New Years Day 1945
approx. 10 P.M.

Kitty dear:

Your letter arrived to-day along with a couple from Alice and one from Ken. It's the first mail that I have received since before Christmas and the first letter that anyone in the family has written me. I thought I was forgotten, but it seems my letters must've been way laid some place.

To-day has really been exciting. I slept in until noon then went to a show 'Abroad with Two Yanks', to the recreation centre for afternoon tea and then in all night. This wild life is killing me. Last night I went to another show, then sat in the lounge until Big Ben boomed the New Year over the radio. I had a hard time keeping awake until twelve, the radio kept me from sleeping though. As I left the lounge for my room, one of the fellows woke up and wished me a 'Happy New Year'. I wished him the same then went off to bed.

On Sat. Night last we had a New Years dance. I couldn't find any babe for the night though, so the eats were the only good thing in the evening for me (Spam sandwich).

Tell Et to send me those pictures of me, if they turned out any good. I'd like to see them. The one with the white scarf.

How was Christmas dinner? And the holidays? Its not winter at all where I am. The puddles are frozen, and the frost makes the roads slippery, but no snow, and still looking like summer spoils everything.

I've been here almost a month now, and yet it seems ages since I left Canada. I guess when I get back home it will seem although I've never been away.

You'll never know what your letter meant to me today and there was lots of news in it.

Dicksons have a piano eh? Where the devil did they get it? And where are they putting it?

By the way, I'll need some blades for my Shick injector razor pretty soon, but not right away. You can't buy them over here at all.

No more from, so bye for now.

Love brother Ed (Pea/Ho)

Sunday Jan.7/45

Hello Pop:

Special war report from that ace news hound ('Pea/Ho'). Things going pretty good over here, I haven't had anything to do the past week but answer my name at roll, so I've been sort of wandering around and mingling with a few inhabitants of Bournemouth, so now its a little more like home , when I have a few friends who I visit.

To-morrow I start classes or something about naval affairs. I guess they figure I would make a good sailor if I should happen to get my discharge from the A/F. Kidding of course, the study is about ship recognition etc. etc.

I got Willy's parcel yesterday, and boy it sure is good to get at something to eat just before going to bed.

By the way, if you could send me any news about St. Andrews College or anything connected with it over to me. It would make Mrs. MacEntegart happy. Her son has been in Canada for five years and he is going to S.A.C. now.

I got a letter (two in fact) from Kate. It was good to hear from her.

Its Monday night now, the fellows I borrowed the pen from last night wanted it back so I never finished your letter.

I got your letter to-day along with the one from Ed Robinson. I heard that he was missing, is that true?

It sure sounds funny to hear you talk about snow, cause where I am here, it is still like summer (almost). At least its not anything like winter.

Well I got to Naval School to-day, and it seems to be quite an interesting course, its only two weeks long, and heck, I hope to be posted before then.

That was some Christmas present that Bill & Beth gave you. Kate was telling me about it.

I guess my mail is pretty slow, cause it seemed an awful long time until you answered my letters.

No more room.
So bye for now. Love,

Son Ted (still)(Pea/Ho)
I'm still a Pea/Ho but its over three months since I should've got my F/O, but when it does come, there'll be all that back pay.

Friday night
16 Jan 45

Dear Pop:

Well I got seven letters to-day but I went quite a while before they came.

By the way, that second card[?] must have been for Bill & Beth thanking them for the parcel they sent me. I guess its okay though.

I'm really right in the swing of things, and having a great time. The people I've met so far have been very nice and very kind. So its a great spot to be, but heck, I'd rather be on a station and start flying again.

Libs told me the name for the new baby to come. Boy, what a handle. I guess he'll get used to it, that is, if it is a he.

I'm back at Naval School again this week, and write the final test this coming Fri. Some of the lectures are very interesting, the ones about naval engagements of this war. But some of the other ones can put a person to sleep faster than any knockout pill the medical profession can produce.

