I’m feeling a bit invested in Jack’s life. I still have no idea who he is or how things turned out for him, but I’m loving his letters.

M11915-PtE J. Martin

Calgary Highlanders

C/O Overseas Base P.O.

London, England C.A.S.F.

September 4th, 1940

Hello Percy and Edna

Just a line to let you know that I am ok and feeling fine. How is everything with you folks? I hope you are not overly worked, but I know you must be busy, especially at this time of the year.

Bill and I are having a pretty good time together, he has bought himself an old accordion and we manage to wheeze out something like a tune out of the old wheeze-box. We have quite a lot of fun, playing darts, a game which is popular over here. Bill is quite an expert and always manages to beat me.

The weather is rotten right now over here, it is always raining or going to rain, and it seems to be very cold. I almost freeze to death in this weather. I always thought I could stand lots of cold, but this weather seems to seep right through a fellow. I don’t know what I”m going to do when winter comes, probably I’ll get used to it if I live long enough.

Well, I managed to get five days leave, and I sure enjoyed my holiday. I think we stationed in the worst part of the country. Once we get away from this vicinity, we have a good time, the only trouble about going on leave and having some fun is the thought of coming back here again.

I paid a little visit to London while I was away. There happened to be a big air raid that day, and I had a grandstand seat to watch it. There is no doubt about our airmen being far superior to Jerry <a nickname given to German soldiers- I didn’t know that so maybe you didn’t either>. They knocked out 113 that day, not a bad going. Old Adolf must be having quite a headache at the way things are turning out.

Of course in a city the size of London, there is bound to be some damage as there is always something to be hit when Jerry drops his load at random, but I think the papers over stress it a little. There is lots of streets untouched, and even where damage is done it does not take very long to fix it up. A person can still travel quite safely wherever he wishes, and business goes on as usual.

I wish I could put on paper the spirit these people show at a time like this, but mere words can’t show just what they are. Every man, woman, and child deserves a medal for bravery and coolness in London, and lots of it never gets into the papers. You can see stores partly demolished and windows blown in, but the big worry is to reopen as soon as possible. The women and kids are wonderful. I’m afraid most of us would get panic stricken and get discouraged if our houses were bombed over us, or had to jump like a rabbit down into our air raid shelter every time a siren screams, but the kiddies just play on as usual, and take it just as a matter of course. If Hitler thinks he can scare these folks by bombing them, he sure is barking up the wrong tree, for they won’t scare in a thousand years. What gets us mad is not being able to do anything about it. The safest place these days seems to be in the army, but as the boys say “There’ll come a day.”

We had some Canadian mail the other day and I sure was surprised to get a parcel from you. The mince pie was swell although it had started to turn a little, and that shortbread was wonderful. I don’t suppose you figured on it travelling all the way over here, but it was welcome. Thanks ever so much Edna, thank you too Red-Head, you’re a swell cook.

Sorry I wasn’t able to visit all those people you wrote in your letter about. I’ll save their addresses, and stop over and see them on my way back. I sure would have liked to see them, but this man’s army doesn’t think much of what any single soldier wants, but make damn good and sure he does what they want.

Well, there sure isn’t much news as yet. Bill and I are keeping fine, he got a letter from Harry the other day, giving all the news, I was sorry to hear old man Oliver had died. Everybody seems to be keeping alright, although Mrs. Harry seemed to be sore about a horse that had bucked her off. Wish I had been there to see it.

I had quite a time here when some of the Englishmen found out I used to work on a ranch, they wanted me to stage a rodeo all by myself lonesome, but as there were no bucking horses to ride, no calves to throw, it didn’t turn out to be much of a success. They were awfully disappointed when I couldn’t yodel as they think every cowboy was a born yodeller. I have quite a time convincing them that it was quite sate to go to sleep on the prairie without being afraid of getting scalped by Indians, or eaten by wolves or bears. I think most of them prefer the safety of a dugout than the thought of living in Canada I guess it takes all kinds of people to make a world.

Well, I think I’ll sign off for now. Thanks again for the parcel and the letter. I know you are busy and it is hard for you to get time to write. Say hello to Clarence and everyone for me. Hope Sheila and Marsh are keeping well. As usual give love to the cook. I always try to keep on the good side of the cook.

Best wishes to you both

Jack