letter #24

HMCS Iroquois
c/o GPO London Eng
Aug 31/44

My Dearest Wife

Well today is the day, is it not? One whole year, who would have believed it. And its not a Friday after all, just Thursday, funny how I had it figured out. I was sure it was going to be Friday, and was so disgusted about it. Its very difficult to write, as you may have gathered by now, but I refuse to let the day pass without completing this and getting it in the mail box. Sent you a telegram which should reach you today if it doesnt meet the fate of other telegrams! Also made arrangements, weeks ago, for some posies to be delivered. Hope all my plans worked out, but as it will be a month or so before I hear I guess I’ll just have to be patient and wait.

No mail again last time, dammit! Im still sulking! Thats nearly three weeks now, as your last was an Airgraph of Aug 7. I hope everything is all right, and that you and William havent quarreled or anything. You havent, have you? Your Mums anniversary card was Aug 15^th. Seems to me you should have had one in the mail about then too. Well, where is it?

Today is rather a dirty day, and the good ship Iroquois is acting in a most unladylike manner. Bit of a sea running, and we are going at a great rate of knots. Its rather like riding in a jeep, I should imagine. Im wedged in between the hammock rack and the end of the mess table. I dont get thrown around so much, but its very distracting. Any other day of the year I could postpone writing till it quietened down a bit, but Ive only got one darling wife, and only one First Anniversary, so I must do it before the day is over. Of course, I couldnt love you much more on our anniversary than any of the preceding days, but its more important to tell you today. I do love you darling, more than anybody ever loved anyone before, and I hereby renew all those vows I made last Aug 31^st. Not that they needed renewing, mind you, but just to advertise them a bit more! Wouldn’t like you to forget what a devoted husband I am.

I wonder if you are established at 1807 Oak Bay Ave yet? You have no doubt written and told me, but its so exasperating to know there’s mail and not get it till its stale. I’ve a good mind to come home and see for myself! Is permission granted? If it was they’d just hear a swish and I’d be on my way so fast it would make your head swim! Wouldnt even stop to open doors! People would think it was a new kind of rocket-bomb or something!

Had a letter from Marge recently. All is well apparently and she seems to be enjoying life. Renewed her invitation for me to spend my leave there. What leave? We’ve only had one night overnight leave in two months! I didnt go ashore at all that night. Too hard to get back. Other nights it was 10.30 leave and damn few of them! I havent been keeping books on it, but I don’t believe I’ve been ashore more than three or four times in the past two months. I’ve told you about every time, so look it up and let me know. Didnt manage to squeeze so much in this time, too rough. If it eases down later Ill start another old fashioned letter but this will be ready for the postie when he goes ashore.

Bye Bye for a while, my dearest, and God bless you
Les