From latest reports of all the snow you are getting over there, I bet you kinda wish you were in southern England with me. It is still quite mild here, and from all outward appearances, still looks like summer. I've seen kids playing in the sand on the beach bare footed, and a week ago, a fellow went in for a swim in the sea (he almost froze though). There was a newsreel the other night of the blizzard in Toronto, and it made me shiver to look at it.

If any parcels are in the process of embarkation a bottle of good shaving lotion would very much be appreciated, and a couple bars of face soap (pretty with perfume) could be stuck in to fill up the gaps.

I'm planning a big feast for the very near future. I've still got two cans of chicken that Bill sent me. So I'm going to make some Creamed Chicken and buy some pastry[?] shells for it. I've been bothering everyone around here how to make the cream and everyone I ask has a different recipe. Here's hoping for the best anyway.

Tell Dale that everyone here likes that pin picture of her. The one taken on the beach at Sundridge last summer.

Bye,
Son Ted (Pea/Ho)

Thursday night
25 Jan 45

Dear Kate:

I haven't received dad's parcel yet but I can hardly wait for it. I never been in such a cold place in all my life. Three days here and I haven't been warm yet. I wear flying boots and issued long underwear (first time in years and years), greatcoat, two pair of gloves etc. Etc., and the cold comes right through. Anyway its a flying station, and I'll be aviating pretty soon. Its the same kind of planes that Ted Bryans did his tour on. Remember, we were talking about them going out to Huttonville last summer.

The station is dispersed, so they issued us with bikes to get around on and boy you need one. Two miles to the mess, the hangars a way off down the road etc. Etc. I ought to be until April then I don't know what. Burma maybe.

There is almost enough snow for skiing here, and its snowing now, but no skis. Anyway if the weather stays like the last three days it would be too bloomin' cold to ski. They say its an exceptional winter though and it should break (I hope). By the way, the temperature just goes about ten above zero but gosh its worse than forty below back home and I'm not kidding.

I got your letter of the third and the ninth to-gether and it sure was [nice] to hear from you. I'm reading them over here now, its just as good as getting mail every day almost.

Too bad that we lost the wee dog, but if Dad's in the mood I figure that there will be another one by the time the next letter comes.

Well sister dear
It does appear
I've come to the end.
Love
brother Ted , P/O still
RCAF overseas

Sunday night
March 4th 45

Dear Kate:

Glad to hear about your job. I've been getting all the different versions of it from Libs, Et, Dad and Bill. At least I know for sure you are working.

Your letters seem to come at the opportune moment, when I'm not receiving any mail at all I can always expect to get one from you.

That's pretty bad about Charlie MacIntosh. I never heard anything about it until letters come from home. I kinda figured that everyone back in Canada learned of things happening over here long before I hear anything about them.

Only got one trip in to-day, just after I had finished a letter to Et. It was an air to air exercise. A fellow stooges along just off the coast towing a twenty foot strip of cloth at the end of a cable, and we pound away at it with two cannons. Its amazing how hard it is to hit the blasted things. You come in on the target between 250 to 300 mph. and you fire two hundred and forty bullets and then only get eight hits. One fellow got seventeen hits and that's very good. Most of the time no one ever hits the blasted thing. Its a heck of a lot of fun though. By the way, I've hit it every time, and that's something.

That white sweater in Dad's parcel was very much appreciated and also the undershirt. I wear the sweater at the mess all the time. I have an old blue one that I wear flying.

Rusty Fraser[?] in Ottawa has been sending me the Star Weekly. Boy, Terry and the Pirates is building up to something, with the Dragon Lady and everything[?].

The old mustache is really getting long. I haven't been trimming it at all and it hangs down to my lower lip, it won't grow sideways. I can twist the ends though and does it ever look queer. A real bowser.

The fellows have been calling me 'Boomer' lately, where they picked that up I don't know. It won't stick though cause they practically call me anything.

