HMCS UGANDA,

C/O F.M.O. ESQUIMALT,

14 DECEMBER 1946.

Dear Shirley,

With Xmas nearly upon one I find myself in the somewhat awkward position of having bought no Xmas cards. So in lieu of a card here is a sort note to wish you, your mother & Annette a very happy Xmas and successful New Year.

Have been away from England for about a year now I am inclined to forget the conditions you're still living under. I believe life is still quite a strain with rationing still very much in the fore and few of the luxuries of life available in the shops. I hope things are not too bad and that you're still enjoying life like you used to.

I'm addressing this letter to your Plymouth address trusting that the family hasn't moved. Are you still working for B.B.C. in London or have you decided that married life would suit you better?

As I write, the ships rolls form side to side as we sail up the Pacific Coast to Victoria. Arriving in Victoria tomorrow, we all go of for Xmas leave. This will be my first Xmas at home since 1938. We have just returned from a month's cruise which took us down to Acapulco, Mexico. Here we spent six glorious days. Basking in the hot sun and swimming in the blue Pacific (temperature 86 degrees F). At night we sipped lime juice cocktails and danced under the stars to a Mexican band. Rumbas, sambas, tangos- you'd have love it. Leaving there we came north to San Diego, California.

Here we stopped 3 days. Everything seemed fairly expensive here and I hadn't much money - still. I enjoyed it. Spent a day in Hollywood. Quite interesting. Had planned to do all my Xmas shopping in San Diego but by the time I'd seen the sights I was broke.

Well, Shirley this is all for now. Would like to hear form you sometime and give my love to your mother.

Love,

Dave.