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Letters From Bill – Christmas Day, 1943

Dear Mum, Dad, Bette and Commando Jack:

Well folks, here it is Christmas again but it sure doesn’t feel like it to me. I’m back in the old camp again after 11 tough days in Scotland. We got back late last night so didn’t spend a very enjoyable Christmas Eve. Between seven and nine we were marching from the station to camp then we had to draw blankets, etc. so about 11 we were free for the evening….

Today we had breakfast at 10 and I have just finished dinner. It was a real good dinner and I am so full I can hardly move. The officers and sergeant majors and sergeant served us and I really did OK. The major gave me three plates full. I guess he really looks after me. We had mashed potatoes, chicken, duck and turkey, turnips, applesauce and pudding. It was on plates and really tasted swell for an Army dinner but Mum they could have it all just for one of your every-day dinners.  Even those snacks would be away ahead of it. There was a little kid who came in and I guess he thought he was in heaven. He went out about a half hour after the rest with everything he could carry, he was really happy and it was good to see.…

This is strictly off the record, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we went into action soon.  I believe it won’t be so awful long before the coast is hit and it won’t be very long after that when we will be in it. I am not sure of that of course but by the way things are shaping it will not be too long.

I have a rather dirty job in action too but I don’t care just as long as we get this over soon. You know in another month I will be in this outfit a year. It doesn’t seem that long in a way and in another it seems twice that long. I am supposed to get another leave on Jan 28th but if I do or not remains to be seen. I guess it will be back to old Scotland, but it sure won’t be near Inverary. That is one hell of a place to put it mildly. I thought we had steep hills at home but they sure have some dusters up there. They got right straight up to the clouds and it is plenty cold up there. I am not sure where in Scotland I will go, but I can’t stand England.…

I guess I am the only sober fellow in camp tonight, all the rest are drunk as lords.  They gave everybody a quart of beer for dinner and I sold mine for four bob, 96 cents. Not bad, I am still an abstainer and intend to stay that way.

I topped the list in parcels from home for Christmas and I have you folks to thank…they were all swell.

Well Mum, I take it you are OK again and were able to eat Christmas dinner at the table. I hope that next year you can set an extra place at the table and I want to be there to fill and I hope you can make room for a certain little nurse. Guess that is all for this time, I will write soon…and please write often. Hope you all had a swell Christmas and the best in the world to the best folks a soldier ever had.

Lots of Love to All,

Bill


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