July 11
C.23 Gnr. R. H. Francis
No. I. Can. Arty. Holding U
Unit. C. A. S: F
C/O Base Post Office Canada
Dear Auntie Kate:
I am almost ashamed to write because I know you have been probably worrying about me. But I don’t want you to worry any longer because it is needless as I am getting along alright. I had a beautiful trip across the ocean and saw a lot of nice things but is it every lost its niceness since I came to England. I want you to write and give me all the news you can and I hope you are in good health. I know I simply should have written but that doesn’t mean I have forgotten because I never did all the time but I want you to write to me often and I will answer every one. This isn’t much of a letter but please write to me and I may have a little news and be able to tell you about England’s scenery and so on. There is no use of me writing much more as I have nothing of interest. But please write and I will write a nice long letter back. Tell me all that goes on with you and have you heard from Bessie. Orval joined the army and I saw Bessie in Kingston just a day or so before I left for overseas. Please write will you and forgive although I don’t deserve it. Well I must go as it is black out time.
P.S don’t forget to write.
Heaps of love
Raymond C23. Gnr. Francis R. H.
“A” Battery R. C. H. A
1st. Field Regt C. A. S. F.
40 Base Post Office, Canada
Sept 10th 1940
Dear Mother,
Don’t be surprised at what this letter may look like because it is 2am in the morning and I am on a switchboard in the Battery Office which is just a tent. I have been here since 6 O’clock last night but hope to go off at 6 this morning. I am just about froze and pretty hungry too. You should see this boy now sitting on a bench huddled up in a great coat and blanket. It rained practically all day yesterday and is still very damp although the sky has cleared and Jerry is flying boldly now. But our R. A. F. is up there and Jerry doesn’t fool them at all. Actually I shouldn’t write such a scribbled letter to you but a few minutes ago I received a message. Though the set and I was nearly asleep as I thought maybe I could kill two birds with one stone keep awake and write you a letter it is very essential that I shouldn’t fall asleep although I need rest because the only reason I am here is because we may move soon. We have turned in all spare kit and now only have blankets, toilet (razors, tooth brush soap) 2 towels, 3 pairs of socks, 1 uniform and boots (upon our bodies) 2 shirts, 1 suit of underwear and three brushes which is all we carry of Couse we have our great coats and this little bit of kit is carried in our web equipment. So I see where we live the winter in rags. Oh really mother it wasn’t so bad at home but over here some nights I lay awake wondering where I shall be a month from the present moment and believe me I got my eyes opened and no one need preach to me the madness of war when right now I can hear German bombs (delayed action) bursting not over a mile away. Sitting here wondering as always we do if some hidden bomb would burst amongst us. I know it may sound bad to you at home but I paint it very rosy because people at home know nothing the horrors of today. There is the clerk over there who has woke up ordering me to douse my feeble light. Mother please write often will you because it’s such a treat to get even a note. I also want to thank you for everything you have done for me. I have lost all youth now and can appreciate the full value of what you folks did for me. Well cheerio and Pip Pip.
Heaps of love,
Raymond
P.S. I hope you can make out this terrible letter