March 5th, 1943
Dear Mom + Dad
Well I got your letter at noon to-day and this is the first chance I’ve had to answer. It’s now 7:30. I just got through with washing my shirts, socks, underwear, and towels.
I ain’t going to write very much just wanted to tell yous I may be home to-morrow at 4 o’clock so be looking for me and go and tell Marg.
See yous all to-morrow I hope.
Your Son.
Major
March 4th, 1943
Dear Mom + Dad
Just a line to let you know that I got the box + registered letter and was I glad.
I won’t be getting my week-end this week because there was 4 Ptn so they tossed for it and I lost so we get ours next week. But I may go home on Sat, but I don’t know for sure.
I’m having lots of fun it’s getting to be a better camp every day.
We went into the gas chambers to-day at 2 o’clock and it’s now 6:30 and I’m still crying.
Boy is it cold here, our rifles were froze this morning. We had our first exam today in first aid and I passed. We have our Bren Gun test to-morrow I think I’ll pass because I had it when I was in the R.C.E.
How is Marg getting along? I hope she is being a good girl, does she come over very often?
You say Mill moved up, when you see her tell her to write, the time goes fast when you get lots of letters. Marg writes nearly every day. Well I can’t think of anything else to say. Write soon.
Major.
[Shannan note – this letter threw me for a loop initially…the mention of “gas chambers” had me a little confused because all other things point to Gord not only still being in training of sorts, but likely still being in Canada (the mailing address he provides for return mail to this letter is in Brampton, Ontario and there was a Royal Air Force base there, RAF Wyton). A little bit of research leads me to believe that he’s talking about mustard gas training.
In doing the research for this post, I found a great interview documented on The Memory Project website where a WWII veteran speaks about his experience with mustard gas training. You can listen to that here: http://www.thememoryproject.com/stories/387:george-ens/ . If you find Gord’s story interesting, I strongly suggest spending some time on The Memory Project website.
The Bren Gun that Gord mentions being tested on was the primary light infantry machine gun used by the British and Commonwealth in WWII and the Korean War. Gord also mentions using the Bren Gun when he was in the R.C.E, and all investigation suggests that he is talking about the Royal Canadian Engineers.
Lastly, I’m fairly certain that Gord is kidding when signs his next few letters “Major” unless he somehow managed to climb military ladder faster than anyone in history, also he signs a few future letters as General… 🙂 ]
March 1st, 1943
Dear Mom + Dad
Just a few lines to let yous know I’m okay and hope yous are all the same. There is a lot of talk about getting our passes [1] on Wed night so you can send me a bit of change.
Well I haven’t any more time, I have to go now. I’ll write a longer letter to-morrow so long for now.
The East Kid
Major Gordon.
[1- Shannan Note: I suspect when Gord mentions passes, he’s talking about tickets home for a furlough…The tickets in the picture above were just one old treasure from an old sweets box full of bits a pieces that he had either brought with him, or sent home.
Also, I am working on getting all of Gord’s details down in one place. After 3 days of photo, paper, and document sorting, I have amassed a great little collection of details for much of his family, and some newly discovered details on Gord as well. More details on these little life maps coming soon.]
February 28th, 1943 – Brampton
Dear Mom, Dad,
Just a line to let yous know I got back okay. Boy am I getting it easy this morning, my boy friends and I had to sweep and scrub the orderly room. It took us about an hour and now we’re through for the day but still C.B. if we weren’t I’d get home but I’ll stay and catch up with my sleep and writing and washing. It’s pretty hard to write here there is 2 guys playing the pianos it sounds alright to.
Don’t forget to send the box because I’ll be looking for it and send me a couple of coat hangers that’s what I need the most.
Well I can’t think of much more to say so good-bye for now, see yous all soon. Will write to-morrow.
Lots of Love,
Your Son,
Gord.
[Shannan note – The photo above is the whole gang – brothers Gerald (Pork), Ray, Gord, and dad Edward… Also, no blog post tomorrow, I’ve got a full day of family ahead. The Oakwood Kid will be back on Monday – see you then! 🙂 ]
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February 18th, 1943
Dear Mom and Dad
Well I got your letter but no smokes so please send me a bit of money. I haven’t got a cent to my name or a cig. I went to the dentist again to-day it will soon be all over and I will be glad to have one pulled.