I've been here six weeks now and have another four to go, then I'll probably be sent right on Ops. My gosh, they don't fool on the continent either, they are really using bullets. A fellow could even get killed over there. Yipe!! What a thought.

I haven't heard from Ed Robinson lately, I hope the lad is okay. I hear Fent[?] Carroll[?] got it down in Italy? That's an awful place to be, in the army anyway.

If you can get Dad up in an airplane, I'll give you a dollar. Tom and I sort of have a contest on now, whoever gets Dad up in a plane first wins a buck from the other. So I'll include you in it. You sort of have an advantage over me, mainly a whole ocean.

I'm getting rid of the last cold I acquired, other than that I'm okay, pardon me, there is a slight cut on the third finger of my right hand, I caught it in the coop[?] top today.

Best I go now
Hope to see you all soon
love brother
Ed [----?]

Friday Night
March sixteenth 1945

Dear Kit;

Sorry, I lost your Toronto address so I'll let them forward it from home.

I had a pretty good forty eight last week in Manchester. That's near where Russ Crompton lives so he took me out and showed me what he could.

I received your parcel with the rubbers, jacket, pajamas etc., and boy are they smart. I sent you a cable from Manchester. I got the parcel first before I left on my 48. It seems to me I might have written you since I got it, but I'm in such a muddle I don't know who in heck I owe a letter to. I'm pretty safe in saying everyone.

The pajamas were most welcome, and really smart ones too. I was right down to my last pair (I had two pair to start with) and those I bought over here.

It sure is nice here now, even away in the north as I am, the buds are beginning to burst. I go around in shirt sleeves some times but it still turns cool at night. I've got my ------[?] going full blast now, you need it in [this]? Drafty old tin hut I'm living in, you [know]? The kind, probably seen lots of pictures of them.

Its lucky the winter is over, cau-------[?] not bad in there [sic] at all now.

How is thumper getting along? I ----[?] might name him after Tom, poor kid -----[?] how big he'll be when I get home. I ----[?] too huge.

This phase of the cou----[?] Both the flying and t---[?] Everything seems too interesting.

I got a letter to-day from a fellow in the army who just arrived over here. He signed it just J.K. and he wants me to write him. My gosh I don't know who he is, I'm really in a pickle 'cause he seems to know me quite well, but the J.K. has me stumped.

I still haven't played any bridge yet, no one seems to have the patience to teach me. All anyone plays is knock[?] rummy, eights or hearts. I'd like to get at the bridge though.

I sent Dad an ash tray made of stone from the Houses of Parliament. He should have it by now, I think. They are pretty slow getting over though. Thanks again for the parcel and for your letters, they're smart.

Bye, love Ted (Pea/Hoe)

April 4/45
Wednesday afternoon

Dear Kit:

Boy, what a time I've been having this past week, lots of travelling. It was last Wednesday night that I left I.T.U.[?] and wended my way from the north country. I stopped over at Newcastle for six or so hours 'cause I didn't want to arrive in London late at night, 'cause that's bad business when you have to ----[?] place to stay. While in Newcastle I got my picture taken in a 'While U Wait'place. Have you seen it yet? I sent a print to Dad.

On Thursday I got into London and went on down to Bournemouth. Gosh the weather was great there, and a lot of people were in town (city) for the Easter weekend. I saw Bill McKillop again, it seems he's there for good.

Some friends of mine invited me to their place so I stayed for a couple of days. Went dancing, saw some shows, and went promenading along the beach.

The beach was really crowded. It looked like these pictures you see of Coney Island, with everything covered with canvas chairs, just not quite as many though. All the kids were out walking in the surf, and there were some people swimming.

