H.M.C.S HURON
c/o G.P.O London
England.

Dear Mother;

You will be very much surprised to receive this letter I suppose. I don’t imagine you received many of my earlier letters. I haven’t heard from you since November. I worry about you quite a lot, because I haven’t heard from you. I am in perfect health, and I sincerely hope you are feeling well too.

I have seen a good portion of the world since I was last home. I never dreamed I would travel so much in the Navy. It’s all very tiresome.

Will you please send me Aunt Nancy’s address? I lost the last one just when I could use it most. I passed through the town where she lives once. I would like to look her up if I get some leave over here.

England is not so nice as you used to tell me it was. It’s darn wet, I can tell you that. The people are O.K though. They sure are game fighters. I don’t know how they have done what they have. They certainly have guts.

If I can get ashore some time I will buy some air-graph forms. They will reach you sooner; a letter will probably take a long while.

The food here is good (what there is of it.) I miss Canada and Canadian customs though. You know Canada is very modern compared with most countries. I nearly died laughing at the little trains over here. They look like little toys.

Well I must close for now. Give my love to the rest of the family and my friends

Your loving son
John

P.S. I may not be home for a long time.

[Editor’s note: The letter was dated from the envelope’s censor stamp date of “21/2/44”.]