Dear Mum, Dad and Jack:
Well here I am in England and it sure feels strange, in fact I hardly believe it and
no doubt it is the same for you folks. Had a very quiet trip across and wasn’t a bit sick.
Guess I should have been a sailor….
It doesn’t seem right that I am nearly 4,000 miles from home, but it is I guess.
The countryside is sure beautiful over here this time of year but give me good old Pictou
Co., N.S, any day. It may be a bit early to decide but I don’t think I like it here but I guess
I have to put up with it. Don’t forget to send cigs and boxes as both will be welcome.
I haven’t had a square meal since I was home…. Cigs are about thirty cents for ten over
here and they are English cigs. They are not near as good as ours. We are allowed 1,000
a month….
I sure saw some sights since I left home, I can’t tell you what but it sure is
something. Someday I hope to tell you about it…. The training is really tough I guess
so my letters may be fewer than before but I will write whenever I can. You remember I
thought we would be transferred, well I guess we are. I sure got used dirty in the Army,
no luck at all.…
Hope you are all in the best of health and say hello to the grandparents please.
Guess that is all for now so be sure to write lots and lots of letters please. The best of
everything.
Lots of Love, Bill
Airmail received June 5, 1943.
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A great site. Letters are very interesting. Great links.
My father was James H. Taylor who enlisted in Westville & joined the Pictou Highlanders in 1939. His records show that, at enlistment, he was living in Eureka which is very close to Hopwell so he may have served with & could have known Bill. Dad also served with the West Nova Scotia Regiment & the North Nova Scotia Regiment. He landed in Sicily & also fought in France, Holland & Germany. He survived the war & was released in Oct 1945 at 28 years old.
Very nice to hear from the community, and thanks for sharing memories of the veterans in your lives. Bill gives us an intimate look at what a young man faced going overseas. There are many more letters to come, at least until that moment when he ends face down in the mud in France. Stay tuned!