A9119 Cpl. Bloomfield G.W.F.
2 C.I.B. Coy., R.C.A.S.C.
Canadian Army, C.M.F.
“Having received your paper as regularly as can be expected under existing conditions, I realize I should send my thanks to you, and all who are making this small package of ‘dynamite” possible. When mail comes in and the large brown envelope is on my desk, my thoughs immediately go back to that “large brick pile,” the good old D. W. & W. Four years is a mighty long time, but I could never forget my happy days spent between those huge walls. I feel quite safe in saying, everyone away from home now would give almost anything to be even bobbin boy again. There’s no place like home.
Since I’ve joined the service, I’ve travelled far. It has been very interesting, but at times rather lonely. All in all, I would not have missed a day of it. I had the fortune of seeing Rome. What a grand city! What grand women!!! I think it would be a great place to live in peace time. They have everything!!! (Bar nothing!!!)
To try and let you in on the life, as I see it. At present the radio is playing and anyone not interested in the program is out with the volley ball or horse shoes. The old saying “All work and no play makes Johnnie a sad boy” is taken into consideration. Thanks Auxiliary Services.
Best I cut the chatter and get on with the work. They may take a dim view should it not be finished.
Cheerio friends, and may you carry on the good work.”
A106270 Gnr. Armstrong Geo.,
30 Bty., 6 L.A.A. Regt., R.C.A.,
Canadian Army, A.F. France.
George writes from France as follows:
“While reading the mill paper last night I thought the news was kind of old. On looking at the date I noticed it was December 1943 edition. That sure is pretty fast mail service, and no doubt it has travelled quite a few places before it finally got to me here in France.
I had a very interesting letter from Doug. Midgley telling me how much he enjoyed his visit back to the old town. He said that he received a royal welcome and the people could not do enough for him. Hespeler and its people sure are thoughtful and we know that we will all receive a good welcome when we return and we hope it is soon.
All the boys on our gun crew want to look at the paper when it arrives. They all like to look at the pictures of the girls. So let’s have lots of them for they sure are good.
No doubt the sport fans around the mill have read in the Toronto papers about our Major Connie Smythe being wounded. So now our battery has a score to settle with the Luftwaffe for the loss of our Major and a few of the boys that went with him.
In closing I thank you again for the cigs that are coming regularly. And I hope all of you have enjoyed a good holiday this summer which I notice the mill is giving this year.
Fred Bloomfield
It is quite some time since I have written to you in appreciation of the cigarettes and mill paper which come very regularly. There is much more truth in it than fiction when the fellows say we are looked after better than any town or city in Canada that you wish to mention.
I was very sorry to hear of the casualties, as some of them were my best friends. They are very hard to replace, if possible at all. We never know who will be next on the list. All we can do is hope it isn’t our name, if it is, we won’t have anything to worry about.
Things are going quite well for me so far and when I get lonesome I just take a stroll up the road and have a chat with Bob Caswell about the old times we used to have in Hespeler. This way we spend a quiet evening instead of getting tangled up in some of this French calvados or cognac which is very powerful stuff. I wish I could be home this Christmas to have a drink with some of the boys as I have a big bottle of champagne in my kit bag.
A59655 L/Cpl. Armstrong H.L.
H. Q. First Cdn. Army, M.T. Section,
Canadian Army Overseas.