Marg

April 13th, 1943

Letters from The Oakwood Kid Canadian War History, History, Letters, World War Two, WWII , , ,

April 13th,1943

Dear Mom

Just a few lines to let yous know I’m okay. Well we got paid this morning, filled up our packs, and handed our blankets in. We have to get up at 4am to-morrow and you know where I said we were going. Well I’ll write as soon as I get there, so don’t write any more letters till I let you know my address.

Tell everybody good-bye for me and I’ll see them soon, even Marg I still think a lot of her.

Don’t worry about me, I’ll be good and have lots of fun. All my boy friends are going to, so that won’t be to bad. Will you try and get a picture of Marg for me.

Tell Gladys and Grace I’ll write and want them to answer.

Well that’s all I can think of for now.

Your son
Gord
Lots of love.
P.S. Remember what you asked me what SMRLH meant? Soldiers Mail Rush Like Hell

 SMRLH

[Shannan’s Note – EXCITING NEWS!!! I know who Marg is.. my incredible cousin Gail, who I have mentioned before as being instrumental in filling in blanks in the family, has been on the case and messaged me today with an answer… Here is where we were at:  We knew from Gord that Marg and Bin (my grandmother) were close. Bin was dating (and went on to marry) my grandfather Ted. Ted’s brother was with Gladys (mentioned above) and Galdys’ sister was Marg! I know it’s confusing, and it might not seem like that big a deal, but this is someone that has been mentioned in nearly every one of Gord’s letter so it’s obvious that she was very important to him during thistime, so this is such a  great bit of info for me. Thanks again, Gail!]

April 12th, 1943

Letters from The Oakwood Kid Canadian War History, History, Letters, World War Two, WWII , , , , ,

April 12th, 1943

Dear Mom

Well we got back okay and did we ever have fun. My boy friend Pat came  tearing into the bus station just as we got on the bus and he had two bottles with him, did we ever have fun. Everybody was drunk when they came in last night. We didn’t get to sleep till 3 am. I don’t think we’ll be leaving till Wed. night so if you answer this letter as soon as you get it I’ll get it Wed at dinner time.

I hated to leave last night but soon as I met the mob it was alright. Gosh am I ever tired, we went on a five mile route march this morning and we have another to-morrow that’s why I know we’re not going to-morrow.

Has Net gone home yet? Don’t forget to tell Joe good-by for me and Ray to!

I got your picture out on my shelf and it looks nice. Everybody else thinks so too.

I seen Marg for 3 minutes last night.

Well that’s all for now.

Your son,
Gord

 Net and Amy

[Shannan’s Note – Net is Amy’s sister, Nettie. The picture above is of Amy and Net, year unknown. I am not sure who Joe is, but Ray is Gord’s younger brother.]

March 4th, 1943

Letters from The Oakwood Kid Canadian War History, World War Two, WWII , , , ,

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… 🙂 ]

February 18th, 1943

Letters from The Oakwood Kid Canadian War History, World War Two, WWII ,

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

IMG_3636

February 15th, 1943 – Tell Marg Dear to write…

Letters from The Oakwood Kid Canadian War History, World War Two, WWII ,

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.

Bin

February 13th & 14th, 1943 – No sweeter Valentine…

Letters from The Oakwood Kid Uncategorized , ,

[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.]

:.

February 13th, 1943

Telegram

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 5th 1943

Letters from The Oakwood Kid Canadian War History , , ,

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

:.

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

January 5th 1943