1841 Squadron
British Fleet Mail Office
March 12/45.

Dear Mother and Dad,

I got this grand pen today and am writing you at once to tell you how nice it is and to show you what good letters it writes. Thank you ever so much and it has saved me a lot of worry. I have been trying to buy one but for one like this in Alexandria they wanted sixteen (!!!) pounds which is about seventy dollars. Can you imagine it. Needless to say I did not buy it. – I know you will be sorry to hear that Bud Sutton my friend from Saskatoon has been killed in action. I have been looking forward to seeing him for a long time now but I was too late. He died very gallantly. How I cannot tell you but you might like to write to his family. He was an only child and I cannot think how badly they will feel about it. I am writing to them now though I do not know the address. – I think I will send it to you and you can forward it to make sure they get it. – Nothing new has happened here but I am well and reasonably happy and waiting just like you for the end of this war so I can come back to Nelson.

Much love to you both
Hampton.

P.S. Written in great haste with my beautiful new pen.
[added in bottom corner:] It is just possible Bud is a prisoner of war but I don’t think so.