WW II Letters To My Mother: January 1, 1945

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The terrible tide of war started to turn on D Day, June 6, 1944.  Beachheads were established in Europe and the slow and dangerous task of pushing back the Axis forces was begun.  Many lives were lost on both sides, but on May 5, 1945 the Canadians accepted the surrender of the remaining Axis troops in Holland.

January 1, 1945                                    Canadian Army Overseas, Somewhere in Holland

My Precious Darling,

Hello My Sweet,

How are you and Diana tonight:  I hope you are well and happy as I am, as much so, as one could expect to be.  I haven't written any letters for about a week and incidently this is my first letter to you with the pen you sent me.  I sure like it Darling, it writes so smoothly.

Well, today is the first of the new year.  I certainly hope that before many months pass I will be home with you and Diana.  I didn't spent Christmas with the Corp(?hard to make out) as we had a "Smother" on the 24th and right after that I came out to our new area to get the set up on our position.  The rest of the Platoon came in on Christmas night.  I think I told you in my last letter that I had been transfered to 16 Pln.  The Sergeant that was here is on a course, so I'm taking his place.  It's not likely I'll get three stripes as there are quite a few Sjts. in the Corp(?) now, but I like the job fairly well.  My Pln. officer was an artillery officer before he came to the infantry.

We have quite a comfortable spot here, there are just four of us, the officer, a runner, a stretcher bearer and myself. We have a nice cook stove, a little cupboard for our china dishes, a table and lamps, kitchen clock, pictures etc and even a candy dish on the table all the time.  We do some of our own cooking and have some fair meals.  For dinner we had ham, potatoes, bread, tea, fruit cake, cheese and fruit.  Most of it was from parcels from home.  There were several jars of fruit in the basement here such as pears, plums and cherries.  They served canned turkey at the kitchen tonight as a New Years' treat. 

I don't know how long we'll be staying here, but I hope it's for a while yet.  

I had a parcel from Mother last week, also a nice letter.  I guess she is feeling rather weak after her operation, but I suppose she will be alright if she is careful.  I got two letters from you on Dec. 22, also one from Maria.

Thank you My Angel for the birthday wishes.  You won't have to remind me to collect all those kisses you are saving for me when I get back, I can assure you. Yes! I think I'll be able to recognize you My Sweet, when I get off the boat unless you have changed quite a lot.  Of course I wouldn't know, it's so long since I've had a picture of you.  I may have to go to Edmonton first, but will let you know when the time comes.  I'll either be wearing a steel helmet or beret, and black hooks(?) if I'm still an N.C.O.

I often lay and think of you Darling and wish you were in  my arms and think how really wonderful it's going to be when we are back together again.  It will seem strange at first with our little daughter, but it's really going to be grand.  If I don't get home soon, she'll be wondering if she has a Daddy or not.

I'll finish answering your letters next time Honey, so for now I'll say Bye by and may God bless you both and keep you safe for me.

All my love, yours only, Johnnie xxxxxx