I reported back to this station Sat. evening (just south of London). Then on Easter Sunday I started signing in and kitting myself out for the continent. There sure was a lot to do, and it kept me busy all Sunday & Monday.
Monday night they told me to take my helmet & parachute down to the field the next morning. So Tuesday morning down I went and found out they needed some planes at certain Squadron in Holland. Four of us flew over, fifth fellow didn't get off. We had some pretty rough weather, but it was lots of fun. Crossing the channel, through France, etc. etc. It was a great experience. That was yesterday.

Last night I stayed with the Squadron, they are living in a big Monastery, really smart. I wandered around a little, then an Anson came in and flew us all back this afternoon. I just arrived a couple of hours ago.

Now I've found that ---[?] posting has come in, so I have to get cleared[?] tomorrow, and go off to the continent again the day after.

Bill Dale and Johnny Marshall are near me here some place, but I haven't had a chance to look them up. In fact, when I do get any spare time I like to enjoy myself, so it seems I never get much done.

I need a bath and a shave now so best I go, bye now.

Love Ted (Pea/Hoe)
---- ------[?] yourself

April 8 Typhoon K. Dive bombing near Haselunne. Didn't have a clue. Bombed a wood.

April 10 Typhoon V. Bombed road junction. Bit better, no flak. No 2 to the wing C.O.

April 12 Auster 675. passenger Goch to Osnobruck. On Emms Wesser canal.

April 12 Auster 675. flew LAC Stuart & Lenard on sector recce. Sort of a shaky trip

April 13 Typhoon A. Rail cut and strafing Bremen/Hamburg Bags of flak. Buzz had to come back with a big hole in his wing.

April 13 Auster 638. flew F/L/ Buzzo, local flying Checking Buzz.

April 14 Typhoon S. aircraft test. Livingstone spun in on circuit. Plane blew up.

April 15 Auster 638. flew LAC Stuart & Blimkie, aircraft test. Getting the feel of these things now.

April 15 Typhoon J. Rail cut west of Hamburg. Trying for a bridge but delayed fuse just spurted up the water. Little flak.

April 16 Typhoon A. Dive bomb Velzen with 440 sqdn. A red smoke job behind the bomb line. No flak.

April 16 Typhoon B. Armed recce west of Hamburg. Acted as fighter cover, lots of Huns around, saw none.

April 17 Typhoon J. Rail cut south west of Hamburg. Got a cut, set a truck on fire & hits on two more. No flak.

April 17 Typhoon A. Dive bombed ship Hamburg estuary. Red T radio U/S, came back. No flak.

April 17 Auster 638 Osnabruck to Rhene. Down Emms Wesser canal.

April 17 Auster 638 Rhene to Osnabruck flew F/O Stewart & Brooker, almost got a deer.

April 18 Typhoon F. Dive bomb oil tanks and strafing On Hamburg estuary, (dummies) East of Strade blew a truck up & hit debris, got a house.

April 18 Typhoon Q. Rail cut and locomotive strafe s. of Strade Stopped train with bombs, some cars off then came in with 20mm. Good do.

April 19 Typhoon A. Dive bombed warship Jade Busen Lots of direct hits, Stew was well punctured, bags of flak.

April 19 Typhoon F. Aircraft test. A darn good do with 24 kites.

April 20 Typhoon G. Rail cut north west of Hamburg. Boss never got off so Stan flew my #2, direct hits.

April 20 Typhoon S. Osnabruck to Celle. Big mix up in circuit, rough time, landed in dark.

April 21 Typhoon K. Dive bombed town of Achim. Red smoke job east of Bremen, strong point, rockets also.

April 23 Typhoon A. Out for rail cut over Elbe. Ten tenths clouds, jettisoned bombs on Germany.

April 23 Typhoon A. Dive bombed town of Bruttendorf another red smoke do, 14 kites, well clobbered.

April 24 Auster 638. Flew F/O Jones local flying over Celle checking Tom and what a trip. I hate others flying.

April 25 Typhoon S. D/B rails N.W. Hamburg

April 25 Typhoon B. A & E test

April 26 Typhoon X. D/B rails N.E. Hamburg