The boys tell me the war is nearly over, is that right? I haven’t read a paper for a long time. Tell Bin to send a few cigs too, I could use them all. The Col. gives a flag out every day to the cleanest hut. Ours won.
Well I can’t think of anything more to say so good by for now. Give my love to Marg tell her I’ll write her as soon as you’s send me some money.
The East End Kid
Gord.
xxxxx
xxxxxx
xxxxxx
February 15th, 1943
Dear Mom + Dad,
Just a few lines to let you know I am okay. How is everything at home – Bin, Bill, and the rest, ask them all to write. Well I went to the dentist for the first time this morning and had my mouth treatment. It wasn’t bad. I have to on Wednesday and get 1 tooth pulled, three filled, and I’m all thru. I have to get my hair cut again, boy are they strict and is it ever cold.
We didn’t get paid to-day so if you have any change you can send me a bit and don’t forget to write often and tell Marg Dear to write. I haven’t got a letter and I’ve wrote about 5. Send me a book of stamps.
Well I can’t think of anything more to say so I’ll write to-morrow.
Your Loving Son,
The East End Kid
Gord.
Shannan note: The picture below, taken from the family collection, is my grandmother and Gord’s sister, Bin, whom he will mention often. And no, I have no idea why they called her that, her real name was Rosabell. I don’t remember much about her, she passed away in 1986 when I was only 5, but my mother never had anything but incredible things to say about her…Bin endured a lot and stayed standing. She sounds like she was a remarkable woman.
[Shannan note – Mixed in here and there among the letters is the odd telegram. These were such an wonderful find for a girl that has had the internet around for about half of her life (I know, I’m dating myself here…) but has a love for “the good ol’ days”. A double post today because the telegram is brief…special, but brief. I mentioned in an earlier post that it really sounds like Gord just adored his mom, and this just helps confirm that. The photo is Gord’s mom, Amy, pulled from the collection of photos I inherited from my Aunt, date unknown.]
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February 13th, 1943
February 14th, 1943
Dear Mom + Dad,
Just a line to let yous know that I am still okay and having a swell time except it’s awful cold, 10 below last night, about 6 today. We just got thru with supper and the meals are pretty good. I’ve got four boy friends, pretty swell guys. We went down town last night at 7 o’clock and by 10 minutes after we had walked through the whole town 6 times. They have a club there for soldiers and it’s pretty big, and they let the girls go in they can either dance or go to a show, smoke, read and play games. We sleep in till 7 o’clock on Sun, go to church, and then we’re thru for the day. I did all my washing to-day. Did you get my Valentines Greetings yesterday? A card wouldn’t of got there quick enough so I sent it instead. If you have lots of cigarettes don’t be afraid to send them because they’re the only things you run out of down here. My teeth are starting to bother me so going to go to the dentist to-morrow to get them all fixed up and by the time there all fixed up I’ll be home, about March 5th I hope.
It’s a very nice camp here, hot water all the time. Showers, washing machine, the only thing they haven’t got is a radio but they will soon have one of those.
Is Marg being a good girl? Will you ask Marg to ask Gladys, Eddy’s and Kirk’s address so I can send them a line.
Tell Bin that Mr. Price the school teacher is down over here – a first lieutenant (not bad).
Well I can’t think of anything else to say so for now so long.
Your son,
The East End Kid
Gord
Don’t forget to write and send the cigs.
January 12th 1943 – Halifax N.S.
Dear Mom & Dad.
Well Mom I got back okay except I could have stayed home until Sat. morning till 9:15am that’s what time the other fellow left and I met him in Montreal about 6 o’clock Sat. night.
Are we having some time here it has snowed all day and it’s still snowing and it is now 6 P.M.
Well how is everybody getting along, I am okay. I got my needle and I don’t feel to bad. I got two letters that you wrote before I came home, one had two dollars in it and I needed it. I got into camp 12:30 P.M. Sun night with $2.50 and we got paid Mon $3.00. I got some pictures on the train and I will send a couple in every letter.
FLASH Good news just came in that all active men are C.B. [1] I am hoping and praying.
Well I can’t think of anything else except write soon.
