March 18, 1944

Dear Mother and Dad,

Just after I posted my last letter, I got three parcels from the post office. I was glad to get the cookies and bars. My wrist watch is fine. Everything is going O.K. here. Today our division cleans ship and I am on duty watch this afternoon so I won’t get off until Sunday at noon. I went over to Aunt Isabell’s last night and got some clothes pressed. I sure hope I will be able to see you before I go to Nova Scotia. Don and Bruce are home today, and are due back on Sunday. I got a letter from Don Smith today and he told me all the news of Birtle. Arnold Purdy tried to join the Air Force but failed in the I.Q. test. He tried the Navy and failed the medical He is in the Army now here in Winnipeg. This morning I put my keys in my pocket and went to the wash room. When I came back my keys were gone. I looked all around and notified the R.P.O. It is the first thing I have lost here. My lock will close so that it seems locked and I think my stuff will be all right, until I can get a new one.

We finished our first week of studies on Friday. We have Exams every Friday on the progress of our work. I got the highest mark in our division in the first exam. I hope I can keep it up.

Your loving son,
Malcolm.

[drawing of “Yours Truly” cleaning with a brush]