out of Bournemouth was so fast and disorganized that I really only had the chance to telegram you letting you know I was on the move. So here I am now reporting from London.
Well I have been in London for 4 days now and I am now a little more used to it. I am working in the War Crimes Commission Section and as there is lots of work to do the time seems to go faster. The R.C.A.F headquarters here is a large department store we have taken over. It was called Harrods before. It is quite a nice building.
I am still staying at the Salvation Army Hotel as we have not been able to get another place to live as yet although I think we will be getting another place on Monday. It takes us about 15 minutes on the underground to get to work, it is certainly a very efficient system.
Well let me see what I have been doing. Saturday we went to the show and Sunday we went tot he zoo in the afternoon and I really enjoyed it. They have every animal in the world at this place, and it is in regents Place. Sunday night I stayed at the Canadian Legion Club and saw a swell picture, that is where I am writing from now. They are showing Danny Kaye’s “Wonder Man” tonight so we are staying for that. Tomorrow night the Brauer Club is closing and we are going to go as they are having a real big “do” and I imagine that they will make a news real of it, so keep your eye open at the show and you might even see me in the background.
I do not like London as much as |I thought I would but if you were here dearest I would just think it is grand. By the way I happened to see Tom Bradheers’ file and he has a little girl, she was born 5 months after he was married……ahem….
Well dear as yet no further news on when I will be on that old boat back home. They are up to number 82 now and my number is 88 but that does not mean anything if they need you.
I hear so many rumours every day that I really do not believe anyone anymore just what I read officially. They guy that I chum around with is from Toronto, he is married and his wife lives there. He was married only 3 months before he came overseas. He is like me and we get along quite well. I think he thinks about his wife back home as much as I think about you darling.
Well this is you London reporter saying so long to his very well wife and as always,
With all my love,

Bill

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Hi dearest;

Well here it is Wednesday night and I have just come in from the show and thought I would write my mid week letter even though I have not got very much news to say.
The bubble had burst over here anyway as far as repatriation for the R.C.A.F is concerned. I guess you have read in the papers about 1500 airmen striking at one of our stations. They have been feeding the public a lot of guff in the papers about all the Occupation force for the R.C.A.F being volunteers. They claim they needed so many and if you were unlucky to be required you were one. They say we all should be home by summer I am certainly sympathetic with the boys who have been over here a long time and are striking. I only hope that Ottawa will change their policy and get us home sooner or they will have a lot more trouble I would imagine. I will send you a copy of our paper with all the news in it and also a copy of the course I might take if I ever get home in time.
In your last letter dear you asked about a parcel, yes you can send one with soap, razor blades, Mennen shaving cream lotion, Ingrams shaving cream (2) and you could send a small bottle of whiskey as well dear, if you do not mind, thanks darling.
They told me that I will be able to take my leave on the 14th of the month. I do not know where I am going yet but I think it will be up north somewhere. As soon as I get there I will make sure that I send you a post card so you know where I am at.
Well I have been to 2 shows this week anyway, they were both pretty fair shows. So our little girl is saying “Hi Dad”, gosh I am looking forward to seeing her again but no more than I am looking forward to seeing you dear. I am still thinking that we can go to Buffalo for a week end and than perhaps go to Philadelphia for a day or 2 to stay with my relatives as they want us to but then I am not very fussy about staying with anybody for a while after I get home, if you know what I mean.
Well one of my pals has just come in from a dance and he says that it was one of the grimiest “dos” he has ever been to. I never have any fun at any dances over here, but I will have to go to one in Scotland when I am there see if it is true about what you tell me about the swell dances there.
I guess that is about all for now dearest and as always all my love to you and Donna.

Love Bill

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Hi Dearest;