Lots of Love
The East End Kid
Gord
1. Shannan note – I have found conflicting things on what CB means in terms of military speak, but i believe it’s either “Called Back” or “Confined to Barracks”, both of which would make sense in this context.
Necessary Disclaimer:
I have edited the letters for some spelling and grammar (only when it’s really necessary, extreme run on sentences, paragraph splits, etc.). Although last names have been withheld for privacy reasons, I have not imposed any edits on the content of the letters. Please remember that these letters were written in a very different time and place, and as such, some content and language may be offensive to some. To stay true to the history of the project, I have chosen to leave these instances intact, but I feel that it is important that I say that the views expressed in Gord’s letters are his, and do not reflect my personal opinion.
Lastly, all written and photographic content of this blog belongs solely to me, its author, and may not be reproduced without my permission.
Questions? Please reach out to lettersfromtheoakwoodkid@gmail.com
-Shannan
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January 5th 1943 – Halifax N.S.
Dear Mom + Dad,
Well Mom, I got two letters here from you so I guess I better answer them before you come down and see what the hold-up is.
Yes we sure had a swell Xmas and I still don’t believe it. I’m glad to hear Sweetipie got lots. I don’t know what to buy for anyone. What should I get for Marg, has she mentioned anything she would like?
I hope Waugh comes down to see you all. He sure is a swell fellow one of the best. I will be glad when he gets back because it is awful lonely her all knew fellows. Do you remember Pat, the guy I used to bring down, well he was home on furlough and it was due on the 23rd so he stayed home for Xmas and was a.w.o.l. and he got 28 days detention.
I got Sweetipie’s picture alright and it was nice.
Tell the girls Waugh is pretty bashful so tell Bin to watch her swing shift and tell Marg to watch period.
I can’t think of much more to say for now so let me know what Marg would like.
Lots of Love
Gord
xxxxxxx
xxxxxxx
Last year, when I made the decision to really dig into my family history, specifically into Gord and his letters, I didn’t really have any idea of the scale of work I was in for or how much of a challenge it would be. There are so many little details and facts that I am starting to uncover and finding the best method for managing everything has been a bit of a process – I’m a list maker, a note taker, and a lover of all things Excel. I like things to be organized and neat, and to sit right where they belong. This project has been an exercise in flexibility if anything. I very quickly learned that not everything will fit into a neat little box, there will be portions of this puzzle that might always be missing a piece, and I’ve come to accept that.
As I wind up the tail end of my mini holiday vacation, I’ve really been diving into all of the random scraps of paper and unlabeled photos that accompanied the letters. I’ve spent the last couple of days lost in photos, notes, and research. It’s become apparent that with the first letter post coming up in a couple of days, a cast of characters could be a useful thing for everyone.
I expect this list to grow with time, but these are a few of the key folks that we’ll be introduced too early on.
Gord – the man himself. He’s young, from Peterborough area originally. I have heard a few different things on his age when he joined the military, but official paperwork shows him as 19 in 1943 so we’ll go with that. Later letters are signed as The Oakwood Kid, which is where the blog name was born from. Oakwood, Ontario is where (I believe) his parents moved to around 1944, and possibly where they were originally from – Oakwood is in the Kawartha Lakes area (like I said, pieces are still missing).
Gord’s Mom – Amy – everything I’ve found in all my dives into the family history, and from everyone I have spoken to, suggest that Amy was a wonderful woman. Gord certainly seems enamored with his mom, and I can’t wait to learn even more about her.
Gord’s Dad – Edward – I’m still digging through bits and pieces to try and learn more about Edward. He passed away when my mom and her siblings we’re very young, so there’s not much first-hand knowledge about him around.
Bin – Gord’s sister, and my Grandmother. I didn’t know Bin very well, she passed away when I was quite young, but my mother adored her, and my brother had an incredible relationship with her. Gord was very clearly quite close to his sister, and the rest of his family.
Marg – a friend of Bin’s, and possibly a love interest of Gord’s.
Sweetipie – Gord’s little sister Geraldine (Gerry)
Pork – Gord’s brother Gerald.
Waugh – A friend of Gord’s from back home that he meets up with in the military.
.:SK:.
Letters from The Oakwood Kid 