This letter is a good reminder for me about how life is full of both positive and negative things. As Jack says, I know it is pretty hard to figure out very far ahead these days, but I think the best way is to try and get what happiness we can out of life while we can. I don’t know what happened to the letters in the couple of years between, it seems what I have is pretty sporadic, but fascinating even with the time gaps.

26th April, 1942

Dear Percy and Edna

Thank you ever so much for your letter and parcel of March 10th. I certainly was glad to hear from you again and to know you all are well back there.

At present I am writing this in a tent we have moved from our portable billets and into a new camp, but things are pretty good just now as the weather has been gloriously fine for the last three weeks.

We are doing rather tough drilling now, long forced marches, battle drills and all the rest, I guess they are trying to make Commandos out of us all. Since we are all together in one camp again, I have seen a lot of Bill, and he still is the same, I don’t think anything will ever change him, he is quite lucky as he has a lot of relatives close and can visit them quite often.

There are a great many changes in the battalion since we came over, quite a lot have transferred to other units, others have gone back to Canada, and a lot of new faces are to be seen now. I have met quite a few of the boys since coming here, that I haven’t seen for years.

Things look ever so nice just now around the country, all kinds of wild flowers are growing, but I still like Canada best and my accent is not getting English – yet.

I’m sorry to hear that you have had tough luck about getting mail over. It seems to come over in spurts, some of the boys have a good system of numbering their letters from one to ten, then starting over again. This way you can tell just how many letters have gone astray, and I don’t know whether it makes any difference or not, but most of their letters manage to turn up.

I just came back from a good weeks leave not long ago. I sure enjoy a break away from the army life once a in a while and I wish I could get away for good sometimes.

Maybe you will think I’m pretty crazy, but I think if all turns out well I will be getting married in June 6th. I know it is pretty hard to figure out very far ahead these days, but I think the best way is to try and get what happiness we can out of life while we can. So I guess I will be getting hitched soon now.

If I can scare up the price I’ll send you a cable within the next few days, telling you I got the parcel, which I enjoyed greatly. Wonder if you could send a cigarette lighter and some razor blades please. Matches are scarce, but not matter what it is, everything is welcome. Be sure and write, and I do like to hear from you folks. I am still keeping well, hope you are too.

Best of Luck, Jack.

PS I sure would like any addresses of people you know if they are not too far away, possibly zI can visit them. Sincerely Jack

M11915

PtE J Martin

Calgary Highlanders

Headq. Coy. 5 Platoon

CA (Overseas)