Dick Returns From Leave

January 5, 1944

Regina, Sask.

Dear Dad

This is my first letter for the new year. I arrived in Regina about 5:30, the journey being uneventful I did snatch a few winks of sleep on the train. Tell Bill I sat on the opposite side of the train at Lipton station so he woud not see me if he looked. I was arranging my luggage and taking my coat off when the train pulled out. I ate one apple on the train and the other one when I got to the barracks.

When I got to Regina I asked the provosts if there was a duty truck. They said I would have to find my own means of getting to camp so I started to hoof it. I had not gone very far before a car pulled up to the sidewalk and a man asked me to hop in, which I did. He took me right to the barracks which was pleasanter than going by duty truck. The guard at the gate asked me if my pass was good till this morning. I said yes, then he asked , "do you want to go uptown tonight"? I told him yes and he said, well buzz off then, but don't tell anyone. So I went and drew my blankets and two kit bags. They could not locate my large pack so they told me to call for it this morning, which I did. I was told that it was 15 below zero in Regina yesterday morning, the same as at home.

After getting everything straightened out at barracks I walked to Uncle Eddies, taking my civilian clothes with me, and the books. Aunt May put them on the verandah. Aunt May had a cold. Uncle Eddie is about the same. I listened to Fibber McGee and the news, then we played five hundred rummy until around 11:00.

So far I have been doing next to nothing and have heard nothing as to what they are likely to do with me. So I spend some of my time catching up with my sleep. I hear a couple of fiddles tuning up in the next bay so we are going to have a little entertainment.

Your loving son, Dick.

P.S. will you please give the enclosed letter to Aunt Alice.

Dick Nevard at left with Uncle Eddie Edwards.