Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Letter From A Soldier In England

This letter had a lot of miles on it by the time Dick Nevard received it at Camp Shilo, Manitoba. It was mailed from England to Brandon, Manitoba, forwarded on to Vernon, B.C., from there on to Dick's brother, Bill Nevard back on the farm in Sask. Bill sent it on to Camp Shilo Manitoba where Dick was stationed at the time. (June 1943)

                                                                                                                     Bdr. L.J. Goff L6323
                                                                                                                    18th 2nd Cdn. A/T regt.
                                                                                                                    R.C.A. C.A.E.
Hello Dick
I thought, I'd drop a couple of lines to let you know how I'm getting along. I was very glad to hear from you and also surprised to hear you were in the army. I guess its quite a change in one's life but I consider a good experience and adventure. Of course you are no longer your own boss and a guy hasn't much say in the matter, but its just the way you look at it. As for myself, I take em just the way they come. I'm having a pretty good time and have also seen quite a bit of country. A guy meets a lot of people and makes a lot of friends. We have a good bunch of boys in this outfit. Its a Regina battery. A lot from indian Head and Grenfell.
Well Dick, how do you like the army? Do you think you'll be coming over? Nice country this , and London is quite the place and its really big. Other towns seem small after being here. Its been hit plenty but there is still a heck of a lot left. Anything you want there and its plenty hot in spots. I intend to go to Scotland on my next leave but its a bit uncertain at times. We are kept pretty busy. Of course we get out lots, at times have the odd jerry drop a bomb or two, machine gun quite a bit. When you hear the siren, the roar of aircraft, machine guns, ack ack, well you just hit for a hole. Its fun though. I hope to see some action before its all over.
Well Dick, I gotta sign off. Remember me to all, keep writing, and the very best in all your travels.
                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                          Les

Les Goff at left in photo

2 comments:

  1. He probably thought it less entertaining as time went on. ;-)

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    Replies
    1. Dad used to say that after he landed on the shores of Bayeux, France in 44 and started seeing all the burned out Allied tanks and dead soldiers, he started having doubts about ever seeing home again. Luckily he did.

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