October 19, 1943

Dear Mom + Dad (+kids + Bin),

Well I’m sorry I haven’t answered sooner so here goes now, you say you sent me $10.00 well I have not got it yet. I got the parcel and the $1.00 okay, but not $10.00.

Yes mother, I got out of the hospital okay, thank God. It was the worst two weeks I ever spent in my life. I hope I never have to go in again unless it’s in Toronto where somebody will come and visit me, you and Marg.

I had a lovely Thanksgiving. We worked all morning and I was on guard all afternoon. We had ham, mashed potatoes, and buttered carrots with lots of butter.

I just ran out of ink and I am in a good writing mood so I don’t feel like stopping to fill up.

When you see Bruce, tell him I am going to beat the shi- out of him for joining the Army, the crazy so and so.

You say it is like fall there, well I wish it was just like fall here. It is so cold. I wear 2 pair of long underwear, and when it rains, well thank god Noah knew how to build a boat otherwise its okay.

I guess Bin won’t be having a party because I won’t be getting my furlough for a while yet, da—it. But when I do, watch out, I will tear the city apart and paint it red!

I am a cook, believe it or not I can really boil water without burning it.

Tell my kid sister to order me a brush wool sweater and I will pay her for it after the war and all the other I borrowed and forget to pay back, but tell her she still owes me 7 cents for the bottle of Coke I bought her when I was home those 3 days. Tell Binny to have a dozen quarts for when I get home in 44.

How is my watch could you please send it down as I could really use it when I am boiling eggs.

Well that’s all for tonight, please write soon and I am looking for that $10.00 as it is pretty close to Xmas.

Lots of love and kisses to the best mother a soldier boy could have.

Your son, the east end kid

Gord.