Well here it is Sunday night and I have just come back from seeing “Double Indemnity” and another picture and it was very good. I went by myself as all the boys wanted to see “Congo Women” but I had already seen it. I am sitting in my room now listening to the radio, it is the Lux program and they are playing with Jimmy Stewart. Gosh but I feel lonely tonight dear, I certainly miss you more every day.
Well let me see what I have been doing. Last night I went to a dance with 3 of the boys but the band was really corny and altogether it was a pretty grim show. So we left early and went down to the mess for a late supper. We had eggs, green peas and sausages. I have really got an enormous appetite right now but do not think that I have put on much weight and darling, when you are cooking for |Donna and I I am going to eat more than ever and with you sitting across from me I am going to be the most contented man in the world.
Well they are using Bournemouth to house the G.I. brides. I saw 8 bus loads leave for Southampton on Saturday to go on board the Queen Mary and I thought just how many really do love their husbands to go over seas and leave everything they know and love behind. I think of you and how lucky I am to be loved as much as I am.
The more I think about that trip to Buffalo the better I like it. We will go by train and might even stay another day or so if we like it, and with you by my side I know that I will want to stay more than a weekend darling.
Oh by the way, you wanted me to get Donna a tartan shirt didn’t you? So let me know what tartan you wanted and her measurements and I will see what I can do when I go on leave to Aberdeen.
I have you Valentines in front of me dear and they are just swell. The best Valentine you could give me is to have you all here with me, but I guess that will not be for a little while longer.
Gosh it will be almost a year since I received my embarkation leave, it was the 21st of |February that I came home. I just dreaded telling you and it was certainly hard to leave you darling. I love you more than anything else in the whole wide world.
I was wondering when Raymond Kinkaid was coming home. I guess Uncle Louie will have a big party for him. Have you heard anymore about whether he is going to marry that girl he is engaged to? How is Ted making out about getting in the Fire department? I guess he does not like going way out to the west end to got to work, well he will just have to stick it out.
Well so long again for now dear, and as always,
All my love,

Bill

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Hello Dearest;

Well here it is Sunday night and I am on night duty so I thought it would be a good time to write you and let you know the latest. I have just said goodbye to 3 more of the boys from the office, they are leaving on the Aquitannia tomorrow morning. Gosh I am so fed up seeing all the other guys go home and still no news about me.
I received your last letter yesterday and I was glad to hear all of you back home are well. I think it would be a swell idea for the three of us to go to Buffalo, but by the looks of things do not expect to be going to at least June or July by the time I get home. But then 3 or 4 months more will go by fast and we will have nice summer weather for our 2 months together.
I am looking forward to being with you so much dear, and what a time we are going to have, we are going to have the biggest splurge of our lives.
Well let me see what I have been doing. I have got a room to myself now and it is really swell. I am afraid I will not be here very long to enjoy it very much. I saw 4 pictures last week isn’t that awful. But it is a cheaper way of spending time than sitting in a pub. After all, the beer here is not at all as strong as our Canadian beer, so I would rather just be at the show.
Friday night I stayed in and played cards and listened to records and then slipped down to the mess for some later supper. I would rather spend an evening doing that then anything else. I am rather looking forward to getting on a station again as you can do so much more than you can in a town like this. You can’t get anything to read here at all. So do not forget to send me some newspapers to read and let me know if you have found that slip for the books dear.
So our little girl got quite a kick out of you loosing your hat during that windstorm. We are certainly going to have some good times together aren’t we darling. If she is as easy to get along with and as half as pretty as you are we will do just fine.
Well so long for now dearest, and as always,
All my love

Bill

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Hi Darling;

Well I received your last 2 letters yesterday and darling you do not miss me one bit more than I miss you. It is so very hard being separated from one another when we love each other so much dearest.
I guess Percy will be home by now that lucky guy. The trouble is that they do not tell us a thing as to when we will be going home, the only thing you can count on is what you read in the papers and then you cannot really even rely on that.
The Minister for Air was here on |Tuesday and told us definitely that the Army of Occupation would be out of here by the end of June and then I read in the paper that they were debating about getting us out by the end of March, so as I said before I do not know what to believe. I made my big mistake when I cam into the Air Force as a clerk, if I had been any other trade I would be out by now. But darling, I do not mind waiting another couple of months, as long as I know that you and Donna are comfortable and the weather will be nicer for our second honeymoon.
I just wish that you were here today darling, the weather is just like summer, I have not worn my hat or gloves yet today. Some girls were running up and down the beach in their bare feet. I have not seen a y snow yet so far. We could really have a swell time together.
They are playing the record machine right now and it is making me very sentimental, listening to some of the old records that being memories of you back to me.
Well dearest, I am glad that you all had a nice New Years, and that next years will be the best yet. By the way dear have you sent away for my books yet? You have not said anything about them lately and I am really looking forward to getting them soon. I wish I knew how you felt about living in the country dear, but that too seems to be something that you never write about. Another thing dear, have you received my latest $50 war bond yet?
Well I am seeing more shows then I have ever seen in my life before. I saw 4 last week and they are usually newer then the ones being shown in the town so that is where I have been going lately.
All my love darling as always,
Your ever loving husband and Pop

Bill

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