1
Letters were carefully written and eagerly awaited.2
Johnson, Jim H., army1940
unknown
3
In a letter to his mother received Feb. 6, 1942, Jim Johnson writes from England: "Christmas Day was nice and clear. No rain or snow. Christmas Eve the YMCA gave a concert and presents to about 1,000 Canadian airmen. . . we had bacon and eggs for breakfast (the second egg since I've been here). For dinner we had roast pork, mince pie, beer, tea and soft drinks." I received a sweater, scarf, two chocolate bars, some soap and shaving cream. "Santa wasn't too bad after all."4
Johnson, W. Graham1940
Okotoks, Alberta
5
In a letter received Feb. 6, 1942 from Graham Johnson in England, he wrote: "We are stationed near a fairly large town which is nearly deserted. There are several stores, show halls and restaurants open and it is very nice."6
Hall, Donald A., army1940
Okotoks, Alberta
7
Mrs. William Hall received a letter March 6, 1942 from her son Donald in England: "I Have been meeting quite a few W.A.A.F.s lately and I must say the girls in Canada are very lucky in comparison. Naturally heating accommodations in camp are not very good and the W.A.A.F.s have to live under the same conditions as the men and I may add the English girls have certainly won my admiration for the way they work in factories, forces, etc. But I think a girl looks prettier in a dress than a uniform. Over here, all the girls are in uniform."8
Freeman, Joe N. army1940
unknown
9
Sgt. Joe Freeman wrote to his mother after the raid on Dieppe: "After Dieppe none of us will ever grumble very much about hardships or work; it's too nice just to be alive. The first thing I did was send you off a telegram saying I was okay as I knew you found out the 14th we were in the show. Charley (Halstead), Graham (Johnson) and Dave (Patterson) are alright. I'm afraid Mrs. John Cope's brother Gilbert Hocken is gone. My roommate Sgt. Major Alec Tough didn't come back. I still can't realize that I'll never see him again."10
Kadey, T. Archie, air force1940
Okotoks, Alberta
11
A telegram from Archie Kadey in Newfoundland was received by his parents Dec. 18, 1942. "Up until now I haven't seen anyone from home but have met several boys I know from Calgary, but I am always looking for a familiar face from Okotoks. I always look forward to getting the Review and reading the news from home. Hope you are well and with best wishes to all my friends for Christmas and New Year."12
Halstead, Charles, army1940
Okotoks, Alberta
13
Alice Halstead received a letter Oct. 1, 1943 from her husband Charlie in Sicily: "Today was our brigade sports day and it was a most successful one. For variety we added a few stampede events. I entered a chuckwagon with four outriders in one of the races. One of my horses had a harness on for the first time, so you can just imagine what happened. The hardest part of all was that the horses couldn't understand English. As we used to say, it was a howling success."14
Overand, Earl1940
unknown
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